Getting hurt in an Uber or Lyft accident can leave you with medical bills, missed work, and plenty of questions about who is supposed to pay. Rideshare claims aren’t always handled like ordinary car accidents. The insurance coverage may change depending on what the driver was doing when the crash happened.
A Las Vegas rideshare accident lawyer can help you sort through the insurance policies, determine who’s responsible, and pursue compensation for your injuries. At Shook & Stone Injury Lawyers, we’ve helped injured Nevadans since 1997 and have more than 150 years of combined legal experience.
Whether you were riding in an Uber, driving your own vehicle, or walking near a rideshare pick-up area, our Las Vegas car accident lawyers are here to help. We take on difficult injury claims, including cases involving multiple drivers and insurance companies. Call today for a free consultation.
Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents in Las Vegas
Between the Strip, busy convention centers, and airport traffic, Uber and Lyft drivers spend a lot of time navigating crowded Las Vegas streets. Drivers may be checking their apps, looking for passengers, or trying to reach a pick-up location they’ve never visited before. One wrong turn or sudden stop can lead to a serious accident.
Our Las Vegas personal injury lawyers handle claims involving:
- Distracted driving: Checking ride requests, reading messages, or following GPS directions can take a driver’s attention away from traffic. Our Las Vegas distracted driving accident lawyers can investigate whether phone use contributed to the crash.
- Drunk driving: Alcohol and drug impairment can lead to dangerous decisions and slower reaction times. If an impaired driver caused your injuries, our Las Vegas drunk driving accident lawyers can help you understand your legal options.
- Driver fatigue: Late-night pick-ups and long hours on the road can wear drivers down, especially if they work for both Uber and Lyft.
- Unsafe pick-ups and drop-offs: Drivers who stop without warning or let passengers out in busy traffic can cause accidents involving other vehicles and pedestrians.
- Speeding and aggressive driving: Drivers rushing between rides may follow other vehicles too closely, make unsafe lane changes, or fail to yield.
- Other negligent drivers: Sometimes the Uber or Lyft driver isn’t responsible at all. Another motorist may cause the collision by running a red light, driving recklessly, or failing to pay attention.
Determining what caused the accident is only part of the process. We’ll also look at whether the driver was working through the rideshare app, which insurance policies apply, and whether another person or company shares responsibility.
Rideshare Accidents on the Las Vegas Strip
Finding your Uber or Lyft on the Strip can be confusing, especially if you’re visiting Las Vegas for the first time. Many hotels have designated pick-up areas tucked away in parking garages or separate entrances. With so many cars and people moving around, drivers may stop suddenly, and passengers sometimes cross busy driveways trying to find their rides.
Here are some of the designated rideshare pick-up locations at major Las Vegas resorts:
- MGM Grand: The rideshare pick-up area and lounge are on the ground floor of the self-parking garage. You can reach them through the MGM underground exit.
- ARIA Resort & Casino: Passengers can find the rideshare pick-up area on the lower level of the North Valet Lobby, near JEWEL Nightclub.
- Bellagio: Rideshare pick-ups take place at the South Tour Lobby, separate from the main entrance drop-off area.
- Other Strip resorts: Pick-up locations vary by property. Drivers and passengers should check the resort’s current instructions and the location shown in their rideshare app.
These busy areas create opportunities for accidents, particularly when drivers stop unexpectedly, pedestrians cross vehicle lanes, or motorists become distracted while searching for a pick-up point.
Uber and Lyft Accidents at Harry Reid International Airport
Airport rideshare accidents can happen in parking garages, terminal access roads, and the surrounding airport connector. Travelers may be carrying luggage, searching for their drivers, or trying to reach a pick-up location after a long flight.
Harry Reid International Airport has designated pick-up areas for both terminals:
- Terminal 1: Rideshare pick-ups are on Level 2 of the parking garage, accessible by pedestrian bridge from the terminal.
- Terminal 3: Passengers can meet their drivers on the Valet Level of the parking garage.
If you’re involved in a rideshare accident at the airport, save your trip receipt and any messages from the driver. Take photos of the damage and surrounding area if it’s safe. You may need these records later to show where the accident happened and support your injury claim.
How Nevada Rideshare Insurance Coverage Works
One of the first questions after an Uber or Lyft accident is whose insurance should cover your injuries. The answer often depends on whether the driver was offline, waiting for a ride request, traveling to pick someone up, or carrying a passenger.
Nevada law sets minimum insurance requirements for Uber and Lyft drivers under NRS 690B.470. How much coverage is available depends on what the driver was doing when the accident happened. There are three main phases:
Phase 1: The Driver Is Online and Waiting for a Ride
If a driver is logged into Uber or Lyft but hasn’t accepted a ride yet, Nevada requires rideshare insurance with the following minimum liability limits:
- Bodily injury per person: $50,000
- Bodily injury per accident: $100,000 for injuries to two or more people
- Property damage per accident: $25,000
These limits apply to covered liability claims arising during this phase. They don’t mean every injured person will automatically receive the maximum amount.
Phase 2: The Driver Has Accepted a Ride
Once an Uber or Lyft driver accepts a ride and heads to pick up the passenger, Nevada requires at least $1 million in liability insurance.
This coverage starts before the passenger gets into the car. If an accident happens on the way to the pick-up location, records from the rideshare app can help confirm when the driver accepted the trip and which insurance coverage applies.
Phase 3: The Passenger Is in the Vehicle
The $1 million minimum liability coverage also applies while the driver is transporting a passenger on an accepted trip. This coverage can be important if the rideshare driver causes a collision that injures passengers, pedestrians, or people in other vehicles.
If the driver was off the Uber or Lyft app and driving for personal reasons, rideshare insurance generally won’t cover the accident. Instead, you may need to seek compensation through the driver’s personal auto insurance.
A Las Vegas rideshare accident lawyer can review the driver’s trip history and app activity to find out which insurance policy applies. This matters because personal auto insurance may not cover accidents that happen while a driver is working for Uber or Lyft.
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Filing a Rideshare Accident Claim as a Las Vegas Tourist
You don’t have to live in Nevada to pursue compensation after getting hurt in a Las Vegas rideshare accident. If you were visiting for a vacation, convention, concert, or business trip, you may still have a personal injury claim under Nevada law.
Being injured away from home can make an already difficult situation worse. You may need emergency treatment in Las Vegas, additional care after returning home, or time off work that you hadn’t planned for. And if you live in another state, returning to Nevada for appointments or legal proceedings may not be practical.
If you’re visiting Las Vegas and get hurt in an Uber or Lyft accident, take these steps when possible:
- Report the accident: Call 911 if anyone is injured, and obtain the police report number before leaving the scene.
- Get medical attention: Have a doctor examine your injuries, even if you plan to return home soon. Keep copies of your medical records and discharge instructions.
- Save your trip information: Take screenshots of your Uber or Lyft receipt, driver’s name, vehicle details, and messages in the app.
- Document what happened: If it’s safe, take photos of the vehicles, nearby intersections, road conditions, and any injuries you can see.
- Keep your travel records: Hold on to receipts for extra hotel nights, flight changes, transportation, and other expenses you wouldn’t have had without the accident.
You don’t have to stay in Las Vegas to pursue your injury claim. You can continue treatment with your doctors back home while our attorneys handle your case. We can also speak with you remotely and let you know if you’ll need to return to Nevada at any point.
Who Is Liable for a Las Vegas Uber or Lyft Accident?
Rideshare accident claims can involve several parties, and responsibility isn’t always clear at first. Your Uber driver might have caused the collision, another motorist could be responsible, or multiple drivers may have contributed to what happened.
Our Las Vegas Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyers will examine police reports, witness statements, photographs, and available trip records to determine what happened. Depending on the circumstances, we may also review vehicle maintenance records, driver conduct, and other evidence.
How Nevada Law Affects Rideshare Accident Liability
Nevada’s NRS 41.141 allows injured people to recover compensation when their own negligence is not greater than the combined negligence of the defendants. Any award is reduced by the injured person’s percentage of fault.
Nevada has specific rules about when rideshare companies can be held responsible for an accident. Under NRS 706A.155, Uber and Lyft generally aren’t automatically liable for their drivers’ actions. However, their insurance may still cover your injuries, and you may have a claim against the company if its own negligence contributed to the accident.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
A rideshare accident can leave you facing expenses long after the initial crash. Some people recover within weeks, while others need surgery, rehabilitation, or ongoing treatment. We’ll look at how your injuries have affected your life and what you may need in the future.
Depending on your injuries and how the accident has affected your life, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses: Hospital bills, emergency treatment, surgery, medication, rehabilitation, and follow-up visits.
- Future medical care: Ongoing treatment, physical therapy, additional surgeries, or long-term care you may need because of your injuries.
- Lost wages: Pay you’ve missed while recovering or taking time off for medical appointments.
- Reduced earning capacity: Income you may lose in the future if your injuries make it difficult or impossible to return to your previous job.
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, and the ways your injuries have affected your daily life.
- Property damage: Repairs or replacement costs for personal property damaged in the accident.
In cases involving particularly serious misconduct, punitive damages may also be available if the legal requirements are met. These damages aren’t awarded in every case.
If a family member died in a rideshare accident caused by negligence, our Las Vegas wrongful death lawyers can help you understand your family’s rights and options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Las Vegas Rideshare Accidents
Our Las Vegas rideshare accident attorneys can answer any questions you have, including:
What Happens if My Uber Driver Causes an Accident?
If your Uber driver causes an accident while you’re a passenger, you may be able to pursue compensation through the applicable rideshare liability insurance. Nevada requires at least $1 million in liability coverage while a driver is providing transportation services.
The insurance company will investigate the accident and determine whether the claim is covered. Our Las Vegas Uber accident lawyers can review the available coverage, gather evidence of the driver’s negligence, and pursue compensation for your injuries.
Does Lyft Cover Passengers in an Accident in Nevada?
Nevada requires at least $1 million in liability insurance while a Lyft driver is transporting passengers. If your Lyft driver causes an accident, this coverage may apply to your injuries.
If another motorist caused the crash, the insurance situation may be different. Our Las Vegas Lyft accident lawyers can investigate the collision and determine which insurance policies may cover your losses.
How Long Do I Have to File a Rideshare Accident Claim in Nevada?
Under NRS 11.190(4)(e), you generally have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit in Nevada, although exceptions may apply.
Insurance companies may have separate claim notification requirements, so don’t wait until the filing deadline approaches. Speaking with an attorney early can help you preserve evidence, obtain rideshare trip records, and protect your right to seek compensation.
Can I Sue Both the Driver and the Rideshare Company?
You may have a claim against the driver and potentially a separate claim involving the rideshare company, depending on what caused the accident. However, Nevada law generally protects rideshare companies from being held automatically responsible for their drivers’ actions.
A claim based on the company’s own conduct requires a separate legal basis. Accessing the rideshare company’s insurance coverage is also different from suing the company. Our attorneys can review your case to determine which claims may be available.
Contact a Las Vegas Rideshare Accident Lawyer at Shook & Stone
An Uber or Lyft accident can leave you dealing with injuries, missed work, and insurance companies that disagree about who’s responsible. You don’t have to sort through all of that yourself. Our attorneys can investigate the accident, review the available insurance coverage, and pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and other damages.
Shook & Stone Injury Lawyers has served more than 30,000 clients since 1997 and recovered over $1 billion. We understand how complicated rideshare claims can become, particularly when multiple insurance companies are involved. You’ll also have access to our client portal, where you can follow your case and stay informed throughout the legal process.
If you need a Las Vegas rideshare accident lawyer, call Shook & Stone Injury Lawyers to schedule your free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
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