Uber and Lyft are popular rideshare services, especially in North Carolina cities like Raleigh, Durham and Charlotte. These services are convenient, affordable, and help reduce drunk driving, among other benefits. However, Uber accidents sometimes happen and can result in serious injury. In these cases, clients often wonder, “Can I sue Uber if I’m injured in a car accident?”
The short answer is yes — you can sue Uber or Lyft, or the rideshare driver, for an accident in which the driver was at fault. You may also choose to sue both parties, depending on the situation.
However, whether you sue Uber or Lyft for a car accident injury will most likely depend on the unique facts and circumstances of your case.
In this blog post, we’ll look at if you can sue Uber or Lyft for injuries suffered in a car accident, and what kind of factors may be involved.
IMPORTANT: As always, if you are involved in a Lyft or Uber accident, be sure to talk with an experienced Uber accident lawyer. An experienced car accident lawyer can help evaluate your claim and advise you on your best legal options for seeking justice and compensation.
Contact us for a case review with an experienced car accident lawyer.
There is never any obligation and you won’t pay any attorney fees unless we win your case and you receive compensation.
Can I sue Uber or Lyft if I’m injured in a car accident?
Yes. You can sue Uber, Lyft, or the Uber / Lyft driver if you’ve been injured and he or she is determined at fault for the accident. You may also decide to sue both parties.
However, there are some important things to keep in mind before deciding whether or not to file a claim or lawsuit against Uber, Lyft or the rideshare driver.
Insurance Coverage for Rideshare Drivers
Because the insurance company will ultimately pay the injury claim, it is important to keep in mind that different policies and coverage limits may be in effect depending on the circumstances surrounding your Uber or Lyft accident.
There are three types of car accident insurance coverage that may apply to your Uber accident injury claim, based on the driver’s status:
- OFF THE CLOCK: The driver’s insurance — If an Uber or Lyft driver is off the clock, then Uber’s insurance company does not apply and any injury claim will be covered by the driver’s personal auto insurance policy.
- PICKING UP PASSENGERS OR DURING RIDES: Uber’s own insurance — If the Uber or Lyft driver is on the clock and there is a paying passenger in the vehicle, then Uber’s own insurance coverage kicks in. Uber and Lyft both carry significant insurance coverage, totaling $1 million in liability coverage and $1 million in property coverage. Uber also carries a $1 million uninsured motorist bodily injury policy which covers the Uber driver if the other driver is uninsured.
- ON THE CLOCK BUT WAITING ON A RIDE REQUEST: Insurance coverage between fares — If the Uber driver is on the clock but does not currently have a passenger (available or waiting for a ride request), the driver’s personal auto insurance policy will cover any potential injury or property damage claim. However, Uber and Lyft both maintain contingency insurance, which are limited policies that offer additional coverage for this “in-between” time. This contingency coverage adds another $50,000 per person ($100,000 per accident) and $25,000 in property coverage.
So, if I’m injured in a rideshare accident, should I sue Uber or Lyft, or the driver?
Whether you or an Uber accident lawyer decide to sue Uber or Lyft, the driver, or both parties, will depend on the specific situation and circumstances. Keep in mind that you may be able to file a claim for compensation regardless of whether you were injured as an Uber passenger, a driver or passenger in another vehicle, or a pedestrian or bicyclist.
An experienced Uber accident attorney can help you decide what makes the most sense if you’re considering filing a lawsuit against Uber, Lyft or a rideshare driver.
Contact us for a case review with an experienced car accident lawyer.
There is no obligation and you won’t pay any upfront costs or attorney fees unless we recover financial compensation for your Uber injury claim.
Let’s review your case. You may be entitled to compensation and we would love to help you get the justice you deserve.
Why Riddle & Brantley for your Uber accident injury claim?
Riddle & Brantley attorneys have been fighting for North Carolina auto accident victims since 1985. Our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers have more than 220+ years of combined legal experience and we are committed to seeking justice for those injured due to others’ negligence. In addition to handling Uber and Lyft accident injury claims, we also represent clients in Uber assault cases.
We’ve handled many injury cases involving Lyft and Uber, and we would love to help you if we can. In a recent Uber accident case, our attorneys secured $339,500 in total compensation for an injury suffered while riding as a passenger in an Uber car (see disclaimer below). We notified the Uber insurance carrier of our intent to file suit and ultimately won the settlement through extensive mediation negotiations.
"Riddle & Brantley found me all the available money from the insurance companies."
-David Howard, Riddle & Brantley client
If you've been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, you don't have to go through this alone. We understand what you're going through and would love to help you fight for justice if we can.
Contact us for a case review with an experienced car accident lawyer.
We will review your case and advise you on whether it makes sense to file a lawsuit or claim against Uber’s insurance company, the Uber driver’s insurance company, or both.
Let’s review your Uber or Lyft accident injury claim. You may be entitled to significant compensation and you deserve justice.
Justice Counts for those injured in Uber and Lyft accidents in North Carolina and we would love to help you however we can.
*** Disclaimer: The results mentioned are intended to illustrate the type of cases handled by the firm. These results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and they should not be construed to constitute a promise or guarantee of a particular result in any particular case. Every case is different, and the outcome of any case depends upon a variety of factors unique to that case.