What to Do Right After an Uber or Lyft Accident
After a crash involving a rideshare driver, it’s important to act quickly and take the following steps:
- Start by calling 911 to report the accident. Ask for medical help even if you think you’re fine. Some injuries may not appear for hours or even days. A medical report also creates a paper trail that helps with your personal injury claim later.
- Gather information from everyone at the accident scene. This includes all drivers involved, passengers, and witnesses. Take photos of the vehicles, any visible injuries, and the surrounding area.
- If the driver was working for Uber at the time, ask them to show you the ride request on their phone. That helps determine what type of insurance coverage may apply.
- Keep a copy of the police report and write down everything you remember, including the time, date, and how the accident occurred.
- If you’re not sure what to do next, contact a rideshare accident lawyer. Temple Injury Law can step in right away to help protect your rights.
How Insurance Coverage Works After a Rideshare Accident
One of the most confusing aspects of an Uber or Lyft accident is determining which insurance policy applies. These cases can involve several layers of coverage:
- The driver’s personal insurance
- Uber or Lyft’s insurance
- Other drivers’ insurance policies
- Underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage
If the rideshare driver was not logged into the app, then only their auto insurance applies. However, once the app is active, different levels of coverage take effect based on the stage of the ride.
When the driver is waiting for a request, Uber and Lyft offer limited liability coverage. If a ride has been accepted or is in progress, coverage increases to up to $1 million for bodily injury, property damage, and other related expenses.
At Temple Injury Law, we understand how these policies interact with one another. We ensure that all applicable coverage is utilized to help pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and other related expenses. We don’t let insurance companies shift blame or ignore your claim.
What Damages Can You Recover After an Uber Accident?
If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, you may be eligible to recover financial and non-financial damages. These damages are meant to cover the losses you’ve suffered due to the accident, including:
- Medical expenses, including emergency care, follow-ups, medication, and long-term treatment
- Lost wages if your injury forced you to miss work
- Property damage if your vehicle or personal items were damaged
- Future medical bills if long-term care or surgery is needed
- Pain and suffering, which accounts for physical pain and emotional stress
In some cases, the damage from an Uber crash can affect your ability to work or take care of your family. You might also suffer emotional trauma from the accident. All of these factors matter when we calculate what your claim is worth.
At Temple Injury Law, we work with medical providers, financial experts, and adjusters to make sure the full value of your rideshare accident claim is recognized. Insurance companies may try to offer less than you need—we fight to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Uber and Lyft Drivers: Independent Contractors or Employees?
One of the key issues that can impact your case is determining whether the Uber or Lyft driver is considered an employee or an independent contractor. This matters because it can affect whether the rideshare company can be held responsible for the crash.
Currently, most Uber and Lyft drivers are classified as independent contractors. This means the rideshare company may try to avoid responsibility by claiming the driver, not the company, is at fault. However, when the driver is logged into the app or has a passenger in the vehicle, Uber or Lyft is required to provide insurance coverage.
Even though these drivers don’t work directly for the rideshare company in the same way an employee would, their actions while on the job can still be covered under Uber or Lyft’s liability insurance.
At Temple Injury Law, we are your Uber accident law firm, understanding how to navigate this complex legal landscape. We make sure that all parties involved are held accountable. If the rideshare company should be part of the claim, we will include them and their insurance in our legal strategy.
Do You Need a Lawyer for a Rideshare Accident Claim?
It’s possible to file an Uber accident claim on your own, but it often results in a smaller payout. Insurance adjusters may pressure you into a quick settlement that doesn’t cover all your losses, especially for serious injuries that require ongoing care.
Having a personal injury attorney like Temple Injury Law helps protect your rights and interests. We help you:
- Understand insurance policies
- Calculate the full value of your claim
- Deal with insurance companies that try to minimize your payout
Our rideshare accident attorney also knows how to respond when rideshare companies try to deny responsibility. With Temple Injury Law, you don’t need to worry about the legal process or paperwork. We take care of that for you while you focus on getting better. And because we offer a free consultation, exploring your legal options costs nothing.
If you’ve been in a rideshare motor vehicle accident, don’t wait. Contact our legal team before signing any documents or speaking with insurance adjusters.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim in Nevada?
In Nevada, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. This deadline is called the statute of limitations. If you miss it, you could lose the chance to recover any compensation. However, there are some exceptions depending on the facts of your case. For example, if you didn’t discover an injury right away or if a minor was involved, the timeline might be different.
Although two years may seem like a long time, it’s essential to act promptly. Building a strong rideshare accident case takes time. Temple Injury Law helps clients across Las Vegas file on time and avoid costly delays. As soon as you contact us, we begin the process of securing your right to compensation. Don’t wait until the deadline is near. The sooner we get started, the stronger your claim will be.
What Makes Uber Accident Claims Different?
When Uber or Lyft is involved, things can get more complicated. You’re not just dealing with another driver. You may be dealing with a billion-dollar rideshare company and multiple insurance policies.
Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors. That means there are layers of insurance coverage, depending on what stage the driver was in when the accident happened. If the app is on and the driver is waiting for a ride, the coverage is different than if the passenger is already in the car. Rideshare companies are also known for having their own rules, forms, and claims systems. Even the rideshare company may require a specific report before you can move forward with your claim.
Our Las Vegas legal team understands how to manage all of this. From accident scene documentation to insurance follow-ups, we guide you through each step and make sure the rideshare company and any other drivers are held responsible.
What If the Other Driver Was at Fault?
Sometimes, the Uber driver is not the one who caused the crash. If another driver was distracted, speeding, or failed to follow traffic laws, they may be partially or fully at fault.
In this case, your claim would likely be filed against that driver’s insurance. But rideshare passengers and drivers are still covered under Uber’s insurance in certain situations, especially if the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured. If the at-fault driver does not have enough liability insurance to cover your losses, then underinsured motorist coverage from Uber may apply.
At Temple Injury Law, we look at every driver involved in the accident. We review their insurance, driving records, and role in the crash. Whether you were a rideshare passenger, an Uber driver, or in another vehicle, we work to determine who is responsible and who should be held accountable for the incident.
Proving Liability in a Rideshare Accident Case
To recover compensation after an Uber crash, you have to prove liability. That means showing who caused the accident and how it led to your injuries. We begin by collecting evidence at the accident scene, including:
- Photos
- Dashcam footage
- Police reports
We talk to witnesses and review the ride details. This helps us understand whether the rideshare driver or another driver acted in a careless or dangerous way. We also use your medical records to show that the crash directly caused your injuries. This is especially important in severe injury cases like traumatic brain injury or chronic physical pain.
Sometimes, multiple parties share fault. For example, one driver may have run a red light while the other was distracted. In these cases, Nevada law still allows you to recover compensation, as long as you were not more at fault than the others.
Jeff Temple
Personal Injury Lawyer
Call Temple Injury Law After a Rideshare Crash
At Temple Injury Law, we help everyday people after serious car accidents. We recognize that rideshare cases are unique, and we apply that experience to every client we serve.
You don’t need to deal with insurance paperwork or fight over medical bills while you’re still in pain. From the first free consultation to the end of your case, we handle everything. Our team collaborates with medical professionals, accident investigators, and insurance adjusters, so you don’t have to. It costs nothing to determine the potential value of your case.
If you were hurt in a Las Vegas Uber or Lyft accident, call us at (702) 487-4999 or schedule a consultation online today. Let us review your case and help you move forward with confidence.