Who pays for your medical bills and other damages if you get hurt in a crash involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle? Whether you’re a passenger in a rideshare vehicle or hit by an Uber/Lyft driver, Texas law provides remedies.
Do Uber and Lyft Insure Their Drivers?
Yes. Under Texas law, rideshare companies qualify as “transportation network companies,” or TNCs. As such, they must maintain auto insurance for their drivers.
However, these company insurance policies don’t apply if the Uber/Lyft driver isn’t logged onto the app at the time of the crash. So, if you’re injured by an Uber vehicle but the driver was just going somewhere for personal reasons, Uber’s insurance would not cover your injuries.
Let’s dive a little deeper into how Uber and Lyft insurance works.
When the Rideshare App Is Off
When an Uber or Lyft driver is traveling for personal reasons and they’re not logged in to the app, the driver’s personal auto insurance applies. In other words, when the app is off, rideshare drivers are no different from any other driver. If they get into a crash, their personal insurance policy can be used to compensate the injured person.
Texas law requires all drivers, rideshare or not, to carry minimum coverage of:
- $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, up to $60,000 per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
When the App Is On and the Driver Is Available or Waiting for a Request
If the driver is logged into the rideshare app anticipating a ride request at the time of the accident, the following coverage levels apply:
- $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, up to $100,000 per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
This compensation can come from the driver’s personal policy, if the driver has that level of coverage. If not, then Uber’s/Lyft’s policy kicks in to provide that level of coverage.
When the Driver Is Giving Someone a Ride or Is En Route to Pick Someone Up
This is when Uber and Lyft provide the highest level of insurance coverage:
- $1 million for death, bodily injury and property damage
- If the accident was not the Uber/Lyft driver’s fault and the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance, Uber/Lyft will cover the passenger’s injuries
An Attorney Can Help Sort Out Rideshare Insurance Issues
Figuring out insurance issues in rideshare accidents can be complex. As an injured person, your best course of action is to talk to an experienced Dallas personal injury lawyer.
Lawyers handle these situations frequently and will be able to identify which policies apply in your situation. And, best of all, a lawyer can deal with the insurance company for you, ensuring that you don’t get pressured into accepting less compensation than you deserve.
Contact a Dallas-Fort Worth Rideshare Injury Attorney
Contact Ted B. Lyon & Associates at 877-Ted-Lyon / 877-833-5966 or send us an email if you were hurt in a crash involving an Uber, Lyft or other rideshare vehicle. Our team of Texas injury attorneys can assess the situation. Your initial consultation is free.
