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Thousands of Americans rely on Uber and Lyft every day. Whether they do not have a car, cannot drive, or are getting a ride home after a night out, Uber and Lyft drivers are responsible for the safety of every rider that gets into their car. If they fail to keep them safe, they may be liable for the damages and injuries the rider suffers.
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident involving a Lyft or an Uber, call the Queenan Law Firm today to schedule a free legal consultation on your injury case. Our Houston Uber and Lyft accident lawyers represent injury victims and their families and fight to get compensation from the at-fault drivers and other parties responsible for their injuries. For a free legal consultation on your injury case, call (817) 476-1797 today.
Whom to Sue for an Uber or Lyft Crash
If you are injured in a crash involving an Uber or Lyft driver, whom to sue will depend on your role in the crash. Whether you are injured as a passenger, another driver, a pedestrian, or even the Uber/Lyft driver will change whom you should sue for the accident.
As a passenger, you are entitled to sue whichever driver caused the crash. If you were the Uber or Lyft customer, this does not automatically mean you can sue the Uber/Lyft driver – instead, you sue whichever driver was at fault for the crash. Fault is determined between two drivers by looking at which driver committed driving errors or traffic violations that caused the crash. For instance, a driver who was speeding, ran a red light, or was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is likely at fault for the crash. Similarly, even errors like failing to signal or texting while driving can contribute to the accident, and whichever driver caused the crash should pay for the damages.
If you were the driver of another car, you can sue the Uber/Lyft driver if they caused the crash. Again, the court will need to look at the details of the crash and determine whether you or the other driver was at fault. If the other driver caused the accident and you can prove this in court, you may be entitled to compensation.
If you were injured on a bike or as a pedestrian hit by an Uber or Lyft driver, you are likely able to sue the driver that hit you. In some cases, stepping out into traffic against a signal or riding a bike in violation of traffic laws might put you at fault for the crash. However, drivers are typically responsible for pedestrian accidents and bike accidents, and they should pay the damages in those cases.
Even if you were working as an Uber or Lyft driver when you were involved in the accident, you may still be able to file a lawsuit for your injuries. If you did not cause the crash, you can sue the responsible driver and seek compensation for the accident in court.
Coverage for Uber and Lyft Car Accidents
While your initial reaction may be to sue Uber or Lyft for an accident you suffered as a passenger or because of one of their driver’s errors, Uber and Lyft may not be responsible for the crash. These companies hire drivers as independent contractors, which means that the drivers are technically self-employed, not Uber or Lyft employees. This means that your lawsuit usually cannot reach Uber or Lyft as a company. Still, both rideshare companies provide additional insurance protections that might help cover your injuries in the event of an accident.
Passengers are always protected by Uber and Lyft’s insurance policies. These policies cover up to $1 million per accident and can cover injuries and property damage alike. This policy kicks in to cover any accident that happens between the time that the driver accepts a ride on the app and the time that they drop off the passenger. This means that any time there is a passenger in the car, this insurance policy should cover the crash. This policy also covers accidents involving pedestrians, cyclists, or other drivers as long as the crash happened between accepting a ride and dropping off the passenger.
If the Uber or Lyft driver was involved in an accident while they had the app open but before they accepted a ride, another supplemental insurance policy covers the accident. This policy, for either company, usually covers $50,000 per person for injuries to supplement the Uber or Lyft driver’s insurance policy.
If the accident occurred when the Uber or Lyft driver was off duty, the case works like any other car accident case. This means that you can file your lawsuit against the at-fault driver and seek compensation as normal, potentially through payments from their insurance policy. Uber and Lyft drivers are required to carry their own insurance in addition to Uber and Lyft’s insurance. This policy needs to be a commercial driving policy or contain rideshare coverage, which can usually help to pay for injuries even if there is a problem with Uber or Lyft’s additional coverage.
Call Our Houston Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers for a Free Legal Consultation
Talk to one of our experienced Houston Uber and Lyft accident lawyers about your injury case today. The Queenan Law Firm’s car accident lawyers represent victims of serious car accidents and can help you determine what your case might be worth and how best to get you the compensation you deserve. To schedule your free legal consultation, call our lawyers today at (817) 476-1797.