Rideshare companies Uber and Lyft have become leading transportation businesses throughout the world, particularly in the U.S. In 2017, it was reported that Uber’s share of the ride-hailing market is 77%, and that the company’s total value is at $62.5 billion.
Although this service is widely appreciated for its convenience and affordability, riders should be aware of the risks they face.
Our Houston rideshare accident attorneys can help you navigate the legal complexities of this process, and help ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve after suffering injuries in an Uber/Lyft accident.
We share over 100 years of experience representing injury victims and have secured millions of dollars on their behalf, earning us membership with the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Three of our attorneys are board-certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a prestigious recognition that only 10% of practicing attorneys share. We know what it takes to secure a fair settlement on your behalf, and are prepared to fight for you.
If you were injured in an accident due to your Uber/Lyft driver’s negligence, you may be wondering if you can file a claim against the rideshare company. Unfortunately, the company itself is legally protected against this kind of lawsuit. Uber and Lyft drivers are technically considered“independent contractors,” which means that Uber and Lyft cannot be held responsible for an accident that was caused by one of their drivers.
Therefore, you would need to file the claim against the particular at-fault driver. This is unfortunate for injury victims, as it is unlikely that an individual driver will be able to cover the full amount of damages you may be entitled to.
Uber drivers are covered with a company-provided insurance policy through James River Insurance that covers up to $1 million for all damages and injuries sustained in an accident while a passenger was present in the vehicle.
For accidents where an Uber driver was logged in to the app, but did not yet have a passenger in the vehicle, Uber covers the driver up to $100,000 for injuries and $25,000 for property damage (per accident). However, this coverage only applies after the individual’s personal insurance has refused to pay or is unwilling to cover the full amount of the claim.
It must be noted that Uber will only provide coverage for a driver’s accident if it can be proven that the Uber driver was at fault or that the injuries sustained were caused by the driver’s negligence.
A personal injury attorney can help gather evidence against the negligent Uber driver to recover the full amount of compensation you deserve!
If this horrible kind of accident occurs while an Uber driver is “not on a trip,” meaning that he or she is not in the process of transporting a rider, then the lower amount of coverage described above would be the extent of coverage Uber would provide to the injured pedestrian.
Again, Uber’s coverage would only apply if the at-fault driver’s personal insurance has refused to make an offer, or will not cover the full amount requested.
Sadly, insurance companies are often in the business of saving as much money as possible for themselves and are likely to offer a much lower settlement than is just and fair. Our personal injury attorneys in Houston have decades of experience standing up to large insurance companies and fighting for the compensation our clients deserve.
Our Houston Uber accident attorneys have a “No Recovery, No Fee” policy. If we don’t recover damages for your injury and loss, you won’t owe us a dime. Our skilled lawyers have gained national recognition as hard-hitting advocates who do not back down in the face of large corporations.
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