Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers in Dallas

Calling a taxi service for a ride seems to be a thing of the past. Instead, ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft are becoming increasingly popular in the Dallas area. These services are cheaper than traditional taxis and more convenient too because you can request a ride, pay, and even leave feedback for the driver all from an app on your phone.

However, due to the uncertainty surrounding this new service, the law surrounding who pays for car accidents caused by rideshare drivers is still developing. Filing a claim after this kind of accident can be much more complicated than filing a normal car accident claim. If you were injured while using a ridesharing service, you need help from an Uber & Lyft accident lawyer in Dallas.

The accident lawyers at Lovins Law can help you recover compensation after a ridesharing accident. Whether you were a passenger, rideshare driver, or the driver of another car, you deserve full and fair compensation. Call to schedule a consultation: 214-484-1930.

If an accident happens, will the rideshare company pay for my damages?

Even though rideshare drivers are more like independent contractors than actual employees, the law requires companies like Uber and Lyft to carry insurance coverage for their drivers. In short, insurance should be available to pay for the damage ride share drivers cause. This is true regardless of whether the victim is a passenger or a driver in another car.

Moreover, in certain situations, the driver will use his own insurance first, with Uber or Lyft’s insurance only kicking in once the driver has exhausted his own policy.

Uber Insurance Coverage

Uber’s insurance coverage changes depending on whether the Uber driver has a passenger in the car or is in-between customers. If an Uber driver causes an accident while there is a passenger in the car or while on the way to pick up a customer, Uber’s insurance policy will cover:

• Up to $1 million per incident for property damage and bodily injury to passengers and third parties
• Up to $1 million for bodily injury per incident if an uninsured or underinsured driver caused the accident

However, if the accident happens while the Uber driver has the app open and is waiting to match with a rider, the insurance policy coverage changes. In this case, Uber’s insurance policy will cover:

• $50,000 per person liability coverage
• $100,000 per accident liability coverage
• $25,000 for property damage

This coverage only applies if the driver’s own insurance is insufficient to cover all of your damages.

Lyft Insurance Coverage

Lyft’s insurance coverage is almost the same as Uber’s coverage. If there is a customer in the car or if the driver is on the way to pick up a customer, Lyft’s insurance covers:

• $1 million per accident
• $1 million for uninsured or underinsured drivers

When the Lyft driver is in-between customers, that insurance coverage changes. If the driver is on duty but does not have a request for a pick up, Lyft’s insurance covers:

• $50,000 per person liability coverage
• $100,000 per accident liability coverage
• $25,000 for property damage

When do rideshare drivers have to pay if there is an accident?

In most cases, the only times rideshare drivers will have to pay after an accident is if they were off-duty or still waiting to match with a rider.

When the driver has a customer in the car or he is on the way to pick up a customer, the rideshare company’s insurance covers the driver.

Note: If a rideshare driver has a commercial driving insurance policy (similar to what taxi and limo services use) then his insurance will provide primary coverage in all situations with Uber or Lyft’s insurance only kicking in if the accident surpasses the driver’s coverage.

Will Uber and Lyft’s insurance policies cover their driver’s injuries?

It depends on the specific circumstances. For example, Uber’s uninsured coverage can cover the driver if he is injured in an accident, but only if an uninsured or underinsured driver caused the wreck.

Similarly, if a driver’s car sustains damage in an accident, Uber or Lyft may pay for some or all the damage. But to receive this protection, the driver must also carry his own has personal comprehensive and collision coverage.

If the driver has collision and comprehensive coverage, Uber’s policy provides coverage for the driver up to the cash value of the car ($1,000 deductible). Lyft’s policy has a $2,500 deductible and covers a maximum of $50,000 for physical damage to the driver’s car.

If you drive for a ridesharing service like Uber or Lyft, it is important to become familiar with these and other policies that concern who pays if an accident happens while you are on the clock.

It is also important to remember that not all insurance policies cover accidents that happen while you are “driving for hire.” In fact, some policies expressly forbid this type of driving. That means if you are hurt while driving for Uber, your own insurance company could refuse to pay for the damage, leaving you to pay the bill on your own.

Call Lovins Law After a Ridesharing Accident

If you or a loved one was injured in a ridesharing accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Lovins Law can help you determine who is at fault for your accident and who is responsible for the damages. Call us today to schedule a free consultation: 214-484-1930.