Uber and Lyft provide convenience for people who do not drive or choose not to drive on a particular occasion. However, in the event of an accident, determining liability can be complicated if a ridesharing service was involved
Rideshares have insurance policies that cover passengers when they are using the service, but these policies may not cover every loss in every situation. People who have suffered injuries in Uber/Lyft car accidents in Parker could protect themselves by consulting a local personal injury attorney as soon after the accident as possible.
Lyft and Uber use drivers who transport passengers in their personal vehicles and have liability insurance on those vehicles. When a driver is involved in an accident on their own time, the driver’s personal liability insurance will apply. This means, an injured claimant could seek damages up to the limits of the driver’s personal policy.
On the other hand, if a Parker driver is logged into Uber or Lyft at the time of a collision, the ridesharing service’s insurance policies are in effect and will cover damages for their at-fault driver. However, the liability limits for this situation are fairly low: $50,000 for bodily injury of one person, $100,000 aggregate for bodily injury of more than one person, and $25,000 for property damage.
Furthermore, once a driver has accepted a ride, the rideshare service’s more generous coverage applies. This insurance provides $1,000,000 in liability coverage for death, injury, and property damage for passengers and others who suffer damages in an accident that occurs between the moment a driver accepts a ride request on the app until the ride is complete. A hardworking local lawyer representing an injured person might subpoena the rideshare service’s records to determine the driver’s status at the time of the accident.
Generally, the at-fault party’s insurer pays the injured party’s damages up to the policy limit. However, if an uninsured driver is responsible for the accident, the innocent driver’s insurance could cover their losses under their uninsured motorist coverage. Uber and Lyft both provide uninsured motorist insurance to their drivers and passengers if the driver is on the way to a ride or carrying passengers when the accident occurs.
Many vehicle wrecks are caused by a combination of factors, and often more than one person might be at fault. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §33.001 bars people who hold more than half the fault for an accident from recovering damages from other responsible parties. This means people who bear some fault could still seek damages for their losses. However, a judge will reduce any award of damages by an amount proportional to the victim’s degree of fault.
There are legal complications when someone has been injured in an accident involving a vehicle owned by a rideshare driver. Furthermore, insurance coverage is often highly contested in Uber/Lyft car accidents in Parker.
To ensure your receive the compensation you deserve, it is vital to seek guidance from a trustworthy attorney from the area. Schedule a free case review with our team today.
McCraw Law Group