Ever wondered what happens when an Uber or Lyft ride goes wrong?
Ride sharing has transformed transportation. It also transformed car accidents. Different rules apply. Insurance is more complicated. And the legal process can be overwhelming.
Here’s the truth:
Getting into a normal car accident is difficult enough. A ride-share car accident piles on the headaches of additional insurance policies, arguments over whether someone was in app status, and company lawyers looking to pay you as little as possible.
But the good news?
Yes, there is. This guide explains why ride sharing car accidents are unique and outlines the recommended actions to take after being involved in one.
What you’ll discover:
- Why Ride-Sharing Car Accidents Are Different
- The Numbers Behind Rideshare Crashes
- How Rideshare Insurance Coverage Actually Works
- 6x Steps To Take After A Crash
- How A Lawyer Helps Maximise Your Claim
Why Ride-Sharing Car Accidents Are Different
A regular crash involves two drivers and their insurance companies. Simple.
Ride sharing car accidents? They involve:
- The rideshare driver
- The rideshare company (Uber, Lyft, etc.)
- The driver’s personal insurance
- The rideshare’s commercial insurance
- Possibly a third-party driver
- And sometimes the passenger themselves
There are a lot of wheels turning there. Each side has attorneys and adjusters whose focus is on blaming someone else.
That’s why finding an experienced car accident lawyer Hillsborough residents trust before an incident occurs can make all the difference with a ride sharing car accidents claim. A skilled car accident lawyer will quiet the noise, secure the correct insurance policy and prevent the rideshare juggernauts from lowballing you.
Better still:
Most personal injury lawyers work on contingency. That means no fee unless they win.
The Numbers Behind Rideshare Crashes
The stats on ride sharing car accidents are eye-opening.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago surveyed rideshare drivers and found that one-third of rideshare drivers have been in a car crash while working. Wow. When you think about how many rideshare drivers there are in the United States (over 2 million), that’s a lot of car crashes.
Even more concerning?
A University of Chicago study found rideshare adoption contributed to a 2-3% increase in total traffic fatalities in cities. Increased vehicles leads to increased mileage which leads to more accidents.
And here is what most riders don’t realise…
Uber’s own safety report reveals that 95% of fatal crashes where an Uber vehicle was involved were caused by other drivers – not the rideshare driver. This matters because it completely shifts who’s responsible. Figuring out who actually pays often becomes the biggest battle of the case.
How Rideshare Insurance Coverage Actually Works
Here’s where things get tricky.
Rideshare insurance doesn’t work like traditional car insurance. Coverage is divided into 3 phases depending on what the driver was doing in the app when the crash occurred:
Phase 1: App Off
The driver is not logged into his account. No insurance from Uber or Lyft applies. Only their personal insurance would be considered.
Phase 2: App On, Waiting For A Ride
The driver is logged in, but has not accepted a ride offer. Limited contingent liability comes into play from the rideshare company. Typically about $50,000 per person for injuries.
Phase 3: Ride Accepted Or Passenger In Car
This is when the primary coverage applies. Uber and Lyft will cover you for up to $1 million. This includes third party liability coverage as well as uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
The issue? Rideshare companies will fight you tooth and nail to prove the driver was in Phase 1. That one designation can determine if you’re covered by a $50,000 cap or $1 million policy.
Steps To Take After A Ride-Sharing Car Accident
What you do after a crash can save your claim. Follow this proven process:
Get Medical Help First
CALL 911 ALWAYS. Even if you think you or your passengers are okay, make sure to get checked out. Adrenaline can mask pain. Some injuries like whiplash and concussions may not be known for days.
Medical records will also serve as the basis for your claim down the road. Without records, you have no proof of injury.
Document Everything At The Scene
If safe to do so, gather:
- Photos of all vehicles involved
- Photos of road conditions and traffic signs
- The rideshare driver’s name and insurance info
- License plates of every vehicle
- Contact details of witnesses
- A screenshot of the ride receipt in the app
Oh wow that last one is huge. The ride receipt shows the driver was in Phase 2/3.
Report The Crash To The Rideshare App
Launch the Uber or Lyft app and file a report. This documents it from their end.
But don’t accept their first offer. Ever. It is always a low-ball.
File A Police Report
Police reports don’t hurt your claim even for minor collisions. They carry more weight with insurance adjusters. A police report is an objective third-party account.
Avoid Giving Recorded Statements
Immediately following a crash, an insurance adjuster will contact you very quickly. They will use a nice tone of voice. They will request a recorded statement from you.
Don’t do it.
Anything you say will (and can) be used to lower your settlement. Politely refuse to answer questions until your car accident attorney is present.
Contact A Car Accident Lawyer
This is where the case really takes shape. A skilled car accident lawyer knows:
- Which insurance policy to target
- How to prove the rideshare phase
- How to deal with corporate lawyers
- How to value medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering
- How to negotiate for maximum compensation
How A Car Accident Lawyer Helps With Your Claim
The majority of personal injury cases are filed pro per, meaning the individual represents themselves. Fine if you’ve been in a bumper bash. Not so much if you’ve been hit by a ride share driver.
Here is what a good car accident lawyer does:
Investigation: They pull app data, camera footage, police reports, and driver logs.
Liability: They determine who is at fault — driver, rideshare company or another driver.
Insurance Stacking: They tap into every available policy to maximise compensation.
Negotiation: They handle every call with adjusters. No more friendly traps for low offers.
Litigation: If the insurance company won’t play fair, the lawyer files a lawsuit.
Verdicts and settlements for rideshare injury cases can vary significantly – from $25k to $300k. In catastrophic injury cases, settlements have reached well into the seven figures. Having competent legal representation matters.
Final Thoughts
Ride share car accidents are not your typical car accident. There are more insurance policies, more attorneys involved and significantly more confusion. Without proper guidance, victims settle for pennies on the dollar.
To quickly recap:
- Get medical help first
- Document everything at the scene
- Report the crash through the app
- File a police report
- Skip any recorded statements
- Hire a car accident lawyer
And remember…
Timing is everything. Florida (and most states) have very specific statutes of limitations when it comes to filing personal injury lawsuits. Delaying can destroy your case before it begins.
Anyone injured in a rideshare accident should speak with a car accident attorney as soon as possible.
