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Getting compensation after you are injured in a car accident as a rideshare passenger may look different than getting compensation after any other accident not involving Uber, Lyft, or any other rideshare company.
Rideshare companies must maintain liability insurance in Texas. The most recoverable under Uber and Lyft insurance policies is $1 million. That amount is available only if the app is on and the driver is either completing a ride or has just accepted one. To get the maximum compensation for your injuries, take photos, prioritize medical attention, do not admit fault or apologize, and actively pursue damages with our lawyers’ help.
Call the Uber and Lyft accident lawyers of The Queenan Law Firm at (817) 476-1797 to get a free case review.
Who Covers Damages from Uber and Lyft Accidents in Austin?
The circumstances of your rideshare accident determine which insurance coverage applies: the rideshare company’s or the negligent driver’s.
When the Rideshare Company’s Insurance Applies
Lyft and Uber’s liability insurance only covers accidents if the app is on, the driver is available to pick up a rider, the driver is en route to pick up a passenger, or the driver is actively completing a ride.
If the app is on but there are no passengers in the car and the driver is not en route to pick up a passenger, coverage provides up to $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 per accident for property damage.
If the driver is actively completing a ride or on the way to pick up a passenger, both Uber and Lyft provide up to $1 million per accident.
When the Driver’s Personal Auto Insurance Applies
The driver’s personal liability insurance policy for their car applies when the app is off, and the rideshare driver is not available to accept rides. The mandatory minimums for auto insurance in Texas are 50/100/25, though some drivers purchase larger policies that end up providing greater coverage for accident victims.
What Can You Do to Get Compensation for an Uber or Lyft Accident?
You should take certain steps in the aftermath of a rideshare accident to help yourself get compensatory damages in the future.
Take Photos
Help your future self get compensation by proactively taking photos at the crash site. Take pictures of any dents, scratches, or other damage to any of the vehicles involved, including the rideshare car. You have the right to take photos for your own records. Do not skip this step out of discomfort or awkwardness at the scene, especially since you may not have access to either involved vehicle afterward because you were a passenger.
Prioritize Injuries
By prioritizing your injuries, you build evidence of their existence, which helps you get compensation after an Uber or Lyft accident. Never delay going to the hospital if you are in pain. If you notice injuries several hours or days after the accident, seek medical attention at that time.
Prioritizing your injuries means avoiding activities that could worsen them, such as physical labor, recreational sports, or returning to work too soon after an accident.
Do Not Admit Fault
Help yourself bring a strong case by not accepting fault at any point after the collision. Rideshare passengers who admit to distracting drivers could be seen as contributors to accidents, which could affect their recoveries. Other drivers hit by rideshare cars should also avoid admitting fault or even apologizing for their involvement at the scene or later when dealing with insurers.
In Texas, being partially at fault only lowers your recovery. It does not bar it entirely unless your negligence exceeds 50%, which is very unlikely if you were a passenger during an accident.
Proactively Pursue Compensation
Speed up your access to compensation by proactively pursuing it. Do not wait to have our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers review your case, confirm you have a compensation claim, and get started on the path to recovery. Delaying your case can weaken it, so do not wait weeks or months to get started unless you have to. The sooner you get a lawyer you trust, the sooner they can investigate the accident, preserve evidence, and file your case.
FAQs About Getting Damages After Uber and Lyft Accidents
How Long Do You Have to Get Damages After Uber and Lyft Car Accidents?
You have 2 years from the date of an Uber or Lyft accident in Texas to file a claim and seek damages. Once brought, claims can take weeks, months, or even years to be resolved. There is no time limit on how long compensation claims can take after they have been filed.
What Evidence Helps You Get Damages for Uber and Lyft Accident Injuries?
Evidence that helps us recover damages for Uber and Lyft accident victims includes eyewitness statements, accident photos, video footage, event data recorder information from involved vehicles, medical records, medical bills, expert statements, and income records.
Do You Need an Attorney to Get Damages After Your Rideshare Accident?
Having a skilled attorney can help you get the maximum damages possible for a rideshare accident and make sure you do not accept a lowball insurance payout too early in your case.
What Economic Damages Can You Get from Uber and Lyft?
After a rideshare accident, victims can recover compensation for economic damages, including hospital expenses, ongoing rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and other tangible expenses.
What Non-Economic Damages Can You Get from Uber and Lyft?
You can also get non-economic damages for injuries sustained in a rideshare accident. Describe the physical pain of your injuries, the mental and emotional toll they have taken on you, and your general quality of life since the accident, so we can accurately quantify non-economic damages.
Reach Out to Us for Help with Your Rideshare Accident Case
Have a free and confidential case discussion with the Uber and Lyft accident lawyers of The Queenan Law Firm by calling us today at (817) 476-1797.