Ride-share services such as Uber and Lyft improve safety and enhance access to transportation, making it easy and affordable to get around town. However, if you become involved in a motor vehicle accident as a ride-share passenger, you could sustain serious injuries.
Seeking personal injury coverage after a crash involving your Uber driver can be complicated. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, these parties may be responsible for covering your medical bills, lost wages and other associated costs.
The driver’s personal insurance
As a ride-sharing operator, the driver of your Uber or Lyft should have either a commercial auto insurance policy or a personal auto insurance policy with a rider that pertains to business use. However, drivers may fail to seek business insurance or have a policy that is insufficient to cover the extent of your injuries.
The ride-share company’s insurance
Both Uber and Lyft, the two largest ride-sharing companies in the United States, provide their drivers with third-party liability insurance. This policy covers up to $1 million in property damage and personal injury and would take effect after the driver depletes his or her own insurance coverage.
Another motorist’s insurance
If another driver involved in the collision is partially or completely at fault, his or her insurance policy will cover all or part of the costs of your injuries. If the person is not insured adequately, you may have coverage through the ride-sharing company’s uninsured or underinsured motorist policy.
Insurance companies may offer you a settlement below your actual costs or shift responsibility to another party’s insurance policy. Document all details of the collision at the scene if possible, including witness names and contact information, photos of the vehicles, driver insurance information, notes about road conditions and other facts of the case.
You should also keep track of medical bills, lost wages and other costs associated with the accident. Save screenshots of your Uber ride request and receipt, including the driver’s name and contact information.
