When you are a passenger, motorist, or pedestrian who was injured in an accident caused by a rideshare driver, it’s important to have an experienced Wilkes-Barre rideshare accident lawyer on your side to ensure you receive compensation. At Munley Law, we represent clients in various rideshare accident scenarios, and with more than 250 years of combined legal experience, we’ve helped recover more than $1 billion in damages through settlements and verdicts, including a $17.5 million car accident jury verdict.
We can work to ensure that you also receive justice and the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Our lawyers’ many victories, high ethical standards, and commitment and contributions to their profession continue to be recognized by the most respected institutions and publications. We’ve been honored by the American Association for Justice, Irish Legal 100, Law Dragon, Best Law Firms, and Super Lawyers, among others, while some of our attorneys have been welcomed into invitation-only organizations.
Whether you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft when your driver caused a crash, driving your vehicle, or walking when a negligent rideshare driver hit you, our skilled rideshare accident attorneys can help you navigate the complicated legal landscape surrounding these claims.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
$32 Million Wrongful Death
$26 Million Truck Accident
$20 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident
$19.8 Million Truck Accident
$17.5 Million Car Accident
$12 Million Work Injury
$11 Million Truck Accident
$9 Million Truck Accident
$8 Million Truck Accident
$8 Million Truck Accident
$7.5 Million Auto Accident
$6.9 Million Garbage Truck Accident
How Do We Determine Liability in a Wilkes-Barre Rideshare Accident?
Rideshare accidents in Wilkes-Barre (and most places in the United States) can have added complications. These car accidents are treated differently from accidents involving standard vehicles or traditional commercial vehicles.
Determining liability and insurance coverage in a rideshare accident can be complicated. Any rideshare mobile app companies that pick up passengers, including Uber and Lyft, have $1 million in liability insurance. However, this coverage doesn’t always apply; it depends on the circumstances and who is involved. Drivers are also required to carry their own auto insurance coverage, though this coverage is not always sufficient to pay for damages.
The insurer responsible for paying you compensation will depend primarily on whether the Uber or Lyft driver at fault was on-duty or off-duty at the time of the accident. While in some cases, the answer is quite obvious, in others, it can be more ambiguous. For example, if a rideshare driver is waiting for a request to come in and becomes distracted by the app, they may cause an accident as a result.
In many cases, the ridesharing company fights the claim and denies liability. This can happen even if your driver is determined to be at fault and on duty when the accident occurs. This is why you need a Munley Law accident attorney on your side.
Dealing with these complicated issues is why it’s important to have an experienced Wilkes-Barre Uber accident attorney. Munley Law has fought for Wilkes-Barre car accident victims for over 65 years. Our experienced rideshare accident attorneys have obtained the maximum compensation for injured victims. We will gather evidence, investigate your accident, and work with accident reconstructionists and other specialists to determine who is at fault and hold them accountable, taking the fight for justice to court if necessary.
“Since 1959, we have secured over $1 billion in
compensation for our clients.”
Daniel W. Munley
Call us at (844) 686-5397 What are the Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
While the popular rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft vet their drivers by driving history background checks, these checks aren’t everything. Just because someone has a clean driving history doesn’t mean they aren’t susceptible to the same accident risks on the road.
The top reasons rideshare accidents happen include:
- Drowsy driving: Rideshare drivers in Wilkes-Barre are very prone to driver fatigue. Whether they are working multiple jobs, or working nights, many get behind the wheel tired. This impacts alertness and reaction time as much as driving while under the influence of alcohol.
- Distracted driving: This is another major cause of rideshare crashes, especially with drivers relying heavily on mobile apps while operating their vehicles.
- Speeding: Whether late to pick up a passenger or trying to hustle to meet a passenger’s schedule, drivers can feel pressured to speed.
- Inclement weather: Driving in poor conditions like snow or rain is already hard enough. Couple that with a driver who must constantly look at their phone for directions or navigate unknown roads, which could lead to disaster.
- Inexperienced Uber driver: As the rideshare economy grows, newer drivers are turning to the apps for extra income, or some for full-time employment. However, the distractions can be even more dangerous if they haven’t been driving for as long. Be wary of a new Uber driver.
Rideshare Standards and Requirements in Wilkes-Barre Uber Accidents
Uber and Lyft rideshare drivers have to meet specific standards to drive. Both rideshare services require their drivers:
- Be of a minimum age. For Lyft, drivers must be at least 21 years old; for Uber, drivers must meet or exceed the minimum age for the city where they work/are driving.
- Have a valid driver’s license.
- Are licensed drivers for at least one year (or three years for Uber if younger than 23)
- Give proof of insurance, vehicle registration, and valid inspection
- Pass a driving background check and safety screening
In addition, vehicles must also meet certain standards. In general, they must be four-door vehicles in good condition, less than 10-15 years old. While these are good standards, they cannot alone prevent Wilkes-Barre rideshare accidents.
Contact a Munley Law Rideshare Accident Lawyer
How Common are Wilkes-Barre Rideshare Accidents?
Neither Lyft nor Uber has released city- or town-specific accident reports. However, according to Lyft’s 2024 safety report, there were 111 fatalities across the US from 2020 to 2022, which is a 14% rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. Uber’s 2023 safety report indicated there were 153 fatalities from 2021 to 2022.
These figures do not include accidents that resulted in injuries or property damage only, so the actual number of rideshare accidents in the US is likely to be much higher. It stands to reason that Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, and wider Pennsylvania see their fair share of these incidents.
What to Do After a Rideshare Accident in Wilkes-Barre
If you are in a car accident as a rideshare passenger, here are the steps you should take to protect yourself. First and foremost, seek medical attention for your injuries. Even if your injuries seem minor, it is important to get checked by a healthcare professional because unseen injuries are not always immediately apparent.
At the scene of the accident, call the police and ensure that a report is made. Even if the damage doesn’t seem to warrant a police response, reporting the accident at the scene will guarantee that an official record is made. Under 75 Pa. C.S.A. § 3746, you’re required to report accidents that result in death, injury, or property damage that prevents vehicles from being driven safely. This police accident report will be crucial if you need to seek compensation or pursue legal action in the future. Likewise, be sure to obtain contact and insurance information from the drivers involved if you are safely able to do so.
Keep track of any costs you incur as a result of the accident, including medical bills, vehicle damage, missed time from work, etc.
And, contact our auto accident lawyer in Wilkes-Barre as soon as possible. Rideshare companies have aggressive legal teams and insurance representatives motivated to minimize your claim and resolve it as quickly as possible. You need someone on your side to protect your interests and make sure you receive full, fair compensation for your injuries.
Do not give any recorded statements to the other party’s insurance company and do not accept any offer of settlement. Your experienced rideshare accident lawyer at Munley Law will handle these negotiations for you while you focus on recovery.
Remember, Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations under 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524(2) generally gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a claim.
Why Choose Munley Law for Your Wilkes-Barre Rideshare Accident Lawyer?
Having helped accident victims find justice and receive compensation for damages since 1959, Munley Law has the experience to handle your Wilkes-Barre rideshare accident case in a way that gets results. In addition to the $17.5 million jury verdict mentioned above, we’ve helped clients obtain a $4.4 million car accident settlement and other significant settlements and verdicts.
Our lawyers, Marion Munley, Daniel Munley, J. Christopher Munley, and John Mulcahey, have board certification in Civil Trial Law and Civil Trial Advocacy from the National Board of Trial Advocacy. The National Trial Lawyers named J. Christopher to the Top 25 Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers list and all our partners to the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania list, while Lawyers of Distinction named Daniel a Lawyer of Distinction. Marion is currently Vice President of the American Association for Justice, which has honored her and our other attorneys with various awards. All five of our partners have AV Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest rating offered by the platform.
If you’ve been injured in an accident involving a rideshare vehicle, you need the best legal representation. This is what you get when you choose Munley Law’s Wilkes-Barre rideshare accident lawyers.
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Rideshare Accident FAQs
How Much Compensation Can I Receive Following a Wilkes-Barre Rideshare Accident?
The amount you receive in compensation for your rideshare accident will vary depending on your unique circumstances. It will depend largely on the extent of your injuries, the cost of your ongoing medical care, the wages you have missed from work and your capacity to continue earning in the future, as well as the pain and suffering you have experienced as a result of the accident. It will also depend on the available insurance coverage.
How Much Does a Wilkes-Barre Rideshare Accident Attorney Cost?
At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, our Wilkes-Barre Lyft accident lawyers work on a contingent fee basis. This means that we do not charge a fee for our services unless we win your case. The contingency fee protects you from financial risk in pursuing your case; we put forth all of the resources necessary to build your case, and if we don’t win you compensation, you owe us nothing.
What if the Rideshare Driver was Off Duty at the Time of the Accident?
If the rideshare driver was off duty at the time of the accident, that is, they were not logged into the app or actively waiting for or transporting a passenger, the rideshare company’s $1 million liability policy typically does not apply. In these cases, the driver’s personal auto insurance is usually responsible for covering damages. Our experienced Wilkes-Barre rideshare accident lawyers can investigate app data, driver activity, and insurance policies to determine which coverage applies and pursue the maximum compensation available.
Can I File a Claim if I was Injured as a Pedestrian or by Another Driver by a Rideshare Vehicle?
Yes, you can file a claim if you were injured as a pedestrian or by another driver in a rideshare vehicle. You do not need to be an Uber or Lyft passenger to pursue a rideshare accident claim. If you were a pedestrian, cyclist, or occupant of another vehicle hit by a rideshare driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses. Munley Law’s Wilkes-Barre rideshare accident lawyers can identify all liable parties and fight to hold them accountable for your injuries.
What if Multiple Parties are Responsible for My Rideshare Accident in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
If multiple parties are responsible for your rideshare accident in Wilkes-Barre, PA, Pennsylvania law allows you to pursue compensation from all at-fault parties. In addition to the rideshare driver, other responsible parties may include another negligent driver, a vehicle manufacturer, or a government entity responsible for unsafe road conditions. Our skilled Wilkes-Barre rideshare accident lawyers will conduct a thorough investigation to identify all liable parties and work to recover full compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Contact Our Wilkes-Barre Rideshare Accident Lawyer
Getting the justice you deserve after an Uber or Lyft accident can be complicated. To ensure you or a loved one is compensated for pain, suffering, and other injuries, you will need an experienced personal injury lawyer in Wilkes-Barre on your side—one who knows the intricacies of fighting big rideshare companies that use contract drivers.
Our experienced personal injury attorneys will provide a free consultation, including reviewing the details of your accident and answering any questions you may have. Contact Munley Law today.
Daniel W. Munley
Daniel W. Munley is an award-winning personal-injury attorney and champion of plaintiffs’ rights. For decades he’s won multi-million verdicts and settlements and is recognized as a national leader in truck and rideshare litigation,including a record $26 million truck settlement in Northeastern Pennsylvania and a $20 million recovery in 2024 for life-altering commercial-vehicle injuries.
Reviewed by Bernadine Munley, Esq., Personal Injury Attorney at Munley Law, on December 30, 2025.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys
1170 PA-315
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
(570) 399-0406
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