If an Uber or Lyft collision left you injured on Long Island, the medical bills pile up fast, missed work takes a financial toll, and the insurance process can feel like it’s working against you, not for you.
Rideshare crashes happen nearly every day across Nassau and Suffolk Counties, from crowded commuter corridors to neighborhood streets and airport pickup zones. These collisions involve some of the most complex and frustrating insurance policies, leaving victims and their families with more questions than answers.
A Long Island rideshare accident lawyer at Rosenberg & Gluck LLP can take over the complex legal and insurance challenges while you focus on your recovery. Our team investigates the crash, secures critical evidence, identifies every available source of compensation, and pursues the full value of your claim under New York law.
Your case review is free, and you pay no fee unless we win your case. Call (631) 451-7900 or contact us online.
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Is It Worth Getting a Long Island Rideshare Accident Lawyer?
A rideshare accident claim involves corporate insurance carriers, app-status coverage disputes, and a company that classifies every driver as an independent contractor to avoid liability. Without an attorney, most injury victims accept far less than their claim is worth.
Research published by Forbes found that 91% of injury victims who hired a lawyer received a payout, compared to just 51% who went without one. Even after attorney's fees, represented claimants recovered nearly three times as much.
Our Long Island rideshare accident attorneys handle the challenges that make these claims different from a standard car accident:
- We identify which insurance policy applies. Rideshare coverage shifts depending on whether the driver had the app off, was waiting for a request, or was mid-trip. We determine the driver's status at the moment of the crash and pursue the policy with the highest available limits.
- We deal with multiple insurance carriers simultaneously. The rideshare driver's personal insurer, Uber or Lyft's commercial carrier, and a third-party driver's policy may all be involved, and each one will try to pin blame on the others.
- We counter the independent contractor defense. Uber and Lyft classify drivers as independent contractors to limit corporate liability. We investigate whether negligent hiring, inadequate background checks, or a failure to deactivate a dangerous driver creates a direct claim against the company.
- We make sure your case meets every filing deadline. To access New York no-fault benefits, you generally must submit an NF-2 Application for Motor Vehicle No-Fault Benefits within 30 days of the accident. Claims against a government entity may require a Notice of Claim within 90 days. We handle every form, filing, and deadline from the day you call.
Why Choose Rosenberg & Gluck LLP for Your Long Island Rideshare Accident Case?
Our Firm Has Focused Exclusively on Personal Injury Law For Decades
Ted Rosenberg and Michael Gluck founded this firm to do one thing: represent injured people on Long Island. More than three decades later, that focus has not changed.
Our attorneys handle complex injury and motor vehicle cases across Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Nothing else.
We Have a Record of Significant Recoveries for Long Island Injury Victims
- $25.4 million verdict: dangerous intersection with municipal liability
- $2.5 million recovery: crash involving multiple liable vehicles
- $2.4 million recovery: disabling injuries from a rear-end collision
- $1 million recovery: dangerous roadway defect with municipal liability
- $740,000 recovery obtained through binding arbitration
- $575,000 recovery involving dangerous roadway icing conditions
While past results do not guarantee a similar outcome, they do represent the commitment and fight we bring to every case we handle.
In the Words of Our Clients …
The comments our past clients have left us capture the heart of our work and why we do it. Justice is a powerful thing, but it seldom comes easily. Our responsibility is to make that happen.
"Rosenberg and Gluck are an awesome law firm who takes the time to listen and advise how the process works. They fight for the highest settlement without surrendering to the other side's demands." — Michael Brandt
Our Attorneys Have Earned Professional Distinctions That Reflect Real Performance
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Peer Review Rated: confidential evaluations from attorneys and judges who have observed our work firsthand
- Super Lawyers: limited to 5% of attorneys in the state through a multi-phase selection process
- Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forums: fewer than 1% of attorneys qualify
- National Trial Lawyers Top 100: selected based on courtroom results and trial record
We Support the Long Island Community We Serve
Among others, our firm supports Island Harvest, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind — organizations that serve Long Island families directly.
Your Consultation Is Free and You Pay No Fee Unless We Recover Compensation
We advance all litigation costs and handle every rideshare accident case on a contingency fee basis.
How Does Rideshare Insurance Work After an Accident on Long Island?
The insurance available after a rideshare accident depends on the driver's status at the moment of the crash. New York's Vehicle and Traffic Law, Article 44-B, requires every transportation network company (TNC) to carry specific coverage, but the coverage limits change with each trip phase and also depend upon where the ride originated or the accident occurred
| Driver's App Status | Who Pays | Coverage Limits |
|---|---|---|
| App is off | Driver's personal auto policy | $25,000 / $50,000 (NY minimum) |
| App on, waiting for a request | TNC contingent policy | $50,000 / $100,000 / $25,000 property |
| Ride accepted through drop-off | TNC primary commercial policy | $1.25 million (bodily injury, death, property) + UM/UIM (outside of NYC) |
Insurance disputes are most common when a rideshare driver is logged into the app but has not yet accepted a ride request. At that point, the driver's personal insurer may deny coverage because the vehicle is being used for rideshare activity.
Although Uber and Lyft provide contingent coverage while drivers wait for ride requests, those policy limits are substantially lower than the $1.25 million available once a passenger has been matched with a driver and the trip is underway.
Our rideshare accident lawyers determine the driver's exact status at the time of the crash, identify every applicable insurance policy, and pursue the maximum compensation available from each carrier.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Rideshare Accident on Long Island?
New York's no-fault system provides Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits of up to $50,000 for medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused the crash. But PIP does not pay for pain and suffering, emotional distress, or long-term impairment.
To pursue those damages, your injuries must meet the serious injury threshold defined by New York Insurance Law Section 5102(d). Qualifying injuries include bone fractures, significant disfigurement, and permanent limitation of a body organ or system.
| Economic Damages | Non-Economic Damages |
|---|---|
| Medical bills, including emergency room treatment, surgery, rehab, and prescriptions | Physical pain and ongoing discomfort |
| Future medical treatment and therapy | Emotional distress and anxiety |
| Lost wages during recovery | Loss of enjoyment of daily activities |
| Reduced earning capacity | Scarring or permanent disfigurement |
Although New York's comparative negligence rule recently changed with regard to auto accidents, you can still recover even if you share some fault, so long as you were less than 51% responsible. Your total recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Rosenberg & Gluck’s attorneys calculate both current and future losses, including long-term medical costs and lifetime earning reductions, to stop insurers from closing your case for less than it is worth.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Rideshare Accident on Long Island?
Multiple parties may share responsibility, and every liable party adds another source of insurance coverage for your claim. Our rideshare accident attorneys investigate all of the following:
- The rideshare driver: for distracted driving, speeding, fatigue, running red lights, or making unsafe pickups and drop-offs along corridors like Sunrise Highway, the Long Island Expressway, or Hempstead Turnpike
- Uber, Lyft, or another TNC: if the company failed to conduct adequate driver background checks, ignored safety complaints, or failed to deactivate a dangerous driver
- A third-party driver: if another motorist caused the collision, their insurer and your supplementary uninsured/underinsured motorist (SUM) coverage may both apply
- A government entity: for dangerous intersections, broken traffic signals, or poorly maintained roads (a Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days)
- A vehicle or parts manufacturer: if a defective brake system, tire, or safety component contributed to the crash
Rideshare accidents near Long Island Rail Road stations in Hicksville, Babylon, and Farmingdale are common during peak commuting hours. So are crashes near Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma, where pickups and drop-offs create sudden stops in active traffic lanes.
Holtsville · 1176 Portion Rd | Garden City · 1225 Franklin Ave #325-C | Patchogue · 57 E Main St | Riverhead · 20 W Main St Suite 302
Ask Rosenberg & Gluck About Your Long Island Rideshare Accident Claim
Q: Can I sue Uber or Lyft directly if their driver caused my Long Island accident?
A: Typically, because Uber and Lyft drivers are classified as independent contractors rather than employees, the only way to file a direct claim against the company is if there is evidence of negligent hiring, inadequate background checks, or a failure to deactivate a driver with prior safety violations. Our attorneys investigate whether the TNC bears corporate liability in addition to the driver.
Q: What if I was a pedestrian or cyclist hit by a rideshare driver on Long Island?
A: You have the same right to file a claim as a passenger. The rideshare company's commercial policy applies if the driver was on an active trip.
You are also covered by the driver's no-fault PIP policy for initial medical expenses, even if you do not own a vehicle.
Q: How long will my Long Island rideshare accident case take to resolve?
A: Most cases take several months to over a year, depending on injury severity, the number of liable parties, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Claims filed in Nassau or Suffolk County Supreme Court follow local scheduling rules that affect the timeline.
Q: Is there a difference between an Uber accident claim and a Lyft accident claim in New York?
A: Both follow the same general insurance framework, but specific policy terms, claims processes, and corporate legal strategies differ between the two companies. Our attorneys handle both Uber and Lyft accident claims across Long Island.
How Does Our Firm Investigate a Long Island Rideshare Accident Claim?
Rideshare accident cases involve evidence and insurance issues that do not exist in a typical car accident claim. We begin investigating immediately because key electronic records, surveillance footage, and other evidence can become more difficult to obtain as time passes.
We Determine the Driver's App Status
The insurance coverage available after a rideshare crash depends heavily on what the driver was doing at the moment of impact. Was the driver offline, waiting for a ride request, traveling to pick up a passenger, or actively transporting one?
Our Long Island Uber and Lyft accident lawyers work to obtain trip records, driver activity logs, and other available evidence to establish which coverage policies apply and whether additional compensation may be available.
We Preserve and Analyze Electronic Evidence
Uber and Lyft trips generate electronic data that can help explain what happened before a collision. Depending on the circumstances, this may include trip information, GPS records, timestamps, driver activity logs, and other digital evidence. Our team moves quickly to preserve and review this information before it becomes unavailable.
We Reconstruct How the Crash Happened
Many rideshare collisions occur during pickups and drop-offs, sudden stops, lane changes, and other situations unique to app-based transportation. We gather surveillance footage, traffic camera recordings, witness statements, photographs, vehicle damage evidence, and police reports to build a clear picture of how the crash occurred and who was responsible.
We Investigate Distracted Driving and Other Negligence
Rideshare drivers often rely on navigation systems, ride requests, passenger communications, and other app functions while behind the wheel. We investigate whether distraction, speeding, fatigue, unsafe driving decisions, or other negligent conduct contributed to the collision.
We Identify Every Available Source of Compensation
A rideshare accident claim may involve multiple insurance policies and several potentially liable parties. We identify all applicable sources of coverage, including rideshare company insurance, personal auto policies, third-party insurance, and uninsured or underinsured motorist benefits.
Our goal is to pursue the maximum compensation available for your injuries and losses.
And whether your case resolves through settlement negotiations or proceeds to trial, we build every claim as though it may ultimately be presented before a jury.
Injured in a rideshare accident on Long Island? Call (631) 451-7900 for a free case review.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rideshare Accidents on Long Island
How long do I have to file a rideshare accident lawsuit in New York?
You generally have three years from the date of the accident. If a government entity is involved, a Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days. Wrongful death claims carry a two-year deadline.
What does it cost to hire a rideshare accident lawyer on Long Island?
We handle rideshare accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, and there is no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.
What if the rideshare driver's personal insurance denies my claim?
Personal auto policies exclude commercial activity, so this denial is expected. When the personal insurer declines your claim, the TNC's commercial policy should apply, but coverage depends on the driver's app status at the time of the crash.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for the rideshare accident?
Yes, New York allows recovery even when you share responsibility. Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault, but is never eliminated at any threshold.
What should I do if the rideshare company's insurance adjuster contacts me?
Do not give a recorded statement or accept a settlement offer before speaking with an attorney. Their goal is to close your claim for as little as possible.
What if I was an Uber or Lyft driver injured by another motorist on Long Island?
You can file a claim against the at-fault driver. Your no-fault PIP benefits cover initial medical expenses and lost wages. If your injuries meet the serious injury threshold, you can also pursue pain and suffering and other non-economic damages.
Does my own car insurance play any role in a rideshare accident claim?
It can. Your own SUM coverage may provide additional protection if the at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured. If you were a rideshare passenger, the TNC's UM/UIM policy applies first, but your personal coverage may supplement it depending on your policy terms.
Were You Injured in a Rideshare Accident on Long Island?
If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft collision anywhere on Long Island, our attorneys can review your claim at no cost. We investigate rideshare collisions from every angle, identify every liable party and source of compensation, and build an evidence-based case that positions you for the outcome you need.
Call us at (631) 451-7900 for a free consultation or contact us online today.
Holtsville · 1176 Portion Rd | Garden City · 1225 Franklin Ave #325-C | Patchogue · 57 E Main St | Riverhead · 20 W Main St Suite 302