Munley Law’s Hazleton rideshare accident lawyers help victims with complex claims and to pursue full compensation after serious crashes involving rideshare vehicles, such as Uber or Lyft. We combine nearly seven decades of experience with a proven record of results in high-stakes personal injury litigation.
Munley Law is a family-run firm that has earned national recognition for excellence in personal injury litigation, including board certification by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and consistent listings in Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and Martindale-Hubbell. Our car accident lawyers have secured multi-million-dollar recoveries for injured clients and are known for taking on powerful insurance companies and winning.
Rideshare accidents introduce unique challenges involving layered insurance policies and corporate liability. Our Hazleton rideshare accident lawyers step in immediately to protect your rights, investigate the crash, and build a strong claim so you can focus on recovery.
Contact our Hazleton personal injury lawyers today to schedule a free consultation.
Call Us At 844-686-5397 How Common Are Rideshare Accidents in Hazleton and Nationwide?
Rideshare car accidents are happening more frequently than ever. In a two-year period, Uber reported that there were approximately 107 motor vehicle fatalities reported across 97 fatal Uber-related crashes — and experts believe that those numbers may even be higher than reported.
As with any car wreck, rideshare accidents can severely harm you and your family. You may be injured. Your injury may keep you from returning to work, or from working at the same level you used to. What’s more, you could be left with a vehicle that is severely damaged or completely nonfunctional.
Why Are Rideshare Accident Claims More Complicated Than Regular Car Accidents?
Unlike standard car accidents, rideshare crashes involve multiple potentially liable parties. The driver is typically classified as an independent contractor, which complicates whether the rideshare company itself can be held responsible.
Liability may shift depending on whether the driver was logged into the relevant rideshare app, waiting for a ride, or actively transporting a passenger. Each phase triggers a different insurance policy, making these claims far more complex than typical collisions.
Who Is Liable in an Uber or Lyft Accident in Hazleton?
Liability in an Uber or Lyft accident depends on what the driver was doing at the time of the crash. In many cases, the rideshare driver may be responsible if their negligence caused the accident. However, because drivers are typically classified as contractors, liability does not automatically extend to the rideshare company.
Instead, responsibility often shifts between multiple parties. This can include the driver’s personal insurance, the rideshare company’s insurance policy, or even another driver involved in the collision. For example, if the rideshare driver was logged into the app or transporting a passenger, higher levels of corporate insurance coverage may apply.
Determining who is liable requires a careful review of the facts, insurance policies, and app data. An experienced attorney can identify all responsible parties and pursue the full compensation available.
Can You Sue The Rideshare Company?
In most cases, you do not sue the rideshare company directly unless negligence can be proven at the corporate level. Instead, claims are often filed against insurance policies tied to the driver’s app activity at the time of the crash.
However, exceptions may apply if the company failed in areas like driver screening or safety enforcement. An experienced attorney can evaluate whether additional liability applies beyond the driver.
- When the driver is waiting for a passenger request: Uber’s first level of insurance coverage begins when drivers turn on the app and search for passengers who need a ride. This coverage is limited to liability only, meaning it will cover the medical bills and property damage incurred by the victims of the car accident because of the rideshare driver’s careless driving. The latest figures state that these policies cover $50,000 per person for injuries, $100,000 in total injury, and $25,000 for property damage (per accident). Additionally, this insurance may only apply if the driver’s insurance will not be able to cover the damages.
- When a passenger is in the vehicle: Uber’s second level of coverage begins when a passenger is in the vehicle. This policy covers accidents in which the Uber driver’s careless driving results in a collision with other vehicles, pedestrians, or property. Uber’s insurance policy will cover up to $1,000,000 per accident. If a third-party driver is at fault and underinsured or uninsured, Uber also offers $1,000,000 worth of coverage. Finally, Uber also offers contingent collision and comprehensive coverage regardless of liability. It covers the cost of the driver’s vehicle and has a $1,000 deductible.
- When there is no passenger and the driver is not waiting: If the Uber app is turned off and the driver is not “on the clock,” the Uber driver’s own insurance policy typically applies.
Should You Speak to Insurance Companies After a Rideshare Crash?
Do not speak with an insurance company or lawyer representing another party without talking to a lawyer first.
After an Uber accident, you may be contacted by an insurance company or by an attorney representing another party. It could be the company that provides Uber’s insurance, the driver’s insurance company, or the insurance company covering a third party. You should not speak with them without an experienced Hazleton Uber accident attorney; you can politely inform them that you’d like to reschedule your conversation until after you’ve had the chance to speak to an attorney.
While it may seem silly, it is very easy to accidentally waive certain rights in these conversations, or limit your ability to recover all the money to which you may be entitled. For that reason, you should always check with an attorney before signing anything or talking to anyone after an accident in which you were
What to Do After A Rideshare Accident?
Even the best-rated rideshare drivers can make mistakes. If you find yourself in a rideshare accident in Hazleton, here are a few things you should do:
- Make a police report: Contact the police right away and make a report. You will need this for your insurance company and, if it comes to it, your lawsuit. Do not let your driver, another passenger, or a third party convince you not to file a police report.
- Seek medical attention: Even if you do not think you were injured, make sure to seek medical attention and have yourself checked out by a doctor. Sometimes, the symptoms from an injury caused by a car accident can creep up days, or even weeks, later, and you want to be prepared. Seeking medical attention will help your case as well, as it will provide a documented source of the damage caused by the rideshare driver’s careless driving.
- Document everything: Take pictures, take down the names of drivers and witnesses, and document everything. You should also try to reduce any conversation to writing.
- Contact the rideshare company: You will need to contact the rideshare company to let them know what happened. You can usually report the crash either through the app or online. For example, Uber lets customers and drivers report online by filling out a form.
- Do not talk to opposing insurance companies: While it is okay to speak with your own insurance company, you do not want to talk to anyone else’s. They may try to get you to admit fault or waive your rights. Even when discussing the incident with your own insurance company, it’s best to memorialize all live conversations in writing. For example, if you discuss the accident with your insurance company, ask for an email address to which you can direct follow-up questions. Then, after the conversation, you can go ahead and respond to that email address, thanking the person for their time and summarizing the conversation. This way, there is a record of what was discussed. You can use this method to reduce to writing any important conversation that you have in the moments and days after an accident.
What Evidence Do You Need For a Rideshare Accident?
You should photograph any injuries you suffer. After the accident, try to obtain a copy of the accident report from the police and, if necessary, have your insurance company perform a valuation of the damage.
Keep track of all of your out-of-pocket expenses and any work or activities you miss. Maintain a journal or log of all of your doctor’s visits, test results, prescriptions, treatments, or other relevant medical information from the doctor.
While you may think you can remember these facts, as time goes on and as you attend more and more appointments related to the accident, the exact dates and purpose of doctor’s appointments may become hazy.
Furthermore, it’s easy to forget about small expenses, especially early on. But these expenses add up and are important to fully capture all the damages that you may be able to recover.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rideshare Accident Claims in Hazleton
How Long Do I Have to File a Rideshare Accident Claim in Pennsylvania?
Under 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524(2), Pennsylvania generally allows two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury or rideshare accident claim. Missing this window of opportunity can prevent you from recovering compensation. However, there are exceptions that apply in limited circumstances, such as the delayed discovery of injuries or if a minor was injured in a rideshare accident. Speaking with an attorney early helps ensure your claim is filed on time.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Rideshare Accident?
You may recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. In severe cases, damages may also include long-term disability or loss of future earnings. Each case depends on the extent of your injuries and losses, and a lawyer can calculate the full value of your claim.
What If the Rideshare Driver Was Not at Fault?
If another driver caused the accident with your rideshare driver, you may file a claim against that driver’s insurance. If they are uninsured or underinsured, rideshare coverage may still apply. Determining fault is critical in these cases, and an attorney can investigate and identify all liable parties.
Are Rideshare Drivers Required to Carry Special Insurance?
Yes. Rideshare drivers should inform their personal insurance that they use their vehicle for ridesharing. However, rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft provide additional insurance coverage when drivers are using the app. This coverage supplements the driver’s personal policy, but the level of coverage depends on the driver’s activity at the time of the crash. Understanding these layers is key to your claim.
Contact Munley Law’s Hazleton Rideshare Accident Lawyers For Help Recovering Compensation
At Munley Law, we handle every stage of your rideshare accident claim so you can focus on healing. Our skilled lawyers conduct a thorough investigation, securing critical evidence such as app data and crash reports, and identifying all potential sources of liability – including layered rideshare insurance policies. We build strong cases designed to withstand aggressive insurance tactics and position you for fair recovery.
Our attorneys bring almost 70 years of experience in personal injury and auto accident litigation. Our attorneys have received awards for excellence in car accident law, including J. Christopher Munley being named to the Top 25 Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers Association.
With a proven record of multi-million-dollar recoveries and a reputation for courtroom excellence, we are prepared to take your case to trial if insurers refuse to offer a fair settlement.
We also understand the financial strain an accident can cause. That’s why our Hazleton personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. You pay no legal fees unless we win your case. From negotiating with insurers to advocating for you in court, we are committed to securing the full compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation.
Caroline Munley
Caroline Munley, Managing Partner of Munley Law, stands among Pennsylvania’s most respected auto accident attorneys. Her dedication to accident victims has earned her recognition from Best Lawyers (2018), and the National Trial Lawyers Association has twice honored her, once as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer and second as a Top 25 Women Trial Lawyer in Pennsylvania. Caroline has helped in winning numerous multi-million dollar settlements for auto accident victims, such as a $17.5 million jury verdict for a teen death caused by a car accident, and another $4.4 million settlement reached for a different car accident case. Caroline has also written pieces such as “Drugged Driving Poses Greater Highway Risk” in The Scranton Times-Tribune to advocate for auto safety.
Reviewed by Bernadine Munley, Esq., Personal Injury Attorney at Munley Law, on August 12, 2026.
