A New York rideshare accident attorney can help individuals who have been injured or harmed as a result of an accident involving a rideshare driver or their vehicle. Rideshare companies are popular for convenience and affordability, however, lawsuits allege that some drivers were negligent in accidents involving rideshare drivers. People who have been injured in accidents involving a rideshare automobile could be eligible to recover compensation with the help of a New York rideshare accident lawyer.
For more information, contact the Attorney Group for New York today. Our consultations are free, confidential and without any obligation on your part. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a claim we can connect you with an affiliated New York rideshare accident attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
What is Ridesharing?
Rideshare companies such as Lyft and Uber have taken the practice of ridesharing (sharing a ride for the purpose of saving gas and money) and combined it with the use of smartphone applications to give passengers and riders a way to connect more efficiently. While taxicabs remain the preferred form of ride-hailing in New York City, rideshare services, including rideshare giants Uber and Lyft, have steadily grown in popularity.
As local officials push to place a cap on the number of Uber cars operating within the city limits, questions surround the service’s legality and what kind of impact it will have on major metropolitan regions with extensive public transportation options, including New York City.
How Do Ridesharing Apps Work?
On-demand ridesharing services, or transportation networking services, generally incorporate a combination of smartphone and satellite technologies to connect passengers with drivers:
- Mobile apps that connect riders and drivers (accessed through smartphones)
- Rating system shared through social media networks
- GPS navigation to determine location of passenger and driver’s route
Lyft and Uber operate in a similar way. Riders request a ride using an app loaded to their smartphone. A driver is notified via the app, picks up the rider, and takes them to their destination of choice. Riders pay with a credit card or other online form of payment.
Rideshare Lawsuit Claims
In lawsuit filed against Uber in 2014, the company originally denied liability in an accident that claimed the life of a six-year old girl. According to an article published in TechCrunch, the company released a statement saying “this tragedy did not involve a vehicle or provider doing a trip on the Uber system.” Following the lawsuit that was filed a month after the tragic accident, questions surfaced as to whether or not the company should provide additional insurance in the event of an accident involving an “off the clock” driver.
How a New York Rideshare Accident Attorney Can Help
Rideshare companies and their drivers have a duty to provide a safe environment for its passengers, drivers, other commuters, and pedestrians. If there are risks of harm associated with rideshare company drivers, the company must also provide adequate warnings and safeguards. If a driver fails to fulfill this duty, they, as well as the company, could be held liable in lawsuits for injuries that may result.
People injured as a result of a car accident involving a rideshare car through no fault of their own may be eligible to recover money for:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
The families of those who have died in car accidents may be eligible to recover money for funeral expenses and the pain that comes with losing a loved one.
The Time You Have to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact the Attorney Group for New York. You can fill out the form on this page or contact us by phone or email.
After you contact us, an attorney will follow up to answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
