Types of Ridesharing Accidents We Handle in Buffalo
Ridesharing accidents can be complex, involving multiple drivers, passengers, and insurance policies. At Hiller Comerford, our Buffalo ridesharing accident attorneys have handled cases of all sizes and types. No crash is too complicated, no insurance company too aggressive. We investigate each case thoroughly, anticipate challenges, and develop strategies that protect your rights. We handle cases including:
- Uber and Lyft collisions
- Drunk or distracted rideshare drivers
- Multi-passenger incidents
- Passenger injuries in the back seat
- Side-impact, rear-end, and T-bone crashes
- Fatal ridesharing accidents (wrongful death claims)
- Hit-and-run accidents
Whether the accident involves a high-speed crash, multiple vehicles, or a rideshare driver at fault, our Buffalo personal injury attorneys bring decades of experience in handling motor vehicle accidents. That expertise allows us to anticipate tactics insurers may use, craft a case tailored to your situation, and fight for the compensation you are owed.
Why Choose Our Ridesharing Accident Attorneys?
Rideshare accidents aren’t your typical fender bender. They’re a multi-layered puzzle of policies, corporate liability, and digital evidence. Between Uber, Lyft, the driver’s personal insurance, and potentially other vehicles, trying to untangle it alone is like navigating Buffalo traffic blindfolded.
At Hiller Comerford, our Buffalo rideshare accident attorneys specialize in decoding this chaos. We anticipate the tricks insurance companies use, spot loopholes, and turn ride logs, GPS data, and dashcam footage into a strategy that puts you in the driver’s seat of your claim.
Built to Battle: Trial-Ready from the First Mile
When insurers know you’re ready for court, they take your claim seriously. We gather evidence, review app-based ride data, interview witnesses, and consult experts, making sure your compensation isn’t shortchanged.
Your Personal Legal Co-Pilot
No passing you from person to person. You get a dedicated Buffalo rideshare accident lawyer who knows every detail of your case. We guide you step by step, translating insurance jargon into plain language so you stay confident and in control.
One-Stop Legal Hub for Life After a Crash
Rideshare accidents affect more than your car; they can impact income, health, and daily life. We handle injury claims, Social Security Disability, and workers’ compensation all under one roof.
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 I Recover After an Accident?
The kind of compensation and how much you’ll receive after an accident depend on a few things. In New York, rideshare accident lawyers may seek damages in three categories:
- Economic: Economic damages are those that can be directly established monetarily. These can include your medical bills, the cost of repairing or replacing your car, and wages you didn’t earn because you missed work due to the accident.
- Non-Economic: Non-economic damages compensate for the physical pain, emotional trauma, and mental anguish you experienced after the accident. If your injuries caused you to have a diminished quality of life or disfigurement, you could receive non-economic damages for that, too.
- Punitive: Punitive damages may be assessed against the rideshare company if your lawyers find that the company was negligent in its hiring or supervisory procedures. Punitive damages are intended to deter companies from engaging in negligent practices again.
Your lawyer will explain how much they’ll seek on your behalf and how they arrived at the amounts for each category. Generally, if the car accident was severe, or if your quality of life dramatically changed, you’ll have damages in higher amounts than you would if you simply had a bruise or a fender bender.
How Does a Ridesharing Accident Lawyer Prove Negligence?
Proving negligence in a rideshare accident requires a thorough investigation and strong evidence. Here are some of the most important pieces of evidence to build a compelling case for your claim.
✓ The police report provides an official account of the accident, details about the drivers involved, any citations issued, and the responding officer’s observations. This document can be a critical step to establishing fault.
✓ Photos and videos from the scene also play a crucial role in proving negligence. Capturing vehicle damage, skid marks, traffic signals, road conditions, and injuries can help demonstrate what happened and who was at fault. If there were any surveillance cameras or dashcams nearby, your lawyer might obtain that footage as well.
✓ Data from the rideshare app can be invaluable. This information may include timestamps showing whether the driver was actively on a trip, GPS tracking data, and ride status updates. This data can help confirm whether the rideshare company’s insurance applies and whether the driver was acting recklessly.
✓ Witness testimony from passengers, pedestrians, or other drivers can further support your claim. The perspective of unbiased witnesses on how the accident occurred can go a long way toward bolstering your case. This can be especially useful if the rideshare driver or their insurer disputes liability.
✓ Expert testimony from accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, or industry experts can be tremendously helpful. An experienced law firm can help provide access to these experts to analyze crash dynamics, explain injury severity, or provide insight into how negligence contributed to the accident.
By compiling and presenting this evidence, your rideshare accident lawyer will work to prove the other party’s negligence and fight for the compensation you deserve.
What To Do After an Uber Accident
Watch this video by dedicated Buffalo injury attorney Timothy Hiller, Esq., as he explains what to do after being involved in an Uber ride-sharing accident.
Who Is Responsible for a Rideshare Accident in Buffalo?
Rideshare laws can be complicated, and legislation is still catching up to technology. New statutes and changes to existing ones happen all the time, so it’s essential to have experienced rideshare accident lawyers representing you.
Rideshare drivers are classified into three categories, and their liability after an accident depends on their classification:
- Off-duty and not logged into the app
- Logged in and waiting for a fare
- Logged in and actively transporting a passenger
Responsibility for an accident is based on negligence. Determining the responsible party will depend on establishing whether their actions caused the accident or if they could have prevented the accident. Some common forms of personal negligence that lead to a collision are:
- Operating a phone while driving, including using the rideshare app
- Violating posted speed limits
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Failing to obey traffic signage, like running a red light or stop sign
When you hire rideshare accident lawyers in Buffalo, NY, it’s essential to give them all of the information you remember about your driver’s actions, including whether you saw them engage in negligent activity or if the other driver was engaged in negligent activity.
Insurance Complexities After a Rideshare Accident
Dealing with insurance complexities after rideshare accidents can be confusing. As we mentioned, coverage depends on whether the driver was actively using the app at the time of the crash. Also, rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft provide different levels of insurance coverage based on the driver’s status. For example:
- If the driver was offline or had not yet accepted a ride request, their personal auto insurance applies.
- When the driver is online and waiting for a ride request, the rideshare company’s limited coverage may come into play.
- Once a ride is accepted and the driver is in motion and actively transporting a passenger, the company’s full coverage should be in effect.
When insurers dispute liability, these distinctions can make the process confusing. Even when a rideshare company’s insurance is supposed to cover your damages, you can’t take for granted that it will. They may try to deny your claim by arguing that their driver was not at fault. In some cases, accident victims may have to rely on their own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, which covers medical expenses regardless of fault under New York law. However, PIP coverage is often limited. This can leave rideshare accident victims with an overwhelming financial burden.
Put simply, don’t try to handle these complexities on your own. Working with a rideshare accident lawyer at Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law will give you a chance at the full compensation you deserve.
Don’t Miss the Deadline to File a Lawsuit
Another reason to consult with a rideshare accident lawyer in Buffalo right away is that there’s a short time frame in which you can file a claim against the other driver, your rideshare driver, or the rideshare company. This is called the statute of limitations. If you miss that deadline, the court will likely dismiss your case.
In New York, the statute of limitations for a rideshare accident claim is three years from the date of the accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rideshare accidents can be confusing. Insurance, liability, and injuries all create challenges for victims. Our Buffalo rideshare accident lawyers answer the most common questions to help you understand your rights and know what steps to take next.
What should I do immediately after a ridesharing accident?
Even if you’re not the driver, you still should call 911 after the accident. In New York, it’s illegal not to report a traffic accident.
Plus, even if you don’t feel like you got hurt, you should still seek medical attention. Right after an accident, your body releases adrenaline, which can mask some of the pain from injuries you received.
After calling 911, take these steps to protect yourself:
- Report the accident to the local police.
- Exchange information—such as license plate numbers, insurance, and contact information—with everyone involved.
- Take photos or a video of the scene, if you’re able to.
- Once the police and emergency medical services arrive, pay close attention to any information that you see and hear.
- Get copies of your EMS and hospital treatment reports.
- Ask for a copy of the police report or find out how to request one online.
- Get follow-up medical care, as directed by the first responders.
- Contact an accident lawyer in New York.
If you were in a rideshare accident, you might be able to claim damages for any injuries you received and property damage you incurred.
Can I sue the rideshare company after my accident?
Suing a rideshare company can be tricky because drivers are independent contractors. If the driver was not logged into the app, their personal insurance usually covers damages. If they were logged in and waiting for or transporting a passenger, the company may also be liable. Your Buffalo rideshare accident lawyer would need to show the company was negligent, such as failing to properly screen, train, or supervise drivers. For example, hiring someone with a DUI on their record could establish company negligence.
Does it matter if I was riding in a pooled or shared ride?
Yes. Shared rides are more complex because multiple passengers can be injured and liability may involve more than one party. Your attorney will document the injuries and losses of each affected passenger and coordinate claims so that each person receives fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Can I make a claim for damaged personal property in a rideshare accident?
Yes. Items like electronics, luggage, or personal belongings damaged during the accident can be included in your claim. Your Buffalo rideshare accident lawyer will gather receipts, repair estimates, or expert valuations to make sure you are reimbursed for all property losses.
What happens if the rideshare driver leaves the scene of the accident?
If the driver flees, you can still pursue a claim. Your attorney will report the incident to law enforcement and may file a claim under the rideshare company’s insurance or your own uninsured motorist coverage. Prompt action helps preserve evidence, locate witnesses, and improve your chances of full compensation.
Can I claim injuries that appear days or weeks after the accident?
Yes. Some injuries, including whiplash, concussions, or soft tissue damage, may not be immediately apparent. Your Buffalo rideshare accident lawyer will ensure all medical records and follow-up evaluations are included in your claim so that delayed injuries are properly compensated.
What if I were injured while driving for a rideshare company?
If you were driving for Uber, Lyft, or another service, your case may involve both commercial insurance and workers’ compensation. Your attorney will review which coverage applies, coordinate claims, and ensure that you receive compensation for medical treatment, lost wages, and long-term impacts on your ability to work.