If you are injured in a collision with a driver who is working for Uber or Lyft, or if you are hurt while riding as a passenger with one of the popular ridesharing services, you may be unsure of who is ultimately responsible for your injuries. The good news is that your injuries will likely be covered by insurance, but you may have questions about which insurance policies apply. Determining who is at fault for the accident is usually the starting point in answering this question. If your Uber or Lyft driver is at fault, you may have a potential claim under the driver’s personal auto policy. However, most personal auto policies contain ride share exclusions which negate coverage after a driver accepts a ride request and while the driver is on a trip. If your claim on the driver’s personal auto policy is denied, Uber and Lyft maintain $1 million in liability insurance coverage on behalf of their drivers meaning you may still pursue a liability claim against the at-fault driver. If a third-party is at fault, you may pursue a claim under the third party’s liability insurance policy. Although mandated by state law, some drivers may not have liability insurance. If that is the case, you may pursue a claim for uninsured motorist benefits with the insurance carrier for Uber or Lyft. Similarly, if the third-party does not carry enough liability coverage to compensate you for your injuries, you may pursue a claim for underinsured motorist benefits with the carrier for Uber or Lyft. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or Medpay coverage is another potential source of compensation. If you selected either type of coverage under your own insurance policy, you may be able to submit medical bills or lost wages to your insurance company and receive payment while your underlying claim is pending.
If you or a loved one has been injured while riding as a passenger in an Uber/Lyft, contact an attorney at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner by calling 713-742-6016 or toll free at 1-888-229-5588. Our firm has successfully handled cases against ride share companies in the past and is ready to help you.