If your car is hit by an Uber driver or you are involved n a Lyft car accident, you may be able to collect damages, especially if you were injured. In general, it will largely depend if the driver was “on the clock” when they hit you, or if they were driving as an individual. This will determine who is responsible for your losses.
If you were involved in an accident with a Uber, Lyft or another rideshare driver, the car accident attorneys at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys can help you through the legal process.
What You Need to Know About Uber or Lyft Car Accidents
Who you can take legal action against following a car accident involving a rideshare driver will depend if the rideshare driver was logged into the app and working, or already off the clock.
This will determine if you can collect against:
- Your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance policy
- The rideshare company’s insurance
- The rideshare driver’s liability insurance
Insurance Coverage for Lyft Drivers
If get hit by an Uber driver or you are involved n a Lyft car accident while they are logged into the rideshare app and working, you may have a few options to seek financial recovery.
Rideshare programs do typically require their drivers to hold not only personal liability insurance coverage, but an additional insurance policy to protect them while on the clock.
According to Lyft, the company provides drivers with third-party liability insurance for covered accidents when personal insurance does not apply. This includes:
- $50,000/person for bodily injury
- $100,000/accident for bodily injury
- $25,000/accident for property damage
However, this insurance only works when the app is on and the driver is waiting for a ride request. When the app is off, the driver must use their own insurance.
The company also offers insurance for when the app is on, and the driver is picking up passengers or during rides. This coverage includes:
- $1,000,000 for 3rd-party auto liability
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury and/or first-party coverage
- Contingent comprehensive & collision up to the actual cash value of the car ($2,500 deductible)
It is important to note that the value of coverage may vary based on state minimum insurance requirements.
Insurance Coverage For Uber Drivers
According to Uber, there are various forms of insurance available to their drivers.
If an Uber driver is offline or the driver app is off, the drivers’ personal insurance company and coverages apply if they are involved in an accident.
If the driver is available or waiting for a ride request, Uber offers third party liability coverage if the drivers’ personal insurance won’t cover the accident. This includes amounts up to:
- $50,000 in bodily injury per person
- $100,000 in bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 in property damage per accident
Finally, if the driver is about to pick up riders or already in the middle of a trip, Uber offers:
- $1,000,000 third-party liability
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury and/or first-party injury insurance
- Contingent comprehensive and collision up to actual cash value of car with a $2,500 deductible
What Do I Do After an Accident With an Uber or Lyft Driver?
If you are involved in a car accident with a rideshare driver, or if your car has been damaged by an Uber or Lyft driver, there are a few steps you need to take to ensure you can recover the compensation you need for your losses.
First, you should report the accident with the company the driver is employed by, ideally right at the scene of the accident. You will likely also want to file a police report as soon as the accident happens. Depending if the collision was an actual car accident, or if the driver hit your parked vehicle while you were not in it can make a difference, especially if they try to drive away.
But, if you are present at the time of the accident, be sure to document any damages, collect evidence, and get contact information and insurance details from the Uber or Lyft driver. Depending on the driver’s status (online, offline, etc.) will determine if their insurance, or their policy through the rideshare app is liable for any damages that exceed your personal insurance policy coverage.
How Can A Lawyer Help Me After a Collision with a Rideshare Driver?
If your vehicle sustained a lot of damage, or you were hurt, you may want to secure legal representation from a car accident or Uber or Lyft rideshare accident lawyer. It is unlikely the insurance companies are going to give you a straightforward path to recovering the monetary damages you need to repair your vehicle. An attorney will be able to help you determine who your claim needs to go to, and what the maximum compensation you can receive will be.
A rideshare or car accident attorney can help you by:
- Serving as the primary communicator on your claim
- Determine who is at fault
- Determine who is responsible for your losses
- Gather evidence
- Calculate the total value of your claim
- Represent you in court
In a 2018 study conducted by the University of Chicago and Rice University, it was determined that rideshare services like Uber and Lyft were responsible for a two to three-percent increase in traffic fatalities across the United States since 2011. If you were involved in a rideshare accident with an Uber or Lyft driver, know that Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys is here for you.
Car Wrecked Because of an Uber or Lyft Accident? Let Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Handle Your Claim.
If you or a loved one were involved in a car accident with an Uber or Lyft driver that has left you with damage to your vehicle or injuries, call Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys.
Our attorneys will handle your claim and determine who is to be held liable for your losses. We will determine if the driver was working at the time of the accident, and if any other factors were at play including:
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving
- Drunk driving
- Poor weather conditions
- Speeding or other aggressive driving behaviors
We know that the insurance company may give you the runaround saying someone else is responsible for your losses. This can make you feel frustrated and defeated. But do not give up, especially if you are injured.
The car accident attorneys at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys can help you claim the money you need to move forward for damages such as:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Long-term care
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
We have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for people involved in rideshare and other car accidents. We can do the same for you.
Getting proper compensation for your injuries and property damage after an Uber or Lyft accident can be complex. A rideshare accident attorney at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys will review the details of your Uber or Lyft accident and ensure the proper parties are held liable for your losses. Know that the insurance companies are not looking out for your best interests, so do not hastily accept a settlement. Instead, work with a legal team that means business.
If you are hit by an Uber driver or you are involved n a Lyft car accident, for a no-obligation, free legal consultation, contact the rideshare and car accident attorneys of Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys at 570-399-0406 or by visiting us online.
