Ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft have become extremely popular in New York City and around the world. Lyft offers New York City residents and tourists a fast, inexpensive, and reliable way to get around the city. Customers use an app on their phones to easily book rides around New York City, and the entire transaction is handled through the phone app. The growth in popularity of ride-sharing companies like Lyft hasn’t come without difficulty, according to a Lyft accident lawyer.
Contact a Lyft Accident Lawyer Today
Determining who is at fault in a rideshare accident can be complex. If you were a Lyft driver who’s been involved in a New York City car accident, it’s crucial that you discuss your case with a lawyer. Attorney Michael J. Redenburg has extensive experience helping rideshare drivers who’ve been injured in auto accidents. He will thoroughly investigate your case, negotiate aggressively on your behalf, and protect your rights as a Lyft driver. Contact him today to schedule your initial consultation.
Lyft Accident Liability Is Complex
After a ride-sharing accident, obtaining compensation for your injuries is a different process than with other types of motor vehicle accidents. As a Lyft driver, you have a right to pursue compensation for your injuries, especially if you are not at fault for the accident. However, obtaining compensation isn’t always easy because of the complex nature of determining who should pay for the damages caused by the accident. Proving that you were not at fault for the accident can be an uphill battle.
Pursuing Workers’ Compensation Benefits as an Injured Lyft Driver
Lyft considers its drivers to be independent contractors, not employees. Whether a Lyft driver is an employee or an independent contractor is a matter of significant disagreement. New York courts have determined that rideshare drivers are considered employees in certain narrow circumstances. For example, in 2019, New York State required rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber to cover their employees through workers’ compensation benefits.
Suppose you were injured in a car accident that occurred while driving for Lyft. In that case, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits covering your medical expenses and part of your lost income. Workers’ compensation benefits cover accidents that occur anytime you’re locked into the Lyft app as a driver, even if you haven’t been “booked” for a trip. As long as you were engaged in an activity reasonably related to a Lyft trip, you will be covered by workers’ compensation benefits.
In most cases, ride-share employees do not have the same rights that typical employees have when working for a company. Attorney Michael J. Redenburg is constantly staying on top of new laws and court cases involving the rights of Lyft drivers, giving him a significant advantage when representing Lyft employees in court. He will thoroughly investigate the details surrounding your car accident to determine who was at fault and should be held accountable for your injuries.
New York’s No-Fault Insurance Laws
New York is a no-fault insurance state. If you become injured while driving for Lyft in New York, you will need to turn to your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance policy. This policy will pay your medical expenses and some related damages before you can file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
No-fault insurance laws aim to make it easier and faster for victims to collect money after a car accident. You will be able to collect compensation from your own PIP provider without having to prove that you were not at fault for the accident. Unfortunately, the injuries sustained in a serious car accident typically exceed the PIP insurance limits. If you’ve been seriously injured, you will probably need to pursue compensation through the at-fault driver’s insurance or Lyft’s insurance coverage.
Pursuing Compensation From the At-Fault Driver
The first step in obtaining compensation is to determine who was at fault. Attorney Michael J. Redenburg has the skills and financial resources to investigate your case thoroughly. When necessary, he works with accident reconstruction specialists who will use their expertise to determine which person or people caused the car accident that resulted in your injuries. If you’ve been seriously injured, you have a right to pursue compensation through the at-fault driver’s insurance policy.
When Will Lyft’s Insurance Coverage Protect Me?
Suppose a third-party driver caused the car accident while the app is off. In that case, you will need to seek compensation from your auto insurance policy or the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage. When an accident occurs while the Lyft driver has the app turned on and is waiting for a ride request, Lyft will cover accidents when the driver’s personal insurance won’t for the following:
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury
- $100,000/accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 for property damages
When the car accident occurred while the Lyft app is on and the driver is picking up or driving a passenger, Lyft provides the following insurance for covered accidents:
- $1,000,000 for third-party auto liability
- uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury and/or first-party coverage
- contingent comprehensive & collision up to the actual cash value of the car
As a Lyft driver, if you already carry commercial insurance or personal coverage giving you specific coverage for ridesharing, Lyft’s insurance policy will only cover costs that exceed your coverage. What happens if the at-fault driver does not have insurance, or their insurance coverage will not cover all of your medical expenses and lost income? In this case, you may be able to pursue compensation through Lyft’s underinsured or uninsured coverage.
Discuss Your Case With a Lyft Accident Lawyer
As you can see, determining who should pay for your damages is a complex process when you’ve been injured as a Lyft driver. When you work with attorney Michael J. Redenburg, you can rest assured that he will aggressively represent you and advocate for your right to compensation. He will work diligently to obtain the most compensation possible with an in-depth understanding of New York ride-sharing laws and personal injury cases. Contact him today to schedule your initial consultation.