When you are injured as a passenger in a car accident, several insurance options might potentially cover your medical expenses. If you’re a passenger in an Uber or Lyft ride, the Uber/Lyft driver’s own personal auto insurance would be part of the equation.
What insurance options may be used largely depends on the specifics of your insurance policy, the driver’s insurance, and the laws in your location. For example, your medical insurance may cover your medical expenses up to the limits of your policy, regardless of who is at fault, but often your medical insurance company will seek to be reimbursed if other insurance (like the driver’s or the other party’s auto insurance) is supposed to cover the accident.
In Sugar Land, personal injury attorney, Adam Capetillo, works with clients across Fort Bend County regarding Uber accidents and with the rise of Lyft, also with accidents involving Lyft drivers. It can be difficult to figure out whose insurance is responsible, so it’s best to discuss your case with attorney Capetillo.
Does My Car Insurance Cover Me as a Rideshare Passenger in Sugar Land?
Typically, your personal car insurance does not cover you when you are a passenger in another person’s car, including an Uber or Lyft.
So, Whose Insurance Covers Me as a Passenger in an Uber/Lyft Ride?
Back in 2017, the Texas legislature established a uniform set of rules that govern the rideshare industry which included protection for rideshare passengers against the negligence that often leads to vehicle accidents.
Ridesharing companies require their drivers to carry their own personal car insurance policies. In addition, Uber and Lyft have million-dollar liability policies that can compensate passengers who are injured while using their services.
In Sugar Land, both the driver and Uber/Lyft could be liable depending on the circumstances of the accident. Coverage includes damages to a passenger sustained during an Uber ride. But there are particulars that affect the complexity of whose insurance will be held liable, such as:
1. The Accident Occurs When the Driver is Not Logged into the Rideshare App. If you are injured while the Uber/Lyft driver is operating the vehicle for their individual use and not logged into the rideshare app, the driver’s personal car insurance policy applies. In this scenario, Uber/Lyft’s insurance policy does not kick in.
2. The Accident Occurs When the Rideshare App is On, But The Driver Has Not Accepted a Passenger. In this situation, the rideshare company provides liability coverage of up to $50,000 per person injured in the accident, $100,000 per accident in bodily injury liability, and up to $25,000 per accident in property damage. In addition, the driver’s personal auto policy applies.
3. The Accident Occurs When the Driver Has Accepted the Trip and is En Route to the Passenger. Under these circumstances, the rideshare company provides “full” liability coverage of up to $1 million.
4. The Accident Occurs While a Passenger is in the Uber/Lyft. The rideshare company provides full liability coverage of up to $1 million, limited coverage for damage to the driver’s car, and uninsured motorist coverage.
What Should I Do If I Am Injured During an Uber/Lyft Ride in Sugar Land?
If you were injured in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft, call personal injury lawyer Adam Capetillo. These types of accidents are more complicated than a typical car accident. If a passenger is injured while riding in an Uber or Lyft, they can file a claim against the ridesharing company’s policies. However, the process can be complicated, and the liability of the involved parties might need to be determined first. We will investigate your claim and help you navigate the process to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Your Sugar Land Personal Injury Lawyer
Sugar Land Personal Injury Attorney Adam Capetillo will handle your personal injury case with top-quality legal counsel. Mr. Capetillo is the lawyer who will guide you through the complex legal process while fighting for the fair and full compensation you deserve. He has helped injured parties across Fort Bend County to get the maximum compensation available. If you were injured in an accident including in an accident as an Uber or Lyft passenger, you should contact Capetillo Law Firm to schedule a free initial consultation. You can call our office at 346-249-5544 or message us online using the form on our website.