When using a rideshare service, you may have pondered what you would do if you were involved in an accident: Will your own insurance cover you? Will Lyft or Uber pay for your damages? What about the driver’s insurance company?
If you’ve been injured in a collision involving a rideshare driver, you may find yourself with more questions than answers. The Tulsa Uber & Lyft accident lawyers of Martin Jean & Jackson are here to help.
In the aftermath of a Lyft or Uber collision, you should follow the same processes as you would after any car accident: Get medical attention, gather evidence of the collision, and contact our attorneys.
When collecting information about your car accident case, you should make detailed notes about the drivers and their vehicles: Names, car make and model, and insurance information are all crucial to a collision claim. You most likely will not be able to rely on Uber or Lyft to provide this information — doing this yourself, with the help of our attorneys, is the best way to ensure you have the evidence you need.
Our legal team can evaluate your accident case to determine who is liable for your damages and pursue the compensation you deserve. Uber and Lyft accidents claims are similar to other car accident claims, but with a few differences. Your claim will proceed differently depending on who is at fault for your injuries, and you may be eligible to recover benefits through Lyft or Uber’s insurance.
Call (918) 623-4119 or send us a message to request a free consultation with our legal team.
Uber and Lyft each have their own insurance policies that provide coverage to customers who are injured in accidents while using their services. The companies’ insurance benefits apply any time a driver is using the Lyft or Uber app, even if they do not have a passenger in the car at the time. This means that other drivers who are involved in collisions with rideshare drivers, but are not passengers, can file a claim with Uber or Lyft’s insurance provider. In most cases, the insurance policies only apply if the driver’s personal insurance policy does not cover the damages.
Before a rideshare driver picks up a passenger, Lyft and Uber’s policies each provide $50,000 in injury coverage, $100,000 in accident coverage, and $25,000 in property damage coverage. Once a driver is en route to pick up a passenger or has a passenger in their car, the driver is covered by $1,000,000 in insurance. This includes $1,000,000 in uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, which can provide benefits if another at-fault driver does not have sufficient coverage.
In cases of Lyft and Uber accidents, one of the drivers will be the primarily liable party. It is rare that the rideshare company will be found at fault. Rideshare drivers are considered as “independent contractors,” rather than true employees of Uber and Lyft. This distances the rideshare companies from liability in cases of collisions. If you were a passenger in a Lyft or Uber and were injured in a collision, the other driver who was involved may be liable for your injuries.
Lyft & Uber Passenger Rights — Options for Recovering Compensation
As a rideshare service passenger, you may have multiple options for filing a claim and recovering compensation. Your outlet for receiving benefits will depend on who was at fault for the collision.
If the rideshare driver caused your injuries, you can file a claim against them and either recover compensation through their personal insurance policy or through Uber or Lyft’s insurance policy.
Claims against another, non-rideshare driver will proceed similarly to any car accident claim. You will need to file a claim with their personal insurance provider or may be able to file a claim with Uber and Lyft and receive uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage if the driver does not have insurance, or if their insurance does not cover your damages.
Contact Us to Schedule a Free Consultation
Our lawyers can represent you if you were injured in an Uber or Lyft collision. We understand the complexities involved with recovering compensation following an rideshare accident and can assist with your case. Whether you were a passenger in a Lyft or Uber or were driving in your own car at the time of the collision, our legal team can help you.
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