Policyadvice.net reports that about one-quarter of the entire U.S. population uses a rideshare at least once per month. While Uber and Lyft are two of the major rideshare services in the United States, other rideshare companies have entered the market in recent years, both domestically and internationally. Neither the rising popularity of rideshares nor the ease of use of their apps protects rideshare drivers or passengers from car wrecks. The rideshare driver may speed or drive recklessly with a passenger in the car. Or another motorist’s negligence may lead to a collision with a rideshare vehicle. Continue reading as our rideshare accident attorney explains who is responsible in the event of a rideshare car crash.
Uber and Lyft Have Generous Insurance Policies
Both Uber and Lyft provide up to one million dollars of coverage for their drivers and passengers per accident. Regardless of whether you are driving for Uber or Lyft or using the rideshare service as a passenger, these insurance benefits are accessible to you to help address any injuries or losses you encounter after a wreck.
This one-million-dollar policy is meant to act as the primary insurance policy in a wreck, with a few caveats. This means that when a wreck occurs, a claim will typically be filed against Lyft’s or Uber’s insurance first before compensation is sought from any other available insurance policy.
When Policy Benefits May Not Be Available
One of the big catches to this policy is that it is not in force and available at all times. If a driver is logged into the app but has not accepted a ride, that driver will not be covered by Uber’s or Lyft’s insurance policy at all. Instead, whatever insurance policy that driver has in place will be the primary source of benefits for injured individuals.
For example, a pedestrian struck by an Uber driver while the pedestrian is crossing the road may not be able to access the one-million-dollar policy from Uber if the driver was not actively providing a ride. Instead, whatever individual policy that driver has in place will be the policy from which compensation should be sought.
So in order for Uber’s or Lyft’s insurance to be available, the driver must either have accepted a fare and been on their way to pick the fare up or be actively providing a ride. But this is not all: the driver must also be logged into the app and using it at the time of the crash.
If the driver forgot to log in or was somehow accidentally logged out without the driver knowing, then Uber’s or Lyft’s insurer may challenge any claim filed with them.
Your Next Step Following a Rideshare Accident
If you or a loved one suffered an injury while using a rideshare, or if you are a rideshare driver and were hurt by another motorist, speak with a rideshare accident attorney about your case. You do not need to wait for your claim to be denied by an insurance company before seeking legal help.
At Lowcountry Law, LLC we are dedicated to helping our clients quickly obtain the compensation they need. We will review the details of your accident and help you pursue your insurance claim against the appropriate company.
When those benefits are not enough, we can help you bring a car crash lawsuit to recover additional damages.
The process begins by calling our office and asking for a free case evaluation from a rideshare accident attorney. Contact us today!
