Who is Liable in a Rideshare Accident?
Rideshare accidents are vastly more complicated than standard car crashes. If you are injured while riding in an Uber or Lyft, or if an Uber or Lyft driver hits your vehicle, determining whose insurance pays your medical bills depends entirely on the driver’s “status” at the exact moment of the crash.
The Three Phases of Rideshare Insurance Coverage:
App is Off: If the driver is off duty, their personal auto insurance applies. Uber and Lyft provide zero coverage.
App is On, Waiting for a Ride Request: The rideshare company provides reduced contingent liability coverage (typically $50k per person / $100k per accident).
Ride Accepted or Passenger in the Vehicle: This is when the highest tier of coverage kicks in. Both Uber and Lyft carry a $1 Million commercial insurance policy that covers the driver, the passenger, and third parties injured in the crash.
Why Rideshare Companies Deny Claims
Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors, not employees. This legal loophole allows them to aggressively distance themselves from liability when their drivers cause accidents. Their billion-dollar insurance providers will try to force the claim onto the driver’s personal insurance policy, which will almost certainly deny the claim because the driver was driving for profit.
What Should You Do Immediately After a Rideshare Crash?
Take a screenshot of your Uber or Lyft app showing the ride details, driver name, and route.
Call 911 and insist that the police file an official accident report.
Do not communicate directly with Uber or Lyft’s legal team or insurance adjusters.
How We Handle Rideshare Claims
You are fighting tech giants and massive insurance corporations. You need a law firm with the resources to fight back. At Howe.Law Injury & Accident Lawyers, we immediately subpoena the rideshare company’s GPS and app data to prove the driver’s exact status at the time of the crash, forcing the $1 Million commercial policy to cover your injuries.
If you were injured in a rideshare accident, do not let the insurance companies give you the runaround. Call Howe.Law Injury & Accident Lawyers at (844) 876-4357 for a free consultation.
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