Serving Rideshare Accident & Injury Victims for Over 20 Years
"Whether it's a whiplash, serious injury or wrongful death case, we pride ourselves on representing you with the personal service and aggressive representation that you expect and deserve!" -Attorney Ron Sholes​
Rideshare Accident Attorney
Filing an Uber or Lyft Accident Claim
As more and more people turn to rideshare services, like Uber and Lyft, to get around, the risk of being involved in an accident with one of these vehicles has also increased. The sheer number of rideshare vehicles on our roads means that it is not at all unlikely that you could be injured by an Uber or Lyft driver. Unfortunately for injured victims, filing a rideshare accident claim is often a difficult and complex process. It is critical that you have the right legal team on your side.
At the Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A., we have successfully helped countless clients protect their rights against rideshare giants, including Uber and Lyft. With over 100 years of combined experience, our rideshare accident attorneys are well-versed in the complexities involved in these types of claims. We know what it takes to maximize your recovery, and we are not afraid to take on any challenge when seeking the rightful compensation you are owed.
If you or someone you love was injured in an accident with an Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare vehicle, contact us today at (855) 933-3881 to learn how we can help. Your initial consultation is free!
How Rideshare Accident Claims Work
In a typical car accident case, injured individuals have two options: they can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, or they can file a claim through their own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. When one of the motorists in a motor vehicle accident is a commercial driver, the process of filing a claim becomes more complex. However, in most cases, injured victims can file a claim or lawsuit against the at-fault commercial driver’s employer, whether that’s a trucking company, a government entity, or some other party. But rideshare accident cases are not like either typical car accident claims or commercial vehicle accident cases.
Most major rideshare companies, including both Uber and Lyft, do not classify their drivers as employees but as independent contractors. Because of this, they are not held to the same liability standards as most commercial transportation entities. This means that, if you were involved in an accident with an Uber or Lyft vehicle, you may not be able to file a claim with the driver’s rideshare company, as the company may dispute its liability. Additionally, you could have trouble seeking compensation from the rideshare driver’s private auto insurance company. Most personal auto insurance policies do not cover drivers for commercial purposes, meaning a claim with the rideshare driver’s auto insurance company will likely be denied.
So, what options do you have?
Fortunately, even though Uber and Lyft go to great lengths to limit their liability, both companies do offer coverage in the event that you are injured in an accident with one of their drivers. In some cases, you will need to file a claim with the rideshare driver’s private insurance carrier first and can only seek compensation through Uber or Lyft’s coverage once that claim has been denied.
Accident Coverage Offered by Uber & Lyft
Uber and Lyft offer varying levels of coverage for individuals injured in accidents caused by their drivers depending on the specifics of the crash.
Below, we’ve outlined possible available coverage for different driving periods recognized by Uber and Lyft:
- Period 0: The Driver Does Not Have the App Turned On – When the rideshare driver does not have the app turned on and, therefore, is not operating their vehicle for Uber or Lyft, neither rideshare company offers any coverage. Those injured in accidents with rideshare drivers during period 0 will need to file a typical car accident claim to recover compensation.
- Period 1: The Driver Has the App Turned On but Hasn’t Accepted a Ride – When the rideshare driver has the app turned on but has not accepted a ride yet/is looking for a ride, Uber and Lyft offer limited coverage. This coverage includes up to $50,000/$100,000 in bodily injury per person/accident and up to $25,000 in property damage.
- Period 2: The Driver Has Accepted a Ride and Is On the Way to Pick up the Passenger – After the rideshare driver has accepted a ride but has not yet picked up the passenger/does not have a passenger in the vehicle, Uber and Lyft both offer up to $1 million in total coverage per accident.
- Period 3: The Driver Has a Passenger in the Vehicle – In period 3, when the driver has accepted a ride and has the passenger in the vehicle, Uber and Lyft offer up to $1 million in total coverage per accident.
How Our Attorneys Can Help After a Rideshare Accident
While you may be covered after an accident—whether through Uber or Lyft’s insurance, the rideshare driver’s personal auto insurance policy, or your own PIP coverage—the process of being compensated for your damages can be incredibly difficult. You are likely to encounter a number of challenges, including disputes regarding the severity of your injuries, how the accident occurred, and whether your claim is valid.
At the Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A., our Uber and Lyft accident attorneys provide aggressive advocacy for our clients. We understand what you are up against, and we know how to fight back. Whether you were injured as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft or were involved in an accident as the driver or passenger of another vehicle, our team is ready to fight for you and your rights. We will handle the details of your case so that you can focus on what matters: healing.
Call Us 24/7 for a Free Consultation
Our team is available to speak to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. When you call, you will always reach a real, live person who can assist you in setting up a free consultation with one of our attorneys. As a client of the firm, you will receive personalized and attentive legal counsel, coupled with aggressive, tireless advocacy from start to finish.
We do not collect any attorneys’ fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf; in the unlikely event that we do not win your case, you do not pay. Get in touch with us today to learn more.