Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Using a rideshare service such as Lyft or Uber is a great option when you want to get around town without worrying about parking or having to drive yourself. However, even with the enormous popularity of these services, and the stringent safety standards that these companies require for their drivers, there are still the same inherent risks present as when you get into any other type of vehicle, including your own. Luckily Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare services have robust insurance policies intended to protect the riders in the event of an accident. The problem with these policies, though, is that determining which policy you are covered under and how to apply for a settlement under that policy can be quite difficult—especially when you are trying to recover from serious injuries. 

1-800-Injured provides victims of rideshare accidents with access to a broad network of experienced personal injury and car accident attorneys who are ready to take their case today. When you work through 1-800-Injured, you can skip the process of seeking out lawyers, waiting to hear back from them, hoping that they are available, and then hoping that they are a good fit. Instead, we will connect you with lawyers who are available to take your case and will be able to connect with you as soon as possible. 

Read more below to get a general sense of what to expect during a rideshare accident insurance claims process. Contact 1-800-Injured to be immediately connected with an attorney to help you through your case and fight for the compensation that you deserve. 

What Happens After a Rideshare Accident?

As the passenger of a rideshare service, you have every right to expect that the driver takes all reasonable precautions to keep you safe, but sometimes these precautions are not enough to avoid an accident. Since rideshare drivers are independent contractors, there are a variety of complications when it comes to the insurance coverage that the driver (and therefore you) are covered. 

When a rideshare driver has a passenger in their vehicle, they are covered under the service’s policy, and can, therefore, file a claim through this maximum coverage policy. If you are in an accident with a rideshare driver who is en route to a fare (meaning that you are not the passenger), then they are covered under a different, more limited policy. However, when a rideshare driver is not driving to pick up a  passenger and does not have one in their vehicle, then they are not considered to have any association with the rideshare service and are therefore covered under their own personal insurance policy. 

What To Know If You’re the Driver In a Rideshare Accident

If you are driving a vehicle and are involved in an accident with a rideshare driver, then it is important to recognize that the insurance process may be slightly complicated. You will be filing a claim with Uber’s insurance company as long as the driver is actively transporting a passenger or is en route to picking up a passenger. However, if the driver simply has the app turned on and is waiting for a ride request, then you will first need to file through the driver’s insurance, and if your damages exceed their policy limits then you will file against Uber’s insurance to make up the difference. 

Make sure that you call 911. In many cases, a driver will try to talk the victim out of calling the authorities and simply dealing directly with them. It might sometimes seem like an overreaction to call 911, but when you are in a crash involving a rideshare driver or someone else who is driving in a professional capacity, it is important that you have additional documentation from authorities at the scene.

As with any accident, make sure that you do not make any apologies to the rideshare driver or their passenger, or this can be construed as an admission of guilt regardless of the additional evidence at the scene of the accident. You should be respectful and non-confrontational at the scene, as well, and beyond exchanging insurance and contact information, try to limit the majority of your conversation to the ones you will have with the EMTs and the police officer at the scene of the accident. Get contact information from eyewitnesses, if there are any.

Types Of Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) Accidents

Rideshare accidents, as with any car accident, can range in type and severity. Some of the most common accidents involving rideshare vehicles are included in this list:

• Rear-end collisions
• Head-on collisions
• Speeding accidents
• Aggressive drivers
• Drunk or drugged driving accidents
• Distracted driving accidents 
• Sideswipe accidents
• T-bone collisions

Whether or not the accident that you were involved in resembles any of these examples, contact 1-800-Injured today to be connected with an Uber accident lawyer as soon as possible. Trying to take on a major insurance company working for Uber, Lyft, or another massive company will be a complicated and discouraging process, especially while you are attempting to focus on making a full recovery from serious injuries at the same time.

Insurance Requirements For Rideshare Services

Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies have a variety of insurance requirements for their drivers depending on state and local regulations and laws. If you are involved in an accident with a driver who is actively traveling to either pick up a fare or is driving a passenger, then you will be filing directly with the overarching insurance provided by the rideshare company. 

HOW CAN A LAWYER HELP AFTER A RIDESHARE ACCIDENT?

As with any type of accident, the insurance process can be extremely stressful for a victim. This is especially true when you consider that they may be trying to recover from injuries at the same time as dealing with an insurance company that is motivated to pay as little as possible. 

When you are working with an attorney, they can focus on these frustrating bureaucratic procedures and communications while you concentrate on what is truly important: your personal needs and physical recovery. Your attorney will help you keep a cool head as your medical bills and income issues typically cause enormous stress for others (which the insurance companies use to their advantage to reach a lower settlement amount). Your lawyer will be able to help you stay mindful of the fact that there is a clear path forward with financial protection and security, and will lead you through this process.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ridesharing Accidents

1-800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service that can connect you with an attorney in your area. If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, 1-800-Injured can connect you with the right legal and medical representation. Call today!