Over the past few years, ridesharing has become a popular form of transportation in cities across the country. Uber and Lyft are two of the most popular ridesharing companies that make it possible for commuters and travelers to get from Point A to Point B by requesting a ride via their app. In the United States, there are over 750,000 Uber drivers that use their own vehicles to provide rides for a fare. With so many ridesharing vehicles on the road, it is inevitable that an accident will occur. The question is - what happens when one does? If you’re in an accident with a ridesharing vehicle like Uber or Lyft, can you sue the driver? Can you sue Uber? Here, we will find out!
Understanding The Facts About Uber Insurance
Before you can understand how or when you can sue Uber or an Uber driver, you must first understand how Uber insurance works. All Uber drivers have three different coverages based upon their driving status.
When the driver is off the clock (driving their vehicle for personal purposes with the Uber app turned off) they are covered by their personal insurance policy.
When the driver is on the clock (driving their vehicle with the Uber app turned on) but not driving a customer, they are covered by their personal insurance policy plus some additional coverage from Uber.
When the driver is on the clock with a customer, they are covered by Uber’s insurance policy which offers $1,000,000 in property damage and $1,000,000 in liability.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Insurance
Insurance for riders if a covered accident occurs during a rideshare trip and another driver is at fault and doesn’t have sufficient insurance. This insurance also may apply in the case of a hit and run.
Rideshare Driver Personal Insurance Coverage
Uber and Lyft require rideshare drivers to also carry their own personal insurance policy. The amount of insurance a rideshare driver carries on his own insurance policy is largely dependent on the state they live in. In New Hampshire, the required limits of liability are $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per person for bodily injury, and $25,000 in property damage.
Do I File A Claim with Uber or the Driver?
If you are in an accident with an Uber vehicle understanding the coverages outlined in the previous section will help you determine who you can pursue in a lawsuit. For example, if you are a passenger in an Uber vehicle it would be best to pursue Uber. If you were in another car, however, and the Uber driver was off the clock, you would purse the driver personally.
Any time you are in a car accident and are unsure of what to do, you should contact a trustworthy attorney with experience handling personal injury cases as soon as possible.
Contact The Trusted Attorneys At Patch & FitzGerald
If you or a family member has been injured due to an Uber, Lyft, or other Ride Share accident, the legal team at Patch & FitzGerald is here to fight for you.
At Patch & FitzGerald, we care about all of our clients and want to help you get back on your feet as soon as possible after an accident. We specialize in personal injury cases and can help you win the settlement you deserve. Attorney FitzGerald has earned Avvo’s top award for legal representation. To schedule your free case evaluation call 603-647-2600 or contact us online today.