Why the app's status matters
Outside New York City, rideshare coverage in New York, as in many states, generally depends on whether the driver was logged in and waiting for a request or already on a trip. Within the city, drivers and vehicles are licensed by the Taxi and Limousine Commission and carry commercial for-hire coverage, so the analysis looks different. That distinction affects which insurer handles the claim and what limits apply. Screenshots of the trip, the receipt, and the driver's details from the app help establish what was happening. Save them before the app updates or the account changes. The company's own records of the trip can be requested, and asking early helps.
Riders, drivers, and other motorists
A passenger injured in a rideshare accident usually has a claim against whichever driver caused the crash, and no-fault benefits still apply to early medical bills. Drivers hurt while working face separate questions about benefits, since rideshare companies usually treat them as independent contractors, and in New York many app and black car drivers have work-injury coverage through the Black Car Fund. Other motorists hit by a rideshare vehicle have claims against that driver and, depending on the circumstances, the coverage connected to the trip. In each situation, the details of the moment of the crash matter.
What we work through
We identify the driver, the vehicle owner, the app company's role, and every policy that might apply, including your own. The company's terms of service may include an arbitration clause, and whether it reaches an injury claim can be disputed. We also review your treatment and any lost work. With that in hand, we can explain where the claim should be made and what comes next. If you were a driver hurt while working, we also look at which benefits may be available to you while the injury claim is pending.
