Rideshare Accidents: Options for Injured Uber and Lyft Passengers
Ridesharing apps such as Uber and Lyft have seen their fortunes grow and decline over the years. Still, thousands of Uber and Lyft rides happen every day and that means there is a risk of rideshare accidents for passengers. A person injured as an Uber or Lyft passenger may be wondering how they can get a settlement for their injuries. Uber and Lyft drivers are not employees of the companies they drive for so would you sue them directly or the company they contract with? A car accident attorney will be able to help you determine liability, discuss your options and get the compensation you deserve.
Options for People Injured in Rideshare Accidents
At-fault party insurance
If the accident was caused by another driver then you should be able to use the at-fault driver’s insurance policy to recover damages for your injuries. A personal injury lawsuit may be necessary if the insurer refuses to provide compensation.
Individual coverage of the driver
In rare cases, an injured passenger may be able to use the individual coverage of the Uber or Lyft driver to pay for their injuries. This is a rare option because most ridesharing drivers do not have a commercial insurance policy or a provision in their personal car insurance policy that covers their injured passengers. If the driver only has a personal car insurance policy it is highly likely to have an exclusion for passengers injured during business use of the vehicle.
Third-party liability insurance
If you were severely injured in a car accident caused by your Uber or Lyft driver, there is a good chance that you won’t be able to recover a settlement big enough (or at all) to compensate you fully by going after their personal liability insurance (if they have a policy). In these situations, you may also need to make a claim against the ridesharing company’s third-party liability insurance. Both Uber and Lyft provide insurance for covered accidents once the claimant has used up the at-fault driver’s individual insurance, if there is any. They also provide insurance for accidents that happen because of an uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist or for a hit and run situation.
What if I was hit by an Uber or Lyft driver?
Drivers or passengers of vehicles that are hit by an Uber or Lyft driver will have different options for filing a claim, depending on the circumstances.
- If they were hit while the rideshare driver had a passenger in their vehicle, the driver’s personal liability coverage will most likely not be an option, as noted above. The injured party will most likely need to make a claim against Uber or Lyft’s insurance policy.
- If the accident happened while the driver was logged into the app but had not accepted a ride, a limited amount of Uber or Lyft coverage may apply.
- If the accident happened while an Uber or Lyft driver was not logged into the app, then their personal insurance policy would apply.
Can Uber and Lyft be sued for a car accident?
Because Uber and Lyft drivers are independent contractors, people injured by their drivers will have a difficult time suing the companies in most states. Both businesses have been careful to absolve themselves of vicarious liability for accidents, but thankfully they do provide insurance policies that should be enough to cover most injuries as discussed above.
Seek the Help of a Car Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one was injured because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced car accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
