Rideshare Accident Attorney New York

Serious Help After an Uber or Lyft Crash in the City

A rideshare or car accident can leave you hurt, confused, and suddenly dealing with calls from multiple insurance companies and messages in the app. If you were injured while riding in an Uber or Lyft, driving your own car, or walking or cycling when a vehicle hit you, you may be wondering who is going to pay your medical bills and lost income. You should not have to sort out complex insurance rules on your own while you are trying to recover.

At , we represent people injured in rideshare collisions throughout New York City. We are known as a powerhouse personal injury trial firm with a history of record-breaking verdicts and significant settlements in high-stakes cases. Our team works to untangle the coverage issues, protect your rights, and pursue the full compensation the law allows.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a New York City rideshare accident, contact Godosky & Gentile today for a free consultation. Our powerhouse trial team will fight to untangle complex insurance layers and secure the record-breaking compensation you deserve.

Why Injured Rideshare Passengers & Drivers Turn To Our Firm

After a rideshare accident, you are facing not only physical pain but also a system that can feel stacked against you. Claims may involve the driver, the rideshare company, one or more other vehicles, and several insurance policies. Our firm is equipped to handle the most catastrophic circumstances, including a fatal car accident or a complex truck accident, where the stakes are at their highest. In that kind of setting, the firm you choose makes a real difference.

Our team includes former judges who bring a deep understanding of how New York courts view evidence, credibility, and damages. That perspective helps us evaluate rideshare claims realistically and present them effectively. Lawyers and judges across the state have trusted us with their own legal matters, including disciplinary proceedings. That level of trust from our peers reflects the judgment, ethics, and advocacy we bring to every injury case.

We approach rideshare crashes with the same intensity we bring to construction accidents and other complex litigation. Our focus is on identifying every responsible party, understanding the full impact of your injuries, and building a case that supports the maximum compensation that the facts and law will support.

How Rideshare Accidents in New York City Become Complicated Quickly

Rideshare collisions often start like any other crash, with a sudden impact at an intersection, on a crowded avenue, or in stop-and-go traffic. The legal issues that follow are different. In New York City, it is common for an Uber or Lyft vehicle to be one of several cars involved or for a rideshare driver to be picking up and dropping off passengers in tight spaces. That reality creates questions about who is at fault and which insurance coverage applies.

The rideshare driver’s status at the time of the crash is critical. Whether the driver was logged out of the app, logged in and waiting for a ride request, or actively transporting a passenger influences which policy is responsible. Personal auto policies, rideshare company coverage, and other drivers’ policies may all be in play. In some situations, the companies may argue with each other about who should pay, leaving you caught in the middle.

New York’s no-fault rules add another layer. Basic benefits can help with medical costs and a portion of lost wages, regardless of fault, but serious injuries often go far beyond those limits. The law allows lawsuits for pain and suffering and additional losses when certain thresholds are met. Determining whether your injuries fit within those rules requires careful review of medical records and the statute.

What To Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident

In the hours and days after a rideshare crash, it can be difficult to decide what to do next. Taking a few key steps can help protect both your health and your legal rights. Even if some time has already passed, following as many of these guidelines as possible can still be useful.

Prioritize Safety & Medical Care

• Call 911 immediately. Ensure emergency responders and law enforcement (such as the NYPD) are dispatched to the scene.
• Identify the rideshare. Inform responding officers that a rideshare vehicle was involved.
• Seek medical attention. Accept treatment at the scene and follow up with a doctor promptly. Immediate care identifies non-obvious injuries and creates essential medical documentation.

Preserve Evidence

• Document the scene. If safe, photograph all vehicles, the intersection, traffic signals, and visible injuries.
• Collect contact information. Gather names and numbers from the rideshare driver, other involved motorists, and witnesses.
• Save digital records. Retain your Uber or Lyft receipt, trip details, and screenshots of the driver’s name, license plate, and route.

Report the Crash

• Notify the app. Report the collision through Uber or Lyft using basic facts: time, location, and the occurrence of the crash.
• Limit statements. Avoid speculating on the fault or the extent of your injuries.
• Manage insurers. Tell insurance representatives you are receiving treatment and consulting legal counsel before providing recorded statements.

Contact Legal Help

• Engage a firm early. Contacting an attorney immediately helps secure evidence, review insurance coverage, and manage communications with adjusters to prevent procedural errors.

Who May Be Liable in a Rideshare Accident & How Insurance Works

One of the most common questions after a rideshare collision is who will ultimately be responsible for paying. In New York, the answer often depends on a careful review of how the crash happened and how the rideshare trip was set up in the app.

Potentially Responsible Parties

• Uber/Lyft Drivers: If their negligence caused the accident.
• Other Motorists: Third-party drivers involved in the collision.
• Vehicle Owners: If the vehicle driven was owned by a separate individual or entity.
• Transportation Entities: Businesses that arranged the ride or logistics.
• Evidence Used: Police reports, witness statements, camera footage, and physical vehicle damage.

Rideshare Insurance Layers

• App Offline: Only the driver’s personal auto insurance applies.
• Wait Mode: Personal policy supplemented by lower-level rideshare company coverage.
• Active Trip: Full rideshare company liability coverage (typically higher limits).

No-Fault Benefits & Serious Injuries

• Immediate Benefits: New York no-fault insurance covers medical bills and a portion of lost wages regardless of who is at fault.
• Pain and Suffering: Available only if injuries meet the New York legal "serious injury" threshold.
• Legal Challenges: Insurers often dispute injury severity and the percentage of fault assigned to each driver.
• Our Strategy: We identify all available policies and build a liability case to access the maximum coverage limits.

Injuries, Losses & The Compensation We Pursue

Rideshare collisions can cause a wide range of injuries, from relatively short-term soft tissue trauma to life-changing harm. Because many Uber and Lyft trips take place in busy city traffic or at higher speeds on bridges and parkways, the forces involved can be significant. Even if your injuries are not immediately obvious, they may develop over time.

Common Injuries

• Physical Trauma: Fractures, head injuries, concussions, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
• Spinal & Nerve Damage: Neck and back injuries, herniated discs, and nerve damage impacting mobility.
• Psychological Impact: Anxiety regarding vehicle travel or PTSD related to the crash location.

Financial & Personal Impact

• Lost Income: Current missing wages and loss of future earning capacity if you cannot return to your prior role.
• Medical Expenses: Costs for emergency care, diagnostic imaging, follow-up visits, physical therapy, and medication.
• Long-Term Care: Expenses for potential surgeries, ongoing treatment, or assistive medical devices.

Types of Compensation

We pursue recovery for both economic and non-economic losses, including:

• Medical Expenses: Coverage for all past and future injury-related healthcare.
• Lost Wages: Reimbursement for time away from work and reduced earning potential.
• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain and diminished quality of life.
• Loss of Enjoyment: Damages for the inability to engage in hobbies or daily activities.

How Our New York Trial Team Handles Rideshare Claims

When you contact Godosky & Gentile about a rideshare crash, we begin by reviewing your police report, trip details, medical records, and insurance correspondence. After evaluating your injuries and the facts of the accident, we create a strategic case plan.

Our attorneys analyze liability and identify all applicable insurance policies. We gather evidence, including photographs, video, and trip data, while ensuring your case meets New York’s no-fault and serious injury legal thresholds.

We prepare every case for litigation. By developing evidence and arguments for a judge or jury, we maintain a position of strength. Because rideshare insurers recognize our reputation as a New York trial firm, this preparation serves as a critical advantage during settlement negotiations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who pays my medical bills after an Uber or Lyft accident in New York?

In New York, rideshare accident medical bills are primarily handled through No-Fault benefits (Personal Injury Protection). Coverage is typically sourced from your own auto policy, a household member's policy, or the vehicle's insurance.

Do I need a rideshare accident lawyer if the insurance company already called me?

Consult with an attorney before providing recorded or detailed statements to any insurer, including Uber or Lyft. Insurance adjusters often seek information to minimize payouts, and early statements can be used to challenge your claim before your medical prognosis is fully understood.

How is a rideshare accident case different from a regular car crash?

Rideshare injury cases are more complex than standard collisions due to multiple parties and overlapping insurance structures. Determining coverage requires analyzing the driver’s app status, trip arrangement details, and the interplay between personal and commercial policies.

What will it cost to hire your firm for my rideshare case?

Injury cases, including rideshare accidents, are typically handled on a contingency fee basis. Under this arrangement, legal fees are a fixed percentage of the final recovery and are only paid if compensation is secured.

How long do I have to file a rideshare accident lawsuit in New York?

The time for bringing a lawsuit after a rideshare collision is governed by New York statutes of limitation and can also be affected by who the defendants are. In many personal injury cases, people have several years from the date of the crash to file suit. However, some claims have shorter deadlines, and there may be additional notice requirements if certain entities are involved. Because of these variables, it is important to speak with an attorney promptly after an accident. Our team can review the facts, identify any special time limits that may apply, and take steps to protect your rights within the applicable deadlines.

Will my rideshare accident case have to go to court?

Many rideshare injury claims are resolved through settlements without a full trial, but there is no way to guarantee how any individual matter will conclude. Factors such as the strength of the liability evidence, the nature of your injuries, and the approach of the insurers all influence whether a case settles or proceeds through litigation. Some disputes require filing a lawsuit to move forward, and a smaller number go all the way to a jury verdict.

What information should I bring to a consultation about my Uber or Lyft accident?

Bringing whatever documentation you have will help us evaluate your situation efficiently. Helpful items include the police report or report number, emergency room or urgent care records, follow up medical notes, and any bills you have received so far. Screenshots from the rideshare app, ride receipts, and correspondence from Uber, Lyft, or any insurance company are also useful.

Talk With Our Rideshare Accident Lawyers About Your New York Case

You do not have to face a complex rideshare claim on your own. Whether you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, a rideshare driver, or someone in another vehicle, our attorneys can help you understand your options and what the law may allow you to recover. We draw on our experience as a powerhouse New York trial firm to confront insurers and push for fair outcomes.

When you contact Godosky & Gentile, you can expect a thoughtful review of your situation, clear explanations of the next steps, and guidance that reflects both our courtroom experience and our reputation for ethics and professionalism. We offer free consultations in injury matters, and our goal is to make it as straightforward as possible to get the answers you need.

To speak with our team about your rideshare accident, call (212) 742-9706 today.