Albany Rideshare Accident Lawyer
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On This Page
- Why Choose Harding Mazzotti, LLP for Your Albany Rideshare Accident Claim?
- Why Are Uber and Lyft Accidents in Albany, NY Complicated?
- What Is the Statute of Limitations for Rideshare Accident Claims in Albany, NY?
- Who Can Be Held Liable in a Rideshare Accident?
- Who Can File a Rideshare Accident Claim in Albany, NY?
- What Compensation May Be Available After a Rideshare Crash?
- Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents in Albany, NY
- What To Do After a Rideshare Accident in Albany, NY
- Talk to an Albany Rideshare Accident Lawyer Today
Whether it’s to get to the airport, attend an event at the MVP Arena, or navigate the downtown area, many people use rideshare services in the Capital Region. With more Ubers, Lyfts, and other rideshare vehicles on the road, rideshare accidents are becoming more common, leaving victims with painful injuries, financial strain, and confusion about who can be held responsible.
At Harding Mazzotti, LLP, our Albany rideshare accident lawyers offer aggressive legal advocacy and compassionate support when you need it most. We have the experience and resources to handle complex rideshare accident claims, helping victims secure the compensation they deserve. Call 800-529-1010 or contact us online for your free consultation.
Why Choose Harding Mazzotti, LLP for Your Albany Rideshare Accident Claim?
Known as The Heavy Hitters®, our lawyers at Harding Mazzotti, LLP think big—big resources, big results, and big relief for our clients. Our attorneys have been representing injured individuals in Albany and across the Capital Region for more than 30 years. With over 40 attorneys and 120 support staff, we have recovered over $1 billion in settlements and jury verdicts for our clients.
When you work with our Albany Uber and Lyft accident lawyers, you benefit from the resources and reach of a large firm while still receiving the personal attention of a smaller practice. Our reviews reflect that we put the client experience first, focusing on kindness, compassion, and guidance that goes beyond the courtroom.
Our team is available 24/7 to help after a rideshare accident. Even if you’re unsure if you have a case, you can schedule a free consultation with our team to discuss your situation and explore your legal options.
Why Are Uber and Lyft Accidents in Albany, NY Complicated?
Rideshare accidents in Albany, NY, can be complex because they involve multiple parties, commercial insurance policies, and unique state laws. Additionally, liability in rideshare crashes depends on the driver’s app status at the time of the crash. Here are key factors that can make rideshare accident claims challenging to handle on your own:
- Insurance issues: Multiple insurance carriers and policies often conflict because coverage shifts based on whether the driver is offline, waiting for a ride, or carrying a passenger.
- Driver’s contractor status: A driver’s classification as an independent contractor allows companies like Uber and Lyft to distance themselves from direct liability, shielding their corporate assets.
- App-based distractions: Distracted driving is a major contributing factor to rideshare accidents because drivers constantly interact with the rideshare app to accept rides, complicating fault assessment.
Navigating these overlapping insurance policies, state statutes, and digital evidence can make resolving rideshare claims more difficult than traditional insurance disputes.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Rideshare Accident Claims in Albany, NY?
The New York statute of limitations for personal injury generally gives car crash victims three years from the date of the accident to file a legal claim. However, there are some exceptions to this timeframe, including a two-year deadline for wrongful death claims when families lose a loved one in a rideshare crash. Missing the deadline to file a lawsuit means forfeiting your right to recover compensation.
Working with a rideshare accident attorney in Albany can help you avoid missing crucial deadlines and preserve vital evidence that can support your case.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Rideshare Accident?
Because liability for a rideshare crash is not always clear, a Lyft or Uber accident lawyer can conduct an investigation to determine who is legally responsible. In some cases, multiple parties may share legal responsibility. Possible liable parties include:
- The rideshare driver: May be liable if the crash resulted from their speeding, traffic violations, or app-based distracted driving
- Uber or Lyft: Typically shielded by independent contractor status, but could be held liable for negligent hiring or driver screening
- Other third parties: Includes negligent third-party motorists, vehicle manufacturers responsible for defective parts, or municipalities failing to maintain safe roadways
New York recently shifted to a modified comparative fault system, which means you can still recover some compensation if you share responsibility for the crash. However, you cannot be more than 50% at fault, and the amount awarded is reduced by the percentage of fault you share.
Who Can File a Rideshare Accident Claim in Albany, NY?
Anyone who suffers injuries or property damage due to a rideshare accident may have grounds to file a legal claim. Qualifying individuals may include:
- Rideshare passengers injured during a prearranged trip
- Other drivers hit directly by an active Uber or Lyft vehicle
- Passengers in another vehicle involved in the collision
- Pedestrians or cyclists struck by a rideshare driver
- Rideshare drivers injured in an accident caused by another negligent motorist
Speak with an Uber or Lyft rideshare accident lawyer in Albany, NY to see if you have a case and how you can move forward with legal action.
What Compensation May Be Available After a Rideshare Crash?
If you were injured in an accident involving a rideshare vehicle, you can recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are the financial losses sustained by the crash, such as:
- Medical bills and the cost of ongoing care
- Lost wages and diminished earnings capacity
- Vehicle repair or replacement cost
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages are the subjective ways the accident has impacted your life, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
Because New York is a no-fault state, your own personal injury protection (PIP) covers immediate medical expenses and lost income up to policy limits—no matter who was at fault. However, if your injury meets New York’s serious injury threshold, you can step outside of the no-fault system and pursue the full value of all damages.
Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents in Albany, NY
Our Albany car accident lawyers have helped clients who were hurt in rideshare crashes caused by several different factors, including:
- Traffic congestion on commuter corridors, including the Northway
- Speeding and unsafe driving behaviors on busy Albany roads
- Distracted driving due to drivers monitoring rideshare apps
- Limited visibility due to lake-effect snow or other weather conditions
- Unsafe pickup and drop-off locations on crowded downtown Albany streets
These collisions often cause serious injuries and trauma that have long-term effects, including painful whiplash, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), bone fractures, spinal cord injuries, and soft-tissue damage.
Do you have a case? Get your free consultation now.
You can call us at 1-800-LAW1010 or fill out a form. Even if you’re unsure if you have a case, our team is here to help you discuss your legal options at no charge.
What To Do After a Rideshare Accident in Albany, NY
While a rideshare accident can be shocking and overwhelming, there are things you can do immediately and in the days and weeks that follow to prioritize your health and protect your legal rights. Here are steps to keep in mind after a rideshare crash:
- Seek medical attention right away to document your injuries and access the treatment you need.
- Call 911 to report the crash and request a copy of the police report.
- If possible, take pictures or videos of the accident scene, including the vehicle, road conditions, and anything that may have contributed to the crash.
- Take screenshots of your Uber or Lyft app to preserve app details.
- Gather contact details from witnesses of the accident.
- Consider contacting a Lyft or Uber lawyer in Albany, NY for legal guidance before speaking with insurance adjusters.
Talk to an Albany Rideshare Accident Lawyer Today
Our lawyers know the uncertainty you may be feeling after a rideshare crash and are here to help you find the best path forward. Our no-fee policy means no upfront cost to hire our team, and no fee unless we secure compensation for your claim. We will stand up to unfair insurance companies and fight to maximize your compensation, even if we need to take your case to court.
When winning’s a must, there’s one firm to trust: Harding Mazzotti, LLP. Call 800-529-1010 or contact us online today to schedule a free, no-obligation case review with our Albany personal injury lawyers.
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