Ridesharing is a relatively new service that you can use instead of taxis or other traditional forms of getting a ride. Because ridesharing has only achieved mainstream acceptance in the last decade, there are ongoing legal problems surrounding the industry. One of the biggest questions that arises is who is liable for ridesharing accidents.
If you were injured in a ridesharing accident, consider hiring a New York ridesharing accident lawyer to handle your case. You may be able to file a lawsuit to recover compensation. Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (844) 730-0233 to discuss your case with our team.
Defining Ridesharing
In the last decade, the ridesharing industry has been redefined by companies you can access through an application on your phone. These companies have become what most people think of when they think of ridesharing, but ridesharing has existed in some form for more than 100 years.
The U.S. Department of Transportation clearly defines what can be considered ridesharing, which includes public transit like buses or carpooling. Even taxis can be considered ridesharing. In these cases, legal practices are more straightforward.
For a free legal consultation with a ridesharing accidents lawyer serving New York, call (844) 730-0233
Types of Ridesharing Accidents
Ridesharing accidents share many similarities to other types of car accidents; however, the biggest differences and where the liability for these accidents lies. There are many types of ridesharing accidents, including:
- Head-on collisions: Head-on collisions happen when one car runs headfirst into another. They can happen for a variety of reasons, including distracted driving and judgment errors. These accidents tend to have serious injuries, especially at high speed.
- Side-impact collisions: Side-impact collisions occur when one car hits the side of another. There are several types of side-impact collisions, including sideswipes, which can have severe or mild damage. They are more dangerous for anyone in the car that is hit because most vehicles have fewer safety features along their sides.
- T-bone collisions: T-bone collisions are a special type of side-impact collision where a car runs headfirst into the side of another. This type of accident is especially dangerous since the side of the car absorbs the full impact of another car moving forward. They often result in severe injuries for everyone involved.
- Rear-end collisions: Rear-end collisions usually happen in parking lots or result from tailgating. They happen when a car hits the back of another. Depending on the speed of the two cars, the damage may not be severe; however, it can still result in whiplash, which is a severe straining of the neck muscles.
There are many other types of ridesharing accidents not covered on this list. Being in a car accident can leave you with medical and other types of expenses that you are not prepared for. Since the accident is not your fault, you should be able to hold the at-fault driver responsible.
By filing a civil lawsuit, you may be able to claim compensation for your expenses so that you do not have to suffer the difficulties of paying bills that you did not cause.
New York Ridesharing Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Determining Liability
The most difficult part of dealing with a ridesharing accident is determining liability. Ridesharing companies are under the jurisdiction of the Federal Trade Commission, which is trying to clarify how these companies treat their drivers.
In some cases, the drivers are not considered to be employees. This protects the company from shouldering the liability of their actions. Another problem stemming from the legal position of the companies in the industry is that individual drivers can be held responsible for ridesharing accidents.
Some of the drivers that participate and ridesharing programs do not have commercial insurance. Since they are operating their own vehicles for commercial use, their personal insurance may not cover the accident. For the victim, this means that claiming compensation may be more difficult since the driver may not be covered under insurance.
A police report could contain information that can help us determine liability and fault.
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Statute of Limitations
If you are injured in a ridesharing accident in the state of New York, you can consult a lawyer as soon as possible. There is a limited amount of time that you have to file your lawsuit. This is called the statute of limitations, and it is three years in the state of New York. That means that you have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.
Although three years may seem like a lot of time, building a case takes time; furthermore, it becomes harder to collect evidence and speak to witnesses as time goes on. If you fail to file within the allotted time, you risk losing your chance to pursue legal action against a negligent driver through a lawsuit. Give your case the time it deserves by starting the process as soon as possible.
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Call for Your Free Consultation
If you or a loved one is injured in a ridesharing accident, you may be able to file a lawsuit to recover compensation from the at-fault driver or the company. A New York ridesharing accident lawyer can help you determine which of these parties bears the liability and pursue compensation in the form of an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
We do not shy away from tough cases, and we work on a contingency fee basis, so there are no up-front fees. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (844) 730-0233 to discuss your case with our team.
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