San Antonio Rideshare Accident Attorney

Uber & Lyft Accidents in Texas

As Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies continue to grow in popularity, the risk of being injured in an accident with one of these vehicles has also increased. A widely cited study by Rice University and the University of Chicago reported that, since 2011, rideshare accidents have been associated with an overall increase in traffic-related deaths by about three percent.

If you were injured or if your loved one was killed in a rideshare accident, it is critical that you contact an experienced attorney right away. These accident claims are not like standard car accident cases—nor are they exactly like other types of commercial vehicle accident cases, like those involving trucks or buses. You need an attorney who understands the nuances involved in Uber and Lyft accident cases, as well as one who has a proven record of success in advocating for injured victims and the families of those killed in rideshare accidents.

At the Law Offices of Pat Maloney, P.C., we have helped countless clients get back on their feet after serious Uber and Lyft accidents. Our San Antonio rideshare accident attorneys know how to navigate the complexities of your situation and fight for the maximum recovery you are owed. We have secured millions of dollars for our clients and have a 99% success rate in the cases we handle.

Learn more today; call (210) 226-8888 or contact us online for a free initial consultation.

Can You Sue Uber or Lyft After an Accident?

One of the things that makes rideshare accidents so complex is the issue of liability. Under Texas’s fault system, someone who is injured in a typical motor vehicle accident can bring a claim against the other driver by proving that the other driver was negligent, reckless, or otherwise breached the duty of care all motorists owe to others on the road.

When a motorist is injured by a commercial vehicle operator, they can often bring a claim against the commercial driver’s employer under various legal theories, including respondeat superior, which states that employers are generally responsible for their employees’ behavior. However, Uber and Lyft do not classify their drivers as employees. Instead, they classify them as independent contractors, thereby shielding themselves from liability in many circumstances.

This does
not mean that you cannot sue Uber or Lyft after an accident. In fact, depending on the specifics of your situation, your damages may be covered under the rideshare company’s insurance policy. However, in other circumstances, you may not be covered and may need to pursue alternative methods of compensation.

You may need to bring a claim against the driver’s private auto insurance provider before suing Lyft, or you may need to prove that you are covered under the specific language of Uber’s insurance policy. You may even need to bring a claim against a third party, such as another motorist or a product manufacturer, that acted negligently or wrongfully.

Our San Antonio Uber and Lyft accident attorneys can walk you through your options and help you understand your rights. When investigating rideshare accident claims, we work tirelessly and leave no stone unturned in our efforts to maximize our clients’ recoveries.

Compensation for Rideshare Accident Victims

Both Uber and Lyft offer insurance coverage for those injured in accidents caused by their drivers. This coverage could be available to you if you were injured as a rideshare passenger, the occupant of another vehicle, or even a pedestrian or bicyclist. However, you are only entitled to compensation under Uber or Lyft’s insurance if the accident meets certain conditions. Specifically, the accident must have occurred during one of the rideshare company’s covered “driving periods.”

Uber and Lyft recognize the following driving periods:

• Period 0: The rideshare driver does not have the app turned on/is not operating his or her vehicle for the benefit of the rideshare company.
• Period 1: The rideshare driver has the app turned on and is looking for a ride but has not yet accepted a ride from a passenger.
• Period 2: The rideshare driver has the app turned on and has accepted a ride, but the passenger is not yet in the vehicle.
• Period 3: The rideshare driver has the app turned on, has accepted a ride, and has the passenger in his or her vehicle.

During period 0, neither Uber nor Lyft recognize any liability. If you were injured by a rideshare driver who was not actively working for his or her respective rideshare company at the time of the collision, you can file a standard car accident claim, but you are not covered by the rideshare company.

During period 1, Uber and Lyft offer the following coverage:

• $50,000 in bodily injury/death per person
• $100,000 in bodily injury/death per accident
• $25,000 in property damage per accident

During period 2 and 3, Uber and Lyft offer up to $1 million in total coverage. So, if you were injured by a negligent Uber driver who had not accepted a ride yet, you could be able to recover up to the above-outlined policy limits. If you were injured as a Lyft passenger or by a rideshare driver who was distracted while looking for a passenger, you could be able to recover up to the $1 million limit.

Call the Law Offices of Pat Maloney, P.C. for a Free Consultation

Navigating the aftermath of a rideshare accident is complicated and can be overwhelming when you are also trying to make sure you receive proper medical care and managing your daily expenses while out of work. At the Law Offices of Pat Maloney, P.C., we will handle every legal detail so you can focus on your physical recovery and emotional well-being.

We bring more than 65 years of legal experience to every single case we handle. When you turn to our San Antonio rideshare accident lawyers, you can expect to receive personal, one-on-one attention and dedicated representation from start to finish.

Injured in an Uber or Lyft accident? Call us at (210) 226-8888 or contact us online to get started with a free, no-obligation consultation.