Long Island Personal Injury Attorneys Fight for Victims of Ride-Sharing Accidents
Lawyers skilled at determining liability in accidents involving Uber and Lyft
Ride sharing is one of the society-altering technologies of the 21st century. Services like Lyft, Uber and Sidecar have brought transportation to neighborhoods that lacked it, rides for late-night workers and revelers and simplified short-distance travel for visitors and business people. But what if the ride-sharing vehicle is involved in a collision or another incident that causes injury? At The Licatesi Law Group, LLP we help those injured in ride-share accidents across New York state from our offices in Brooklyn and Long Island. We have experience handling all aspects of ride-sharing accidents. Whether you suffered injuries as ride-share occupant or while traveling in another vehicle, we can help get you the compensation you deserve.
Why ride-sharing accidents are complicated
Drivers for Lyft, Uber, Via and Sidecar and other ride-sharing companies must carry their own vehicle insurance, just like every other New York driver. Policy language for ride-sharing in personal vehicles varies among carriers from state to state and from year to year. Beyond the driver’s own policy, insurance is provided by the ride-sharing company, but that coverage applies only when the driver has the app turned on and is awaiting hire, en route to pick up a customer or traveling with a fare.
In the event of an accident involving a ride-sharing vehicle, New York’s no-fault law applies. So if your injury does not qualify as “serious” under state law, you are limited to recovering your medical costs from your own insurance company. If you have suffered a catastrophic injury, however, you are eligible to file a personal injury claim, seeking full damages — including pain and suffering — from the ride-sharing company or any other party who may have been at fault.
Attorneys from our firm are well-versed in auto accidents and insurance disputes; we help prove liability of the ride-sharing company in serious accident cases. Among the possible causes of accidents are driver fatigue, driver distraction (particularly from the phone app) and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In rare cases, there have been allegations of passengers being assaulted by drivers. We investigate all potential causes and sources of liability, including the vehicle’s maintenance records and the company’s hiring practices and background checks.
Applying New York car seat laws in ride sharing accident cases
Children accompanying their family are often passengers in shared-ride vehicles. Yet few Uber, Lyft and Via vehicles carry car seats or booster seats. Those that do are indicated on the app when you book the ride. Unlike traditional taxis, ride share vehicles are not exempt from New York’s law requiring children under age four to be in a car seat. Nevertheless, many drivers (and parents) are willing to transport children without one.
If a child is injured as a shared-ride passenger, our attorneys will investigate:
- Who was responsible for providing a car seat?
- Was the provided seat suitable for the height, weight and age of the child?
- Was it installed properly?
- Was the child properly secured in the seat?
If you or a family member has been injured in or by a ride-sharing vehicle, either as a passenger, pedestrian or another motorist, you need an attorney capable of sorting through the insurance and liability questions. The Licatesi Law Group, LLP can get to the bottom of coverage disputes and help ensure the responsible party covers your damages.
Connect with a knowledgeable Long Island ride-sharing accident lawyer for a free consultation
See the difference an experienced accident attorney at The Licatesi Law Group, LLP can make in your case. We help those injured across New York state, including the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island, as well as Nassau and Suffolk counties. Call us at 516-227-2662 or contact our Uniondale or Brooklyn offices online to take advantage of a free consultation and case evaluation with one of our attorneys.
