The aftermath of any car accident can be confusing, but this is especially true if a collision involves an Uber or Lyft driver. Incidents in which an injury victim is a passenger of a Lyft or Uber can be even more overwhelming. People in these situations often wonder where they can turn to receive coverage for their damages. Does the driver’s personal insurance company provide compensation? Is Uber or Lyft liable? How can I receive compensation for my injuries?
Uber and Lyft have insurance plans in place that are meant to cover the expenses of passengers and other drivers when their drivers are involved in collisions. These policies may provide benefits to you if you have been injured in a Lyft or Uber accident.
Uber’s Insurance Policy
The Uber insurance policy has different levels of coverage for when a driver is not accepting rides, when they are accepting rides but do not have a passenger, and when they are traveling with a passenger. If the driver is not accepting rides at the time of a collision, they will need to use their own insurance plan — Uber’s policy does not cover drivers if they are not accepting rides. Once they begin accepting ride requests, the Uber plan provides $50,000 in bodily injury coverage per person and $100,000 per accident, as well as $25,000 in property damage coverage. When an Uber driver is on a trip or has a passenger in their car, the insurance policy provides $1,000,000 in third-party liability coverage.
Lyft’s Insurance Policy
Lyft’s insurance policy is very similar to Uber’s insurance policy. Like the Uber policy, Lyft insurance does not apply if a driver is not accepting rides at the time of their accident. The coverage amounts provided by Lyft’s insurance policy are the same as Uber.
When Does Lyft/Uber Insurance Apply?
If you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft and were injured in an accident, the rideshare company’s insurance policy should cover you. It’s possible that the driver’s personal policy may also apply.
If you were driving your own car and were injured in an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver, your claim will proceed similarly to any car accident claim. Fault for the accident will need to be established. Whether or not your claim will be filed with the rideshare company’s insurance provider will depend on the details of your unique case.
Is the Rideshare Company Liable for My Injuries?
Although Uber and Lyft each offer insurance policies for people who are injured in car accidents involving their drivers, the rideshare companies are rarely found personally liable for collision damages. This is because Lyft and Uber drivers are considered as independent contractors, rather than employees of the rideshare companies. You will most likely not be able to file a lawsuit directly against the rideshare company if you have been injured in a collision.
Contact The Law Offices of Justin L. Mason
Our St. Louis car accident attorney at the Law Offices of Justin L. Mason, LLC can represent you if you have been injured in a car accident involving an Uber or Lyft driver. Contact us today to discuss the details of your case.
To schedule a free consultation with Attorney Justin L. Mason, complete our contact form or call (314) 200-0723.