Rideshare services have become a common way for people to travel in Sugar Land and throughout the Houston area. While Uber and Lyft have changed how many people travel locally, rideshare accidents can raise complex questions about fault and insurance coverage. Is it the company? The driver? Or another party?
At The Karam Law Office, we represent individuals who have been hurt or lost a loved one in a rideshare accident. Rideshare accidents can raise difficult questions about fault and insurance coverage. Depending on the circumstances, an injured person may have a claim against the rideshare driver, another negligent party, and potentially insurance coverage maintained in connection with Uber or Lyft.
Contact our office at (281) 302-5272 to discuss your rights after an Uber or Lyft accident in Sugar Land, Texas, or the surrounding area.
What to Do if You Are Involved in a Rideshare Accident
Whether you are a rideshare driver, passenger, or in another vehicle at the time of an accident, you need to take several steps to ensure that you are safe.
If anyone is injured, call 911 and request medical assistance. You should also contact law enforcement after a serious collision, particularly when there are injuries, a death, or significant property damage. We suggest taking these steps:
- Seek immediate medical attention for injuries.
- Take pictures and videos at the scene.
- Exchange insurance/identifying information with all involved parties.
- Obtain the name and contact number of any witnesses.
- Take a screenshot of your ride reservation and receipt.
- Speak with a Sugar Land Uber and Lyft accident lawyer before giving a recorded statement or accepting a settlement offer. An attorney can help you file a claim with the appropriate insurance carrier and, when appropriate, pursue available rideshare coverage.
If you are injured in a rideshare accident, speaking with an attorney promptly can help you understand your options and preserve important evidence. Even if you believe you may have contributed to the accident, you may still have a claim under Texas law, depending on the facts of the case and your percentage of responsibility.
Why Uber and Lyft Accident Claims Are Different from Other Car Accident Cases
An Uber or Lyft crash may look like any other car accident at first. However, the insurance and liability issues can be far more complicated. In a typical collision, an injured person generally files a claim against the at-fault driver’s personal auto insurance policy. A rideshare accident may involve the driver’s personal insurer, Uber or Lyft’s insurance coverage, another motorist’s insurer, and potentially uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
The rideshare driver’s status in the app is often one of the most important facts in the case. Coverage can change depending on whether the driver was:
- Logged out of the Uber or Lyft app
- Logged in and waiting for a ride request
- On the way to pick up a passenger
- Transporting a passenger
Rideshare companies also typically classify drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. That distinction can affect whether Uber or Lyft can be held directly responsible for a driver’s conduct. An experienced Sugar Land rideshare accident attorney can investigate the crash, identify every potentially responsible party, and pursue all available sources of insurance coverage.
At The Karam Law Office, we know insurance companies may dispute fault, minimize injuries, or argue that a lower level of coverage applies. Our Sugar Land rideshare accident lawyers prepare cases carefully, preserve critical evidence, and fight for the recovery our clients need.
Who is Liable After a Rideshare Accident?
The party whose negligence caused the car accident may be responsible for the damages resulting from the crash. In most cases, you can file a claim through the at-fault party’s insurance carrier. When you are a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, or you are hit by a rideshare driver, insurance coverage associated with the rideshare company may be available, depending on the driver’s status in the app and the circumstances of the collision.
Who can file a claim for damages in an Uber or Lyft accident:
- Rideshare passenger
- Rideshare driver
- Driver or passenger of another vehicle
- Pedestrian or bicyclist
A Sugar Land rideshare accident lawyer can review the circumstances of the crash, identify available insurance coverage, and explain whether an insurance claim or lawsuit may be appropriate.
An attorney can help pursue the compensation available under the facts of your case and applicable insurance coverage.
Understanding Uber and Lyft Accident Insurance Coverage
Insurance coverage in a rideshare accident is tied to what the driver was doing when the collision occurred. While the insurance minimums matter, they do not automatically determine what an injured person will recover. The available coverage, the severity of the injuries, the parties involved, and the evidence establishing fault can all affect a claim.
When the Rideshare App Is Off
If an Uber or Lyft driver is using their vehicle for personal reasons and is not logged into the app, the claim will generally begin with the driver’s personal auto insurance policy. Texas drivers must carry minimum liability coverage of $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
However, minimum coverage may not be enough to fully compensate someone with serious injuries. A Sugar Land Uber accident lawyer can evaluate whether other policies, including uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, may be available.
When the App Is on but No Ride Is Accepted
When a driver is logged into the rideshare app and waiting for a ride request, Texas requires higher minimum coverage. This period generally requires at least:
- $50,000 for bodily injury or death per person
- $100,000 for bodily injury or death per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
Coverage during this period can be especially complicated. During this period, coverage may depend on the driver’s personal policy and any available rideshare coverage. A careful review of the policies and the driver’s app status may be necessary to determine which insurer is responsible. An Uber accident attorney in Sugar Land, TX, can review the applicable policies and determine which insurer should be responsible.
When the Driver Is Picking Up or Transporting a Passenger
Once a rideshare driver accepts a trip and is traveling to pick up a passenger, or has a passenger in the vehicle, substantially higher coverage may apply. When a driver is en route to pick up a passenger or transporting a passenger, Texas law generally requires at least $1 million in primary automobile liability coverage. Additional coverage, including uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, may be available depending on the applicable policy and the facts of the accident.
For example, if another uninsured driver causes a crash while you are riding in an Uber or Lyft, the rideshare company’s uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage could be an important source of recovery. Determining all potentially available coverage may require a careful review of the applicable policies and the facts of the crash.An attorney can help preserve evidence, identify available coverage, and handle communications with insurance companies.
Texas law requires transportation network companies and drivers logged into a rideshare platform to comply with the insurance requirements in Texas Insurance Code Chapter 1954. The applicable coverage depends on the driver’s app status at the time of the crash.
Texas Laws Regarding Rideshare Companies
Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft are regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR). The companies are referred to as Transportation Network Companies (TNC).
They must comply with all rules under Title 16, Chapter 95 of the Texas Administrative Code, and Chapter 2402 of the Texas Occupations Code.
Texas Rideshare Insurance Requirements
Texas insurance requirements can change based on whether the rideshare driver was offline, logged into the app and waiting for a ride request, or actively picking up or transporting a passenger. Because more than one policy may apply, identifying the driver’s app status and available coverage is an important part of a rideshare accident claim.
Texas law requires qualifying insurance coverage when a rideshare driver is logged into the app. Depending on the driver’s app status and the available policies, coverage may be provided by the driver, the transportation network company, or a combination of both.
How Rideshare Accident Claims Work in Texas
A rideshare accident claim begins with an investigation into how the collision occurred and who may be responsible. Depending on the circumstances, a claim may be brought against the Uber or Lyft driver, another negligent motorist, a vehicle owner, or another party whose actions contributed to the crash.
The process often includes:
- Investigating the accident and gathering evidence, including the police report, witness statements, photos, video, vehicle damage, and medical records.
- Determining the rideshare driver’s app status at the time of the collision. This information can help establish which insurance policy or policies apply.
- Identifying all available coverage, including the rideshare driver’s policy, Uber or Lyft coverage, another driver’s liability coverage, and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
- Calculating the full value of the claim, including current medical bills, future care needs, lost income, property damage, and the personal impact of the injuries.
- Negotiating with insurance companies and, when necessary, filing a lawsuit to pursue compensation.
Texas follows a proportionate responsibility rule. If an injured person is found partially responsible for a crash, their compensation may be reduced by their percentage of fault. Generally, an injured person who is more than 50% responsible for an accident cannot recover damages from other responsible parties.
In many Texas personal injury cases, the deadline to file a lawsuit is two years from the date of the crash, though exceptions may apply. Prompt action also gives your attorney a better opportunity to preserve evidence, including rideshare trip information, app data, witness testimony, and surveillance footage.
If you were hurt in a crash, The Karam Law Office can assess your legal options. The Karam Law Office provides client-focused representation and thorough case preparation for people injured in rideshare accidents. Speak with an Uber/Lyft accident lawyer in Sugar Land, TX, by calling (281) 302-5272.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Rideshare Accident?
The compensation available after an Uber or Lyft accident depends on the facts of the case, the severity of your injuries, available insurance coverage, and the evidence showing who was at fault. An attorney can help document the full extent of your losses, including medical needs and financial consequences that may continue after the initial collision.
You may be able to seek compensation for:
- Emergency medical care, hospitalization, surgery, medications, rehabilitation, and future treatment
- Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
- Vehicle repairs or replacement and other property damage
- Out-of-pocket costs related to the accident, including transportation and in-home assistance
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Physical impairment, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages when a rideshare crash causes the loss of a loved one
A serious injury can create costs that continue long after the initial collision. An insurer may make an early settlement offer before you know whether you will need additional procedures, ongoing therapy, or time away from work. Before accepting an offer, consider speaking with an attorney to evaluate the available insurance coverage and the full value of your claim.
Speak With a Sugar Land Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer
If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, The Karam Law Office is ready to help you understand your options and pursue the compensation you deserve. Call (281) 302-5272 to speak with a Sugar Land rideshare accident lawyer and schedule a free consultation.
