What Remedies Do I Have after an Uber/Lyft Accident?
There’s no question that rideshare companies, such as Uber and Lyft, have made travel much more convenient. Whether you’re flying into an unfamiliar city or going out for a night on the town, it’s easy to log into the app and arrange to get where you want to go. But rideshare vehicle operators are just like any other drivers…there’s always the risk of an accident. When you’re involved in a crash while driving your own car, you typically know where to turn to recover your losses. But what happens when you are involved in a crash as a rideshare passenger?
Is a Rideshare Accident Significantly Different from Other Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents?
No. When you have been hurt in an accident while using Uber or Lyft, you’ll still typically need to prove negligence by either the rideshare operator or some other person if you expect to recover compensation for your losses. That means that you’ll have to show that another person failed to exercise reasonable care, causing the accident, which resulted in actual losses.
What Kind of Insurance Coverage Can You Expect after a Rideshare Accident?
Rideshare vehicle drivers are required to carry certain minimum insurance coverages under Texas law, with the coverage typically provided by the rideshare company. This insurance, though, will only be in force when the driver is logged into the app. The amount of insurance available depends on the driver’s status at the time of the accident/injury:
- If a third person suffers an injury while a driver is logged in, but only waiting for a ride request, the driver must typically have minimum bodily injury coverage of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident; personal injury protection and uninsured/underinsured coverage for the driver; and property damage of at least $25,000
- If the driver has a paying passenger in the vehicle or is on his/her way to an accepted ride request, the coverage must be $1.5 million in bodily injury/property damage and the same amount in UI/UIM coverage
What Should You Do in the Immediate Aftermath of a Rideshare Accident?
The most important steps to take after a rideshare collision are:
- Hiring an experienced attorney—If possible, this should be your first action, so that you have an experienced advocate to protect your rights
- Documenting the accident—Get pictures of everything. Take a screenshot of the rideshare app, so that you can prove that you were in the vehicle when the crash occurred.
- Follow the rideshare company’s rules for reporting the accident
- Get the medical treatment you need
Contact the Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys at Bailey & Galyen
At the law offices of Bailey & Galyen, we have helped personal injury victims across Texas for more than four decades, including people who have been hurt in any type of motor vehicle accident. We will aggressively help you pursue full and fair compensation when you have been injured in a rideshare or other car, truck or motorcycle crash. Contact us by e-mail or 844-402-2992 call our offices at one of the convenient locations listed below. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
