Millions Recovered for Injured Clients
$2,500,000
Settlement at trial for negligent road design
$2,400,000
Settlement at trial for a construction worker
$1,750,000
For a student injured at school
$1,300,000
For a motorcyclist
$1,200,000
Verdict for Car Crash Victim
$1,000,000
For a motorcyclist
$950,000
For car crash victim
Types of Rideshare Accident Cases We Handle in Amherst
What makes a rideshare crash different from an ordinary car accident is the insurance coverage involved. A rideshare accident lawyer in Amherst can help determine which policies apply because Uber and Lyft drivers may be covered by different policies depending on what they were doing at the time of the collision.
Outside New York City, including Amherst, New York law generally divides rideshare coverage into three stages:
- App off: If the driver was not logged into the rideshare app, the driver’s personal auto insurance generally applies.
- App on, waiting for a ride request: Limited rideshare coverage applies, including up to $75,000 per person and $150,000 per accident for bodily injury liability.
- Driver matched with a passenger or transporting a rider: The higher commercial rideshare policy generally applies, providing up to $1.25 million in liability coverage.
Determining which insurance policy applies is often one of the biggest challenges in a rideshare claim. Insurance companies may dispute the driver’s status at the time of the crash, and important evidence such as trip records and app data may be controlled by the rideshare company.
Our car accident lawyers in Amherst handle rideshare accident claims involving:
- Uber and Lyft passengers injured in crashes
- Drivers and passengers injured by rideshare vehicles
- Pedestrians and cyclists hit by rideshare drivers
- Rideshare drivers injured by another negligent motorist
- Fatal rideshare accidents and wrongful death claims
Whether you were riding in an Uber or Lyft, driving another vehicle, or walking through Amherst when you were hit, we’re ready to investigate the crash, identify the insurance coverage that applies, and pursue compensation from the responsible parties.
Why Choose Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law
With more than 27 years of litigation experience, over 300 years of combined legal experience, nearly 20,000 clients served, 48 attorneys, and a 240-person staff, Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law has the resources to handle complex injury claims.
For decades, our car accident lawyers in Amherst have helped injured clients across Western New York navigate the aftermath of serious crashes. Our deep local knowledge of area roads, courts, insurance practices, and the challenges accident victims face helps us investigate claims, identify important evidence, and build stronger cases.
We Untangle Overlapping Insurance Coverage
The hardest part of many rideshare claims is determining which insurance policy applies. We investigate the driver’s status at the time of the crash, review trip records and app data, and pursue the available coverage, whether through the rideshare company’s policy, the driver’s personal insurance, or other applicable coverage.
We’re Trial-Ready When Insurers Won’t Pay Fairly
Rideshare claims often involve well-funded insurers and complicated coverage disputes. We prepare every case with trial in mind, using evidence, medical records, and expert support to strengthen your position in negotiations and present your case effectively if litigation becomes necessary.
One Firm for Your Injury and Disability Needs
When a rideshare crash leaves you unable to work, the impact can extend beyond medical expenses. Our Social Security Disability lawyers in Amherst can help you pursue available benefits while our injury attorneys seek compensation from the parties responsible for your injuries.
We Have a No-Fee Guarantee
You never pay us upfront. We only get paid if we win for you, so our success is directly tied to yours.
Free Case Evaluation
Speak with a lawyer at no cost. We’ll review your situation, explain your options, and help you understand the best path forward.
You’re More than a Case
We treat every client like family, taking the time to understand your story and guide you through every step with care and compassion.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Rideshare Accident in Amherst?
Like other New York car accident claims, a rideshare case typically begins with No-Fault benefits, which may cover medical expenses, lost wages, and certain other costs regardless of fault. Injured passengers generally receive these benefits through the rideshare vehicle’s No-Fault coverage, but the application must usually be filed within 30 days of the crash.
If your injuries meet New York’s serious injury threshold, you may pursue additional compensation from the at-fault party for losses such as pain and suffering. Depending on your case, compensation may include:
- Medical treatment, rehabilitation, and future care
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent injuries, scarring, or disability
- Property damage and out-of-pocket expenses
- Wrongful death damages
Because rideshare crashes can involve multiple insurance policies, an Amherst rideshare accident attorney can help identify the coverage available, document your losses, and pursue the compensation you may be entitled to recover.
Can I Still Recover Compensation If I Was Partially at Fault for the Accident?
Yes. New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule, so your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover damages. An Amherst rideshare accident lawyer can gather evidence and challenge unfair attempts by insurers to shift blame.
"We fight for our clients as if they were family—taking cases to trial when necessary to ensure they receive the justice and financial recovery they deserve."
An Amherst Rideshare Accident Lawyer Can Protect and Strengthen Your Claim
After a rideshare crash, the biggest challenge is often figuring out what happened, who is responsible, and which insurance coverage should apply. Unlike a typical car accident, Uber and Lyft claims can involve app data, trip records, multiple insurers, and coverage questions that are not always obvious. Our rideshare accident lawyers in Amherst investigate those details early so important evidence is not overlooked.
From the start of your case, we work to:
✓ Reconstruct the crash: Reviewing police reports, witness statements, photographs, video, and other evidence to determine how the accident happened and who may be responsible.
✓ Determine the available insurance coverage: Obtaining trip records and app data to identify the driver’s rideshare status and the policies that may apply.
✓ Find every responsible party: Looking beyond the rideshare driver to determine whether another motorist or additional insurance coverage may be involved.
✓ Build the full picture of your losses: Gathering medical records, employment information, and expert support to show how your injuries have affected your health, work, and daily life.
✓ Handle the insurance companies: Taking over communications with Uber, Lyft, and other insurers while protecting your claim from attempts to minimize what you are owed.
✓ Protect your No-Fault benefits: Helping ensure your application is filed properly and within New York’s 30-day deadline.
✓ Prepare for litigation when needed: Using our decades of trial experience to build a case that is ready for court if a fair resolution cannot be reached.
Rideshare companies and insurers have teams working to protect their interests. You deserve a legal team that understands how to investigate these claims, preserve the evidence that matters, and pursue the compensation available under New York law.
Common Injuries Caused by Rideshare Accidents in Amherst
An Uber or Lyft crash can leave you dealing with injuries that affect your health, work, and daily life. Even when a collision does not appear severe at first, symptoms can develop over time, and proper medical documentation is critical when pursuing a claim under New York law.
At Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law, we help Amherst rideshare accident victims seek compensation for injuries including:
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Sprains, torn ligaments, and other soft tissue injuries
- Permanent scarring, disfigurement, and disability
We work closely with medical providers and, when needed, outside specialists to understand the full impact of your injuries and present the strongest possible claim for your recovery.
Ida and Stephanie were great! They kept me posted about my case. They provided documents for my doctors to fill out so I had as much medical records as I could! Stephanie represented me in the Judge appeal and was great asking me questions about my disability and helping me convey those disabilities to the judge! I’m so grateful ☺️ for their help! Highly recommend them!
Working with Hiller Comerford was easy. They took care of everything and their communication was exceptional. I’ve already referred others to them.
Seriously grateful to my attorney, Ryan Taylor. I spent years trying to navigate VA disability on my own and they managed to finally make headway where I could not.
Everyone I spoke with and worked with was extremely kind and had great communication also they were compassionate,they worked very diligently to help me and kept me well informed throughout the process I couldn't thank them enough.
I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law for their exceptional support and guidance throughout my disability benefits process. Their expertise and dedication made an overwhelming situation feel manageable, and they ensured every step was handled with care and clarity. I am truly grateful for their assistance and highly recommend their services.
My lawyer RyanTaylor was amazing. He told me exactly how the process goes, what to expect and how long it realistically would take. He was able to get for me exactly what I had tried twice to do myself but was rejected by the VA for. I will recommend all my Veteran friends to him.
Hard workers, always looking at the positive side of the case and always listening to the client. Only down remark is hard to get calls back.
Hiller Comerford have been amazing. They got me a fully favorable decision on my disability claim, I could have never been able to do that on my own. Everyone in their office is so kind and so knowledgeable. They really helped make a difficult time of my life a pleasure. Thank you so much Hiller Comerford!!!
The firm understands the situation, and are very acknowledged about the social security laws and guidelines. Staff were very friendly. The attorney that represented me was Charles Gaughan and the case manager was Olivia Fritzen. They did a wonderful job with my representation for my case. I would highly recommend The law firm of Hiller and Comerford.
How Long Do I Have to File a Rideshare Accident Lawsuit in Amherst?
According to the New York statute of limitations, you generally have three years from the date of a crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. Wrongful death claims generally must be filed within two years of the date of death, and claims involving a government entity may require a Notice of Claim within 90 days.
Waiting too long can make your case harder to prove. Trip records, app data, and other evidence showing the rideshare driver’s status at the time of the crash may become more difficult to obtain over time. An Amherst rideshare accident attorney can help identify the deadlines that apply to your claim and take steps to preserve important evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions we hear from Amherst clients after a rideshare accident.
What should I do immediately after a rideshare accident in Amherst?
Your health comes first. Seek medical attention for any injuries, even if they seem minor at first, and follow your doctor’s recommendations. If you are able, document the scene by taking photos or videos, gathering contact information from witnesses, and keeping records of your medical treatment. Report the crash to the appropriate parties, but avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurance company before talking to a rideshare accident lawyer in Amherst near you.
Who pays for my injuries after an Uber or Lyft accident in Amherst?
It depends on what the rideshare driver was doing at the time of the crash. If the driver was transporting a passenger or heading to pick one up, Uber’s or Lyft’s higher commercial liability coverage may apply. If the driver was logged into the app but waiting for a ride request, different coverage limits apply. Injured passengers may also receive No-Fault benefits for medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault. Determining which insurance policy applies is a key part of any rideshare claim.
Can I file a claim if I was a passenger in the Uber or Lyft?
Yes. As a rideshare passenger, you may be able to pursue a claim if the crash was caused by the rideshare driver or another motorist. We investigate what happened, determine who was responsible, and pursue the insurance coverage available for your injuries.
What if I was hit by a rideshare driver while in my own car or on foot?
You may still have a claim. Whether you were in another vehicle, on a bicycle, or walking in Amherst, the available insurance coverage depends on the rideshare driver’s status at the time of the accident. We investigate the crash and pursue compensation from every responsible party and applicable insurance policy.
What does it cost to hire a rideshare accident lawyer in Amherst?
There is no upfront cost to hire Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law. We handle rideshare accident claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay attorney’s fees if we recover compensation for you. Your initial consultation is free, so you can discuss your accident and legal options without financial pressure.
