We Can Help Anyone Hurt in a Rideshare Crash
Uber and Lyft’s rise in popularity over the years correlates with an increase in collisions involving these vehicles. Though drivers are screened before being allowed to work for a ridesharing app, many of them drive for hours at a time or give rides after completing a full day at work. Tired or otherwise stressed drivers are more likely to cause accidents that can hurt them and others.
Whether you’re another road user who was hit by a negligent rideshare driver or a passenger who was hurt in an accident, we can help you understand your options for compensation. Our team is also ready to represent you in a car accident claim against Uber or Lyft. We have decades of combined experience in handling claims against big companies. Reach out if you want a dedicated and hardworking law firm on your side.
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Proving Liability in a Rideshare Claim
Because the typical car insurance policy does not cover commercial activities like driving for a rideshare company, people who work for Uber and Lyft rely on those companies’ insurance to cover them. This is good news for passengers, as it means you’ll always have a way to recover compensation after an injury. However, it also means any accident victim will need proof a rideshare driver was involved before they can start their claim.
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Other Drivers, Bicyclists, Motorcyclists, and Pedestrians
For other road users hit by working rideshare drivers, it’s important not only to get that person’s contact information but also evidence they were driving for Uber or Lyft at the time of the accident. A picture of their app showing the time and their active status is typically adequate.
Don’t take it for granted a rideshare driver will tell you if they’re working: They may forget to mention it due to the stress of causing a crash. If you see the at-fault driver has a passenger in the back seat or notice stickers with the Uber or Lyft logos on their cars, be sure to ask them whether they’re working. For anyone who does not get this information at the scene, don’t worry: Both Uber and Lyft log driver data, so we can help you obtain a copy of the at-fault driver’s trip history.
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The Process for Uber or Lyft Passengers
As a passenger, you won’t have to argue an accident wasn’t your fault, but you will need proof of liability before you can file a claim.
If a third party caused your accident, both you and your driver should get that person’s contact and insurance information. Their insurance is required to pay for your damages.
No matter who was at fault, you should also preserve evidence you were hit while in an Uber or Lyft. Even when another driver caused the accident, their insurance may not cover all your expenses. By taking a screenshot of your app at the time of the accident or going into your trip history to get the details of the ride, you can get evidence you are covered by rideshare insurance.
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How Rideshare Companies’ Insurance Works
We’ve already mentioned that both Uber and Lyft provide insurance for all their drivers, but claimants should be aware these companies have a tiered coverage system with its own rules.
Insurance Limits Depend on Driver Activity
When drivers are not marked as active in the app, no rideshare insurance covers them—just their personal policy. As soon as they start searching for ride requests, however, they are eligible for:
- $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident in bodily injury
- $25,000 per accident in property damage
Once they accept a ride request, however, their insurance increases drastically. These higher limits stay in place until the passenger has been dropped off at their final destination. Any rideshare driver who is fulfilling a request at the time of an accident has:
- $1,000,000 per accident
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
This is why getting evidence of the driver’s exact working status at the time of the crash is so important. Especially for those with serious injuries, $50,000 is unlikely to cover all your losses. Having proof you are eligible for the higher policy limit can make a major difference in your accident claim.
Rideshare Insurance Is Secondary
While Uber and Lyft’s insurance policies are generous to passengers, both companies expressly state they are secondary, meaning you must exhaust any other insurance that applies to an accident before you can make a claim with them. Some Uber and Lyft drivers choose to purchase commercial insurance, meaning you would need to turn there first.
Likewise, if another driver was at fault, you cannot file with Uber or Lyft’s uninsured/underinsured motorist policy until you have gotten all the compensation you have from that person’s insurance.
In short, the process can get complicated when multiple insurance policies apply. Our attorneys can make the claims process simple for you. We can take on the work of pursuing compensation while you focus on your recovery.
Need Help After a Serious Rideshare Accident?
Ashcraft & Gerel is here for those who were severely or catastrophically injured in rideshare accidents. If your injuries require extensive treatment or are likely to cause a lasting disability, you need an attorney in your corner who can help you maximize your claim. Our team works with expert consultants to identify the extent of your damages, so you know what a fair settlement looks like.
Insurance adjusters do their best to underpay accident victims, and Uber and Lyft are likely to offer a lowball settlement to you after an accident. When you work with us, you can be confident in our ability and willingness to fight back. We’re known for taking high-profile cases and mounting successful cases against big companies. Ask us how our experienced lawyers can help you.