When you order an Uber or a Lyft ride in Texas, you are placing your life in the hands — literally — of a stranger. And while some riders may feel comfortable sharing personal information like where they live, work, or go to school with a driver, many don't know how much information to give out. If your Uber or Lyft passenger gets into an accident in Texas, what do you do? Who is liable for paying your medical expenses? How can you protect yourself against frivolous lawsuits? What happens if your driver doesn't respond to your request for assistance? These questions and others will be answered in this article.
What Is Uber's Insurance Policy?Uber’s insurance policy covers drivers for accidents that occur while they are logged into the app, even if they aren't actively driving. This includes cases where the driver is waiting for passengers to arrive, or is simply logged into the app. If a driver is injured in such an accident, he or she could file a claim against Uber’s insurance plan.
The company’s insurance coverage changes, however. When a driver matches with a passenger, his or her personal auto insurance kicks in. In addition, if there is damage to a third party’s property, Uber’s insurance coverage applies.
What Is Lyft's Insurance Policy?Lyft drivers are covered under the same basic liability coverage as regular taxi drivers, according to the rideshare giant. In some cases, the company covers up to $1 million per person in bodily injury claims. However, the amount depends on how many passengers were riding with you at the time of the accident. If there was no one else in the car, the limit drops down to $250,000.
If you're driving alone, however, you'll receive up to $300,000 worth of protection. This is because it's assumed that you won't injure yourself while driving solo.
In addition, Lyft offers optional personal injury protection (PIP), which provides additional benefits to riders. These include medical care expenses, lost wages, rental cars, and even funeral costs.
The PIP benefit is capped at $50,000.
Which Damages May Warrant Recovery After a Rideshare Accident in TexasIf you are involved in a ridesharing accident in Texas, you could be entitled to damages depending on what type of injury you suffered and how much it costs to treat those injuries. If you suffer a broken bone, you might be able to receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other related costs. However, some types of claims require additional proof. For example, if you are injured in a car crash caused by another driver, you must prove negligence because there is no legal duty owed to you under the law.
In addition, the amount of money you can collect depends on several factors including the severity of your injuries, whether you were treated properly during your recovery period, and how long you spent recovering. In general, if you spend less than three months recovering, you may not be able to obtain full compensation for your injuries. You should consult with a personal injury attorney in Harris County, Galveston County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, Brazoria County, Houston, Sugar Land, Missouri City, and Stafford, Texas at Thornton Esquire Law Group, PLLC, to learn about your options.
How Does Texas Law Affect an Uber or Lyft Claim?Texas state law requires ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft to maintain certain levels of insurance coverage for their drivers. If you are injured while driving for one of these companies, it is important to know what types of coverage you might be entitled to. For example, let’s say you are hurt in a car accident caused by another driver who is uninsured. You could potentially recover damages under several different types of coverage. These include:
Uber and Lyft provide some of the most comprehensive insurance packages in the industry, but there are still many things to consider when filing a claim. If you have been injured in a rideshare accident, it is important to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer immediately. Our team of Uber and Lyft accident attorney can help you navigate the process of filing a claim and fighting for compensation. We understand how difficult it can be to recover financially after suffering injuries in a crash involving ridesharing companies.
We work closely with our clients throughout the entire process to ensure that they receive fair treatment and compensation for their damages. When you choose our firm, you can rest easy knowing that our legal professionals are committed to helping you achieve justice. Contact us today at www.thorntonesquirelawgroup.com for a free consultation.