It is a rideshare passenger’s
nightmare. Your Uber or Lyft driver appears intoxicated, driving under the
influence of alcohol or drugs. Both companies have zero-tolerance policies. You
should call 911 and follow up with Uber or Lyft’s critical response team.
An NYC Uber accident lawyer at Douglas & London will protect your
rights and fight to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Our
lawyers have recovered millions of dollars for clients injured in serious car
accidents through settlements and verdicts.
Uber Zero
Tolerance Policy
Uber advises passengers who believe
their driver is under the influence to end the trip at once, leave the vehicle
and call 911. After the trip, Uber always asks for feedback. Add the
information that you think the driver was drunk or high. Of course, if a driver
behaved in an inappropriate manner, such as making lewd comments, report that
as well.
Lyft Zero
Tolerance Policy
Lyft’s policy tells riders to dial 911
right away and then tap on “Call Me” to reach the company’s critical response
team. Someone is available 24/7 to take your call.
We Are Available for You 24/7.
Call 646-594-1112 for a Free Consultation
After an Accident
Perhaps you did not realize your
driver was under the influence until after an accident occurs. If that is the
case, tell the police officer at the scene that you suspect alcohol or drugs
were involved in the collision.
As with any accident, document the
scene with photos and videos. Take pictures of your injuries. If there are
eyewitnesses, obtain their contact information and ask them to record their
observations or write them down. In addition, write down or record your
memories of the crash. Detail any behavior indicating intoxication.
Seek medical treatment right away,
even if you do not think you were injured. Many serious injuries, including
concussions, are not apparent immediately. Waiting to go to the doctor may harm
your health and your claim. Insurance carriers will try to deny or minimize the
injuries of someone who did not seek prompt medical care. They will allege the
injuries occurred elsewhere or were not that serious.
Liability Issues
Because Uber and Lyft drivers do not
work for these companies but are independent contractors, determining liability
when a rideshare car has an accident is often complicated. However, it is more
straightforward when an if a passenger is in the vehicle. New York City
requires these companies to carry auto liability insurance of $1.25 million for
all bodily injury and property damage claims for passengers.
In New York, the statute of
limitations for filing a personal injury claim is three years from the date of
the accident. If a person was killed due to another party’s negligence, their
family has two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
When someone is severely injured in a
drunk driving Uber accident, that $1.25 million may not prove sufficient to pay
for the lifelong expenses relating to their medical treatment and care. Under
certain circumstances, it is possible to sue the rideshare company itself.
As noted, rideshare drivers are not
employees. However, Uber and Lyft are responsible for performing background
checks on their drivers. If a driver was hired despite a history of drunk
driving convictions or if the company allowed them to keep accepting rides
after complaints of possible intoxication, the accident victim may have a
personal injury case against the company.
Your drunk driving accident attorney will conduct a thorough investigation so you may receive justice. Do not make any statements to the insurance company or sign any agreements until you have obtained legal counsel.
Contact us for a
free consultation
If you were seriously hurt by a drunk
Uber or another rideshare driver, you need the services of an NYC Lyft accident lawyer at Douglas & London. Fill out our online
form to arrange a free consultation or call or text us 24/7.
After a case evaluation, we will
advise you of your options going forward. Our dedicated attorneys work on a
contingency basis, so you never pay a fee unless you receive compensation.
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