Lyft Accident Lawyer — Queens, NY
Were You Injured in a Lyft Car Accident in New York City?
Here's How a Queens Lyft Accident Attorney Can Help You.
Lyft is everywhere in Queens. Drivers picking up riders outside Citi Field. Running from Jackson Heights to LaGuardia. Weaving through Astoria at midnight. The convenience is real — and so is the accident risk. When a Lyft crash happens, most injured people have no idea what they’re entitled to or who they’re supposed to be dealing with.
We do. And the answer is usually: more than you think.
How Lyft's Insurance Works
Status | Driver Activity | Lyft Coverage |
App Off | Personal use, no Lyft trip in progress | Driver’s personal insurance only — Lyft not involved |
Period 1 | Logged in, waiting for a ride request | $50K/$100K liability + $25K property damage from Lyft |
Periods 2 & 3 | Ride accepted or passenger in vehicle | Lyft’s $1 million commercial liability policy |
Who We Represent After a Lyft Accident
- Lyft passengers injured during an active ride
- Pedestrians hit by a Lyft driver on Queens streets, crosswalks, or sidewalks
- Other drivers whose vehicles were struck by a Lyft car
- Cyclists, delivery workers, and e-scooter riders hit by Lyft vehicles
- Lyft drivers injured by another negligent driver on the road
Why These Cases Are Harder Than They Look
Lyft classifies every driver as an independent contractor. That classification is the foundation of their liability defense strategy — the argument that because the driver isn’t their employee, Lyft isn’t responsible for what happened. Courts have repeatedly rejected absolute versions of this argument, but Lyft’s insurance team keeps making it because it drives down settlement offers with unrepresented claimants.
We’ve handled enough of these cases to know exactly how to respond. We get the trip data. We establish the period. We deal with the insurer directly. And when they dig in, we litigate
What You Can Recover
- Medical expenses — everything from the ER through any future treatment your injuries require
- Lost wages for the time you couldn't work
- Pain and suffering — the part no-fault doesn't touch and insurers try hardest to minimize
- Permanent impairment compensation if your injuries have long-term effects
- Property damage to your vehicle
What Am I Entitled To After A Lyft Car Accident?
Injured passengers in Lyft car accidents often ask a common question: Does Lyft or the driver take responsibility for their injuries?
Lyft drivers are responsible for carrying their own private insurance. Additionally, Lyft provides up to one million dollar insurance coverage, that applies to certain circumstances if there is an accident. There are three components to this insurance policy and the coverage is determined on what the driver was doing at the time of the accident.
- If the driver was active on the rideshare application and has not accepted any passenger(s) at the time of the accident. Lyft is responsible for providing insurance coverage only if the driver’s insurance coverage does not cover the incident. Lyft will extend their contingent liability policy limits of $50,000 per person for bodily injury limits, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage.
- If the driver accepted the ride and was on their way to the passenger at the time of the accident, Lyft’s $1 million liability coverage will be applied for bodily injury and property damage claim(s).
- If the driver is available while transporting passenger(s) at the time of the accident, both the driver and passenger(s) will be covered under Lyft’s one million dollar liability policy. If the negligent driver who caused the accident was uninsured or underinsured, Lyft will provide uninsured/underinsured coverage.
I Was Injured in a Lyft Accident in Manhattan. How is my Case Valued?
Lyft’s liability insurance coverage do sound reassuring, however recovering top settlement value requires an experienced New York City car accident attorney who will represent you for your damages to receive top settlement value. The attorneys at Beck Law, P.C. evaluate claims based on the extent of bodily injuries, hospital records, surgeries, medical treatment expenses, lost wages and durable medical equipment. Insurance companies and rideshare giants like Uber will fight most claims tooth and nail to avoid paying out a favorable settlement. After a Lyft crash in New York City, your job is to focus on recovering from your injuries and not to deal with the legalities and the complexities that come with an injury claim. In order to ensure that you do not jeopardize your case, it’s important that you have an experienced NYC Uber accident lawyer who can provide you with experienced legal guidance throughout the entirety of the case, simplifying your life and having your rights represented.
Call Beck Law, P.C. at (516) 388-7785 to determine the compensation you are entitled to.
Common Injuries After Lyft Accident Claims
Our clients often complain about the following injuries:
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Paralysis
- Internal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Severe burns
- Lacerations
- Nerve damage
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Queens Car Accident Lawyer?
Car accidents are undoubtedly a stressful experience and hiring a knowledgeable attorney is vital to achieve maximum compensation for your case. Our car accident lawyers offer a free case review to inform and educate you about your claim. Our experienced attorneys operate on a contingency which means that you do not pay us unless we recover for your case. Once our car accident attorneys have recovered the maximum compensation for your claim, our legal fee is 1/3 of the settlement.
What Should I Do After A Car Accident?
Being involved in a car accident is a shocking experience and missing an important step following an accident is easy to make. Below is a list of important actions that you should take in order to help your case:
- Do NOT Leave the Scene: Stay at the location of the accident and exchange information with the other driver. Turn your hazards signals on and make sure that your vehicle is in a safe location to be stopped. New York law requires drivers to stop and exchange insurance information with the other driver(s) involved in the car accident. The action of leaving the scene of an accident may hold you liable for penalties under VAT Section 600.
- Obtain Eye Witness Information: Car accidents happen fast and recalling the events that led to the accident may be hard to recollect. This is where eyewitnesses can potentially help you in your claim. Eye witnesses can be used during negotiations and trial, therefore obtaining their information can be vital to your claim.
- Take Photographs: A photo is worth a thousand words. Photos are an effective tool during negotiations with insurance adjusters. Photographs depict the extent of the damage your vehicle sustained and can also help determine how much compensation you will receive. Be sure to take photographs of the damaged vehicle involved in the accident and your injuries.
- Seek Medical Attention: Seeking medical attention following a car accident is highly recommended to rule out any serious injuries. It is also very important to have your complaints documented by medical personnel as this will be used to support your claim. It is important that you use No-Fault insurance for all of your medical appointments relating to the car accident (more on that below).
- Call The Police: Contacting 911 is critical following a car accident. Having the police at the scene of the accident will secure your version of the events that led up to the accident in the form of a police accident report. A police accident report identifies all of the parties involved in the accident, any tickets or violations that were received and insurance codes which will help determine fault. The police accident report will be used in evaluating your claim and negotiating with the insurance.
- Hire a New York Car Accident Attorney: Car accidents are unexpected and leave you with questions. The experienced attorneys at Beck Law, P.C., will handle the legal process while you take care of your health. Insurance companies will do whatever it takes to try and minimize their fault in the accident, in turn effecting your settlement. Our Queens accident lawyers have the knowledge, expertise and resources to fight out every penny for your case. Contact our office today at (516) 388-7785.
Common Causes for NYC Lyft Accidents
- Driver inattention or distraction (i.e. distracted driving)
- Driving while intoxicated
- Following too closely (i.e. tailgating)
- Failing to yield right-of-way
- Speeding
- Unsafe or improper passing, lane change, or lane usage
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Lyft Auto Accident Lawsuit in New York?
After a Lyft car accident, New York has a strict three year statute of limitations where you may file your claim in court against the at-fault party. This three year period includes property damage and injuries. If a victim has died as a result of the accident, the estate has two years from the date of the death to file the lawsuit.
Can I Persue a Claim Against Lyft if I was a Passenger?
Yes, passengers in Lyft vehicles can pursue claims for injuries sustained during an accident caused by the negligence of the Lyft driver or another motorist.
What Types of Compensation Am I Entitled to After a Lyft Crash?
Compensation can include medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other related damages.
What Should I do Immediately Following a New York City Lyft Car Accident?
Make sure to gather all evidence such as photos of the accident scene, time and location of the accident. Contact 911 for the police department to create a police accident report. It’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible following the accident. Contact our firm to ensure that our Lyft accident attorneys file your claim in a timely manner.
How Can Beck Law, P.C. Help with my New York City Lyft Car Accident Case?
Beck Law will investigate the case, gather evidence, consult with experts, handle all legal paperwork, negotiate settlements, and represent you in court if necessary to make sure that you receive top value compensation for your injuries.
I was a Lyft passenger. The driver caused the crash. Who do I deal with?
Lyft’s commercial insurance — which carries a $1 million liability limit during an active trip. We handle all direct dealings with the insurer so you don’t get pressured into a lowball settlement.
Another car hit our Lyft. Does Lyft's insurance cover me?
Yes, partially. Lyft carries uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage that can supplement whatever the at-fault driver’s insurance pays. We identify every available source and pursue them all.
Lyft offered me $3,500 to settle. Should I take it?
Talk to us before you do anything. Initial settlement offers are almost never based on the full value of a claim — they’re based on what the insurer thinks they can get away with. A free consultation costs you nothing. A bad settlement decision is permanent.
I was walking and a Lyft driver hit me in a crosswalk. Do I have a case?
Yes, and it’s typically a strong one. Pedestrians in crosswalks have the right of way, and a Lyft driver who struck you while on an active trip exposes Lyft’s $1 million policy. Call us.
