Uber & Lyft Accidents: What Injured Passengers Need to Know

Rideshare applications, including services such as Uber & Lyft, have become immensely popular among Americans who value their convenience, affordability, and availability. While Uber & Lyft have proliferated in Nevada and other states across the country, its structure creates unique issues when it comes to car accidents and how injured victims pursue compensation through the personal injury claim process.

At Shook & Stone, we understand that while Uber and Lyft users pay fees in exchange for a safe ride, a safe ride is not always what they get. This is especially true when rideshare drivers or even other motorists on the road act negligently and fail to uphold their duty to operate their vehicles safety. As Las Vegas car accident lawyers who have helped victims throughout the state since 1997, we know the tremendous costs of negligence behind the wheel, as well as the rights of injured victims harmed in all types of situations – including injuries sustained as passengers in Ubers or Lyfts.

Because Uber and Lyft accidents differ from standard auto accidents involving private drivers, victims can find the support and representation they need to navigate unique issues by working with our legal team. While we are always available to address your questions and concerns following a crash, we also want to provide some key information to help you better protect your rights:

• Uber & Lyft drivers are not employees – Insurance coverage issues exist in Uber and Lyft accidents, particularly as they relate to whether the driver is working, transporting a fare, or off the clock, due to the fact that drivers are considered independent contractors rather than employees. This allows these rideshare services to avoid liability in certain situations, such as when a driver causes an accident while “off the clock,” in which case their own personal insurance will cover damages.
• You are covered by the rideshare’s insurance – Although there are unique insurance issues at play, victims who are injured as passengers during an active fare in an Uber or Lyft are covered by the rideshare service’s commercial insurance policy. These policies typically have policy limits of $1 million. That means that when you are injured as a passenger, your claim will likely be made against the rideshare company, rather than the driver or another at-fault driver who may have caused the crash.
• Fair compensation is never guaranteed – Although you are covered by the rideshare’s commercial insurance when injured as an Uber or Lyft passenger, you need to understand that compensation is never guaranteed nor automatically granted. As large corporations, these services are committed to protecting their bottom lines, and often prioritize their profits over people harmed while using their applications. Because they may leverage resources and legal teams to deny, dispute, or even underpay your claim, you can level the playing field by working with your own attorney who has experience handling these cases.
• You have the right to an attorney – As with any personal injury case, you have the right to legal representation, and taking advantage of this right can make all the difference in your legal journey and the outcome of the case. As experienced injury lawyers who have recovered over half a billion dollars for thousands of clients, including those harmed in auto accidents, we have the insight to effectively guide victims through the legal process and hold the appropriate parties accountable for your injuries and damages, including your medical costs, lost work income, and pain and suffering, among others.

If you have been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, or have a loved one who was recently harmed in a crash, Shook & Stone is available to help you better understand your rights and what we can do to fight for the compensation you rightfully deserve. For a FREE consultation with a member of our team, contact us today.