When rideshare accidents happen, they make you wonder who is responsible for the damage. When these kinds of accidents happen, they usually involve more than one insurance policy. Everything can change based on when the crash happened and the driver’s status on the app. That’s why it’s important to understand how liability works after an Uber or Lyft accident.
You should connect with a rideshare attorney from TopDog Law to protect your rights and figure out what to do next. A good lawyer can help you make your claim and figure out who should pay for your losses. This article answers the question, “Who pays for your losses in a rideshare accident case?”
Who is Responsible for Paying?
What the driver was doing at the time of the crash determines the answer. In rideshare cases, coverage comes in stages.
- Driver Off the App: All damage is covered by the driver’s personal car insurance.Uber or Lyft does not provide coverage during this time.
- DriverLogged in but No Passenger: The rideshare company offers limited liability insurance. This coverage helps if the driver is found at fault.
- Active Ride (Trip Accepted or Passenger in Car): Uber and Lyft will cover you for up to $1 million in third-party liability. This is the broadest protection that can be found.
Who pays for medical bills, car damage, and other losses changes at each of the abovestages.
When the RideshareDriver is at Fault
Who pays if the rideshare driver caused the accident is determined by their status at the time.
- Not Logged In:Only their own personal insurance applies.
- Logged In Without Passenger: Uber or Lyft may offer some limited coverage, but only if thedriver’s insurance company won’t pay.
- Passenger Onboard or Trip Started: Rideshare insurance covers all losses, and it usually does so up to $1 million.
This includes things like hospital bills, property damage, and even lost wages.
What If Another Driver Caused the Crash?
The rideshare driver isn’t always to blame. The crash might have been caused by another driver.
In such a case:
- The damage would be paid for by that driver’s insurance.
- But Uber or Lyft may cover the damages if that driver doesn’t have insurance or has too little of it.
- Uninsured or underinsured driver benefits are part of this.
These benefits can help riders or drivers who get hurt by someone who doesn’t have enough insurance.
What Happens if Responsibility is Shared?
Many times, more than one person makes a mistake that leads to an accident. In these situations, people may share the blame.
- More than one insurance company might cover some of the damages.
- Reports, photos, and witness statements will be examined by insurance adjusters.
- Without a lawyer, the process can be slow and hard to understand.
What About Passengers and Pedestrians?
They may still pay for your losses if you’re a rider or a pedestrian. However, the source of payment depends on what the driver was doing.
- Passenger in Uber or Lyft: The company’s insurance generally covers you.
- Pedestrian Hit by Rideshare Vehicle: It depends on whether the driver was logged into the app.
- Passenger in Another Vehicle: The insurance of the driver who caused the accident pays, but rideshare coverage might help if needed.
People who have been hurt should always gather details and make a report.
Why Insurance Companies Might Deny Your Claim
Sometimes there are disagreements about when a strategy should be used. Insurers and ridesharing companies may say they are not responsible.
- They might say that the driver wasn’t working.
- They could say that the injuries aren’t very serious.
- Or they might blame someone else.
This is when having a lawyer can be very important. Bad-faith insurance tacticscan be fought by a lawyer.
