Millions of Americans rely on Uber and Lyft for daily transportation. It is estimated there were 9.4 billion Uber rides in the US last year and 828 million Lyft rides. Most rides occur without incident, but thousands of rideshare accidents occur annually, and some are serious or fatal. You may be entitled to compensation when another party’s negligence injures you.
If you or a loved one suffered an injury in an Uber or Lyft accident, you should immediately speak to a rideshare accident attorney. You can receive compensation in a lawsuit, but which insurance policy pays depends on the situation, so be sure to have an attorney sort it out for you.
Uber And Lyft Accident Statistics
One-third of Uber and Lyft drivers surveyed recently, in a study published in the Journal of Safety Research, said they had been in an accident while working. Using a phone, driving while fatigued, and driving on unknown roads increased the chances of a serious accident.
Uber reported a few years ago that there were 101 auto deaths related to 91 Uber-related crashes; and 32 percent of Uber-related deaths involved a car that was speeding, and 9 percent were rideshare drivers. Additionally, 23 percent of Uber-related deaths involved a drunk driver.
Furthermore, The Cost of Convenience: Ridesharing and Traffic Fatalities found that Uber and Lyft services account for a 2-3 percent increase in fatal accidents in the United States.
These troubling statistics show that rideshare trips and accidents are rising. You should always speak to a car accident attorney immediately if injured in a rideshare accident. One of the reasons a car accident lawyer is critical is that accident liability is more complex after an Uber or Lyft crash. There can be several people or entities responsible for the accident. An attorney skilled in rideshare claims is essential to prove who caused the accident and to get you the most compensation.
How Do Rideshare Accidents Happen?
Rideshare accidents involving services like Uber or Lyft happen for many of the same reasons as regular car accidents. However, rideshare accidents sometimes involve specific reasons that are unique to these types of vehicles:
Distracted Driving
Rideshare drivers often rely on apps for navigation, ride requests, or passenger communication. Glancing at a phone to accept a ride or adjust a route can take their eyes off the road, increasing the chance of a crash. Studies suggest distracted driving contributes to about 9 percent of fatal accidents generally, and rideshare drivers aren’t immune.
Fatigue
Many drivers work long hours, sometimes juggling rideshare gigs with other jobs. Fatigue slows reaction times and impairs judgment. Unlike commercial truck drivers, rideshare drivers aren’t bound by strict hours-of-service rules, so exhaustion can creep in unnoticed.
Speeding Or Reckless Driving
Drivers might rush to pick up passengers or complete more trips for higher earnings, especially during peak demand. This pressure can lead to speeding, aggressive lane changes, or running lights. Let your auto accident attorney know if the rideshare driver was driving aggressively and caused the accident.
Inexperience
Some rideshare drivers are new to the gig or unfamiliar with the area they’re driving in. Navigating unfamiliar streets while managing passengers and app demands can overwhelm less seasoned drivers, leading to mistakes. Many accidents happen when the rideshare driver looks at the cell phone for directions.
Other Drivers
Rideshare vehicles aren’t always at fault. Other motorists. distracted, impaired, or reckless, can collide with a rideshare car, especially in busy cities where these services are most common. If another driver causes the accident, try to get their vehicle description and license plate in case they flee the scene.
Vehicle Maintenance
Rideshare drivers use personal cars, and not all keep up with maintenance. Worn brakes, bald tires, or unaddressed mechanical issues can turn a routine trip into a serious accident. Your attorney will investigate if the driver’s vehicle was defective or poorly maintained.
Road and Weather Conditions
Heavy traffic, construction zones, or bad weather don’t discriminate; rideshare drivers face the same hazards as everyone else, but their constant road time increases their exposure.
Who Is Liable For A Rideshare Accident?
In most states, the at-fault driver pays for the injured person’s damages after a car accident. Rideshare accidents are more complex; determining who pays requires the help of an experienced rideshare accident lawyer. The following is a summary of who usually pays, depending on the circumstances:
Who Caused the Crash?
If the rideshare driver caused the crash, their insurance or the rideshare company’s insurance typically pays, depending on their status when the accident happened. If another driver caused the crash, that driver’s insurance will pay for damages.
Driver’s Status During the Crash
Rideshare companies provide tiered insurance based on what the driver was doing as a rideshare contractor when the accident happened. In Period 0, the driver is offline and not using the app, so the driver’s personal auto insurance will pay for damages.
Limited rideshare coverage will pay for damages in Period 1, where the driver is online with no passenger. In Period 2, the driver has accepted a fare and is driving to their location, so full rideshare coverage pays. In Period 3, the driver is transporting a fare, so full rideshare company coverage pays.
In Period 1, Uber and Lyft typically provide liability coverage for $50,000 to $100,000. In Periods 2 and 3, both rideshare companies offer $1 million in liability coverage and $1 million in uninsured coverage. Which policy pays and how much can be a critical question if you have a serious injury. A seasoned rideshare accident attorney can determine which policy pays and the coverage limit.
What Is A Rideshare Accident Claim Worth?
The value of your rideshare accident claim depends on many factors. Most Uber and Lyft crash claims end with a settlement, the the amount depends on the following:
Severity Of Injuries
The severity of injuries plays a pivotal role in determining a rideshare crash settlement’s value. Minor injuries like whiplash or bruises, which might require only a few thousand dollars in medical treatment and a short recovery period, usually lead to small settlements.
Moderate injuries, such as broken bones or concussions, increase the payout because of higher medical costs, longer recovery times, and more significant disruption to daily life. Severe injuries, such as spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, or permanent disability, can push settlements much higher.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the quantifiable losses related to the accident and its aftermath. Medical expenses, including hospital bills, surgeries, physical therapy, and medications, can range from a few thousand dollars for minor treatment to hundreds of thousands for ongoing care in severe cases.
Lost income accounts for earnings missed during recovery, and if the injury impairs future earning capacity, this can add tens or hundreds of thousands more. Property damage, such as repairing or replacing a totaled vehicle, can add thousands more compensation, depending on the damage and vehicle type.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages provide compensation in a settlement for intangible losses, which are harder to quantify but no less tangible. Pain and suffering, reflecting physical discomfort and emotional distress, is often calculated as a multiplier of economic damages.
Loss of enjoyment of life, such as no longer being able to engage in hobbies or family activities, may add substantially to the settlement for severe injuries. Depending on the impact and how well it’s argued. These damages are subjective and heavily influenced by the victim’s ability to convey their suffering, often through the skill of your car accident attorney.
Fault And Liability
Fault and liability are critical in determining who pays and how much. If the rideshare driver is fully at fault during Periods 2 or 3, their company’s $1 million liability policy is in play, potentially covering the full extent of damages. If a third-party driver caused the crash, their insurance pays, but limits might be as low as $15,000/$30,000, capping recovery unless uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage applies.
Insurance Policy Limits
Insurance policy limits are often a ceiling on what you can recover, regardless of damages. When the rideshare driver is offline, their personal insurance applies, usually limited to state minimums.
In Period 1, Uber and Lyft offer $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident, which might not cover moderate injuries. During Periods 2 and 3, the $1 million policy provides robust coverage, but the coverage can still be exhausted in a catastrophic accident. If a third party is at fault with minimal coverage, your settlement might be limited unless uninsured coverage applies.
Quality Of Evidence
Evidence quality can make or break a settlement’s value. Strong proof of fault, like police reports, dashcam footage, witness statements, or trip logs from the rideshare app, pressures insurers to offer more by removing doubt about liability. Detailed medical records, bills, and expert testimony substantiate damages, justifying higher compensation.
Weak evidence, such as conflicting accounts or no documentation, gives insurers leverage to lowball offers or dispute claims entirely. A well-documented case might settle for six figures, while a poorly supported one with identical injuries can settle for a much lower amount, highlighting the importance of gathering proof early.
Auto Accident Attorney Negotiation Skills
Negotiation and legal representation significantly influence the final amount. Insurance companies, whether personal insurers or rideshare giants like Uber, aim to minimize payouts, often starting with offers far below a claim’s worth. Uber can offer you $10,000 for a $50,000 case, which your auto accident attorney will reject immediately.
An experienced attorney counters this, leveraging evidence and policy limits to negotiate up, potentially doubling or tripling the offer. Lawyers typically work on contingency for 25 percent to 40 percent of the settlement, reducing your take-home but increasing the gross amount. You’re likelier to settle low without representation, especially against sophisticated insurers familiar with rideshare complexities.
Ability To Pay
Finally, the defendant’s ability to pay can influence the outcome. If the liable party has limited insurance and no assets, filing a lawsuit may not be worth the time and expense. When Uber or Lyft’s $1 million policy applies, settlements can climb higher due to their financial backing.
How Long To Settle A Rideshare Accident Claim?
How long it takes to settle your rideshare accident claim depends on several variables, such as:
- Complexity of the case: Rideshare claims often involve multiple parties— the driver, the rideshare company (e.g., Uber or Lyft), their insurance providers, and possibly other drivers’ insurers. This complexity can extend negotiations, particularly if fault is disputed or multiple insurance policies are in play.
- Liability disputes: If it’s unclear who’s at fault (the rideshare driver, another driver, or even road conditions), the investigation and negotiation process can drag on. Rideshare companies may also argue their drivers are independent contractors, not employees, complicating liability.
- Insurance company response: Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft typically carry substantial insurance (e.g., $1 million liability policies when a driver is on a trip), but their insurers often aim to minimize payouts. They might delay, investigate extensively, or offer low initial settlements, stretching the process from weeks to months.
- Negotiation or litigation: If a fair settlement is reached quickly through negotiation, the process can wrap up faster. However, if the insurer denies the claim or offers too little, filing a lawsuit can extend the timeline to a year or more, including discovery, mediation, or even a trial.
- Documentation and evidence: Gathering medical records, police reports, witness statements, and proof of damages, such as lost income, takes time. Incomplete or disputed evidence can delay settlement.
Your rideshare accident attorney will do their best to settle your claim quickly. Remember that you may need to wait until your injuries are mostly or entirely headed to begin settlement negotiations.
Speak To A Rideshare Accident Attorney Today
Uber and Lyft accidents cause serious and fatal injuries every year. Always retain a personal injury lawyer if injured in a rideshare accident. Multiple parties and insurance policies can be involved, so your attorney’s skill and experience are essential to a favorable outcome. You will not pay out-of-pocket legal expenses, and you will only pay if your attorney wins your case.