Uber & Lyft Accident Attorneys
Uber Accidents Lyft Accidents Uber and Lyft Sexual Assault Rideshare Insurance & Safety Records
Driving services such as Uber and Lyft have become one of the simplest ways for us to go from one place to another, all with the use of a simple phone app.
Despite their widespread use, drivers and users of major ridesharing services frequently agree that these services have flaws. Being injured is one of the hazards of riding an Uber or Lyft.
Knowing your rights after a ridesharing accident will help you obtain legal help for an injury and begin the process of securing reasonable compensation after being hurt by a Lyft or Uber.
If you are injured in a ride-sharing accident or are assaulted by a ride-sharing driver or passenger, contact us immediately for a free case review.
Uber Accident Lawsuits
Uber is the world’s top ridesharing service, operating in over 60 countries. Founded in 2009 as “UberCab,” Uber has quickly grown into a widely used transportation service, first created to provide as a cheaper and more convenient alternative to hailing a taxi.
Whether you are a passenger, driver, or pedestrian, an accident involving an Uber can be devastating. Learn about what your rights are when you have been involved in an accident while riding in an Uber.
Lyft Accident Lawsuits
Lyft is a ridesharing service that started as an Uber competitor in 2012. It operates in over 600 locations in the United States, Puerto Rico, and nine cities in Canada.
Lyft services are similar to Uber in that they provide efficient transportation services that may be accessed using a smartphone app. Cost, local availability, and the types of services offered are some of the key distinctions between the two companies’ offerings.
Table of Contents
Do you need a lawyer after being involved in a Lyft or Uber Accident?
Liability and insurance coverage issues in a rideshare accident might vary depending on the type of the injury as well as the stage of the process the driver was in at the time of the accident, sometimes known as the ride status.
Three insurance companies are frequently involved in these types of accidents: the ridesharing business’s insurer, the rideshare driver’s insurer, and the insurance carriers of any other drivers in the accident. The insurers may coordinate to minimize your injuries or argue that no one was to blame. If you were a driver in a collision with an Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare, those companies may argue they are not responsible at all.
Both Lyft and Uber provide its drivers with $1 million in liability insurance, as long as they are:
- transporting a rideshare passenger at the time of the accident
- logged into the app and waiting for a ride request
- on their way to pick up a passenger
Beyond these conditions, assessing personal injury responsibility in a ridesharing accident may get challenging, with the type of accident and ride status being some of the key deciding variables.
Unfortunately, Lyft and Uber both benefit from a legal loophole that enables their insurance carriers to dismiss many accident claims. These ridesharing firms consider their drivers to be independent contractors rather than employees. As a result, while these corporations proudly advertise their $1 million liability coverage, it might be difficult to prove them legally liable for a plaintiff’s injuries. However, this does not exclude you from suing these corporations. Many people file claims against the at-fault drivers and then attempt to profit from the uninsured/underinsured insurance coverage provided by the ridesharing company. This permits a plaintiff to seek further compensation from the firm if the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage does not cover the full extent of their injuries.
Drivers who work for Uber or Lyft are obliged to carry insurance via the companies’ insurance programs. However, the level of coverage provided to rideshare drivers who are involved in an accident will not be the same in every case.
If an Uber or Lyft insurance adjuster tried to contact you after being involved in a wreck, it is in your best interest to consult with an Uber and Lyft accident lawyer about your case before speaking with the adjuster.
What should I do after an Uber Accident or Lyft Injury?
After you’ve been in an accident in a Lyft or an Uber, it is best to do the following:
1. Put everyone’s health and safety first.
Car accidents can result in a wide range of life-threatening injuries. Even if the victims aren’t complaining of pain or exhibiting evident physical signs, contact 911 to ensure emergency services are on their way. You should never postpone medical care because symptoms may arise later.
2. Gather the required information
Collect insurance information and license plate numbers from all drivers involved, including the rideshare driver, when it’s safe to do so. Photograph the vehicles, the road, and any debris that may have led to the accident. You may also use your smartphone’s rideshare app to take a snapshot of your Uber/Lyft driver’s information. This data may come in handy later.
3. Do not allow anyone to speak for you.
Tell the police everything you saw and experienced when you speak with them. Allow no one to speak on your behalf, even the driver. Don’t say much more than is strictly necessary when interacting with the driver. Don’t accept any culpability if you were in another car.
5. Inform your insurance agent—but proceed with caution.
When it comes time to notify your insurance about the accident, you should explain what happened and that the accident is still being investigated. If adjusters from the driver’s insurer or the rideshare company’s insurance group approach you, do not agree to either a statement or an early settlement. You have a lawful right to conduct a thorough investigation into an accident to obtain the greatest possible compensation. Take this opportunity to ensure that you’re in excellent hands.
6. Speak with a ridesharing accident attorney.
Ridesharing accident claims may be difficult to resolve, and it’s a basic reality that your ridesharing service’s insurance provider isn’t looking out for your best interests. Hire a seasoned Uber and Lyft accident lawyer who knows the intricacies of these challenging cases and how to maximize your compensation.
If I make a claim, will I lose access to my Uber or Lyft services?
Many people who drive for ridesharing services such as Uber or Lyft are wary of taking any action that they fear could compromise their status as a driver. It’s also typical for individuals to be uninformed of their rights, which can lead to even more annoyance and misunderstanding.
We recognize that knowing your rights in a legal scenario can be difficult, especially if you work as a contractor for a large and strong corporation. Understand, however, that Uber and Lyft drivers who file a genuine personal injury claim cannot be punished.
Assaulted in an Uber or Lyft
Uber received over 6,000 complaints of severe sexual assault during a two-year period in 2019, ranging from unwanted kissing to rape. In addition, 19 people were killed in violent assaults involving an Uber trip.
What if a Uber or Lyft driver is involved in an accident without a passenger?
This might be determined by whether or not the Uber or Lyft driver had been paired with someone and was traveling to pick them up. When they match, the primary liability coverage takes effect. Prior to that, both Uber and Lyft drivers’ own insurance plans must cover them. If they don’t have adequate coverage, the businesses provide insurance coverage for the driver, although it isn’t as extensive as main coverage.
If you are involved in a collision with a rideshare car that did not have a passenger at the time, you may struggle to secure a reasonable settlement offer.
Is there any further training required for Uber or Lyft drivers?
No, Uber and Lyft drivers do not need additional training, but they must satisfy certain conditions.
Drivers must be at least 21 years old, have one year of experience as a licensed driver in the United States (drivers under 23 must have three years of experience), have a valid U.S. driver’s license, and drive an approved four-door car.
Lyft requires drivers to be at least 21 years old, have a current U.S. driver’s license, and have at least one year of driving experience. A DMV check and a background check are performed to determine whether there is any negative driving history or criminal background.
What happens if the collision was caused by another driver?
Both Uber and Lyft provide insurance for injuries and property damage while you are a passenger. When the opposite party is to blame, their insurance should cover any injuries or losses. However, if they are underinsured or uninsured, Lyft and Uber have insurance in place to protect them. Your claim may get problematic in this event because you will be dealing with many insurance companies, and they may decide to join together to offer you a smaller settlement offer than you are entitled to under the law.
What happens if the accident was caused by my Uber or Lyft driver?
Uber and Lyft drivers are covered by both personal and corporate insurance. As a passenger, it’s critical to understand that you are not at blame in this circumstance. The losses should be covered by the driver’s insurance, but your claim may get difficult due to the nature of the collision and how blame is established.
Is it possible to sue Lyft or Uber for my injury?
If you are in an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver, you may be able to sue them but the prerequisites for it may vary greatly depending on the case and the collision. Both Uber and Lyft claim their drivers to be independent contractors, but the legal definition of “independent contractor” may not apply to all drivers.
In incidents without a passenger, the driver’s own insurance covers that portion of the trip, but the businesses have insurance if the driver does not. In the event of an accident involving a passenger, ridesharing firms have insurance to pay the losses.
Do I have legal recourse if I’m an Uber or Lyft driver that gets into an accident?
Yes, you do. If you’ve been in a collision with another vehicle and believe the other driver was at fault, you can seek insurance reimbursement for your injuries as well as the damage to your vehicle. While Uber and Lyft both give liability coverage when you’re driving or going to pick up a passenger, you’ll need to rely on your own insurance coverage when you’re using the app but don’t have a passenger.
Proving that the other driver was at blame might be difficult on your own, but you can seek the assistance of a ridesharing accident lawyer to assist you with your claim.
What are the types of Uber & Lyft lawsuits?
Our lawyers handle Uber and Lyft lawsuits including:
Talk With an Uber Attorney or Lyft Lawyer
If you were wounded or a loved one was killed while using the services of a ridesharing service like Uber or Lyft, please contact our injury law firm. You will pay no costs by contacting us to learn more about your possible case. We can help you find answers to your questions about your legal rights after an Uber or Lyft accident in just a few minutes. We will go over your legal options for bringing a case and getting compensation for medical costs, injuries, and losses.
Our injury law office has helped many critically wounded clients nationwide recover money for Uber and Lyft injuries. David P. Willis is board certified as a personal injury trial law specialist. We’ve put in a lot of effort to get the best results for our clients, and we’ll do the same for you and your loved ones. Call us at 713-654-4040 or 1-800-883-9858. Schedule a free case review with our Houston injury firm today to learn how we can help your injury claim.