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Choose The 2’s
Choose The 2’s
Were you or a loved one hit by an Uber driver or injured as a passenger in Buffalo, NY? You may be entitled to significant compensation. n experienced Buffalo Uber accident lawyer at O’Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help you. Contact us today at (716) 222-2222.
Understanding the complex insurance laws that apply in rideshare accident cases is critical to your financial recovery. A fight for money to cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
For over two decades, our team has provided compassionate, quality legal guidance for accident victims in Buffalo. Our lawyers have 84 years of combined experience and have secured tens of millions of dollars for our clients.
We offer a free consultation, so there’s no risk in calling for advice.
Seek medical attention immediately to address any injuries, even minor ones. Some injuries may not be apparent right away, so it’s essential to get evaluated by a medical professional. Delaying treatment could also impact any potential legal claims by allowing insurance companies to argue that your injuries were not severe.
After ensuring your safety, follow these steps:
Uber drivers don’t have any type of professional training. The same factors that cause your ordinary auto accident also factor into Uber crashes.
Some of the most common causes of Uber accidents include:
Uber drivers are often unfamiliar with the area and distracted by the Uber app. These factors can increase the risk of accidents.
Uber and Lyft provide insurance coverage for their drivers, but it varies based on the driver’s status at the time of the crash. Different insurance policies apply depending on whether the driver was logged into the app, waiting for a ride request, or actively transporting a passenger.
The driver’s personal insurance is responsible for covering any damages or injuries.
Uber or Lyft provides contingent liability coverage, which includes coverage up to specific limits:
Uber and Lyft maintain a $1 million liability policy and contingent collision coverage. This policy is designed to protect passengers and third parties in case of an accident while a ride is in progress.
Consulting a Buffalo Uber and Lyft accident lawyer ensures you pursue the correct insurance claim. Without proper guidance, victims may face delays or denials from insurance providers who attempt to minimize their payouts.
Uber and Lyft drivers in Buffalo must meet specific legal requirements before operating. According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, these requirements include:
In addition to these requirements, drivers must always comply with local and state traffic laws. Failure to meet these regulations could result in penalties and impact liability and the ability to recover damages in an accident case. If an Uber or Lyft driver involved in an accident was operating without proper credentials, it may significantly affect the claims process and potential compensation for victims.
Liability depends on the circumstances of the crash and who acted negligently and is crucial for securing compensation. Insurance companies may attempt to shift blame, so gathering evidence such as accident reports, witness statements, and rideshare app data is essential.
In many cases, responsibility may fall on:
A Buffalo Uber and Lyft accident lawyer can help investigate the accident, identify the responsible parties, and file the appropriate claims to ensure fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
Because New York is a no-fault state, you must prove someone else was negligent to recover damages above and beyond what your own insurance coverage.
Someone is negligent when they fail to exercise reasonable caution under the circumstances.
In legal terms, you must prove four elements:
Generally speaking, you must prove that someone else’s careless acts directly caused your accident and injuries.
New York is a no-fault insurance state. You’ll start by filing an insurance claim against your own policy. However, if your injuries are severe or your damages exceed your policy limits, you can seek additional compensation from the at-fault parties.
You can’t sue Uber or Lyft for damages after a rideshare accident. Uber classifies drivers as independent contractors. That means they aren’t responsible when Uber drivers cause accidents.
You’ll only have a claim for compensation against the at-fault Uber driver’s personal insurance policy if they were logged out of the Uber app when the crash happened. Personal auto insurance doesn’t cover accidents when the insured driver is using the vehicle for a profit.
That’s one reason why Uber is now required to carry commercial insurance coverage in New York. The insurance coverage limits depend on the driver’s status at the time of the crash. As the victim, it’s up to you to identify the correct policy.
When the Uber driver is logged into the app and awaiting a ride request in New York, Uber’s insurance provides:
Other types of coverage might apply as well, depending on the case.
Once the Uber driver accepts a passenger request, Uber must provide:
This more generous coverage is available when the driver is en route to pick up a passenger and during rides.
Not all accidents involving rideshare drivers are the Uber driver’s fault.
If a third party contributed to the crash, you may have a valid claim against:
You can count on our Buffalo Uber accident attorneys to help you identify all sources of compensation after a crash. You can get the legal advice you deserve by calling our law firm for a free case review today.
Once you identify the correct insurance company, don’t expect them to hand over a fair check without a fight. You’ll have to prove your case value. If you don’t know what your case is worth, it’s impossible to know whether the insurance offer is fair.
When we calculate the value of your personal injury case, we examine:
If you were injured in an Uber accident, call O’Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers to learn more about how we can help you get every dollar you deserve.
Under New York personal injury law, injury victims can seek economic damages and non-economic damages.
If your injuries were caused by someone else, you can seek compensation for:
Your damages depend on the types of losses you have experienced due to the accident and injury.
You don’t lose your right to compensation if you share blame for a car accident in New York. Instead, your compensation is reduced to account for your share of fault.
New York follows a pure comparative negligence law. Each party to the crash is assigned a percentage of fault. Your compensation is reduced by the blame allocated to you.
Buffalo Personal Injury Lawyer. Choose the 2’s.
With over 80 years of combined experience, the Buffalo personal injury lawyers at O’Brien & Ford, PC are here to fight for the justice you deserve. Call us today at (716) 222-2222 to schedule your free consultation with one of our top-rated attorneys.
Some common examples of Uber accident injuries include:
Seek medical attention quickly if you are involved in an accident. Your medical records will be key to establishing the link between the crash and your injuries.
O’Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers is one of the most respected personal injury law firms in update New York. We’ve been listed among the Top 50 Update New York Super Lawyers. We’ve also been recognized by the WNY Legal Elite.
If you were injured in an accident, count on our trusted Buffalo personal injury attorneys. We’ll help you stand up to the insurance company and demand full compensation.
We can help with your case by:
Rideshare accident claims can be complex. Call our personal injury lawyers in Buffalo, New York, to get the legal representation you deserve after a crash.
At O’Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers, we work on a contingency fee basis. Like most personal injury attorneys, we don’t charge upfront fees or retainers. We only take our attorney’s fees once your case is successfully resolved. After we’ve negotiated your settlement or won a verdict, we’ll take a percentage of the amount we win for you.
Most Uber accident claims are resolved by negotiating with the insurance company. Still, it’s important to understand that New York’s statute of limitations limits the amount of time you have to sue for damages. The law only gives accident victims three years to file a personal injury lawsuit.
After three years pass, you lose your right to pursue compensation entirely. There are exceptions, but only in some cases – get in touch with us as soon as you can, to comply with the statute of limitations.
Uber accident injuries can dramatically impact your life. If you need help with the insurance process or are curious about your legal rights, reach out to O’Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation today. We proudly serve al throughout Erie County and surrounding areas.
An experienced Buffalo car accident lawyer would be happy to sit down and discuss your case.
O’Brien & Ford Buffalo Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers
4549 Main St Suite 201 Buffalo, NY 14226
Phone: (716) 222-2222
Opening Hours: From 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
7 days a week
Chris and his staff are top notch professionals that you definitely want in your corner if you are injured and in need of an attorney . 10 years later and I’m still thankful daily that I contacted Chris for his representation. Keep fighting the good fight.
John Ford is the definition of professional, knowledgeable, and compassion. His instincts and attention to detail are second to none. He treats you like a family friend not just a client. I would recommend O’Brien & Ford to anyone who wants results.
Chris Pannozzo handled 2 consecutive cases of mine. He is very knowledgeable and thorough . Chris will not rush to settle a case. He makes sure everything is taken care of correctly, so you obtain the largest settlement.Chris is very down to earth and personable. Chris met with me near my home to sign paperwork and offered to come to my home. He responded to my text message on the weekend. This amazed me. I’ve had lawyers that don’t respond to messages on a weekd...
One of the best decisions I made was choosing O’Brien & Ford to represent me. A person can do no better than to have Chris and Anant and their wonderful staff working with you. From the moment we first talked with Chris at our home, my wife and I knew we needed to look no further for representation. At no point during the process of our case did this excellent firm disappoint nor steer us wrong. We trusted their opinions, guidance and ethics at all times throughout all...
Chris is a tireless advocate for his clients. He always goes above and beyond to ensure the best possible result.
Back in 2017 I was involved a major car accident that left me with back injuries. Afterwards, I went to a couple big name attorneys and they all denied my case for reasons unknown. This left me feeling down and out with amd in an unfortunate situation, but that was until I called O’Brian & Ford. My case was picked up and accepted by the wonderful, Mr. John Ford, and my lawsuit began. He fought for me for almost 3 years without giving up and my case was FINALLY sett...
Attorney Anant Kishore really pulled through for me after I endured a serious neck injury after being t-boned by a drunk driver. After such a traumatic event, Anant and his team compassionately guided me through the legal hoops I needed to jump through to get a very favorable settlement to help pay for my medical bills. I am not from the Buffalo area but was recommended this firm unanimously by my friends snd family in the area. I truly don’t know where I’d be today if i...
Chris O’Brien is a nationally recognized personal injury attorney with over 30 years of experience fighting for accident victims in Western New York. A founding partner at O’Brien & Ford, he has helped recover millions for clients and built a reputation as a top trial lawyer and educator. Chris is a Diplomate of the National College of Advocacy, a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and was named one of Western New York’s Top Ten Lawyers by Buffalo Business First. He lives in Amherst with his family and their Bernedoodle, Moose.
Years of experience: 33 years
Practice areas: Personal Injury Law, Car Accidents
Location: Buffalo, New York
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Attorney Chris O’Brien, who has more than 33 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, please fill out the form below for your free consultation or call us at (716) 222-2222
716-222-2222