Rideshare accidents add layers of complexity to an already challenging situation. When you’re injured in a collision involving Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare service, a San Antonio rideshare accident lawyer who understands the unique insurance and liability issues can make all the difference in your recovery.
At Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys, we believe in putting our clients first, always! Our experienced San Antonio car accident lawyers have successfully handled numerous rideshare accident claims.
Understanding Rideshare Accidents in San Antonio
San Antonio has seen explosive growth in rideshare services, with thousands of Uber and Lyft drivers now operating throughout the city. This increase brings convenience but also contributes to accident risks on already busy roads.
Unlike taxi companies, which employ professional drivers and operate regulated fleets, rideshare services utilize everyday people driving their personal vehicles.
These drivers often lack professional training and may be unfamiliar with certain areas of the city, which is part of the reason our San Antonio personal injury lawyers have seen more of these cases.
San Antonio’s popular tourist destinations create additional challenges, as rideshare drivers often transport visitors unfamiliar with the area who may make sudden requests or provide confusing directions, creating distractions that contribute to accidents.
How Rideshare Insurance Coverage Works
Understanding insurance coverage in rideshare accidents is crucial, as it significantly impacts your compensation options. Rideshare company coverage varies dramatically based on the driver’s status within the app at the time of the accident.
While specifics vary from company to company, here are some general guidelines about how insurance operates in a rideshare crash:
- Period 0 (App off): When the driver is not logged into the rideshare app, only their personal auto insurance applies. Rideshare companies provide no coverage during this period, even if the driver is between rides.
- Period 1 (App on, waiting for a ride request): When the driver is logged in but hasn’t accepted a ride, the rideshare company’s limited liability coverage applies. Uber and Lyft typically provide liability coverage of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, as well as $25,000 for property damage.
- Period 2 (Ride accepted, en route to pickup): Once a driver accepts a ride and is traveling to pick up the passenger, coverage increases significantly. Both Uber and Lyft provide $1 million in liability coverage during this period.
- Period 3 (Passenger in vehicle): The highest level of coverage applies when passengers are in the vehicle. Rideshare companies maintain $1 million liability policies, plus additional coverage for uninsured or underinsured motorists, during this period.
This variable coverage creates potential gaps that can leave injured parties without adequate compensation. Many personal auto insurance policies exclude coverage when the vehicle is being used for commercial purposes.
Determining Liability in Rideshare Accident Cases
The rideshare driver may hold primary liability if their negligent actions caused the accident. Common driver errors include distracted driving while checking the app, speeding to complete more rides, unsafe stopping to pick up passengers, or driving while fatigued.
Other motorists may be held responsible if their actions contributed to the collision. In these cases, their personal auto insurance can become a potential source of compensation, alongside any applicable rideshare coverage.
Rideshare companies typically classify drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, making it difficult to hold the companies directly liable for driver negligence. However, there may be circumstances where company policies or app design created dangerous conditions that contributed to the accident.
Types of Rideshare Accidents and Your Legal Rights
Your relationship to the rideshare vehicle at the time of the accident affects your legal options and the compensation available to you:
- As a rideshare passenger, you have the strongest claim position since you bear no responsibility for the accident. The rideshare company’s $1 million liability policy should cover your injuries regardless of whether their driver or another motorist caused the accident.
- As another driver involved in a collision with a rideshare vehicle, your compensation options depend on the rideshare driver’s app status and who was at fault. If the rideshare driver caused the accident while actively transporting a passenger, the company’s $1 million policy should apply.
- As a pedestrian or cyclist hit by a rideshare vehicle, you face similar considerations regarding the driver’s app status. Identifying whether the driver was waiting for a ride request, en route to a pickup, or transporting a passenger determines which insurance coverage applies.
- As a rideshare driver injured by another motorist’s negligence, you may face challenges if your personal auto insurance discovers you were using your vehicle for commercial purposes. Having the appropriate rideshare endorsement on your personal policy is essential to protect yourself.
In each scenario, prompt investigation and evidence preservation are crucial. The rideshare driver’s app status can change quickly, and determining exactly what stage the driver was in during the accident requires swift action to secure electronic records.
Why You Need a San Antonio Rideshare Accident Attorney
Our attorneys at Omega Law Group understand the rapidly evolving regulations and case law surrounding rideshare services. Our experience allows us to anticipate defense strategies and overcome obstacles that might surprise attorneys without rideshare case experience.
We act quickly to preserve critical electronic evidence, including the driver’s app status, ride history, GPS data, and communications between the driver and the rideshare company. This digital evidence often proves crucial in establishing which insurance coverage applies.
Our firm has won millions of dollars for accident victims throughout Texas. We have experience negotiating with both personal and commercial insurance carriers and understand how to counter their tactics for minimizing or denying claims.
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Contact Our San Antonio Rideshare Accident Attorneys Today
If you’ve been injured in an accident involving Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare service, let our family take care of your family during this challenging time. The attorneys at Omega Law Group offer free consultations to discuss your case and explain your options without any obligation.
Don’t let insurance companies minimize your claim or take advantage of the confusion surrounding rideshare accident liability. Contact Omega Law Group today to speak with an experienced rideshare accident attorney in San Antonio who will fight tirelessly for the compensation you deserve.
