What to Do If You're Involved in a Rideshare Accident: Your Legal Options with Uber and Lyft
The popularity of rideshare services like Uber and Lyft has transformed the way people travel. These app-based platforms provide an easy, accessible alternative to taxis and public transportation, offering convenience at the tap of a button.
However, as with any form of transportation, accidents can and do happen. Rideshare accidents can be particularly complex due to the involvement of multiple parties, including the rideshare driver, passengers, other motorists, pedestrians, and the rideshare company itself.
If you are involved in a rideshare accident—whether as a passenger, another driver, or a pedestrian—you need to understand your legal rights and options. Can you sue Uber or Lyft? Who is responsible for covering medical bills and property damage? What steps should you take after an accident?
We have the answers below, but if you’ve been injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, don’t hesitate to contact Morgan & Morgan for a free case evaluation to learn more about your legal options.
Types of Rideshare Accidents
Rideshare accidents can occur under different circumstances, each with its own legal considerations. The three main scenarios include:
Passenger Accidents
If you are a passenger in an Uber or Lyft and your driver gets into an accident, you may be entitled to compensation regardless of who is at fault. The rideshare company provides insurance coverage for passengers while a ride is in progress.
Rideshare Driver Accidents
Uber and Lyft drivers operate as independent contractors rather than employees. This classification affects how liability is assigned in an accident. If a rideshare driver is at fault while carrying a passenger or en route to pick up one, the rideshare company’s insurance coverage applies. However, if the driver is not actively engaged in a ride, their personal auto insurance may be the primary source of coverage.
Accidents Involving Other Drivers or Pedestrians
If another driver or pedestrian is injured in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle, determining liability depends on whether the rideshare driver was actively using the app at the time. If the driver was not logged in, their personal insurance applies. If they were waiting for a ride request or actively transporting a passenger, Uber or Lyft’s insurance may cover damages.
What to Do After a Rideshare Accident
Knowing the right steps to take after a rideshare accident can make a significant difference in protecting your legal rights and securing compensation.
1. Ensure Safety and Seek Medical Attention
First and foremost, check for injuries and call 911 if necessary. Even if you don’t feel hurt, some injuries, such as whiplash or internal damage, may not be immediately apparent. Seeking medical attention creates a documented record of any injuries, which will be useful if you file a claim later.
2. Call the Police and Obtain a Report
A police report provides an official account of the accident, detailing the involved parties, the scene, and any citations issued. This document can be crucial evidence in determining liability and pursuing a claim.
3. Gather Information and Evidence
If you are physically able, document the accident scene. Collect the following information:
- Contact details of all parties involved (drivers, passengers, and witnesses)
- Vehicle details, including license plate numbers and insurance information
- Photos and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries
- Screenshots of your Uber or Lyft ride details (trip confirmation, driver’s name, and license plate)
4. Report the Accident to Uber or Lyft
Both Uber and Lyft have processes for reporting accidents through their apps. Filing an incident report ensures the company is aware of the crash and helps trigger applicable insurance coverage.
5. Contact a Personal Injury Attorney at Morgan & Morgan
Navigating a rideshare accident claim can be complicated. An experienced personal injury attorney can help determine liability, negotiate with insurance companies, and ensure you receive fair compensation.
Can You Sue Uber or Lyft for a Rideshare Accident?
One of the biggest questions after a rideshare accident is whether you can sue Uber or Lyft for damages. The answer depends on the circumstances of the crash and the driver’s status at the time of the accident.
When You Can Sue Uber or Lyft
You may have grounds to sue Uber or Lyft if:
- The driver was actively engaged in a ride and was negligent.
- The rideshare company was negligent in screening, hiring, or monitoring the driver.
- Uber or Lyft’s insurance provider refuses to pay a legitimate claim.
When You Cannot Sue Uber or Lyft
Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors, which typically shields the companies from direct liability. If the driver was not logged into the app at the time of the accident, Uber or Lyft is unlikely to be responsible, and you would need to pursue a claim through the driver’s personal insurance.
Insurance Coverage for Rideshare Accidents
Uber and Lyft provide different levels of insurance coverage depending on the driver’s status at the time of the accident:
- Driver Not Logged Into the App: The driver’s personal insurance applies.
- Driver Logged In, Waiting for a Ride Request: Uber/Lyft provides limited liability coverage ($50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage).
- Driver En Route to Pick Up a Passenger or Transporting a Passenger: Uber/Lyft provides up to $1 million in liability coverage.
If another driver caused the accident, their insurance policy should cover damages. However, if the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, Uber and Lyft also offer coverage for uninsured/underinsured motorist claims.
Legal Options After a Rideshare Accident
Filing an Insurance Claim
If you are injured in a rideshare accident, you can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance or Uber/Lyft’s insurance, depending on the circumstances.
Pursuing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
If the insurance claim does not provide adequate compensation, you may consider filing a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party. Compensation may cover:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
Seeking Compensation for Medical Bills and Other Damages
If you were injured in a rideshare accident, you may be entitled to recover damages for:
- Emergency medical care
- Hospital stays and surgeries
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Lost income due to inability to work
- Emotional distress and trauma
Morgan & Morgan Can Help
Rideshare accidents can be legally complex, and securing compensation requires a thorough understanding of liability, insurance coverage, and personal injury laws. Whether you were a passenger, another driver, or a pedestrian, taking the right steps after an accident can protect your rights and improve your chances of receiving fair compensation.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a rideshare accident, contact Morgan & Morgan to fight for the compensation you deserve. Don’t face the insurance companies alone—get the legal support you need to recover fully from your accident. Hiring one of our lawyers is easy, and you can get started in minutes with a free case evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if a government entity was involved in my rideshare accident?
Another complicated factor that could influence your ability to recover compensation in an Uber accident case is if a government entity was involved. For example, perhaps you were in an Uber car that was struck by a public transit mobile or an accident that was caused due to improperly repaired roadways. These require filing a personal injury timeline in a much shorter fashion, usually no later than 6 months after the date of the accident. When there are multiple liable parties named in a lawsuit, it can make your situation much more complex, so you should be prepared to consult with a lawyer who has strong knowledge about the legal options available to you.
Should I sign anything presented to me by Uber?
Uber or their insurance company may reach out and attempt to communicate after you have opened a lawsuit, but this does not mean that you have to respond directly. Do not ignore these requests for communication but simply forward them to your personal injury lawyer.
One of the most common pieces of information shared with you early on could be a waiver or a settlement offer. You need to have this reviewed by a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer to make sure that you understand all of its implications. Signing a settlement offer, for example, means that you waive off future rights to file a personal injury lawsuit, so it is an offer that should be evaluated carefully.
Do I need a lawyer for a rideshare accident?
Especially if the driver carries the appropriate insurance to protect you in the event of an accident, you might be tempted to try to handle your personal injury case on your own. There are so many different things to think about in the wake of an accident that you might not realize how much work is ahead of you for your claim. More than one entity could be responsible for your injuries, and it is important to understand the full calculation of the medical conditions and injuries you have sustained.
Sharing this information with your personal injury lawyer will put you in the best possible position to recover full and fair compensation. No victim who was hurt in an Uber accident should try to handle their case on their own. Mistakes that you make early on in a case can turn out to be catastrophic down the road, so it is powerful to have the insight and experience of a knowledgeable lawyer at your side from the beginning.
Why are rideshare cases more complicated?
Some of the biggest reasons that Uber accidents can be so complicated have to do with the number of parties involved. First of all, there is an Uber driver who may or may not have contributed directly to the cause of the accident. Secondly, there can be another party like a pedestrian, another driver, or a cyclist. Finally, there’s you and any other people in the car at the time of the accident.
Hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer might be the only way to gather all the evidence relevant to your accident so that it's presented to the courts in a compelling way. Since there are multiple entities who will all want to have their side of the story told accurately in court, it is very important that you have the support of an experienced lawyer who can guide you through this process. You need to act quickly to protect your rights.
Don’t hesitate to contact the experts at Morgan & Morgan for a free, no-obligation case evaluation to take your first steps toward justice. You don’t have to do this alone, and Morgan & Morgan can help give you the means to win the compensation that you deserve.
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