What If I’m in a Lyft or Uber Car Accident?

Rideshare apps such as Lyft and Uber have become popular methods of transportation for those looking for affordable and quick transportation. Rideshare apps have also caused the yearly fatality rate to increase by nearly 3%. This translates to roughly 987 additional lives lost per year. Rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft are insured by large insurance companies that will do everything in their power to get you to settle for less than your case more than likely deserves. If you are involved in a Lyft or Uber accident, you may be eligible to recover compensation with the help of an experienced ridesharing accident lawyer.

What If I’m Injured in a Lyft or Uber Car Accident As a Passenger?

Car accidents can cause severe injuries and serious damage to vehicles. If you are injured in a Lyft or Uber car accident as a passenger, you may be eligible to recover compensation. Uber and Lyft have insurance plans for their drivers, but it can be difficult to have a claim accepted. If a rideshare driver has their app on to accept new rides or the vehicle is carrying an Uber or Lyft passenger at the time of a car accident, the type of coverage that the driver has under Lyft or Uber varies. If the driver is transporting a passenger, liability insurance kicks in. If the driver has personal car insurance on their vehicle, Lyft and Uber’s insurance policy will be in excess to this.

If in excess, the rideshare’s policy will pay the remainder of damages from the accident to whoever was involved including the driver, passenger, and a third party if there is one – if Uber or Lyft approves the driver’s claim. If Uber or Lyft denies the driver’s accident claim and you were a passenger when the accident happened, it can be a good decision to steer clear of directly suing the driver. Instead, it is recommended to directly sue the rideshare company to recover damages from a car accident. Rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft are insured by large insurance companies, but with the help of your car accident lawyer, you can file a powerful claim against them and receive the maximum amount of compensation that your car accident claim could be entitled to.

What If I’m Injured in a Lyft or Uber Car Accident As a Driver?

If you are injured in a Lyft or Uber accident as a driver, you may be eligible to recover damages from the rideshare company. Lyft drivers and Uber drivers are covered by three tiers of insurance coverage, but each level of coverage has its own specific requirements that must be met before they kick in. If you are injured as a driver for a rideshare app with your app set to deny rideshare requests, you are not covered by Uber or Lyft’s insurance. If your app is set to receive rideshare requests at the time of the accident but no passengers are present in your vehicle, you may be covered under Uber or Lyft’s contingent collision or comprehensive coverage as long as you have both of these coverages on your personal insurance policy. If you do not have either of these coverages on your personal insurance policy, Lyft or Uber’s policies aren’t eligible to kick in.

The purpose of both Uber and Lyft’s insurance policies is to supplement a driver’s personal insurance coverage. If a driver’s personal car insurance doesn’t fully cover their injury or vehicle damages from an accident while they are driving for a rideshare company, Uber or Lyft’s insurance policy will kick in. If you or someone you know has been injured in a Lyft or Uber car accident as a driver, it’s critical to act quickly and consult with your lawyer. Big rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft are insured by large insurance companies that often deny insurance claims. Your lawyer will be experienced with negotiating with large insurance companies and know how to push back against them to recover the maximum amount of compensation for your personal injury claim as an Uber or Lyft driver.

If I’m in a Lyft or Uber Accident Will the My Car Insurance Cover Damages?

Large rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft have insurance policies, but it is required for drivers to have their own personal car insurance for the policies to kick in. If you are involved in an Uber or Lyft accident as a driver, you must first file a claim with your personal insurance company and then file a claim with the rideshare company. Recovering damages for a car accident while driving for a rideshare app can be difficult because it is a violation of most personal car insurance policies to use your vehicle for rideshare while insured. In some cases, this can lead to your personal insurer dropping you from your policy and leaving you with damages that you may not be able to pay out-of-pocket. If your personal car insurance policy accepts your claim but doesn’t fully cover your damages, the excess amount may be covered under Uber or Lyft’s insurance coverage.

Contingent collision and comprehensive coverage on both Uber and Lyft’s policies are designed to kick in when a driver’s personal car insurance doesn’t, but the driver must already have collision and comprehensive coverage on their personal auto policy. If you need help determining if you’re eligible to recover damages from both your insurance company and rideshare company if you’re involved in a car accident as a driver, a ridesharing accident lawyer can analyze your case and create a plan to recover the most compensation for your Lyft or Uber accident.

Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Car accidents can be expensive and stressful. If you have been involved in a Lyft or Uber accident, it’s vital to have an experienced lawyer by your side to make the situation easier. Lyft and Uber are both insured by large insurance companies that try and get people to settle their claims for the lowest amount possible. Immediately after an accident, it’s best to refrain from making a statement to the insurance company, speak with your lawyer about your case and allow your lawyer to deal with the insurance company on your behalf. Your experienced car accident lawyer will provide you with guidance when filing your accident claim and will know how to negotiate with insurance agents to get the maximum amount of compensation for your case. If you have been involved in a Lyft or Uber car accident and are in need of a lawyer, contact the Dixon Injury Firm to learn more about how our ridesharing accident attorneys can help you with your case.