Why Do I Need an Attorney After a New York City Rideshare Accident?
You are under no obligation to hire an attorney after a New York City rideshare accident. However, failing to do so could put your personal injury claim at risk. Recovering monetary compensation following a rideshare accident is a complex process, and a single mistake could cost you a significant monetary award.
One reason an attorney is so crucial in these cases is the complex web of insurance policies involved. Unlike normal drivers, rideshare operators tend to have more than one policy in place. Without an attorney, you could struggle to determine where to start with the claims process. An NYC Uber accident lawyer from Douglas & London can help you pursue the compensation you deserve in the following ways.
Evaluating your claim
Unless you have previous experience in the auto claims industry, you likely cannot correctly evaluate your own claim. After a serious injury, you are probably owed more than just the sum of your medical bills– some or most of the compensation you are entitled to might not be immediately apparent.
In addition to your past medical expenses, you could also be entitled to recover compensation for any medical costs you expect to incur in the future. What’s more, you could also be entitled to lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and diminished future earning capacity claims. An NYC Lyft accident lawyer can help you pursue every dollar you deserve.
Negotiating with insurance companies
As noted above, there are often multiple insurance policies in place during an accident with a rideshare driver. For starters, these drivers operate their own vehicles and must maintain insurance coverage like every other driver. In fact, New York City requires these drivers to carry significantly more coverage compared to private drivers.
Additionally, these drivers are often frequently covered by insurance policies provided by the ridesharing company. The amount of coverage offered by the company varies depending on the specific facts of your accident.
If the rideshare driver had a customer in the vehicle at the time of the crash, you could have up to $1 million in liability insurance coverage. If they were actively seeking riders– but did not have a passenger in the car at the time of the crash, the amount of coverage is much less. Finally, a rideshare operator who is not actively seeking rides or carrying passengers– will not receive any coverage from the rideshare company.
Your attorney can negotiate with these insurance companies so that you do not have to. Insurers will often try to take advantage of accident victims who do not have legal counsel. Further, their adjusters will frequently attempt to settle these claims for much less than they are worth. You should be able to rely on the experience and skill of your attorney to force the insurance companies to deal with you fairly.
Identify the responsible parties
Moreover, there could be more parties responsible for your accident than you initially realize. For example, an accident involving multiple drivers could have more than one liable motorist. In addition to the rideshare driver, it is possible another motorist also shares in the responsibility for the crash. This would allow you to pursue legal action against both.
Some rideshare accidents result from external factors like dangerous road conditions or mechanical defects. Your attorney can identify the manufacturers or government entities responsible for these hazards and hold them accountable, as well.
Contact us for a free consultation
There are many moving parts to a rideshare accident claim. Without the guidance of seasoned New York City car accident lawyers, you could miss out on the compensation you deserve. At Douglas & London, we have extensive experience taking on insurance companies following ridesharing accidents. We look forward to discussing your case and advising you on your legal rights. To get started, schedule a free consultation today. Our phone lines are open 24 hours a day, or you can use our secure contact form to get in touch with us. There are no upfront costs since we work on a contingency-fee-basis.
