Whether you were a passenger, an Uber driver, or involved in an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver, ridesharing should be an easy and convenient way to get around. No trip should end with a hospital visit.
New research reported by Forbes suggests that ridesharing has added $10 billion in economic losses from accidents. But there’s no reason why you should personally incur a cent of those losses.
In Texas, you have the right to claim compensation for your losses if you were injured by the negligence of others.
Working with a San Antonio ridesharing accident lawyer ensures you get the settlement you deserve and that justice is served.
What Happens if Your Uber or Lyft Has an Accident?
You have the right to recover your losses if you were involved in an accident as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle. All economic and non-economic losses are on the table, including medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
According to AutoInsurance.com, Uber trips have increased by 80% from 2020 to 2023, so your chances of being involved in an accident aren’t uncommon. In San Antonio, we’ve witnessed an increasing number of passengers injured while getting around.
Like any other accident that wasn’t your fault, passengers have as much right to claim compensation for their injuries as anybody else. Your status as a passenger doesn’t change that. But can you sue Uber/Lyft, and what does that mean for you? It depends, but most claims will be fully covered by the existing coverage provided by the rideshare company.
However, these types of cases aren’t as straightforward as other car accident lawsuits. That’s why hiring a personal injury attorney is crucial to defend your legal rights and ensure you get the settlement you deserve.
How Do I Prove Liability in a Car Accident Claim After an Uber Accident in Texas?
Proving liability in Uber and Lyft passenger accidents is your first step to getting compensation for your losses. As an at-fault state, you must prove that your injuries and losses were caused by the actions or inactions of another party.
All car accident investigations require firm evidence that negligent actions resulted in you suffering economic and non-economic losses. Like any accident, negligence can occur through speeding, distracted driving, running red lights, or driving under the influence.
Examples of evidence we can use to prove your case include:
- Official police accident reports
- Medical records
- Eyewitness accounts
- Traffic surveillance footage
- Dashcam footage
- Photos from the accident scene
Every accident is traumatic, and you deserve to be compensated for your losses. We understand how challenging it can be to gather evidence and construct a compelling case. At DJC Law, our talented attorneys go the extra mile to source evidence and create a watertight case on your behalf.
Ridesharing Duty of Care
Every rideshare business possesses an agreement that implies a duty of care to passengers, meaning Uber and Lyft are responsible for screening drivers and ensuring that their cars are roadworthy. Breaching this duty of care opens the way for a lawsuit, enabling you to pursue restitution.
Who is at Fault in a San Antonio Rideshare Accident?
Every accident is unique, meaning fault is not guaranteed. Some cases involve the Uber driver being at fault, while others may involve third-party culpability. Our Uber accident attorneys identify all relevant parties and hold them accountable for their actions.
Most rideshare accident cases include three parties that may be to blame:
- Your Uber/Lyft Driver – Did your driver make a mistake? Was their vehicle improperly maintained? Your driver could be to blame for your accident.
- Another Driver – Your rideshare driver could be as much a victim of an accident as you were. Other drivers on the road can also be the source of liability, enabling you to pursue a personal injury claim against them.
- Third-Parties – Consider third-party liability as part of your case. Did your local authority fail to repair an enormous pothole? Was there a manufacturer who produced faulty parts? We’ll investigate every avenue to ensure all parties are brought to account.
Texas operates on at-fault laws, meaning that the party to blame is the party who pays out. Multiple parties could also be to blame for your accident. Working with an attorney ensures no guilty party goes unpunished, regardless of the circumstances.
Understanding Rideshare Insurance Coverage
Uber and Lyft are app-only companies with drivers acting as independent contractors. Rideshare companies can rarely be held liable for the damages sustained by accident victims. Insurance policies are split between the driver’s personal car insurance and the rideshare company’s insurance policies.
Who you make a claim against and how much you’re entitled to depends on which insurance policy was in effect at the time.
Lyft and Uber operate under the following structure:
- Period 0 – An Uber/Lyft driver uses their vehicle for personal use. The driver’s personal insurance policy is in effect. In Texas, the minimum legal amount of insurance is $30,000 in bodily injury for each person, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
- Period 1 – The driver has turned on their app and awaits a passenger booking. Uber and Lyft’s minimum coverage comes into force, which is $50,000 in bodily injury for each person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
- Period 2/3 – Periods two and three covers when drivers are picking up passengers or transporting passengers to their destinations. Both companies provide $1 million in bodily injury coverage and property damage per accident.
Additional comprehensive and collision coverage may be purchased by drivers at both companies, but neither is mandatory.
Can I Sue Uber/Lyft for My Accident?
Suing Uber and Lyft is rarely necessary if you are a passenger or driver on the way to pick up a passenger. The considerable limits will cover most accidents without resorting to filing a lawsuit against either company.
Our lawyers can file lawsuits against ridesharing companies in exceptional circumstances. However, several high-profile cases have resulted in such actions failing because of the way each company writes its terms of use agreements to absolve itself of liability.
Uber Corporate Limits of Coverage
Uber’s coverage varies by state, but the company always provides a minimum level of coverage. How much coverage is in force depends on what the driver is doing at the time.
Liability coverage provides $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. This level of coverage is in operation when a driver is online but has not accepted a passenger booking.
Comprehensive coverage is Uber’s commercial insurance policy. It covers liability up to $1,000,000 from the moment a driver accepts a ride request until they drop their passenger off at their final destination.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage was previously available from Uber with a $1,000,000 coverage limit, but now no longer applies.
Lyft Corporate Limits of Coverage
Lyft provides the same coverage in the same situations as Uber. Comprehensive insurance coverage applies from when drivers pick up passengers until they drop them off at their final destinations.
Lyft’s coverage limits are $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. Collision and comprehensive coverage are available and covers the cash value of the driver’s vehicle with a $2,500 deductible attached.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may be available, but it varies by state.
Possible San Antonio Lyft Accident Injuries
Were you injured in a Lyft or Uber accident in San Antonio?
You’re entitled to claim for your medical costs and future care. Any injury you sustained, and any pre-existing injury that was made worse in your accident can form part of your lawsuit.
Examples of injuries our previous clients have been compensated for include:
- Lacerations – Cuts caused by contact with broken glass and other pieces of debris.
- Burns – Friction between the body and your seat belt or vehicle fires resulting in severe injuries, including permanent disfigurement.
- Whiplash – A common car accident injury caused by a sudden jolt of the head and neck.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) – Damage to the brain caused by the blunt force trauma of your accident, including concussions.
- Broken Bones – Fractures of all kinds to any part of the body.
- Soft Tissue Injuries – These injuries are caused by the tearing and stretching of muscles and ligaments.
- Back/Neck Injuries – Herniated discs, spinal cord damage, and strains are just some examples of these potentially chronic and life-altering injuries.
All injuries are debilitating and can result in a lifetime of pain. Although Insights Success reported just 101 Uber-related fatalities between 2019 and 2020, traffic accidents of all severities are common.
Work with us, and we’ll connect with your medical team to analyze your medical reports and ensure that your settlement reflects the injuries you sustained in your rideshare accident.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Victims in a Successful Uber Accident Case?
Nobody should have to lose out because of the actions of someone else. Our experienced personal injury attorneys have fought and won countless cases for our clients who were injured in encounters with Uber and Lyft vehicles.
Examples of the damages that can be factored into your case include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Lost earnings potential
- Wrongful death
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
- Property damage
- Home/car modifications
We understand the financial strain that being injured in an accident can cause. Our job is to fight your corner and ensure that every dollar is clawed back. Plus, if you require long-term care, we can win you a settlement that provides for your losses for the rest of your life, if necessary.
Can I Recover Compensation from a Personal Injury Claim If I’m Being Blamed for Causing My Uber Accident in Texas?
Were you partially to blame for your accident? Under Texas’s modified comparative negligence law, if you’re less than 51% to blame for your Uber accident, you still have the right to claim compensation for your losses.
Accident victims remain entitled to a settlement that reflects their losses if their blame falls under the 51% bar. Although you can expect a reduced settlement that reflects your role in the accident, our attorneys can still pursue a claim on your behalf.
Even if you were at fault, we will work with the available evidence to ensure that you still retain your right to claim compensation. Get in touch for your free case consultation, and we’ll provide objective advice on your next steps.
What is My San Antonio Uber Accident Case Worth?
Settlement amounts can range from a few thousand dollars to seven figures. Every case is unique, and Texas places no cap on how much compensation you could be entitled to if you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident.
The extent and impact of your losses will determine the value of your case. More serious injuries, such as complete paralysis, command higher settlement amounts to reflect the life-altering trauma you’ve experienced.
To find out how much your San Antonio rideshare accident case could be worth, get in touch with one of our lawyers to learn more.
How Long Do I Have to File an Uber Accident Lawsuit in Texas?
Don’t hesitate when it comes to seeking legal help and filing your lawsuit. Texas places a two-year limit on all car accident cases through its statute of limitations.
The statute of limitations clock begins ticking from the date your motor vehicle accident occurred. Only in some rare scenarios, such as if the victim was a minor, are there exceptions to the two-year statute of limitations.
If you fail to file your rideshare accident lawsuit in time, you will lose your right to claim monetary compensation at all.
So, don’t delay, claim today!
Our San Antonio Uber/Lyft Accidents Attorneys Will Fight to Recover Compensation for All Your Injuries
We understand the challenges of recovering from injuries and putting your life on hold. Give yourself some breathing space to focus on your recovery and get the legal clout you need to win a settlement and ensure justice is served with the support of DJC Law.
When you work with our attorneys, you get:
- Access to the finest legal minds in the Alamo City.
- Unparalleled resources to prove liability and push your case.
- Excellent client care, ensuring that you’re heard and understood.
- Strong track record of success in winning these types of cases.
- No upfront payments and $0 in legal fees if we lose.
At DJC Law, we pride ourselves on fighting for our clients and ensuring that all parties are held accountable for their actions. Contact our team today for your free case consultation, and begin filing your case.
San Antonio Uber Car Accident Lawyer FAQs
Can I claim medical bills from rideshare accidents?
Yes, you can claim for your medical expenses derived from your accident. Ensure that you keep copies of all your invoices. There are no limits on settlement amounts for medical bills, meaning you won’t be left out of pocket if you suffer catastrophic injuries requiring long-term medical care.
How do rideshare accidents in San Antonio happen?
Rideshare accidents in San Antonio happen for any number of reasons. The primary causes of these accidents include breaking a roadway rule, driver errors, and defective vehicles. Regardless of the reason, you have the right to file a claim for any accident that wasn’t your fault.
Are Uber and Lyft drivers personally liable for rideshare accidents?
Rideshare drivers may be held personally liable for Lyft or Uber accidents. As independent contractors, it’s their duty to maintain and operate their vehicles safely, legally, and responsibly. Driver negligence means you could sue the driver’s insurer or the driver personally.
However, whether you claim through Uber/Lyft’s insurance coverage or the driver’s insurer depends on the driver’s status through the app at the time.