In a rideshare accident, insurance works differently depending on several factors, including who caused the crash and whether the rideshare driver was actively transporting a passenger at the moment of impact.
A Salt Lake City rideshare accident lawyer can work through these insurance complications. They will fight to make sure you get full and fair compensation from the responsible party.
Factors Affecting Insurance Coverage in a Rideshare Accident
As a victim in a rideshare accident, the insurance coverage you receive depends partly on your role in the accident. For example, you could be a rideshare vehicle passenger, the rideshare driver, a pedestrian, a third-party driver, or a vehicle occupant.
Other factors influencing how insurance works in a rideshare accident are the identity of the at–fault party and the timing of the incident. Your crash might involve shared blame, and when this happens, the different insurance companies may drag the process along, insisting that another company is responsible for paying you. As they argue, you remain uncompensated.
While it is always best to secure representation after any accident, these rideshare-specific factors are a major reason why you need an accident lawyer.
Though you might not be prepared for a rideshare accident, connecting with an experienced rideshare accident lawyer as soon as possible after your crash is the best way to prepare for the accident’s aftermath.
For a free legal consultation, call (801) 266-0999
How Rideshare Insurance Coverage Works in an Accident
Rideshare companies hire drivers as independent contractors. This status means the driver is not an employee of the company. Companies can be found liable in cases where their employees cause harm. Rideshare companies seek to avoid this risk by following this independent-contractor hiring structure.
Very few rideshare accidents leave the rideshare companies liable for your compensatory damages. Companies may bear fault if they fail to do background checks and allow predators or those with a history of drunk driving or other driving violations to drive under their company name, but these situations are fairly rare.
All drivers must have their own auto insurance policies to drive for a rideshare company. Sometimes, this policy provides coverage for victims. Rideshare companies also have additional coverage, mainly for passengers or other third-party victims, based on when and how the accident happens.
Rideshare Insurance Structures
Uber insurance and the Insurance Resources for Lyft drivers show identical insurance plans. There is coverage in place for when drivers are on duty but awaiting fares versus when they are traveling to a pickup location or transporting passengers.
When drivers are active on the app and waiting to accept a ride, the rideshare company provides:
- $50,000 for bodily injury per person, if the driver is liable
- $100,000 for injuries per accident
- $25,000 for property damage incurred by the driver
- Third-party liability for injuries and damages caused to riders, other-vehicle occupants, pedestrians, or property of at least $1,000,000
- Coverage for damage to the rideshare vehicle, provided the driver has personal comprehensive and collision coverage
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage if another driver is at fault and does not have enough insurance to cover the rideshare driver’s and passengers’ injuries
These structures explain that the coverage described is for “covered accidents.” An experienced rideshare accident attorney will fight to prevent companies from falsely claiming your accident does not fall into that “covered” category.
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Other Possible Insurance Coverage
The liable driver’s insurance is the one required to cover accident victims, but there are several at-fault parties possible in a rideshare accident.
Whatever your specific circumstances, our team knows how insurance works in a rideshare accident. We are prepared to hold any responsible party accountable and demand that their insurance pays you just compensation for your losses.
Rideshare Driver or Delivery Person
The more rides or orders rideshare drivers accept, the more money they make. They may make decisions in the interest of profit instead of safety. Drivers are also distracted, watching the app for updates and to follow routes.
Sometimes, drivers stay on duty longer than is safe and operate their vehicles while fatigued. Victims’ coverage may come through their personal policies or rideshare coverage.
Another Driver
Any driver can make a mistake or violate traffic laws. If a third-party driver causes the accident, their insurance coverage applies. If they do not have insurance, the rideshare company’s uninsured motorist policy may go into effect.
Vehicle or Part Manufacturer
Vehicle defects or malfunctions can cause accidents. Weak tires can cause blowouts, and faulty brake or steering systems can make a car impossible to control. If the vehicle or part manufacturer is to blame, their policies may apply.
Government Agency
If poor road maintenance, defective traffic signals, or inadequate street lighting contributed to the accident, the government office responsible for those elements may bear culpability.
The procedures for filing against the government are different from those for claims against private individuals or companies.
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A Skilled Attorney Knows How Insurance Works in a Rideshare Accident
It’s not easy for most people to make sense of the many rideshare accident insurance possibilities, but your car accident lawyer will deal with the insurance company issues for you. It is best that you leave those discussions to us. Insurers often try to convince victims to accept lowball offers or use their words against them.
Adjusters may also try to downplay your losses, especially when it comes to those that do not have an actual bill. For example, insurance determines the value of pain and suffering in a way that serves their interests best, not necessarily in the way that gives you justice.
Our team will assess your losses thoroughly, putting a fair value on those without a clear dollar amount. We understand every aspect of how insurance works in a rideshare accident, and our goal is to make sure it works for you.
We Will Take Care of Your Case and All Insurance Issues
Do not let insurance complications or insurance companies’ strategies put your much-needed and much-deserved compensation at risk. Instead, trust your case with Siegfried & Jensen.
We have recovered over $1.2 billion for clients. Our team knows how insurance works in a rideshare accident and will fight hard to make sure you are treated fairly by the companies involved.
Call or text (801) 266-0999 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
