Uber/Lyft Accidents Lawyer in Manhattan

A TNC 

In New York State, ridesharing companies are subject to the same laws and processes that Transportation Network Companies (TNC) are. TNCs are defined as companies that are licensed by the DMV to use a digital platform – with ridesharing companies it is typically a smartphone app – that connects and matches passengers with rideshare drivers to complete prearranged trips. In New York State, the two most prominent TNCs are Lyft and Uber.

New York Rideshare Insurance Coverage

Because insurance applies to “periods of coverage” it is important to differentiate between periods:

• Period 1 – the rideshare app is turned off – insurance coverage must come from the driver’s personal insurance policy
• Periods 2 and 3 – the rideshare app is turned on – insurance coverage is in effect from the moment that a rideshare driver is notified of a rider that they have been matched with until the moment the rideshare driver completes the ride in-person and marks it as complete on their respective app.

Lyft’s Driver Insurance Coverage

• Contingent liability – applies when the rideshare driver has turned on “driver mode” and is waiting for a ride request – Lyft’s insurance covers and protects the rideshare driver if their own insurance doesn’t
• Primary auto liability – applies from the time a ride request is accepted until the ride concludes in the app – Lyft’s insurance covers $1,000,000 per accident. This policy can also be used as an “excess policy,” meaning used in addition to commercial insurance or personal insurance that you already have that already includes coverage specific to ridesharing
• Contingent collision – Lyft’s insurance covers property damage to the rideshare vehicle from an accident in addition to the driver’s personal insurance coverage. This insurance policy applies up to the value of the vehicle or cost of repair with a $2,500 deductible
• Contingent comprehensive coverage – Lyft’s insurance covers physical damage to the vehicle from a non-collision – which can include scenarios such as vandalism or fire, amongst others – with the driver’s comprehensive coverage on their personal policy. This insurance policy applies whether or not the driver is at fault with a $2,500 deductible
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist – Lyft’s insurance covers an accident that happens once the driver has accepted a rideshare ride or is transporting a rideshare rider and the other driver is uninsured or underinsured and at fault. This insurance policy applies with no deductible

Uber’s Driver Insurance Coverage

• Third-Party Liability – applies when the rideshare driver has turned on “driver mode” and is available and/or waiting for a ride request – Uber’s insurance covers $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 per accident for property damage
• Auto Insurance – applies when the rideshare driver is on their way to pick up a rideshare rider they have matched with and/or while the rideshare driver is currently executing a trip – Uber’s insurance covers $1,000,000 third-party liability, uninsured/underinsured motorcycle bodily injury, and contingent comprehensive and collision. This insurance policy applies up to the cash value of the car with a $1000 deductible.

New York City Rideshare Insurance Coverage

NOTE: In New York City, rideshare drivers are regulated not by the TNC Act, but rather by the Taxi & Limousine Commission – meaning they have to abide by the exact same insurance requirements and coverages as taxis.

What To Do After Being in a Rideshare Accident?

For a step-by-step guide on what exactly you should do right after you have been in a rideshare accident, read this article on our resources page: “5 Things to Do After an Accident” The only thing that changes with rideshare accidents, however, is that you should report the accident to the specific rideshare company that you are using.

For Uber, you should click on “Trip and Fare Review” and select “I was involved in an accident.” This will prompt Uber to review the information you have submitted and subsequently send you an Incident Report Form.

For Lyft, you should click on “Report an Accident.” This will prompt Lyft to immediately respond to you to garner more information.