Rideshare services have become a routine part of transportation in cities across the United States, but accidents involving Uber and Lyft vehicles can create complicated questions about liability, insurance coverage and compensation. For people injured in a rideshare crash, a rideshare accident lawyer can help determine which insurance policies may apply and who may be responsible for the resulting losses.
Unlike an ordinary car accident, a rideshare collision can involve several potentially responsible parties, including the rideshare driver, another motorist, the rideshare company and one or more insurance providers. The insurance available can also depend on what the driver was doing on the app at the exact time of the crash.
Uber states that its insurance coverage varies depending on whether a driver is offline, logged into the platform and waiting for a request, traveling to pick up a passenger or actively transporting a passenger. When an Uber driver is en route to a passenger or carrying a passenger, Uber says it maintains at least $1 million in third-party liability coverage for covered accidents in the United States, subject to applicable state rules and exceptions.
Lyft similarly provides different levels of insurance depending on the driver’s status. Lyft says that when a driver is actively picking up a passenger or a ride is underway, its covered accidents generally include at least $1 million in third-party liability coverage, although certain locations and circumstances have different requirements.
Determining which policy applies is one of the reasons rideshare accident cases can become more complicated than conventional motor-vehicle claims. A lawyer may investigate the driver’s app status, the police report, photographs, witness accounts, vehicle damage, medical records and other evidence to establish how the collision happened and which parties may bear responsibility.
An injured passenger may have a claim arising from the rideshare driver’s conduct, while someone struck by an Uber or Lyft vehicle may have a claim against the rideshare driver or another motorist who caused the crash. In some circumstances, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage or other first-party benefits may also become relevant.
Evidence can be particularly important after a rideshare collision. Accident victims should, when it is safe, document vehicle damage and the accident scene, obtain information from other drivers and witnesses, seek appropriate medical attention and preserve relevant rideshare information. Uber itself advises people involved in crashes to contact police and emergency services when necessary, photograph damage and the scene, and report the incident through the platform.
A rideshare accident lawyer can also communicate with insurance companies on an injured person’s behalf and evaluate potential compensation. Depending on the circumstances and applicable state law, damages in a successful injury claim may include medical expenses, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering and other losses caused by the accident.
The exact rules governing rideshare insurance and personal-injury claims vary significantly from state to state. Insurance limits, deadlines for filing claims, comparative-fault rules and available benefits can all affect the outcome of a case. For that reason, anyone seriously injured in an Uber or Lyft accident may benefit from obtaining advice from a qualified attorney familiar with rideshare and personal-injury law in the state where the crash occurred.
For victims and families dealing with the aftermath of a serious rideshare collision, understanding the available insurance coverage is an important first step. A rideshare accident lawyer can review the circumstances of the crash, identify potentially responsible parties and help an injured person understand the legal options available under applicable law.
