What Type of Insurance is Available in an Uber or Lyft Accident?

If you are injured in an accident involving Uber or Lyft, you should talk to an attorney as soon as you are able to. Why? Because contacting a personal injury lawyer sooner rather than later ensures that you maximize your potential recovery from Uber or Lyft.

You may have a case against Lyft or Uber if you were injured as a passenger or hit by a rideshare vehicle as you were driving, riding your bicycle, or walking.

First, it’s important to understand the different types of insurance coverage available for these types of car accidents. The level of insurance covering an Uber or Lyft driver depends on the driver’s status while using the application on their phone.

How much insurance coverage is available for an Uber or Lyft crash?

When a rideshare driver is transporting a passenger, the insurance coverage is pretty easy to understand. Under the current rules, a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft will maintain liability coverage (for when they hit someone else) of $1,000,000.

In addition, both Uber and Lyft pay for uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage provides insurance for rideshare passengers who are injured by the negligence of another driver. This type of insurance kicks in when the at-fault driver does not have enough insurance to pay for all of the damages they created.

For example, you are a passenger in an Uber. The car you’re riding in is t-boned by another driver that blew a red light. You suffer permanent injuries and have $100,000 in medical bills.

Unfortunately, the at-fault driver had the Illinois minimum liability insurance coverage: $25,000. That amount of coverage simply doesn’t come close to covering all of your damages.

That’s when UM/UIM coverage comes in to protect you. Once the bad driver’s insurance company pays the limits of their minimal coverage, you then may be able to access Uber or Lyft’s UM/UIM coverage.

When a driver has the app on and is waiting to be dispatched to a rider, that driver will typically have $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident in liability coverage.

Finally, when a driver is driving his vehicle but does not have the rideshare application on, the rideshare companies claim that the driver’s personal policy is the only coverage available to someone injured by that driver’s negligence. However, it may not be that simple.

Injured in a rideshare accident? We can help.

If you’re seriously injured in any type of Uber or Lyft crash, it’s important to talk to our lawyers at Shannon Law Group, who understand rideshare cases, the insurance coverages potentially available to you, and the status designation of the driver.

Call us today at (312) 578-9501 or fill out the form at the bottom of the page to get started. We have offices in Chicago and Woodridge in Illinois. Our attorneys are available to meet with you at no cost to you.