Crosley LawSan Antonio Rideshare Lawyer | Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys

Riding in an Uber or Lyft is a part of everyday life in San Antonio. But ridesharing’s popularity is causing an increase in traffic accidents—and these complex business arrangements can lead to red tape and frustration for crash victims and their families. That’s why so many people turn to a San Antonio rideshare lawyer at Crosley Law.

Uber and Lyft offer their drivers a million-dollar liability policy, but drivers are not always covered by them. You need a lawyer who can pinpoint exactly who caused your rideshare accident, which insurance policies cover your injuries, and how much compensation you deserve.

Crosley Law has earned a reputation as one of San Antonio’s premier car and commercial vehicle accident law firms. We’ve recovered hundreds of millions in compensation for our clients, and the insurance companies know our track record.

If you were injured by an Uber or Lyft driver, are unsure about the insurance coverage available, or are ready for legal services regarding a personal injury claim, schedule your free consultation today. You can reach our rideshare lawyers by calling us at 210-LAW-3000 | 210-529-3000 or completing our simple online form.

San Antonio Rideshare Accident Lawyers That Get Results

There are many San Antonio car accident lawyers, but there’s only one Crosley Law. Our team of skilled trial lawyers takes a sophisticated, client-centered approach to Lyft, Uber, and other commercial vehicle lawsuits.

We’ll obtain all the investigative reports, documentation, and evidence related to the accident. We’ll also conduct our own investigation. When necessary, we obtain the following information in our cases:

• Relevant medical records and accident reports
• Consultations with nationally and regionally recognized experts and physicians
• Expert opinions from crash reconstruction engineers
• Crash data from the vehicles involved
• Digital crash simulations
• Multimedia presentations to help the jury and others understand your case
• Advanced medical imaging
• Cutting-edge recordkeeping databases
• Jury focus groups

These legal and technological assets help us to prove that the negligent driver caused your injuries. And they help us put a precise dollar figure on every cost and loss that you’ve suffered because of that driver’s negligent actions.

Our experienced car accident attorneys do everything in their power to push our clients’ cases forward and prepare every case as if it’s going to trial from day one.

We also act quickly. We know the insurance adjuster will try to delay your claim as much as possible, hoping you’ll cave and take a lowball settlement. You can’t wait for help and compensation. Our experienced car accident attorneys do everything in their power to push our clients’ cases forward and prepare every case as if it’s going to trial from day one.

Read More About the Crosley Approach

How an Uber or Lyft Accident Is Different Than Most San Antonio Car Crashes

The list of rideshare companies keeps growing, but for now we’ll concentrate on the biggest names in the industry: Uber and Lyft. In general, legal proceedings would be the same no matter which company was involved.

When regular drivers and passengers are in a crash, they and their insurance companies conduct investigations, negotiate, and exchange money for damages. When a commercial vehicle, such as a semi-truck or taxi, causes an injury, the employer may be liable for the damages their employee caused. In some cases, mechanics or even those who loaded the vehicle bear responsibility.

A rideshare accident is different. The drivers drive their own cars and aren’t considered employees of Uber and Lyft. They’re independent contractors who work through an app on their mobile phone. While truck drivers and taxicab drivers go through specific training and vetting processes, the vetting and training for rideshare drivers is minimal at best.

Uber and Lyft do not position themselves as employers who are responsible for the actions of the drivers, but as a point of connection between people who need and ride and people looking to provide a ride. How this plays out in a legal setting is significantly different from a more typical car accident claim.

Who Is Responsible for My Injuries After a Rideshare Accident?

It doesn’t matter who was driving or what their employment status is; serious injuries have serious impacts. Medical expenses and lost wages are often devastating for injured people and their families. If someone else is responsible for causing them, you shouldn’t have to pay for those damages.

But because a rideshare accident is based on a unique system, where to begin might not be as clear. This is where experienced Uber accident attorneys can make all the difference. They are familiar with not only the rideshare platforms, but how they interact with insurance companies. We’ll unpack that just a little to give you an idea of what’s involved.

If the Rideshare Driver Is at Fault

As mentioned, Uber and Lyft are not employers, and you can’t sue them directly after a car crash. However, the companies do maintain policies that could provide as much as $1 million for injuries, though that amount isn’t available for every crash involving a rideshare vehicle (more on that later).

Drivers in San Antonio are required to carry personal liability insurance to cover the damages of anyone they injure on the road. Because rideshare drivers are in their own cars and not considered employees, you may seek compensation from their personal policies as well. Although, these policies don’t usually cover losses associated with the policy holder’s business activities.  

Be aware that Uber or Lyft and the driver’s personal insurance may argue between each other about whom is liable.  

Occasionally, rideshare drivers will opt to carry a personal policy specifically for rideshare or commercial driving, although it’s not required. As companies like Lyft and Uber become more popular, more private companies are offering this kind of coverage.

If the rideshare driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, distracted, or driving recklessly, the company may deny all liability. Unless the driver carries a personal policy to cover their rideshare driving, your only option might be to seek damage compensation from the individual themselves (though they’re unlikely to have the funds to provide it).

All these avenues to compensation can quickly become complicated, especially as you bounce between Uber or Lyft, the driver’s personal insurance, and any other options you look into. Working with a personal injury attorney is the best way to secure the compensation you deserve.   

If Another Driver Is at Fault    

As Texas is a fault state, the driver who causes the accident is generally liable for the damage they cause. You can work with your lawyer to make a claim against the regular driver’s own insurance.

In some cases, you may also be able to seek compensation from the rideshare company, which maintains policies to cover injured passengers. How these policies kick in depends on a few other factors, so it’s best to work with an attorney who will know how to pursue the right channels at the right time.

What if I’m the Rideshare Driver?

If you’re an Uber or Lyft driver who’s injured behind the wheel, you also have options. Depending on who was at fault, whether you had a passenger in the vehicle, and the coverage you’ve chosen for yourself, that $1 million policy may be helpful.

If you’ve been injured while driving for Uber or Lyft, we highly recommend getting in touch with an experienced attorney who can walk you through the various options for your specific case.  

RELATED: Injured by an Uber, Lyft, or Taxi? These Are Your Options

Coverage Depends on How Your Uber or Lyft Driver Was Using Their App

We’ve mentioned the $1 million insurance policy that some rideshare companies maintain to cover those injured in accidents involving their drivers. This sounds good on the surface, but it’s important to understand that not everyone injured in a rideshare accident is eligible for that much compensation.

Again, sticking to the major players of Uber and Lyft, let’s look at how the driver’s status within the app affects what stage of coverage is available, according to San Antonio, Texas law.

Stage One: Driver Is Logged Into the App but Doesn’t Have a Rider Waiting or in the Vehicle

Once a driver logs into the ridesharing app, the company is liable for up to $100,000 per accident for injuries, although this money is only available if the driver’s personal coverage runs out.

At stage one, neither Uber nor Lyft provide uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. So, if you are injured by a driver who has too little or no insurance (all too common on San Antonio roads), your ability to recover a fair settlement might depend on whether you have UM/UIM or personal injury protection (PIP) coverage yourself. This is true whether you’re injured as a rideshare driver or by a rideshare driver. 

Injured people may need to file claims with both the rideshare company, the driver’s personal insurer, and their own insurance policies. Working with a lawyer will make such a challenge far less overwhelming.  

Stage Two: Driver Is on the Way to Pick Someone Up or Is Carrying a Passenger

Once a driver is truly working, meaning on the way to pick up a rider or with the rider already in the car, the $1 million policy and UM/UIM both kick in.

Remember, these policies generally only apply if the rideshare driver is at fault. If another driver causes the accident, Texas fault state rules apply and you’ll must seek compensation from their insurance, rather than the Uber driver or rideshare company.   

Stage Three: Driver Is Not Logged Into the App

Once a driver logs out of the app, they aren’t considered by the rideshare company to be working or representing the company in any way. At this point, Uber and Lyft will not provide any coverage for injuries.

While a driver should always be logged in while carrying a passenger, you may run into issues if your driver wasn’t for some reason. Your options would include filing a claim with the driver’s personal insurance and perhaps your own UM/UIM policy (which we encourage all San Antonio drivers to carry).

The stage system makes sense, but it can quickly complicate a case when you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident. Contact a personal injury lawyer quickly to maximize your chances for full and fair coverage.

RELATED: I Was Injured in a Car Accident as a Passenger. Do I Have a Claim?

Crosley Law Is Here for You After a Rideshare Accident in San Antonio

At Crosley Law, we have a great deal of experience with motor vehicle crashes involving commercial cars and trucks. Rideshare accidents, such as those with Uber and Lyft drivers, are often complex and overwhelming, and we pride ourselves on doing the heavy lifting so that you can focus on healing and your family.

We begin every case with a free consultation, during which we get to know you, your story, and the best path forward. If you’re ready to schedule yours today, call (210) LAW-3000 | (210) 529-3000 or complete the simple contact form on our website.  

The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.