Rideshare Accident: A Complete Guide to Uber & Lyft Accident Claims

Ridesharing is a form of transportation where multiple people use the same car to go to a similar location. It is a convenient way to travel because there is no need to reserve seats ahead of time, nor does one need to worry about finding parking. Ridesharing makes traveling easier and cheaper. In fact, some estimates suggest that ridesharing saves commuters up to $1 billion each year.

However, with the rise of many Uber and Lyft Drivers, not all rides are actually shared. You can now easily get an Uber and arrive at your destination without having anyone else in the car. Furthermore, if you want to skip booking a reservation, you can just call for a ride directly from your phone.

Ridesharing apps such as Uber and Lyft have become very popular among commuters because it saves time and money. However, there are some risks associated with ridesharing. For one thing, ridesharing apps do not monitor their drivers. This makes it easy for drivers to drink alcohol while driving. In addition, it is illegal for rideshare drivers to operate vehicles without proper insurance coverage. But what about the passengers? Are rideshare drivers responsible for accidents involving passengers? What happens when both parties are injured during a ride?

In most cases, the answer is no. When people use rideshare apps, they agree to pay a fee per trip. If something goes wrong, the passenger is liable for damages. However, if the driver causes an accident, he or she is still legally responsible for paying medical bills and property damage claims.

Ridesharing platforms like Uber and Lyft offer people the opportunity to get around without having to worry about driving themselves. However, there are many things that one needs to consider before hopping on a ride. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind while riding in a rideshare vehicle.

1. Be aware of your surroundings.
2. Keep your eyes open.
3. If you feel unsafe, exit the car immediately.
4. Never accept a ride from someone you don't know.
5. Ask questions about the person behind the wheel.
6. Don't let anyone take advantage of you.

If the accident was not caused directly by your rideshare driver – such as being hit while crossing the road, falling off your scooter, or getting into a collision with another vehicle – then the person responsible for paying compensation is the at-fault driver. This is because it is the at-fault responsibility to ensure that his/her vehicle is safe and secure enough to transport passengers safely.

However, if the accident was caused directly by your ridesharing driver, then he/she is liable for damages and compensation. In this case, you are entitled to make a claim for compensation from the driver’s insurance cover via a third-party car insurance claim. Alternatively, you can also sue the driver at fault in court.

If you are involved in an auto accident involving a driver who uses one of the popular ride-sharing apps such as Uber or Lyft, it is important to know how the app companies' policies work. 

In general, the driver's personal liability coverage pays for damages caused by the driver. In most cases, the driver's personal insurance covers damage done to another person's vehicle, property damage, medical bills, and lost wages due to injury. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if the driver causes an accident while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the driver's personal insurance does not pay for the damage that the DUI driver did to your vehicle. Also, if the driver is uninsured or doesn't have enough insurance, the driver's personal policy won't cover any of the costs associated with the accident.

The driver's car insurance generally covers the cost of repairing your damaged vehicle. However, if your car needs extensive repairs, the driver's car insurance might not cover those costs. Generally, the driver's car insurance will cover the repair costs of up to $25,000 per incident.

As mentioned above, if the driver refuses to pay for the damage he or she caused, you can pursue reimbursement from the driver's rideshare insurer. This type of insurance is called "ridesharing insurance." Ridesharing insurance typically covers the cost of repairs for the driver's vehicle, including rental cars, taxis, limousines, and commercial vehicles used during trips.

There are several types of ridesharing insurance. For example, the driver's personal auto insurance usually covers the driver's use of his or her own vehicle. Therefore, if the driver drives someone else's vehicle, the driver's personal car insurance likely won't cover the costs related to the trip. A few states require drivers to carry additional insurance called "rideshare insurance," which covers the cost of damage to another vehicle. Some ridesharing insurers offer both personal auto insurance and rideshare insurance.

If you are involved in an Uber or Lyft car accident, it could cost you thousands of dollars to recover from your injuries. But what happens if you're hurt while the driver is behind the wheel and not actively driving while logged onto the app? Who pays for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering, etc.?

That answer depends on whether the driver was "offline." An online driver is one whose account is active on the app. An offline driver is one whose account isn't active. In most cases, the driver's personal auto insurance covers the accident. But if the driver wasn't logged onto his/her phone, neither Uber nor Lyft will reimburse you for your damages.

An experienced accident lawyer 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, can help you with your rideshare accident case. Contact us today at www.thorntonesquirelawgroup.com  for a free consultation.