You may think rideshare accidents and taxi accidents are legally similar. But New York State handles them quite differently. In fact, throughout New York State, except in New York City, transportation network companies, such as Uber and Lyft, are governed by the statewide Article 44-B of the Vehicle and Traffic Law. This law establishes important insurance requirements that may affect which coverage is available after a rideshare crash. If you’re looking for a Suffolk County personal injury lawyer after a crash, reach out to Matera & Manley.
How New York’s Rideshare Insurance Laws Protect Injured Passengers
New York State’s laws establish important insurance requirements and claim rules that insurance companies must abide by after a rideshare crash in Suffolk County. New York State legalized and regulated transportation network companies outside New York City through Vehicle and Traffic Law Article 44-B, enacted in 2017.
Suffolk County does have its own Taxi & Limousine Commission, which oversees local taxis, limousines, livery vehicles, and other for-hire transportation. However, Uber, Lyft, and similar app-based rideshare companies operating outside New York City don’t follow these rules.
For someone injured in a Suffolk County Uber or Lyft crash, New York law establishes key insurance requirements. The specific outcome of an insurance claim or lawsuit still depends on core pieces of information. This includes the driver’s app status, the applicable policies, the evidence of fault, and the facts of the crash.
App Status and Your Claim Against Uber or Lyft
One of the more confusing aspects of rideshare law is that a driver’s insurance coverage changes depending on what the driver is doing at the exact moment of a crash. Article 44-B generally establishes different insurance requirements based on the driver’s app status.
When a driver is logged into the app but hasn’t accepted a ride, New York requires at least $75,000 per person and $150,000 per accident in insurance coverage. It also mandates another $25,000 in property damage coverage. The required insurance also includes applicable no-fault and uninsured-motorist coverage.
Once a driver accepts the ride, the required coverage jumps substantially to a combined $1.25 million in liability coverage. On top of that, coverage must include $1.25 million in supplementary uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. This period is live while the driver is traveling to pick up the passenger and while they are transporting the passenger.
The required coverage may be provided through the rideshare company’s group policy or a combination of policies. This depends on the driver’s status and the applicable insurance terms.
Keep in mind that if the driver was not logged into the rideshare app and was not engaged in a rideshare trip, Article 44-B’s TNC-specific coverage requirements generally do not apply. The claim may instead involve the driver’s personal auto policy and any other applicable coverage.
How a Suffolk County Personal Injury Lawyer Pursues Your Claim After a Rideshare Accident
What does this context tell us? After a rideshare crash, determining which policy applies is typically the central issue in how a personal injury claim will proceed.
After a Suffolk County Uber or Lyft accident, our car accident attorneys can investigate the crash and preserve key evidence before it disappears. The driver’s app status can be especially important. This detail determines which New York rideshare insurance requirements apply based on your situation. We know how to access that information through communications with the rideshare company. Then we can identify the insurance policies that may apply and handle negotiations with insurers.
Our attorneys document injuries and losses to demonstrate the impact of the crash on your life. We can also help navigate no-fault deadlines and evaluate settlement offers all on your behalf. Ultimately, we can help you understand if you have a claim.
Book a Free Consultation With a Suffolk County Personal Injury Lawyer
Rideshare insurance laws in New York are one major factor that determines how much your case might be worth. If you were hurt in an Uber or Lyft, or you were otherwise involved in a rideshare accident, working with a Suffolk County personal injury lawyer who is familiar with New York’s laws can help you understand your options and protect important deadlines.
At Matera & Manley, our award-winning attorneys are ready to advocate for an award that compensates you for your injuries after a careless driver hurts you. Our personal injury case results and real client reviews speak for themselves. After a rideshare crash, let us help you pursue compensation. Schedule a free case review today.
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