Rideshare Accident Attorney in Rochester, NY
Rideshare services are incredibly convenient, which helps to explain their ever-rising popularity. However, they can also pose certain dangers to passengers. Drivers for Uber and Lyft sometimes get into car crashes, and both passengers and pedestrians can sustain injuries. If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, a Rochester rideshare accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you need to heal and move on with your life.
Trust Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC
If you’re looking for a skilled Rochester rideshare accident attorney, look no further than Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC. We have over 50 years of cumulative experience and know what it takes to negotiate with insurance companies. We’ve handled many rideshare accident claims in the past, and we can help with yours, too.
Why Hire a Rideshare Accident Lawyer?
Around one-third of Uber drivers report having been involved in at least one accident while driving for the company. Given that around 156 million people use either Uber or Uber Eats at least once a month, that amounts to a lot of accidents. In fact, Uber drivers completed 11.27 billion trips in 2024 alone.
It doesn’t matter whether you were a rideshare passenger, a passenger in another car, or a pedestrian. If you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident, you need to hire a rideshare accident lawyer. A rideshare accident attorney can help you determine who was at fault for the accident and file a claim against the responsible party. They can represent your interests in negotiations with insurance companies and, if necessary, in court.
Who’s Responsible for Rideshare Accidents?
If you’ve been injured as a passenger in an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare, the chances are good that your injuries and other damages will be covered by the company’s insurance policy. Uber has a $1 million liability policy that applies when drivers have passengers in the car with them, so you won’t have to worry about whether there will be enough coverage available to pay for your medical bills and lost wages.
If you were in another vehicle and the Uber driver was on the clock but waiting for a ride request, the situation is slightly different. Uber has a policy that provides $50,000 in bodily injury coverage per person or $100,000 per car. They also offer $25,000 in property damage coverage.
If you were hit by a rideshare driver while they were not working, the company assumes no responsibility. You’ll receive compensation from the driver’s personal insurance policy.
What to Do After a Rideshare Accident
Most of the steps you’ll need to take following a rideshare accident are the same ones you would take in any other car accident. You’ll need to:
- Contact law enforcement. It’s important to file a police report and offer an official statement about the accident because that could be valuable evidence when you file your claim.
- Take pictures of the crash scene and any injuries. If you’re able to move around, take some pictures of the crash site and any injuries you sustained during the accident before you receive medical care.
- Get medical treatment. You should go to Rochester General Hospital or another local emergency room as soon as possible after the accident occurs, even if you believe your injuries to be relatively minor. You could have sustained more serious internal injuries you don’t know about, and you’ll need to document the ones you know you have.
- File a claim with the company. You’ll need to file a claim with the rideshare company. Treat it just like you would when dealing with any other insurance company. Don’t make statements assuming guilt, and speak with a lawyer before you accept any settlement they offer.
FAQs
Can I File a Claim Against Uber if I Get Into an Accident?
You can file a claim against Uber if you get into an accident, especially if you were a passenger. You can file a claim against Uber’s insurance policy to cover all damages, including bills for medical treatment, lost income due to your injuries, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
Is It Worth Getting an Attorney for a Rideshare Accident?
It is worth getting an attorney for a rideshare accident. You may be eligible to receive compensation from the responsible party’s insurance policy, but insurers are notorious for offering low payouts to people without lawyers. Hiring a Rochester rideshare accident attorney gives you access to a legal professional who can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf and, if necessary, take them to court.
How Much Does Uber Pay if You Get Into a Car Accident?
How much Uber pays if you get into a car accident varies depending on the specifics of the claim. If the driver is online and waiting for a ride request, Uber provides only a limited insurance policy that covers $50,000 in bodily injury per person and $25,000 in property damage. If you were a current passenger, Uber’s full insurance policy applies, providing up to $1 million in liability coverage.
How Often Do Uber Drivers Get Into Accidents?
Uber drivers get into accidents relatively often. A recent study shows that one-third of drivers have been involved in an accident while working. Given that millions of people worldwide drive for Uber, that amounts to a lot of car crashes. If you get into a car crash involving an Uber driver, you may be able to receive compensation through the company’s liability insurance policy. Hire a rideshare accident lawyer to learn more.
Your Rochester Rideshare Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been involved in an accident involving a Lyft or Uber driver, or one from a less popular rideshare platform, you could be entitled to compensation. A Rochester rideshare accident lawyer can help you get what you’re owed.
You can turn to Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC, for help with filing your rideshare accident claim. We’re intimately familiar with rideshare accident laws and know how to apply them to maximize your payout. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation.