The Black Car Fund (BCF) is a non-profit Workers’ Compensation Insurance Provider for black car and luxury limousine drivers. Under this umbrella, Uber and Lyft drivers may also qualify for compensation if injured while on the job, provided the drivers work with BCF-affiliated member bases. The Black Car Fund provides benefits on top of any existing insurance you may have.
If you think you might qualify, contacting IDG Legal is a smart first step. Our service is free to use and will connect you with a qualified attorney who can help you file a claim. We aim to help you make the best decisions to get back on your feet after an accident by providing support and legal guidance to professional drivers who need assistance with BCF claims and compensation.
Black Car Fund Benefits for Professional Drivers
The BCF provides benefits that help professional for-hire drivers when they have been injured on the job. These benefits include medical coverage, compensation for lost wages, death benefits for family members, and driver safety programs to help keep drivers safe and alert on the road. Benefits extend beyond accident coverage, offering vision and dental benefits too.
In addition to medical benefits and accident coverage, you’ll also receive critical illness insurance, access to telehealth services, reduced prescription drug benefits, and mental health and wellness visits. This benefit package is available to professional drivers and independent contractors who work in the state of New York.
These benefits come at no cost to the drivers. Instead, the payment for the service is charged to passengers as a surcharge. Passengers enjoy safer drivers by paying this surcharge.
Who Qualifies for the Black Car Fund?
Not all black car and for-hire drivers will qualify for BCF benefits. You must be driving for a Black Car Fund Member Base (Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies are included as Member Bases) to qualify, and:
- Work at least 10 hours a week (for TLC-licensed Drivers)
- Earn a minimum of $4,000 per quarter (for Transportation Network Company drivers)
If you meet these requirements, you may be eligible for compensation and benefits under the BCF. Independent contractors who meet these qualifications also qualify for benefits. If you are unsure whether or not you qualify, contact IDG Legal for a free consultation to discuss your options and whether these benefits may extend to you.
What Should You Do if You Were in a Car Accident While on the Job?
If you are involved in a car accident on the job, stop your vehicle and move it to the side of the road if possible.
- Assess the situation to make sure there are no injured parties. If there are injured parties, call 911 immediately for medical assistance.
- Do not apologize to other parties or admit guilt. These statements, while potentially true, may be used against you at a later date. It’s important to say as little as possible to other accident victims.
- Collect insurance and contact information from other parties involved. You can simply take a picture of their vehicle license plate and insurance card. Do not attempt to photograph driver’s licenses or allow yours to be photographed, as this could subject you to identity theft.
- Contact your insurance company if you are driving a car that belongs to you. Let them know about the accident and follow any instructions they give you.
- Call the police. Having a police report is a useful tool if you need to file a claim of any kind for damages or injuries. Additionally, your employer may require you to contact the police and file a report.
- If you aren’t sure if you are injured, say you aren’t sure. Many injuries, like whiplash or internal bleeding, may not present immediate symptoms. It is important to proceed to a hospital to have a head-to-toe examination to ensure you are in the clear.
- Take pictures of the accident scene. Record notes about the road and weather conditions, and ask for eyewitness contact information if anyone saw the accident.
- Contact IDG Legal. Contacting an attorney may be the smartest way to file a claim, as claims are often denied because deadlines are missed or clerical errors are made. Reach out to us to find an attorney to file your workers’ compensation claim with The Black Car Fund to help you prevent these mistakes from happening.
Your rideshare company may take care of some of these steps for you. If they don’t, it will be your responsibility to do so.
How Can You Apply for Benefits through The Black Car Fund?
If you’d like to apply for free benefits through the BCF, simply sign up via the Black Car Fund’s website. However, if you need to file a workers’ compensation claim specifically, then IDG Legal’s lawyers can help with that. The team at IDG Legal will contact you to guide you through the enrollment process and make sure you qualify to receive benefits.
It can be helpful to work with an attorney when applying for benefits or when filing a claim, as this takes the pressure off you to meet deadlines, file paperwork correctly, and provide the necessary information for your claim. While you rest and recover from your injuries, your attorney goes to work with the BCF to file your claim and help you get your compensation.
Black Car Fund FAQs
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the Black Car Fund. If you have a question you don’t see answered here, please contact us for a free consultation.
Does The Black Car Fund Cover All Types of Accidents?
The BCF used to only cover work-related accidents, but recently, they have also started offering accident disability insurance.
The BCF does not, however, provide compensation for vehicle damage. This should be reported to your car insurance company and handled through their appropriate portal.
How Much Compensation Can I Receive for an Accident through the Black Car Fund?
As a BCF member, you can receive accident disability payments of up to $1,500 per month, or 70% of your pre-disability net income. You may receive these benefits for a year as long as you’ve passed the 30-day elimination period. It’s important to remember that you can only receive these benefits if you are injured in a way that makes it impossible for you to drive.
Not every driver who is in an accident will need or qualify for BCF benefits, even if they are members of the BCF. If you file a claim with the BCF and are denied, contacting an attorney is the next step in appealing the denial.
Can I Get Benefits through The Black Car Fund if I Am an Independent Contractor?
Yes. Independent contractors who meet the qualifications outlined above may qualify for benefits through The Black Car Fund. IDG has been instrumental in getting these benefits into the hands of independent contractor drivers, and it is our mission to advocate for these drivers to receive these benefits.
How Long Does It Take to Get Approved by The Black Car Fund?
Approval for benefits happens quickly, but if you have a claim, it may take up to 45 days to receive your first payment. Enrolling in direct deposit is the fastest and easiest way to get your money. After you enroll, allow 45 days for your first payment to hit your account after a covered claim has been approved.
Talk to a Lawyer if You Were Injured in a Car Accident that Wasn’t Your Fault
As a professional driver, you place yourself at risk every day. Although you may have insurance to cover your losses, the Black Car Fund provides additional benefits and coverages at no cost to you, the driver. If you are a member of The Black Car Fund and have been injured in a car accident that was not your fault, you may be eligible for BCF benefits.
Contacting IDG Legal can help connect you to a qualified attorney to review your case and help you receive the benefits you deserve. Even if you have previously filed for benefits and been denied, we can still help. It may be possible for you to appeal the claim and continue to fight for compensation.
Most attorneys in our network work on a contingency fee basis, which means they do not collect a fee unless they win your case. And our workers’ compensation consultations are 100% free. Contact us today to have your case reviewed and to learn how we can help you recover from your accident and protect your right to claim benefits.
