Were You Injured In A Rideshare Accident? Call (217) 516-3451
Uber and Lyft sell their services as a way to make roads safer. They claim having a taxi on demand will remove drunk and/or overtired drivers from our roads. However, in many cities, the arrival of ridesharing apps has actually increased the number of cars on the road. Drivers who are not fit to be behind the wheel may not be threatening us anymore, but an increase in miles driven means an increase in accidents. Studies have found that in best-case scenarios, Uber and Lyft drivers have no impact on the number of traffic fatalities either overall or specific to drunk driving accidents. In worst-case scenarios, a study published by the American Journal of Epidemiology found, accident rates may actually increase when Uber comes to a new market. Whether you are a driver, pedestrian, or passenger who has been injured in a crash that was caused by an Uber or Lyft driver, you should not have to cover the costs of your recovery on your own. Our attorneys have been representing Illinois and Missouri car accident victims for nearly a quarter of a century.
If you need support after you were injured in a car accident, call our firm at (217) 516-3451 to schedule a free consultation.
Why Rideshare Accidents Are Different
Typically, when another driver causes a car accident, you will have to get their insurance information from them and file a claim with whoever holds their coverage. When the other driver is working for Uber or Lyft, it’s not so simple. The insurance most of us carry will not kick in if we are in a “commercial accident,” i.e., using our car to make money. In fact, many insurance policies specifically state they will not cover any such accidents. Therefore, even if an Uber or Lyft driver gives you their personal insurance, your claim would be denied by no fault of your own.
Whose Insurance Covers Rideshare Accidents?
As part of their operating model, Uber and Lyft offer commercial insurance to all their drivers—a wise choice, as it’s doubtful most people would choose to purchase their own coverage just to drive others around. That means when you need to file a claim after an Uber or Lyft accident, you will be facing their insurers (and potentially their lawyers) in your pursuit of a settlement. Arguing with traditional insurers is difficult enough. Trying to face down a corporation on your own can be intimidating and difficult. For accident victims who are in the healing process, it may be more stress than you need. Our attorneys are here to help in times like this. When you work with Spiros Law, P.C., you’ll have high-powered representatives on your side.
Uber and Lyft’s Insurance Coverage
Of course, filing a claim takes more work than just calling up Uber or Lyft and telling them one of their drivers hit you. If you are in an accident, you’ll need some extra information from the driver to determine the amount of coverage they are carrying. When the app is open, but no ride is active, Uber and Lyft drivers have contingent liability coverage. It provides:
- $50,000 in bodily injury per person
- $100,000 in bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 maximum for property damage per accident
When the driver has accepted a ride and is on their way to pick the passenger up or is en route with the passenger, both Uber and Lyft’s insurance coverages increase: Any accident will have up to $1,000,000 in liability coverage. When drivers who work for Uber and Lyft are not actively searching out fares for one of the two, their personal insurance will be responsible, even if they are displaying Lyft and/or Uber dress on their vehicles.
Extra Proof For Rideshare Insurers
If you are an Uber or Lyft passenger at the time of the accident, we suggest you take a screenshot of your app so you have a record of your ride. If you are a third party, it may be a good idea to ask the Uber or Lyft driver to let you take a picture of their app’s screen that shows the ride information. Of course, you should also get the driver’s information and make sure you’ve taken every step you can to gather evidence for your claim. The more complete and specific your records are, the better your case for compensation will be. Car accidents can cause serious injuries that require intense and/or long-term treatment. You shouldn’t have to bear the burden of these costs alone. Our attorneys have helped car accident victims require millions from negligent drivers. Reach out to see if we can help you, too. We serve clients in Charleston, Champaign.
