A Brooklyn jury awarded Mr. Vargas $17.5 million for the City of New York’s violation of his civil rights for failing to provide him medical care while in custody. The jury found that the police officers involved failed to provide the necessary medical treatment and awarded $17.5 million to Mr. Vargas.
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What Happens If Your Uber Gets in an Accident?
Uber rideshare is a popular alternative to public transportation in NYC. As it increases in popularity, the number of Uber accidents naturally increases. An accident may be more likely if a driver is engaging with the app or their GPS when processing a ride request.
What do you do after an Uber accident? Getting the compensation you deserve after an Uber collision can be trickier than it would be if both cars were private drivers. What happens if you’re a passenger and your Uber gets in a wreck? Can you file an Uber accident lawsuit in that case?
The steps you take after an accident and your available legal options depend on what the driver was doing during the crash and whether you were a passenger or the other driver. An NYC Uber accident lawyer from Harris Keenan & Goldfarb can advise you on getting the compensation you deserve.
What Should I Do After an Uber Accident?
Whether you’re an Uber passenger or the driver struck by the rideshare car, you should always report the accident to the police. The Uber driver may try to talk you out of calling 911. But it is in your best interest to do so. You should get prompt medical attention, possibly catching hidden injuries before they worsen. The responding officer can help control the accident scene. They facilitate the exchange of information between all parties.
The police officer also creates an accident report containing vital information for Uber accident claims. These include details of the accident, witnesses, road and weather conditions, etc. Your NYC Uber accident lawyer may be able to use the report and information to help strengthen your claim for compensation against the at-fault party.
New York Uber Driver Insurance Requirements
New York laws regarding liability in Uber Insurance claims differ from claims involving drivers not considered transportation network companies (TNCs). TNCs have specific requirements for insurance liability coverage and driver qualification.
An Uber driver’s insurance coverage depends on whether they are “on duty” or not. If they’re not logged into the app (and so not accepting fares), then their personal insurance will cover any damage they cause in a wreck. However, if the driver is logged into the app, two different sets of policy limits may apply. The one that does depends on what the driver was doing at the time of the crash.
An Uber driver’s vehicle is considered a TNC when the driver is logged into the app (part of the TNC’s digital network). Or if they’re carrying a pre-arranged fare. When a driver is logged into the TNC app (but not transporting a fare), they must have the following insurance coverage:
- $75,000 in bodily injury coverage for any one person in any one accident
- $150,000 in bodily injury coverage for at least two persons in any one accident
- $25,000 in property damage coverage in any one accident
- Uninsured motorist coverage
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance (the “no-fault” insurance coverage)
If the driver is logged into the app and transporting a pre-arranged fare, then they must be covered by insurance with the following limits:
- Minimum of $1,250,000 for bodily injury, death, or property damage
- $1,250,000 supplemental underinsured/ uninsured motorist (SUM) coverage
- PIP coverage
The maximum settlement you could receive in an Uber accident may be limited to the insurance policy’s coverage limits. An NYC rideshare accident lawyer can help explain how insurance claims are settled with Uber drivers in New York.
Filing a Lawsuit After an Uber Accident
New York is a no-fault insurance state for accidents. State laws require drivers to carry a PIP policy to cover damages and medical care after a wreck. So, if you’re another driver who was injured in an accident with an Uber driver, your own PIP policy usually kicks in first. However, if your injuries are serious enough, or if you exhaust your PIP policy limits, then you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver.
Uber passengers injured in an Uber accident may have recourse to file a claim under Uber’s third-party liability coverage. The policy limit is $125 million and kicks in once the driver accepts the ride request. This coverage is in effect until the ride ends and the passenger exits the vehicle. The policy covers any injury, property damage, or death a passenger suffers.
However, just because Uber provides insurance coverage doesn’t mean that getting an appropriate settlement from the insurance company is automatic. Uber and their insurer will work hard to deny or minimize your claim. You need the protection of a seasoned New York Uber accident attorney to handle your claim for you and counter the insurance company’s tactics.
An Uber car accident lawyer in New York City may be able to help you achieve a better result than you could on your own. Your attorney understands the liability laws for rideshare drivers and can build a strong case in your favor. This includes establishing liability on the part of the Uber driver and connecting your injuries and other losses to the accident.
If no appropriate settlement offer is made, you and your attorney can sue Uber’s insurance company for the compensation you’re entitled to after their driver caused the crash that harmed you.
How Much Does an Uber Accident Lawyer Cost?
You might be concerned that you can’t afford an attorney if you’ve been injured in an accident. This may also be the case if your injuries require you to take time off work. At Harris Keenan & Goldfarb, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing upfront, and we collect our fee as an agreed-upon percentage of the money we obtain for you. If you don’t get paid, neither do we.
Contact a NYC Uber Accident Lawyer Today
Do you need help securing compensation for your medical costs and other losses after an Uber rideshare accident? We can help. Call Harris Keenan & Goldfarb today at 1-800-PAIN-LAW for a free consultation with an NYC Uber accident lawyer.
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Common questions that prospective clients have about personal injury claims include:
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When you have suffered an injury, it can be difficult to know what to do next. If the injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. However, filing a personal injury claim can be a complex and time-consuming process. An experienced attorney can help you navigate the legal system and fight for the maximum possible compensation.
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