Proving Fault in Your Uber or Lyft Car Crash Case

The Truth Isn’t Always Obvious, But It’s Always There

Car crashes happen fast. You’re checking a text or watching traffic blur by, and the next, you’re staring at shattered glass and ringing ears, wondering what just happened. Then come the questions — whose fault was it? The driver? The other car? Uber? Lyft? 

You didn’t cause the chaos, but now you’re stuck living in it. The truth is buried in data, records, and decisions made in seconds, and that’s where the real work begins.

Our personal injury attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, help accident victims uncover the truth behind Uber and Lyft crashes across New York, and we also represent clients throughout New Jersey, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. 

We pull records, subpoena app data, and connect with experts who know how to trace fault to the right party — whether that’s the rideshare driver, another motorist, or the billion-dollar company that built the system. 

You shouldn’t have to play detective while recovering. That’s what we’re here for.

Why Proving Fault in Rideshare Crashes Gets Complicated Fast

You’d think every accident has a clear cause, but Uber and Lyft make things messy. These companies built layers of insurance coverage and legal distance to protect themselves. 

Drivers are labeled “independent contractors,” not employees. That means Uber and Lyft try to shrug off responsibility — even when their apps, incentives, or policies set the stage for disaster.

And fault isn’t always about who hit who. Maybe your driver was distracted by a new trip request. Maybe another driver sped through a yellow light. Or maybe the rideshare company failed to verify a driver’s safety record. 

Proving fault means connecting all those threads. It’s part investigation, part science, and all strategy. The good news? We know how to cut through that maze. The data always tells the story if you know where to look.

How Fault is Determined Under New York Law

In New York, fault isn’t black and white. It’s comparative. That means multiple people can share blame for a crash. 

Under New York Civil Practice Law & Rules Section 1411, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover damages even if you were partly involved.

This matters in rideshare claims. Uber or Lyft might argue that another driver caused most of the damage, or that you weren’t wearing a seatbelt. Those arguments don’t erase your right to recover. They just shift the math. 

What really decides the outcome is evidence: who acted carelessly, who broke traffic laws, and whose decisions directly caused the crash. Fault isn’t a feeling. It’s proof built from moments, and we know how to collect them.

The Evidence that Proves Who’s Responsible

Strong evidence turns a confusing story into a clear timeline. Here’s what often makes the difference between a denied claim and a successful settlement:

• Trip and app data. Uber and Lyft record when rides start, stop, and which route was taken. These digital timestamps show whether your driver was on duty, waiting for a fare, or in the middle of a trip. That status determines which insurance policy applies and who’s paying the bill.
• GPS and telematics information. Modern vehicles track speed, acceleration, and braking patterns. Our car accident attorneys use that data to pinpoint reckless behavior, like late braking or sudden swerves, that supports a negligence claim.
• Phone records and distraction evidence. Call logs, texts, and app notifications can prove a driver was distracted moments before the crash. These tiny data points carry massive legal weight.
• Eyewitness accounts and video footage. Surveillance cameras, dashcams, and witnesses fill in the gaps. A single clip or statement can clarify fault and destroy corporate denial.
• Police reports and crash reconstruction. Trained specialists can rebuild the scene down to impact angles and reaction times. Their findings can establish speed, visibility, and responsibility beyond guesswork.

We move fast to preserve this evidence before it disappears because Uber and Lyft won’t volunteer it.

Common Tactics Uber and Lyft Use to Dodge Blame

When the evidence points their way, these companies don’t admit fault. They deflect. They use delay and confusion as their favorite tools.

• “The driver wasn’t on the app.” If the driver had just dropped off a passenger, Uber or Lyft might claim they were “off duty.” We use GPS and timestamp data to show otherwise.
• “We’re not the employer.” They’ll argue drivers are contractors, not employees. But when corporate policies or algorithms encourage risky behavior, they’re still responsible.
• “You’re partly to blame.” Expect them to point fingers at you, the weather, or another driver. We counter with solid evidence that ties cause directly to their conduct.
• “We need more information.” That’s corporate code for stalling. Every delay burns time from your statute of limitations. We file fast to stop that tactic cold.

These defenses sound convincing until the facts surface. Once they do, corporate shields start to crack.

The Injuries that Make Fault Worth Proving

The damage from rideshare accidents isn’t just physical — it’s personal. Fault matters because it decides who pays for everything that crash stole from you.

Neck and spine injuries, brain trauma, broken bones, and internal bleeding are common when rideshare drivers act recklessly. Even “minor” injuries like soft tissue strains can mean weeks of pain, therapy, and missed work. And then there’s the emotional side — panic every time you get in a car, sleepless nights, lost trust in your own safety.

Proving fault connects the harm you’ve suffered to the people and systems that caused it. Without that link, insurers treat your pain like paperwork. We make it undeniable.

How Horn Wright, LLP, Builds Your Case From the Ground Up

Every detail matters when you’re proving fault. We start by locking down all digital evidence before companies can delete or alter it. 

We send legal preservation letters to Uber, Lyft, and their insurers, forcing them to save trip data, GPS coordinates, and internal communications. Then we bring in accident reconstructionists, medical experts, and economic specialists to show exactly how the crash affected your life.

Our Uber or Lyft car accident attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, don’t wait for corporate cooperation — we compel it. Our approach combines relentless investigation with straightforward communication, so you always know what’s happening in your case.

We’ll handle the blame game and make sure it lands where it belongs.

Steps You Can Take Right Now to Strengthen Your Case

You don’t need to solve everything today, but these simple moves can set your claim up for success:

• Get medical treatment immediately – Your health comes first, but early records also connect your injuries directly to the crash. Delays create doubt.
• Save everything – Photos, rideshare receipts, messages with the driver — all of it builds your story. Small details often become key evidence.
• Avoid quick settlements – Corporate insurers offer low payouts fast, hoping you’ll sign away your rights. Wait until you know the full scope of your injuries.
• Don’t talk to adjusters alone – Their job is to minimize payment, not help you. Let your lawyer handle every call or email.
• Document your recovery – Keep a journal of pain levels, missed work, and emotional effects. These details help show how much the crash changed your life.

Evidence fades fast. Your voice shouldn’t.

The Truth Will Come Out And We’ll Make Sure it Counts

In rideshare crashes, the truth doesn’t shout. It hides in logs, texts, and timelines. But it’s always there, waiting for someone to uncover it. You deserve a team that knows how to find it and use it to get results that matter.

Our legal team makes sure no one walks away from their share of blame. Whether your crash happened in downtown Albany, near the Vermont border, or on a rainy Jersey highway, we’ll prove fault with facts, not assumptions. You didn’t cause the mess, but you deserve justice that clears your name and covers your future.

Because in the end, fault isn’t just about who was wrong. It’s about making things right. Contact our office today to arrange your complimentary consultation.