Uber Accident Attorney in Manhattan, NY

An Uber accident attorney in Manhattan helps passengers, pedestrians, and drivers recover compensation after rideshare crashes.

Uber Accident Attorney Michael Gunzburg

Who Needs an Uber Accident Attorney in Manhattan?

You need an Uber accident attorney if you were injured as a passenger in an Uber vehicle when the driver crashed, hit by an Uber driver while crossing the street or riding a bike, or driving another vehicle that was struck by an Uber car. These cases get complicated fast because Uber's insurance coverage changes based on whether the driver had the app on, whether they'd accepted a ride request, and whether they had a passenger in the car at the time of your crash.

Manhattan sees thousands of rideshare accidents every year in neighborhoods like Midtown Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Chelsea, the Upper West Side, the Upper East Side, and the Financial District. Uber drivers rushing between fares in heavy traffic, distracted by their phones checking for the next ride, or unfamiliar with Manhattan streets cause serious injuries to passengers who trust them to get home safely and to pedestrians and other drivers sharing the road.

Common Situations We Handle

Distracted Driving by Uber Drivers

Uber drivers checking their phones for new ride requests, adjusting GPS navigation, or texting while driving cause rear-end collisions, intersection crashes, and pedestrian accidents throughout Manhattan.

Speeding and Aggressive Driving

Rideshare drivers trying to complete more trips per hour to increase earnings speed through red lights, make unsafe lane changes, and drive recklessly in congested areas like Times Square and the Financial District.

Failure to Yield to Pedestrians

Uber drivers failing to yield at crosswalks or making illegal turns strike pedestrians in busy Manhattan neighborhoods, causing broken bones, head injuries, and worse.

Drowsy Driving

Drivers working long hours without breaks to maximize their income fall asleep at the wheel or lose focus, causing serious accidents on highways and city streets.

Inexperienced or Poorly Trained Drivers

Some Uber drivers lack experience navigating Manhattan traffic or driving in bad weather, leading to preventable collisions that injure passengers and other road users.

Pickup and Dropoff Accidents

Uber drivers making sudden stops, pulling into traffic lanes without looking, or opening doors into bike lanes cause injuries to cyclists, motorcyclists, and passengers exiting vehicles.

Why Hiring an Uber Accident Attorney Matters

Without a lawyer who knows rideshare accident claims, you're fighting Uber's legal team and multiple insurance companies that make millions by underpaying injury victims. Uber's insurance adjusters have one job: protect the company's bottom line by minimizing what they pay you, even when their driver's negligence left you with medical bills, lost wages, and permanent injuries.

Here's what goes wrong when victims try to handle Uber accident claims alone. Insurance companies point fingers at each other about whose policy applies, leaving you stuck with unpaid medical bills while they argue. They offer quick settlements before you understand the full extent of your injuries or future medical needs. They request recorded statements and use your words against you to deny your claim or reduce what they owe. They delay payments hoping you'll give up or accept pennies on the dollar because you can't afford to wait.

When you hire Michael Gunzburg, P.C., you get 39+ years of trial experience on your side. We've secured multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements for injury victims, including a $1.3 million jury verdict for a rear-end collision after the insurance company offered just $5,000. We know how rideshare insurance works, which coverage applies, and how to force Uber and their carriers to pay what's owed. Insurance companies know our track record, and that often motivates them to settle fairly rather than face us in court.

Who Can Be Held Responsible in Uber Accidents?

Responsibility for your Uber accident may involve multiple parties depending on the circumstances. The Uber driver is liable if their negligence caused the crash, whether they were speeding, distracted, or violating traffic laws. Uber Technologies, Inc. carries commercial insurance that provides up to $1 million in coverage when a driver has accepted a ride or has a passenger, and lower coverage when the app is on but no ride is active.

Other drivers can be held responsible if they caused the collision with the Uber vehicle. Vehicle manufacturers may be liable if defective brakes, tires, or safety systems contributed to the crash or worsened your injuries. Government entities may be responsible for dangerous road conditions, broken traffic signals, or inadequate signage that played a role in your accident.

We investigate every angle to identify all potentially responsible parties and insurance policies, which increases the compensation available to you. Uber's legal team tries to shift blame and minimize the company's liability, but our job is holding the right parties accountable and making sure you get the full recovery you deserve

What You May Be Entitled To Recover or Achieve

You may recover both economic and non-economic damages depending on the severity of your injuries and how the accident has affected your life. Economic damages include all medical expenses from emergency room visits, surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, prescription medications, and future medical care you'll need. You can recover lost wages for time you've already missed from work, plus lost earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or limit your ability to work.

Property damage to your vehicle and any other out-of-pocket costs related to the accident are recoverable. Non-economic damages address your pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent scarring or disfigurement. New York's no-fault insurance system provides Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits up to $50,000 for medical expenses and partial lost wages regardless of fault, but to recover full compensation for pain and suffering, you must meet New York's serious injury threshold.

Your compensation depends on the severity of your injuries, the amount of your medical bills both past and future, your lost wages and future earning capacity, the degree of permanent disability or disfigurement, and the impact on your quality of life and daily activities. We work with medical experts to document the full extent of your injuries and calculate what you'll need for the rest of your life, not just what insurance companies want to pay today.

Important Deadlines and Legal Rules

New York's statute of limitations gives you three years from the date of your Uber accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, but waiting puts your case at risk because witnesses disappear, evidence gets lost, and insurance companies have more time to build defenses against your claim. You must file a no-fault insurance application within 30 days of the accident to preserve your right to PIP benefits for medical expenses and lost wages.

If you're filing a claim against a government entity for dangerous road conditions or traffic signal malfunctions, you must serve a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident and file a lawsuit within one year and 90 days. These deadlines are strict, and missing them destroys your right to compensation even if you have a valid case.

Uber's insurance coverage creates additional complications because the available policy limits change based on the driver's status at the time of the crash. You need an attorney who can identify which policies apply, file claims with the right carriers, and meet all the procedural deadlines that insurance companies use to deny legitimate claims.

What to Expect When You Work With Us

Free Consultation and Case Evaluation

We start with a free consultation where you tell us what happened, we review the accident details, explain your legal options, and answer your questions about the claims process. There's no obligation and no upfront cost to get answers.

Investigation and Evidence Collection

We immediately begin investigating your case by obtaining the police report, collecting witness statements, reviewing Uber's trip data and the driver's status, securing medical records, and documenting all your injuries and damages before evidence disappears.

Insurance Claim Filing and Negotiation

We handle all communication with Uber's insurance carriers and the driver's personal insurance, file claims with every applicable policy, demand full compensation for your injuries and losses, and negotiate aggressively to get you the settlement you deserve without you having to deal with adjusters.

Litigation and Trial Preparation

If insurance companies refuse to offer fair compensation, we file a lawsuit and take your case to court, conduct depositions and discovery to build the strongest possible case, work with medical experts and accident reconstruction specialists, and prepare for trial to get you the verdict you deserve.

Recovery and Resolution

We fight until you receive fair compensation, whether through settlement or jury verdict, handle all the paperwork and negotiations so you can focus on healing, and keep you informed throughout the entire process so you always know where your case stands.

Benefits of Hiring an Uber Accident Attorney

Maximum Compensation for Your Injuries

Your compensation can cover past and future medical bills, lost wages and diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, permanent disability, and loss of enjoyment of life. We fight for every dollar you deserve.

Protection from Insurance Company Tactics

Insurance adjusters use strategies to minimize payouts, offering quick lowball settlements before you understand your injuries' full extent, requesting recorded statements they twist against you, and delaying claims to wear you down financially. We shield you from these manipulations and negotiate from a position of strength backed by 39+ years of trial experience.

Navigation of Complex Rideshare Insurance

Uber accidents involve multiple insurance policies with different coverage limits depending on the driver's app status. We identify every available policy, determine which carrier owes what, and make sure no source of compensation gets overlooked.

Access to Medical Experts and Resources

We work with top medical specialists who document your injuries, explain your prognosis and future needs, and testify about the full extent of your damages to judges and juries. This expert testimony makes the difference between inadequate settlements and fair compensation.

Accountability for Negligent Drivers and Companies

Beyond financial recovery, we hold negligent Uber drivers and the company accountable for their actions. When drivers operate recklessly or Uber fails to properly screen and monitor drivers, they must face consequences. Our courtroom victories send a message that passenger and public safety matter.

Proven Results & Client Experience

Michael Gunzburg has spent 39+ years representing injured clients throughout New York City, securing multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements that changed lives. Our proven track record includes a $1.3 million jury verdict for a rear-end collision victim after the insurance company offered just $5,000, demonstrating the difference experienced representation makes against insurance companies trying to minimize payouts.

Michael Gunzburg graduated from Boston University with a B.S.B.A. in 1982 and earned his Juris Doctorate from Brooklyn Law School in 1987. He's also a Certified Public Accountant in New York State, bringing unique financial expertise to calculate lost earning capacity and economic damages. He's admitted to practice law in New York State Courts, the U.S. District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, and the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.

As an active member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, the American Association of Justice, and the Brooklyn Bar Association, Michael Gunzburg stays current on the latest developments in personal injury law and rideshare accident litigation. Clients describe him as accessible, empathetic, honest, and dedicated, often continuing to use his services for nearly 20 years for various legal needs and referring family members and friends.

Common Questions About Uber Accident Cases

What should I do immediately after an Uber accident?

Call 911 so police document the accident and EMS can evaluate your injuries, even if you feel okay. Get the Uber driver's name, insurance information, and license plate number. Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any vehicle damage with your phone. Collect contact information from any witnesses who saw what happened. Report the accident through the Uber app using the "My ride had an issue" feature. Seek medical attention right away because delaying treatment can hurt both your health and your legal case. Then contact an Uber accident attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights before insurance companies start calling.

Does Uber's insurance cover my injuries?

Uber provides different levels of insurance coverage depending on what the driver was doing at the time of the crash. If the driver had the app off, only their personal auto insurance applies, which may be minimal. If the driver had the app on but hadn't accepted a ride, Uber provides contingent liability coverage up to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident. If the driver had accepted a ride request or had a passenger in the car, Uber provides up to $1 million in liability coverage plus $1 million in uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. We determine which policies apply and file claims with every available carrier to get you maximum compensation.

Can I sue Uber directly or just the driver?

You can potentially sue both the Uber driver for their negligence and Uber for vicarious liability, depending on the driver's status and your state's laws. In New York, Uber carries commercial insurance that responds to claims when drivers are logged into the app, which often makes pursuing Uber's insurance more productive than suing the company directly. We analyze your specific situation to determine the best legal strategy, whether that means negotiating with Uber's insurance carriers, filing a lawsuit against the driver, or both.

How much is my Uber accident case worth?

Your case value depends on the severity of your injuries, the amount of your medical bills both past and future, your lost wages and future earning capacity if you can't return to work, the degree of permanent disability or disfigurement, and the impact on your quality of life and daily activities. Uber cases can be worth more than regular car accidents because of the higher insurance coverage limits available when drivers are actively working. We review your specific damages and calculate what you need for full recovery, not just what insurance companies want to pay.

What if the Uber driver claims I'm partially at fault?

New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning you can recover damages even if you're partially at fault, but your compensation gets reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you're found 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you'd recover $80,000. Insurance companies often try to blame victims to reduce payouts, claiming you weren't wearing a seatbelt, distracted the driver, or contributed to the crash. We gather evidence to prove the driver's negligence and defend against false claims that you caused or contributed to your injuries.

How long does an Uber accident case take?

Most Uber accident cases settle within 6 to 18 months, but complex cases with severe injuries or disputed liability can take longer. The timeline depends on how long you need medical treatment before reaching maximum medical improvement, how quickly we can gather all evidence and medical records, whether insurance companies negotiate fairly or force us to file a lawsuit, and whether the case settles during negotiations or requires a trial. We move as quickly as possible while making sure we don't settle before understanding the full extent of your injuries and future needs.

What if the Uber driver doesn't have enough insurance?

If the at-fault driver's insurance is insufficient to cover your damages, we pursue compensation through other sources including Uber's commercial umbrella policy that provides up to $1 million in coverage, your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage if you have auto insurance, and potentially other liable parties like additional drivers or vehicle manufacturers. New York requires insurance companies to offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, which protects you when at-fault drivers lack adequate insurance. We identify every available insurance policy and recovery source to get you full compensation.

Do I need a lawyer for an Uber accident claim?

You're not legally required to hire a lawyer, but Uber accident cases involve complex insurance coverage issues that make them different from regular car accidents, and insurance companies have entire legal teams working to minimize what they pay you. Studies show that injury victims with attorneys recover significantly more compensation than those who handle claims alone, even after paying legal fees. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case, so there's no financial risk to getting experienced legal representation on your side.

What if I was injured as a passenger in an Uber?

As a passenger, you're protected by Uber's $1 million liability insurance policy when the driver causes the crash, and you may also have claims against other negligent drivers involved in the collision. Passengers typically aren't at fault for accidents, which means you should recover full compensation for your injuries without any reduction for comparative negligence. We handle all aspects of your passenger injury claim including filing no-fault insurance applications for immediate medical coverage, pursuing full compensation from all liable parties and their insurance carriers, and making sure you're not pressured into unfair settlements while you're still receiving medical treatment.

Can I still file a claim if I didn't report the accident right away?

You can still file a claim, but delayed reporting makes your case harder to prove because evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and insurance companies question why you waited if you were really injured. You must file a no-fault insurance application within 30 days of the accident to preserve your right to PIP benefits, and you should report the accident through the Uber app and to police as soon as possible. If you didn't report immediately because you didn't realize you were injured until later, we can still build a strong case by documenting when symptoms appeared and getting medical records that show your injuries were caused by the crash.

Areas We Serve

Michael Gunzburg, P.C. represents Uber accident victims throughout New York City, including all of Manhattan from the Upper East Side and Upper West Side to Midtown Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Chelsea, and the Financial District. We also serve clients throughout Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, and surrounding areas in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

Whether your Uber accident happened in Manhattan's busiest neighborhoods or anywhere else in the five boroughs, we have the local knowledge and courtroom experience to get you the compensation you deserve. Manhattan's dense traffic and high volume of rideshare vehicles create unique dangers for passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers, and we've spent nearly four decades helping New Yorkers recover from serious injuries.

Other Motor Vehicle Accident Services We Offer

• Lyft Accidents
• Taxi Accidents
• Car Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Truck Accidents