Many people depend on Lyft and Uber to get them to where they need to go. Uber and Lyft are generally very safe modes of transportation for thousands of people everyday. Unfortunately, car accidents are quite common. In fact, Uber and Lyft accidents caused fatal car accidents to rise by 2 to 3 percent in 2018.
If you or a loved one are involved in an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver and the ridesharing driver is responsible, then you will need to contact a car accident attorney. You may be entitled to compensation. The rideshare company (Uber or Lyft), rideshare driver and other parties may be responsible for paying the damages.
Every case is different. That is why it is important to call an experienced car accident attorney in order to discuss the specifics of your case.
How Does Car Insurance Affect Uber and Lyft Drivers?
All Uber and Lyft drivers are required to have car insurance that meets the state minimum. However, they do not need to have commercial insurance. Even though people are required to have insurance to drive for Uber and Lyft, personal car insurance typically does not cover accidents that occur while a person is working.
Private car insurance companies typically exclude coverage while people are driving for pay. If the person gets into an accident while they are not logged into an Uber or Lyft app, then their car insurance company will cover them. Uber or Lyft will provide coverage for someone who is responsible for the accident. Coverage will start as soon as person logs into the app. Drivers can get coverage even if they have not accepted a ride request yet.
Uber and Lyft provide liability coverage. They also provide contingent collision/comprehensive coverage. This coverage will pay for the damages that are done to the Uber or Lyft driver’s car regardless of who causes it.
How Much Coverage is Required?
The amount of coverage that is required will depend on whether the person is transporting or picking up a person.
Here is the coverage when the driver is logged in and waiting for a ride:
- $50,000 for bodily injury per individual
- $100,000 for bodily injury coverage for all of the parties involved
- $25,000 for property damage
When the Driver is Picking up Someone
Uber has to provide $1 million in accident coverage for an accident that occurs while a person is transporting their customer. Lyft provides $1 million per accident limit. However, the accident costs may exceed the limits that Lyft and Uber will provide. This is where UIM coverage will kick in. Underinsured Motorist insurance (UIM) pays for injuries, such as medical expenses, that result from an accident caused by a driver who has too little insurance to cover all of the injuries.
If a Passenger Suffers Injuries While in a Lyft or Uber
If you are a passenger who is injured while in an Uber or Lyft, then you may be able to file a claim against the rideshare’s company. You can file a claim against the other driver’s insurance company if they are at fault for the accident. However, it is extremely important that you retain the services of an experienced car accident attorney.
Our Car Accident Attorney can Help You
You should contact us immediately after an accident so that we can start investigating it. We will make sure that the insurance company gives you fair compensation. We will also go to trial if necessary. We believe in going above and beyond to defend our clients.
We will take care of your case from start to finish. You will need to start the process by scheduling a consultation with us. You can call us at one of the following numbers.
Arlington (817) 522-4451
Dallas (972) 362-6848
Fort Worth (817) 764-1375
Plano (972) 354-4602
Cedar Hill (972) 338-9427
McKinney (469) 522-3688
Lewisville (972) 354-4605
Frisco (972) 725-7681
Grapevine (817) 835-8677
Irving (972) 354-4610
Keller (817) 204-0904
Garland (214) 572-2251
Denton (940) 222-4060
Addison (972) 564-8108
You can also contact us online by using our quick contact form.
