If you or a loved one was injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, you have the right to recover compensation. The amount you are entitled to will depend on who was at fault and the extent of your injuries and other losses.
Liability for an Uber or Lyft Accident
Uber and Lyft drivers are required to carry personal auto insurance and are also covered by liability insurance that the rideshare companies provide under certain circumstances. Here is how it works:
Period 0: The Rideshare Driver Is Liable
If you are involved in an Uber or Lyft accident while the rideshare driver has their Uber or Lyft app off, the driver is not considered working. Therefore, you will have to file a claim with their personal auto insurer to cover damages. Keep in mind that if you carry collision coverage, you can also file a claim for compensation under your own policy regardless of who was at fault.
Period 1: The Rideshare Driver and/or Uber or Lyft Is Liable
This is when a rideshare driver has their Uber or Lyft app on and is available for rides but has not accepted one and they are involved in a collision. Their personal insurance and Uber or Lyft’s “contingent” liability coverage will pay for damages in these cases. The rideshare companies’ contingent policies only kick in if the rideshare driver was at fault and their personal auto insurance will not cover the accident. The contingent policy will pay up to $50,000 per person injured in an accident, $100,000 total bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
Periods 2 and 3: Uber or Lyft Is Liable
If an Uber or Lyft driver collides into you while they are giving a ride, Uber or Lyft’s $1 million liability insurance policy will cover the collision.
Who is liable for an Uber or Lyft accident ultimately boils down to which party was negligent in causing the accident. But as you can see, it can be incredibly challenging to figure out how to go about recovering compensation. Therefore, it is in your best interests to have your case evaluated by an Albuquerque Uber/Lyft Accident Attorney to discuss your options.
What if Another Driver Hits Your Uber or Lyft Car?
If you were injured while riding in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, recovering compensation will depend on who was at fault. Still, you will generally be covered by the company’s $1 million commercial policy. If the rideshare driver was to blame, you may have to file a claim against their insurer then Uber or Lyft will cover any damages that exceed their driver’s policy. If another driver was to blame, you can file a “third-party” claim directly with the at-fault driver’s insurer, just as you would in any other car accident. Suppose the at-fault driver’s insurance policy does not entirely pay for your losses. In that case, Uber or Lyft’s uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) insurance policy will provide up to $1 million in coverage per accident.