Avoid Parking Lot Accidents When Holiday Shopping
The holiday shopping season on Long Island has officially begun, and parking lots are already becoming more dangerous. Pedestrian accidents and vehicle accidents occur frequently when shopping rates surge. Between crowds of people and swarms of cars, it only takes a minor error for a catastrophe to occur. Millions of shoppers will be racing around in the next few weeks to snag everything on their lists. Despite the holiday cheer in the air, Long Islanders must be mindful of the dangers. A host of post-pandemic shopping factors this season, in addition to the annual madness, could increase parking lot accidents even further. Know the risks before you shop to help stay safe this December. Parking Lot Accidents Skyrocket Over the Holiday The National Safety Council (N.S.C.) reports that one in every five car accidents nationwide occurs in a parking lot, with higher rates during the holidays. Hundreds of people are killed, and thousands are injured in these accidents every year. Most crashes are caused by distractions, aggressive driving habits, and other preventable measures. Distractions Distractions are one of the most common causes of motor vehicle accidents across the country, especially when it comes to parking lot crashes. A distraction includes any activity or behavior that takes a driver’s attention from the road. Some may be more common than others, but all can result in severe and fatal accidents. In a volunteer distracted driving poll conducted by the N.S.C., drivers admitted to conducting the following distracted driving behaviors upon entering and leaving a parking lot: Programming GPS (63%); Sending a text (56%); Scrolling social media (52%); Emailing (50%); and Taking photos or videos (49%). Other distractions listed as major contributors to parking lot accidents included personal grooming, online shopping, talking to passengers, and rearranging items in the vehicle. Aggressive Driving Holiday shoppers can be ruthless. Parking spaces are often impossible to come by during peak shopping hours, and some motorists will do anything to get an open spot. Speeding, fast accelerations, hard braking, and drivers operating without turn signals are just a few of the behaviors that lead to tragic parking lot accidents. Other motorists can experience dangerous road rage episodes that can lead to catastrophic consequences in crowded environments. Pandemic-Related Shopping Dangers The stress of holiday shopping in 2021 is unlike anything Americans have experienced before. Last year, shoppers were wary about in-person purchases, still adhering to stay-at-home orders to reduce the spread of COVID-19. But with vaccination rates rising and people eager to celebrate the season, millions more shoppers are expected to visit the stores. In addition to the typical retail madness, several other factors will make this shopping season a little more chaotic than usual. Supply chain woes have complicated the process of finding many popular products, creating a larger crowd of daily shoppers hunting for products. According to The New York Times, supply chain operations have also affected product pricing, resulting in shoppers rushing to grab gifts at the risk of paying exorbitant amounts closer to Christmas. Despite more people being comfortable with in-person shopping, most retailers will still adhere to pre-pandemic policies this season. This means reduced store hours, long lines due to social distancing, and limited capacities. Crowded parking lots full of impatient drivers waiting their turn is a recipe for disaster. There is no predicting how many people will be waiting outside of stores but planning ahead could reduce your risk of sustaining injuries on your trip. How To Stay Safe In Holiday Parking Lots The best way to avoid parking lot accidents this season is to shop online whenever possible. Sure, shipping delays are possible, but risking your life or those of your loved ones to purchase a gift in person isn’t worth the risk. If you still want to brave the holiday shopping scene, have a plan. Know which stores you want to visit and route a path before arriving. Take public transit and arrange carpooling when possible to reduce the need to park. When you do need to drive, follow these simple steps to help reduce accidents: Obey all traffic lanes, stop signs, and no-parking notifications; Stay in lanes; Never cross across lots; Stay alert to pedestrians, strollers, and carts; Keep speeds slow; Use turn signals; Conduct 360-degree walk around your vehicle before backing out; Don’t rely solely on your review camera to avoid hazards; and Pull through to park when possible and safe. Long Island Parking Lot Accident Lawyers Our personal injury attorneys at the law firm of Siler & Ingber have over 30 years of experience representing accident victims on Long Island. We protect your rights by maximizing recovery and securing the financial support our clients need to succeed on their road to recovery. Our winning attorneys know how to navigate through the claim process, using our experience as insurance defense attorneys. We are not afraid to fight and are fully prepared to take your case to trial to get a justified verdict over settling for less. If you or a loved one has been injured in a parking lot crash, our team at Siler & Ingber is here to help. With a 98% success rate, we have the experience and the know-how to help our clients achieve a favorable outcome. Contact us today at 1.516.294.2666, or schedule an appointment online at any time. We never charge a fee unless we recover money for you.
Siler & Ingber Annual Thanksgiving Free Pie Giveaway
FREE THANKSGIVING PIE: Once again, Siler & Ingber would like to give thanks to the local community by giving a Free pie at Thanksgiving. From now until Friday, November 19th please message or email: ringber@nylawnet.com with your choice of Apple, Cherry or Pumpkin pie. One per family. You will need to be available to pickup your pie on Wednesday, November 24th between 11am-2PM.
Common Mistakes Accident Victims Make: Why a Free Consultation is Important
Hundreds of car accidents occur every day in New York City, and most we don’t even notice unless we’re involved. These accident scenes come and go quickly, cleared up as fast as possible to avoid any more congestion than New Yorkers already battle. For most motorists, the quick clearing of a traffic accident is a blessing, but for the victims of these accidents, this period can feel like a ticking time bomb. Several steps need to be taken directly after a crepresenting accident victimsar accident; if done incorrectly, an accident claim can be significantly affected. Even when it’s clear that liability falls on the other party, a lack of evidence can result in minimal compensation for damages from both your insurance company and a personal accident claim. At Siler & Ingber, LLP, our knowledgeable team has been representing accident victims for over 30 years in NYC. We’ve seen the pitfalls our clients frequently fall into that can jeopardize their chances of maximizing compensation after an injury. While every accident is different, here are the most common mistakes that car accident victims make and why seeking a free legal consultation early on can save your case. Failing to Seek Medical Care When you are the victim of a car accident, the condition of your vehicle is not the priority. Your health should always be number one, and seeking medical attention directly after an accident is crucial. By failing to seek medical attention, even for minor injuries, your actions show that your injuries may not be as severe as you claim, or that the cause of the injury could have been the result of something other than the accident. Insurance companies require medical records close to the date of the accident that prove your injuries were solely the result of the accident. Even if you experience delayed symptoms, it’s essential to get examined by a medical provider the day your accident occurs to evaluate your health. This way, when future problems do arise, you have the documentation to show that you have been diligent with your care. Detailed medical records provide the best chance of maximum coverage for future medical treatments. Have your doctor be as specific as possible in your treatment planning for all injuries. Lack of Accident Scene Evidence Lack of evidence and details about an accident can lead insurance companies to deny claims or pay out far less than the victim requires to cover damages. It’s essential to gather enough evidence at the scene before it starts to clear away. In NYC, this happens at lightning speed, and the act of getting into an accident is already disorienting enough, without adding injuries to distract you from collecting information. Before an accident occurs, make a list of all the information you need to collect to have ready when the time comes. The list should include information on the vehicles involved (license plate, model, make), the vehicle damages, witnesses present, the road conditions and surrounding hazards, and all the information from the other driver(s), including contact information and insurance information. Photos and videos are excellent ways to quickly document accident scenes and get witness statements if they consent. If you are too injured, make sure your emergency contacts know the information that should be collected so that they can act on your behalf. No Police Report Filed It’s the law in New York State that every car accident victim must file a police report with the police jurisdiction under where their accident took place. It doesn’t matter how minor the accident was, or if there were injuries involved. These reports are required for all accident claims as a record of the accident occurring. Without an accident report, the chance of recovering any compensation for your injuries is minimal to none. Admitting Fault Car accidents are traumatizing, and they can make victims say and do things out of character. One of the worst actions you can take after a crash is to admit any fault in the matter, especially to the other drivers involved. Making statements about who was to blame for an accident, why they were to blame, and what part you played in the matter is a significant mistake and can cost you the compensation you are eligible for under the law. Until you look at the whole picture, what caused a car accident is not always obvious. A driver who collides with another vehicle that they didn’t see may also not have realized the other vehicle was speeding or failed to use their turn signal. It’s essential to stick to the steps of what to do after a car accident, instead of trying to figure out blame on the scene. This way, you don’t admit to something that you had no control over. Posting On Social Media Yes, you should take pictures and videos of the accident scene after a crash. No, you should never post them on social media. Social media coverage of your accident can quickly turn toxic for your case. Accident victims who post about their crashes can later contradict themselves, share misinformation about the case, or cause negative comments to come back and hurt their claim. Social media content in New York is considered admissible evidence, meaning whatever you post (good or bad) can be used in court. Contact An Accident Attorney Early On When you’re the victim of a car accident, contacting an experienced accident attorney early on can not only help you avoid these common mistakes, but maximize your compensation in areas you can’t receive financial assistance for in an insurance claim. Some additional damages an attorney may file for in your accident claim include: Lost wages or employment; Pain and suffering; Future long-term medical care; Therapy (physical and psychological); Lack of income for basic needs; and Punitive damages. Ensure the accident attorney you consult with provides a free initial consultation and is experienced in car accident cases in NYC. Not all attorneys are the same, and NYC has different laws and
Pedestrian Accidents Skyrocketing in NYC Since Pandemic
Pedestrians are more terrified than ever to walk on New York City streets. Last Saturday while walking home from a late-night shift, a hardworking and beloved chef named Marco Carrizo from the Bronx was struck and killed in a hit-and-run accident. On the same day, two other pedestrians were killed in separate hit-and-run accidents: one on the Bruckner Expressway, another crossing Atlantic Avenue. Sadly, these reckless incidents are far from the only pedestrian tragedies the city has experienced this year. According to the NYPD, Carrizo’s fatal accident marked the 99th pedestrian traffic death in NYC since the beginning of 2021. Reckless driving and speeding have been frequently cited as leading factors in these accidents. Local drivers, who became accustomed to empty roads for months, are now battling for space among the return of NYC rush hour. Additionally, thousands of New Yorkers leaped to purchase personal vehicles to avoid public transportation during the pandemic. In August 2020, the Department of Motor Vehicles reported that nearly 40,000 vehicles were registered in July 2020 up 9,000 vehicles from 2019. The more cars that frequent NYC roads, the more chances there are for fatal accidents to occur. When the city shut down in 2020, the dynamic of life in NYC experienced a great shift. Pedestrians fell in love with traveling around their neighborhoods by foot, sparking an old-school ideal of community that many residents have been missing. As life began to return to normal, reckless and aggressive drivers returned in full force. Pedestrians have been the ones to bear the burden of post-pandemic roads ever since, risking their lives on every commute. At the law firm of Siler & Ingber, we believe all pedestrians have a right to walk safely in NYC. While the city is equally responsible for doing its part to ensure safer walking conditions in all five boroughs, drivers must be held accountable when their negligent acts lead to preventable tragedies. Pedestrian safety is becoming a public safety concern across the country, and we can all do our part to protect their rights to safer roads. Pedestrian Fatalities Climb Nationwide in Recent Years In 2020, the Governors Highway Safety Administration (G.H.S.A.) released a report on the Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State, illustrating the uptick in pedestrian accidents since 2019. Despite the lockdowns experienced nationwide, pedestrian fatalities in 2020 increased an unprecedented 21 percent from the year prior. At least 6,721 pedestrians lost their lives in traffic accidents, most of which could have been prevented. Seven states were responsible for most pedestrian fatalities experienced in the first half of 2020: New York, California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. Unfortunately, a rise in fatal pedestrian accidents is not a new trend. Between 2010 to 2019, the G.H.S.A reported a 46 percent increase in fatal pedestrian accidents. All other traffic deaths only increased by 5 percent in the same nine-year span. Factors leading to a rise in pedestrian accidents across America included several of the top five causes of car accidents, such as reckless and drunk driving practices. Lack of visibility was another leading indicator of fatal accidents, with three out of every four pedestrian fatalities occurring after dark. Other leading factors included outdated crossing signals, confusing crosswalks and roadways, and a sudden uptick in drivers purchasing sports utility vehicles (SUV). How To Keep Pedestrians Safe In October 2021, the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (N.H.T.S.A) and Federal Highway Administration, and the G.H.S.A announced the first National Pedestrian Safety Month. According to Silive.com, the inspiration to create yet another safety month in October was an emergency attempt to reduce fatal pedestrian accidents across the country. Aside from spreading awareness, some of the suggestions for decreasing pedestrian fatalities in communities, as highlighted by the G.H.S.A, include: Safety campaigns and initiatives directed towards reducing acts of reckless driving; Reduce speeding zones at intersections prone to deadly accidents; Creating more visible crosswalks attracting the attention of both pedestrians and drivers; Increasing visibility in intersections with more effective lighting; Updating street designs that curve pedestrian traffic away from vehicle lanes; and Increasing law enforcement and stricter policies for drivers who are caught putting pedestrian lives at risk. In addition to infrastructure updates, drivers can significantly decrease their chances of causing a fatal pedestrian accident by following basic traffic safety guidelines and local laws to keep others safe. These steps include: Following all speed limits and reducing your speed while approaching school zones, crosswalks, and intersections; Reducing distractions inside of your vehicles, such as loud music, conversations with passengers, personal hygiene practices, and cellphone use; Stopping at all stop signs and traffic lights; Using your turn signals with enough time for pedestrians to predict your direction; Driving sober and uninfluenced by substances; and Always giving pedestrians the right of way. Even cars traveling at a moderate speed can cause fatal injuries when colliding with a pedestrian. Don’t take the chance. Stay alert and drive smart to help protect your community. New York City Vehicle Accident Lawyers Our personal injury attorneys at the law firm of Siler & Ingber have over 20 years of experience representing accident victims in New York City. We protect your rights by maximizing recovery and securing the financial support that our clients need to succeed on their road to recovery. Our winning attorneys know how to navigate through the claim process, using our experience as insurance defense attorneys. We are not afraid to fight and are fully prepared to take your case to trial to get a justified verdict over settling for less. If you or a loved one has been injured in a vehicle accident, our team at Siler & Ingber is here to help. With a 98% success rate, we have the experience and the know-how to help our clients achieve a favorable outcome. Contact us today at 1-877-529-4343, or schedule an appointment online anytime. We never charge a fee unless we recover money for you.
The Top Five Causes of Car Accidents
Car accidents in New York are an unfortunate reality. Reports from 2019 suggest that nearly 567 car accidents occur each day in New York. This amounts to more than 200,000 accidents every year, and subsequent injuries and fatalities. Most of the accidents are reported in Brooklyn (31.7%) followed by Queens (29%), Bronx (19.4%), Manhattan (15.5%), and Staten Island (4.2%). Moreover, one out of five accidents cause an injury. In 2019, 50 car accidents were fatal. Car accidents can occur due to many reasons but there are a few common causes. Here are the top five causes as observed by top car accident attorneys. Distracted driving – texting while driving or talking on the phone are some of the most common reasons of distracted driving. They take the attention of the driver away from the road and that often leads to accidents. Drunk driving: Drunk driving leads to loss of reflex and control that causes accidents often lead to serious injuries to the victim and the driver as well Driving under influence of drugs: Like drunk driving, driving under the influence of drugs can be extremely risk and lead to accidents of varying degrees. Fatigue: A long day after work or late-night driving while tired is a leading cause of accidents as the driver is fatigued and may sleep on the wheel. Reckless driving: Driving too fast or missing stop signals can lead to serious accidents that can be fatal or cause severe injuries. Reckless driving also includes disregarding any rules of the road. In a car accident due to the above-stated reason, the injured party is owed a compensation for the negligence caused by the at-fault driver. A car accident attorney can help. When valuing your claim, they will make sure that the compensation you receive covers all of the financial expenses incurred by the wreck and the damage done to your quality of life including current and future medical bills for medical treatment, car repair or replacement costs, physical or emotional therapy, lost wages and income, pain and suffering, emotional distress and disfigurement, lost enjoyment of life If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident due to someone’s negligence, you need the best car accident lawyer, contact Siler & Ingber today. Call us on 1-877-529-4343 or complete our online form on this page to schedule a case evaluation with one of our experienced car accident lawyers. Our consultation is free and we do not charge a fee unless we win your case.
Who Can File a Lawsuit Against a Nursing Home in New York?
Nursing homes are established for the sole purpose of providing high-quality medical attention and care to the elderly who are unable to take care of themselves due to various reasons. However, there have been instances where emotional or physical neglect by the nursing home staff has hampered the health of the individual. If such a situation arises, the nursing home should be held liable for their negligence. Hire a nursing home abuse lawyer to help. With more than 100,000 elderly patients residing in nursing homes in New York, it is important to understand the causes of neglect and how to proceed in cases of negligence. Largely, nursing home abuse can be categorized as physical, emotional, financial or sexual. Some of the common causes of nursing home abuse and negligence are: Falls: Elderly and those in need of special medical care and attention are more prone to falls and fractures as their mobility is often compromised due to age-related and other medical issues. Hence, it is the responsibility of the nursing home staff to provide adequate care. Medication errors: People in need of medical care are often unable to track or correctly take their medication, hence, the nursing home staff is responsible to ensure that the patient takes the right medicine on time. Failure to provide medication is a sign of negligence. Wrongful death: In extreme cases, medical negligence by the staff can also lead to the death of the nursing home resident. This is termed as wrongful death. Other abuse: In addition to medical negligence, the residents may also fall prey to physical, sexual, or mental abuse. The nursing home must be held liable. If someone in a nursing home has faced negligence that has led to any type of injury or distress, they’re owed a compensation by the nursing home. It is recommended to hire A nursing home negligence lawyer to handle such situations of neglect and abuse. Most often, the following types of cases are filed against a nursing home in case of neglect and abuse: Personal injury: The patient or their loved one often file a personal injury claim against the nursing home. Medical malpractice: The patient or the loved one may file a claim against the nursing staff / doctor for medical malpractice. Neglect: Neglect is a common legal claim related to nursing home negligence. If the staff failed to follow standard procedures, they may be sued for negligence. Since it is often the elderly in need of medical care who is at the bitter end of abuse and neglect, they may not be in the best physical or mental state to file for compensation. It often falls in the hands of the next of kin, such as spouse, children, etc. to proceed and ensure that their loved one receives due compensation for the distress caused due to the negligence. It is best to work with a nursing home abuse lawyer to ensure that you’re compensated beyond the medical costs incurred. They will file a holistic claim which to cover the physical, mental and emotional trauma caused. If you or someone you know has been abused or neglected in a nursing home and needs a nursing home negligence lawyer, contact us today. Reach out to Siler & Ingber by either calling us on 1-877-529-4343 or completing our online form on this page to schedule a free consultation and case evaluation with one of our experienced nursing home abuse lawyers.
Jeff Siler Named Top Lawyer in Personal Injury
Congratulations to Partner Jeff Siler on being named a Top Lawyer in Personal Injury by the LI Herald. This is the second annual award gala hosted by the Herald Community Newspapers, and organized by Richner Media, honoring esteemed lawyers from Long Island. Awards were given to a select group of Long Island attorneys in various practice areas who showed a high level of professional achievement and charitable work in their communities. This honor celebrates the legal minds of all honorees for their tireless efforts throughout the pandemic and progressive involvement in legal policies that have emerged from these trying times. Our team at Siler & Ingber could not be prouder of Jeff on this outstanding achievement. This honor is a testament to his loyalty to our clients and passion for giving back to others in need. Keep up the phenomenal work Jeff!
How Can Social Media Impact Your Personal Injury Claim?
Social media has become an important part of our lives. From what we eat to where we travel, everything is online for our friends and family to see. Revealing details about our personal lives and ongoings on social media can have its pros and cons. In case of a personal injury or an ongoing settlement, the activity of the involved parties on social can be considered an important piece of information. Let us understand the impact of social media on a personal injury claim through an example. Let’s say that you’re a victim of a car accident seeking damages including medical expenses related to hindered or restricted mobility as a result of the accident. But the insurer of the at-fault party checks your social media and finds that you checked into a gym or health center. In such a scenario, this could work against you. Alternatively, your personal injury attorney may find that the at-fault driver had checked into a bar before the accident. This could come in handy to prove negligence. Here are some other scenarios you should know about social media and its impact on your personal injury case: Contradicting the testimony: As shared in the example above, it may so happen that while your testimony alleges a certain claim, it may be contradicted on social media through the posts made by you. Hence, it is imperative that you’re careful about you post especially in an ongoing personal injury case. Comments from friends: Often harmless comments by friends and family related to the personal injury case on your social media can have a negative impact on the settlement process Strengthening you claim: social media is not all bad, it can also come in handy and play a positive role by strengthening your testimony. Admissible evidence: In New York, social media content relevant to a personal injury claim is admissible evidence, that is, a personal injury attorney can use social media posts as evidence in a settlement case. While it is not possible to complete eliminate your life online, it is highly advisable to refrain from posting during an ongoing personal injury claim. Moreover, when you hire a personal injury attorney to represent you, make sure you allow them to access your social media history so that they are able to find any relevant information that could possibly have an impact, positive or negative, on your case. If you or someone you know has been injured due to someone’s negligence, you need the top injury lawyers, contact Siler & Ingber today. Call us on 1-877-529-4343 or complete our online form on this page to schedule a case evaluation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys. Our consultation is free and we do not charge a fee unless we win your case.
Accidents at the Workplace Involving Cutting Blade and Nail Gun
One of the common sites at any construction site are the use of machinery, cutting blade, and nail guns. This equipment is essential to carry out the day-to-day work at any workplace involved in construction whether it is related to building roads, maintaining public spaces, or constructing office or residential spaces. While being essential, accidents involving cutting blades and nail guns are very common. These accidents may be a result of worker negligence but can often be due to faulty equipment. A construction accident attorney can help you understand these aspects in more detail. Risks involved in using cutting blade Saws and cutting blades are of various types including electrical blade, chain saw, and a table saw. Moreover, saws and cutting blades are used to cut a variety of material at a construction site, such as concrete, metal, wood, plastic, etc. Considering the sharpness of the blade, there are risks that a worker can sustain devastating injuries that can even lead to lifelong conditions such as amputations, lacerations. In some cases, injuries can even be fatal. The cause of an injury due to a cutting blade is often because lack of safety features or faulty equipment. In many cases, if a safety guard is available to a worker, it can avoid serious injuries in case of an accident. At the same time, the worker should be properly trained in the safe use of a chain saw as well as its adequate maintenance. Training, provision of safety guard, and ensuring maintenance of a safety guard is the responsibility of the employer. Such failure is an OSHA violation and employer can be held responsible in case of any accident or injury. Risks involved in using nail guns Nail guns are a common sight at a construction site. Powered using electricity, they’re a heavy equipment that need to be used with utmost care and safety. Alongside the risk of a faulty nail gun also lies the risk of falling from a faulty ladder if a worker is using a nail gun at a height. Similar to cutting blade accidents, nail gun accidents also occur often due to faulty equipment or lack of maintenance. Nail guns should be used after proper training. Accidents related to nail guns can cause severe injuries to a worker such as lacerations, burns, etc. The responsibility of safe use, maintenance and training lies with the employer. Any violation is a failure to conform to OSHA’s rules and regulations. If you’ve been injured in an accident involving nail guns or cutting blade as a result of employer negligence, you’re owed a compensation that is above and beyond the workers’ compensation. It is important that you with a construction accident attorney. What to do if you’re injured at a work due to a cutting blade or nail gun accident? If you or someone you know has suffered an injury at a work site due to faulty equipment and you need the best injury attorney, contact Siler & Ingber today. Call us on 1-877-529-4343 or complete our online form on this page to schedule a case evaluation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys. Our consultation is free and we do not charge a fee unless we win your case.
What to Know About Insurance Coverage for an Accident with Uber, Lyft or Other Rideshare
Ridesharing apps, such as Uber and Lyft, are causing some confusion among New York City drivers when it comes to filing accident claims. When a driver is in a typical motor vehicle accident, no-fault insurance provides a set amount of benefits to cover damages such as medical expenses and loss of income. Accidents involving negligence or serious damages exceeding the insurance benefit amount can further qualify for a personal injury claim to secure additional finances to help a victim recover. However, Uber, Lyft, and other ridesharing drivers are not your typical motorists– they are independent contractors performing a job with personal vehicles. New York State not only requires ridesharing drivers to carry a personal auto insurance policy, but it also requires the ridesharing company they work through to carry an additional insurance policy to cover damages when accidents occur on the job. Filing Insurance Claims After Ridesharing Accidents New Yorkers can become victims of ridesharing accidents as drivers, passengers, cyclists, or pedestrians. Regardless of what type of accident you are involved in, it’s crucial to understand how insurance works with ridesharing contractors to determine how to file the most successful injury claim. When a driver is logged out of the ridesharing app and is not open to accepting rides, only the driver’s personal insurance is active when an accident occurs. They are just like any other driver on the road, and it doesn’t matter if they work for Uber or Lyft if they get into an accident while inactive. When an Uber or Lyft driver is logged into the app and accepting rides, both the driver’s personal insurance plan and the ridesharing company’s insurance plan are active. New York City requires ridesharing companies to provide the following minimum coverage for their drivers: Bodily Injury Liability: $100,000 per person in a single accident; $300,000 for all persons in a single accident. Bodily Injury Liability (Death): $50,000 per fatality in a single accident; $100,000 for all persons in a single accident. Property Damage Liability: $200,000 for single accident Personal Injury Protection/ No-Fault Insurance: $200,000 for a single accident. Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury: $25,000 per person; $50,000 for a single accident. There are three different circumstances that also affect the amount of benefits received from a ridesharing company plan depending on the status of the driver at the time of the accident: The driver is logged into the app and open to accepting rides but does not have passengers; The driver is logged into the app, accepts a ride, and is in transport to pick them up; or The driver is logged into the app, has a passenger in the vehicle, and is transporting them to an assigned drop-off location. This information is crucial for accident victims who sustain life-threatening and disabling injuries. The option to file with your personal insurance company, the driver’s insurance company and the ridesharing company’s auto policy can make all the difference when it comes to improving a person’s quality of life after an accident. Most no-fault insurance plans cap at $50,000 for medical expenses, up to 80 percent of lost earnings (maxing at $2,000 a month) for up to three years from the accident date, and nothing in property damage unless you are an injured passenger. When critical injuries result from an accident, costing tens of thousands in medical treatments, equipment, therapies, travel expenses, and more, these amounts are not nearly enough to support accident victims alone in recovery. What To Do After A Ridesharing Accident Filing a successful ridesharing accident claim starts from making the right decisions the moment an accident occurs. Like all motor vehicle accidents, your first priority should always be your health. Tend to all your medical needs directly after an accident, no matter how minor your injury may seem. Refusing medical care after an accident can lead to complications in the claims process going forward. Take care of yourself and keep all documentation relating to any injuries found. Additional steps drivers should take after a ridesharing accident include: Obtain information from the ridesharing driver in the accident, including insurance information, ridesharing app identification, and details about their vehicle (make, model, VIN); Take pictures and videos of the accident scene without moving the vehicles or other hazards on the road; Speak with witnesses (if able) and collect statements regarding their observations of the accident; File a police report and ask the officer for a copy of your records; and Consult an accident attorney prior to calling your insurance company. When filing a personal injury claim against an Uber or Lyft driver, many factors must be taken into consideration to determine which insurance plans you qualify to file a claim with. Consulting with an accident attorney skilled in ridesharing accidents cases will provide you the best chance to secure the maximum benefit to cover your damages. Experienced accident attorneys know the tricks that ridesharing companies use to get out of paying a claim and possess an abundance of resources to investigate reckless drivers to establish a pattern of neglect when present. They can also help you navigate the insurance claim process to avoid common pitfalls that companies set to reduce the number of benefits paid. New York City Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers Our personal injury attorneys at the law firm of Siler & Ingber have over 20 years of experience representing accident victims in New York City. We protect your rights by maximizing recovery and securing the financial support our clients need to succeed on their road to recovery. Our winning attorneys know how to navigate through the claim process using our experience as insurance defense attorneys. We are not afraid to fight and are fully prepared to take your case to trial to get a justified verdict over settling for less. If you or a loved one has been injured in an Uber, Lyft, or other ridesharing accident, our team at Siler & Ingber is here to help. With a 98% success rate, we have the experience and the know-how to
