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Rideshare companies like Uber, Lyft, taxis, and even limousines offer many benefits to the riders who use these services. Besides the convenience of being able to call for a ride when you need it most, rideshare is a great way to quickly & affordably get around the city of Philadelphia. However, the benefits do not take away from the fact that rideshare vehicles are susceptible to getting into an auto accident. If you were the passenger or driver of an Uber, Lyft, Taxi, or your vehicle was struck by a vehicle that was being used for a rideshare that was in an accident and you’ve been injured, you need a law firm on your side to fight for your rights. Call J. Fine Law toll-free at 1-800-HURT-123 for a free consultation with our rideshare injury attorneys to discuss your options!
J. Fine Law is comprised of a team of first-rate personal injury lawyers who understand the unique circumstances surrounding rideshare accidents and your rights as either a driver or passenger. With law offices in Philadelphia PA, Feasterville PA, and Cherry Hill NJ, we have the experience to get you the fair compensation you deserve. Our rideshare injury attorneys will fight hard against Uber, Lyft, and/or their insurance companies to collect damages for pain & suffering, as well as medical bills.
Why do Uber, Lyft & Rideshare Accidents Happen?
Every day we take the risk of driving our vehicle knowing there is a chance an auto accident can occur, usually through no fault of our own. Entering a rideshare Uber, Lyft or taxi vehicle is no different and sometimes comes at a higher risk. If you were involved in a ridesharing vehicle accident for any of the following reasons, call to speak with one of J. Fine Law’s experienced personal injury attorneys today.
Lax Hiring Practices: Almost anyone with a valid driver’s license, insurance and no major accidents/tickets within the last 7 years can get a job with a rideshare company. The drivers are not trained and there is no official meeting between the company & driver before they are allowed to pick up passengers. These factors certainly carry a very high chance you could become the victim in a car accident.
Fatigue: Many passengers use rideshare services at late hours of the night, after dinner & drinks when it is not safe for them to drive themselves home. Consequently, the drivers face long hours, many of whom use this as a second source of income. It is not uncommon for drivers to feel exhausted and distracted by the time they start their late night shift, which could easily cause distraction and an accident.
Negligence: While it is the driver’s responsibility to follow traffic and safety laws, sometimes they simply do not. Running a traffic light, speeding and overall reckless driving almost always lead to an accident, sometimes with major consequences and damages owed to you as the passenger.
Common Car Accidents: Some accidents are, unfortunately, unavoidable and do happen from time to time. Whether the fault of the driver of the rideshare vehicle or another car involved, you may be eligible for compensation for medical bills and other damages.
How Does Liability Work in a Lyft Accident?
Liability in rideshare accidents—especially those involving Lyft—can be tricky to sort out. It all comes down to who was at fault and what the driver was doing at the time of the crash. Here’s a quick overview of what you might expect when figuring out who’s responsible for covering your injuries and damages:
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When the Lyft driver is off duty: If the driver wasn’t logged into the Lyft app yet and got into an accident, their own personal car insurance is on the hook. Lyft’s insurance doesn’t come into play at this point.
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If the Lyft driver is waiting for a ride: When the driver is logged into the app but hasn’t picked up a passenger, Lyft offers what’s called “contingent coverage.” That means their insurance might help if the driver’s personal insurance doesn’t fully cover your losses, especially in cases where the other driver is underinsured or uninsured.
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During a ride or on the way to a pickup: If you’re injured while the Lyft driver is taking you to your destination or heading to collect a passenger, Lyft’s $1 million insurance policy kicks in. This generous policy is meant to protect everyone involved—riders, drivers, and even people in other vehicles.
Of course, the situation isn’t always black and white. Sometimes, another driver is actually at fault, in which case you could pursue their insurance provider for compensation. In rare situations, a third party may be responsible—for example, if poor road conditions or a vehicle defect played a role in the crash. Local governments or vehicle manufacturers might be liable in these cases.
The bottom line: untangling who pays after a Lyft accident can get complicated quickly, and the details matter. That’s why it’s so crucial to have experienced legal help on your side, like the team at J. Fine Law, to make sure every angle is covered and you get the full compensation you deserve.
Seeking Compensation from Another Driver’s Insurance in a Lyft Accident
If you were injured in a Lyft accident and it turns out another driver—not your rideshare driver—was at fault, you may have a clear route to compensation. In these situations, you can file a claim directly with the at-fault driver’s personal auto insurance provider. This approach is especially important when the other driver’s actions, such as texting while driving, running a red light, or failing to yield, directly led to the crash.
In many cases, filing this third-party claim can cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. Remember, gathering detailed documentation at the scene—including photos, witness statements, and the police report—will strengthen your case when dealing with the insurance companies.
How Lyft’s Insurance Policy Works After an Accident
Understanding how Lyft’s insurance coverage applies at the time of an accident is essential—especially since the level of coverage changes based on the driver’s status in the app at the moment the crash occurs.
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Driver Not Using the App: If a Lyft driver causes an accident while not logged into the app, only their personal auto insurance applies. Lyft provides no additional coverage in this scenario.
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Driver Logged In, Waiting for a Ride Request: If the Lyft driver is logged into the app but hasn’t yet accepted a ride, Lyft offers third-party liability coverage—often up to $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. However, this coverage generally kicks in only if the driver’s personal insurance doesn’t fully cover the damages.
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Driver En Route or Transporting a Passenger: When the driver is either on the way to pick up a passenger or currently has a passenger in the vehicle, Lyft’s highest coverage applies—this means up to $1 million in liability coverage is available. This policy is designed to compensate injured parties and cover damages while you’re either the passenger or the driver involved in an active ride.
Knowing these distinctions ensures that you’ll understand what protections are in place should you ever find yourself in an accident involving a rideshare vehicle.
Steps to take after a Rideshare Automobile Accident
Just like any other accident, there are steps involved that need to be taken immediately after in order to ensure our personal injury lawyers can determine probable cause. These steps should be followed after it is clear that all parties involved have not suffered serious injury. If that is the case, call 911 immediately before taking further action. First, make sure to report the accident on the Uber app, Lyft app, or call the taxi company directly if no app is available. Secondly, call your insurance provider to report the accident and the police to file a report. Lastly, take pictures of all damages for later documentation and proof. Finally, call our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers to discuss your case. We have the knowledge and experience to fight these corporations and ensure you’re fairly compensated.
Free Consultation with Professional Ridesharing Injury Attorneys
Do not try to fight an Uber or Lyft vehicle accident on your own! These huge, million-dollar corporations have unlimited resources to fight legal claims. Trust the J. Fine Law personal injury attorneys to fight on your behalf; we’ve helped both passengers and drivers. We’ll take the stress off of you and ensure you get a fair settlement for your damages, injuries, and/or medical bills. Free consultations are available at any of our three offices in Philadelphia PA, Feasterville PA, or Cherry Hill NJ. Our dedicated lawyers are also available for phone consultations toll-free at 1-800-HURT-123.