What if I am Involved in an Accident with an Uber or Lyft Driver in Houston.
If you are involved in an accident with a rideshare driver, there are different policies applicable to your claim based upon the circumstances. Lyft and Uber provide insurance for their drivers. The coverage amounts vary based upon whether the rideshare driver is transporting a passenger, on his way to pick up a passenger or the app is on. Uber and Lyft require drivers to have their own insurance policies as well. However, the standard insurance policy excludes coverage when an insured is transporting passengers for a fee. The O’Hara Law firm has experience handling claims for rideshare passengers and other drivers involved in accidents with Uber and Lyft drivers.
What if I am injured as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft ride?
If you are injured in a rideshare accident, you should gather contact information for the other drivers involved in the collision. You will need to make a claim on the other driver’s insurance if the other driver is at fault. If the value of your claim exceeds the other driver’s insurance policy limits, you will need to make a claim against the Uber/Lyft insurance policy. Uber and Lyft have a one million dollar UIM policy on each car.
If the Uber or Lyft driver is at fault for the collision, you will make a claim against the driver’s insurance policy provided by the rideshare company. The liability policy limits are the same as the UIM policy limits, one million dollars. Do not make a quick settlement with the insurance company before you have completed all of your medical treatment. If you have additional medical expenses after your settlement, you will not be able to receive additional compensation for the expenses.
What if I am injured by an Uber or Lyft driver in a separate car?
Call the police if you are in a car accident with another driver. Without a police report, the other driver may change his testimony regarding how the collision occurred. The police officer will interview both drivers and record the insurance information and contact information for both drivers. If the rideshare driver is not using the Uber or Lyft application, his or her normal insurance provider will be responsible for coverage. The minimum coverage in Texas is $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident.
If the rideshare driver who collides with your car has the application open waiting for a ride request, Uber and Lyft provide liability coverage of $50,000 for bodily injury per person and $100,000 per accident. If the rideshare driver is driving a passenger or on his way to pick up a passenger, Uber and Lyft provide $1,000,000 in coverage per accident.
Negotiating with an insurance adjuster
Even though Uber and Lyft provide insurance coverage up to $1,000,000, adjustors are trained to pay out as little as possible. Insurance companies increase profits by paying less, not more. Hire an attorney that has experience negotiating with insurance companies. The O’Hara Law Firm has successfully resolved cases on behalf of clients injured in accidents involving rideshare drivers. Patrick O’Hara has experience handling claims and lawsuits against rideshare drivers and the insurance companies for Uber and Lyft. The O’Hara Law Firm handles cases involving catastrophic injuries, including death, spinal cord injuries, broken bones and nerve damage.
If you are injured in a motor vehicle collision, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement and impairment. If you have been injured in a motor vehicle collision, contact The O’Hara Law Firm for a free consultation. Patrick O’Hara is a car accident attorney that handles motor vehicle collision cases in Houston, Baytown, Humble, Spring, Cypress, Jersey Village, Bellaire and other surrounding areas. The O’Hara Law Firm represents clients on a contingency fee basis. Call us at 832-956-1138.