Houston Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer
Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have become a regular part of life in many cities, even in areas where classic yellow taxis were not common. While they provide a convenient service for commuting or getting around on weekend nights without needing a designated driver, like all drivers, rideshare drivers are prone to mistakes. If a negligent rideshare driver crashes into you on a Texas roadway, or if your Uber or Lyft driver gets into an accident while you are riding as a passenger, you have the right to recover damages for your injuries. The excellent Houston Uber & Lyft accident lawyer at Ayson Law Firm is here to help you get the compensation you deserve for the harm you have suffered.
Will Uber or Lyft Take Responsibility?
If a rideshare driver injures you, one of your primary concerns should be whether the rideshare company will take responsibility for the accident. Corporations tend to have much more comprehensive insurance policies than individual drivers, which can make it much easier to get full compensation for your medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Uber and Lyft do, in fact, maintain healthy insurance policies for their drivers. However, whether they believe those policies cover driver accidents depends on the circumstances under which the accident occurred. If the driver were on duty at the time of the accident, the rideshare companies’ policies would kick in. If not, you might be forced to go after the driver individually. The companies generally provide different coverage for three time periods:
- Scenario 1: The app is on, and the driver is on a trip. If the driver has the app activated and has accepted a fare, even if they have yet to pick up their fare, then Uber and Lyft provide $1 million in a commercial insurance policy for third-party injury, as well as additional collision and uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage.
- Scenario 2: The app is on, but no ride has been requested. The driver’s personal insurance will cover the accident, or Uber/Lyft will provide for personal injury protection of $50,000/person and $100,000/accident. They also provide $25,000/accident for property damage.
- Scenario 3: The app is off. If the app is off, the company will not take responsibility, and the driver’s own insurance policy will govern.
Injured as a Rideshare Passenger
If you are riding in an Uber or Lyft as a passenger and your driver gets into an accident, your personal injury claim will largely depend on who caused the accident. If your rideshare driver caused the crash, then you will be in Scenario 1, described above. You will benefit from Uber or Lyft’s million-dollar insurance policy, and you can bring a claim against both the driver and the company for additional compensation.
If a person other than your driver causes the crash, then you will likely pursue your claims against that at-fault driver. The case will proceed much like any other personal injury matter, although you may have the benefit of Uber or Lyft also pursuing claims and seeking to prove fault against the other driver. Talk to your Houston rideshare accident attorney after your Uber or Lyft accident to discuss how best to pursue your claims and maximize your recovery.
Houston Rideshare Accident Lawyer Helping You Recover the Compensation You Deserve
The Houston Uber & Lyft accident lawyer at Ayson Law Firm is focused on helping victims of another person’s negligence get the justice they deserve. We help our clients recover regardless of whether the party at fault is an individual driver or a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft. The injuries you face after a serious accident often have life-altering effects, including pain and suffering, exorbitant medical bills, and loss of income if you are unable to return to work. We fight to get the maximum damages available to accident victims while ensuring they get money in their pockets as soon as practicable. Call our Houston personal injury office for a free consultation at 832-209-2297.
