Virginia, Washington, D.C, & Maryland Uber & Lyft Accident Attorneys

Serving Those Who Have Been Injured in Rideshare Accidents

With the rise in popularity of rideshare companies, such as Lyft and Uber, many legal questions have been raised regarding rideshare auto accidents and liability. What if I'm a passenger in an Uber or Lyft and my driver has a car accident? What if as a Lyft or Uber driver, I get into an accident while I have a passenger? In order to answer some of these common questions, we must first look at the insurance policies for two of the most popular rideshare companies in the DMV area, Uber and Lyft.

If you've been in an accident in a rideshare, please call our Uber & Lyft accident attorneys at Portner & Shure, at (410) 995-1515. Our firm works on a contingency basis, which means that we don’t get paid unless your case is successful. Se habla Español.

Lyft’s Insurance Policy

Below, we outline some examples of accidents involving Lyft and whether or not the app is activated.

Lyft Driver Is On the Road, but Lyft App Is Off

When you’re on the road, but before you turn on your Lyft Driver App, any accident or injuries that are caused by a Lyft driver will be covered under the Driver’s own personal auto insurance, and subjected to any limitation the driver’s personal insurance may have. If the accident is caused by someone other than the Lyft Driver, then the at-fault’s person’s insurance will be responsible, subject to any limitation the person’s insurance may have.

Lyft App Is On, but Lyft Driver Has Not Picked Up Passenger

Once the Lyft driver is on the road, has the Lyft App turned on, and are seeking or on route to a passenger, Lyft’s policy has a $50,000 maximum limit per person for bodily injury, $100,000 maximum limit per accident in bodily injury claims, and a $25,000 maximum limit for property damage, in the event the driver’s personal insurance cannot cover the above-listed amounts. The good news is that Lyft drivers do not pay a deductible to enforce these Lyft policies.

Lyft App Is On & Passenger Is in the Car

Lyft’s policies change once a passenger is picked up and remain in effect until the trip ends. Under these policies, Lyft’s liability insurance allows for recovery of up to $1,000,000 per accident. If the Lyft Driver is already carrying commercial insurance or some type of personal coverage providing specific coverage for ridesharing, Lyft’s policy will cover any excess claims.

Contingent collision coverage covers physical damage to your vehicle resulting from an accident as long as you have obtained collision coverage on your personal automobile policy. The contingent collision coverage will apply up to the actual cash value of your vehicle or cost of repair, whichever is less. The policy has a $2,500 deductible. This policy is designed to step in regardless of whether or not you're at fault.

In the event that the Lyft driver or passenger are injured due to the fault of another, typically the other person’s insurance will be responsible for any bodily injury claims arising out of the accident. In the event that the other person is underinsured or uninsured, Lyft will cover up to $1,000,000 per accident.

Collision Coverage

If the Lyft driver has collision coverage on their personal automobile policy, Lyft offers a contingent collision coverage for physical damage to the driver’s vehicle resulting from accidents. Lyft will cover the actual cash value of your vehicle or cost of repair, whichever is less, regardless as to who is at fault for the accident. Lyft drivers must pay a $2,500 deductible for this policy to take effect.

Comprehensive Coverage

If the Lyft driver has comprehensive coverage on their personal automobile policy, Lyft has a contingent comprehensive coverage policy in place for Lyft drivers, regardless if the driver is at fault or not. This policy is designed to cover physical damage to the vehicle resulting from a non-collision event and will apply up to the actual cash value of the driver’s vehicle or cost of repair, whichever is less. The driver has to pay a $2,500 deductible for the contingent comprehensive coverage policy to take effect.

Contact Portner & Shure, P.A., today to get started with our Uber & Lyft accident lawyers in Virginia, Washington, D.C, & Maryland.

Uber’s Insurance Policy

Below we outline some of the scenarios that may arise with accidents involving Uber and whether or not the app is being used.

Uber Driver On the Road, but Uber App Is Off

If the Uber driver is on the road but does not have the Uber app on, any accident or injuries that are caused by Uber driver will be covered under the driver’s own personal auto insurance, and subjected to any limitation the driver’s personal insurance may have. If the accident is caused by someone other than the Uber driver, then the at-fault’s person’s insurance will be responsible, subject to any limitation the person’s insurance may have.

Uber App Is On & Uber Driver has Not Received a Passenger Request

When the Uber driver has their app on and is waiting for a passenger request, Uber’s liability policy is in effect and will cover at least $50,000 in injury liability per person with $100,000 in total liability per accident and $25,000 in property damage liability per accident if the Uber Driver is at fault for the accident. Uber maintains this policy on behalf of the driver, even if the driver does not have applicable insurance or their policy cannot match the above-listed amount.

If another person is at fault for the accident, Uber drivers must make a claim against the other person’s insurance or their personal insurance.

Uber App Is On & Uber Driver Is On Their Way to Pick Up Passenger, or Passenger Is Already in the Uber

Once an Uber driver has received a passenger request and is on their way to the passenger, or if the passenger is already in the Uber, this particular insurance is in effect. Under this Uber policy, if the Uber driver causes an accident, Uber’s insurance policy covers the Uber driver’s liability for damages to any injured party, including the passenger, or any property damage up to a total of $1,000,000.

In the event that the Uber driver or passenger are injured due to the fault of another, typically the other person’s insurance will be responsible for any bodily injury claims arising out of the accident. In the event that the other person is underinsured or uninsured, Uber will cover up to $1,000,000 per accident.

Collision Coverage

If the Uber driver has collision coverage on their personal automobile policy, Uber offers a contingent collision coverage for physical damage to the driver’s vehicle resulting from accidents. Uber will cover the actual cash value of your vehicle. Uber drivers must pay a $1,000 deductible for this policy to take effect.

Comprehensive Coverage

If the Uber driver has comprehensive coverage on their personal automobile policy, Uber has a contingent comprehensive coverage policy in place for Uber drivers, regardless if the driver is at fault or not. This policy is designed to cover physical damage to the vehicle resulting from a non-collision event and will apply up to the actual cash value of the driver’s vehicle. The driver has to pay a $1,000 deductible for the contingent comprehensive coverage policy to take effect.

If You’ve Been a Passenger in a Lyft or Uber, We Can Help

If you’ve been injured in an auto accident while in an Uber or Lyft, you may be able to recover. Under the law, your Uber or Lyft driver has a duty to use reasonable care to ensure you get to your destination safely.

If your driver acts in a negligent way and causes an auto accident, causing you to be injured, you are entitled to recover for any:

• Medical expenses incurred
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering caused to you

Uber and Lyft’s insurance companies in this area are James River, Progressive, Allstate, Farmers Insurance, and Steadfast Insurance.

Year after year, we’ve been able to get top dollar for our clients in auto accidents from these insurance companies. We know the pitfalls and strategy when it comes to dealing these companies. Not only that, we’ve built a reputation with these companies. When they see us involved, they know we don’t back down.

You Have Rights As a Passenger

But what if my Uber or Lyft driver wasn’t the one at fault? What if someone else causes the accident? It doesn't matter. As a passenger, you have rights. You are entitled to recovery. In the event that you are injured while in an Uber or Lyft, the person who caused the accident will be held liable for your injuries and expenses.

In the event that the person at fault doesn’t have insurance, or your recovery amount goes beyond that person’s insurance policy limits, we will go after Uber and Lyft’s insurance companies; companies who we know and worked with for over 30 years.

If You’re an Uber or Lyft Driver, We Can Help You

As an Uber or Lyft driver, you are constantly on the road. As a result, you may be at a higher risk for an auto accident. Auto accidents can result in injury leading to:

• Exorbitant medical bills
• Rehabilitation expenses
• Loss of income
• Pain and mental anguish
• Loss of use of your vehicle

We understand that every second you're not out there on the road is money lost. As a result, we will fight for your lost wages and other costs incurred due to the negligence of other drivers to get you maximum compensation.

In the event that the negligent driver is uninsured or underinsured for the claims you are making, we know how to navigate the legal and technical complexities to ensure you receive just compensation. As an Uber or Lyft driver, the companies you work for have contingencies and policies put in place to ensure your medical-related expenses are paid. We make sure Uber and Lyft holds up their end of the policy agreement with drivers, and fight to get you top dollar for your auto accident.

Contact Our Uber & Lyft Accident Attorneys Today

At Portner & Shure, we also understand that your vehicle is your livelihood and you need to be back on the road as soon as possible. As an Uber or Lyft driver, you may be eligible to submit an auto claim through your Uber or Lyft driver policy. In the Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, and Maryland areas, the auto insurance companies that handle Uber and Lyft auto claims are The James River Insurance Company and The Steadfast Insurance Company.

Portner & Shure has been around for 23 years and have dealt with some of these companies for just as long. We have built relationships with these companies, and as a result, we know how to put on the pressure to ensure your auto claim is done as soon as possible, putting you back out on the road at a quicker pace.

If you live in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, D.C. and need an experienced accident lawyer who knows how to work with Lyft or Uber, contact Portner & Shure today by calling (410) 995-1515. Our firm works on a contingency basis, which means that we don’t get paid unless your case is successful.