Getting into a car collision usually feels like an overwhelming experience. When an accident involves an Uber or Lyft vehicle, the situation might become even more complicated. You may find yourself wondering who should pay for your medical bills and property damage. Fortunately, California law generally provides clear guidelines on how to handle these claims.
Determining liability based on the status of an Uber or Lyft driver’s app
In a rideshare accident, the insurance coverage available to you is not fixed. It usually changes based on what the driver was doing with the app at the moment of the crash. There are three scenarios to understand:
- The driver was off-duty: When a driver is not using the app, the driver is simply a private individual behind the wheel. In this scenario, the driver’s personal car insurance usually bears responsibility for whatever damages they cause.
- The driver was logged in but without a confirmed passenger: The moment a driver goes online to search for passengers on the app, the rideshare company steps in with coverage that is no less than $50,000 for each injured person, $100,000 covering the entire incident and $30,000 toward property damage.
- A passenger was aboard or a trip had already been accepted: This triggers the highest tier of coverage. The rideshare company’s policy gives a coverage of $1,000,000 covering deaths, bodily injuries and property damage combined.
In the case of the second scenario, the rideshare company must also carry an additional $200,000 in excess insurance. This acts as a safety net to cover severe accidents where the costs go over the standard limits.
Challenges in claiming insurance
Filing a personal injury claim after a rideshare accident involves navigating a very complex legal maze. If the driver caused the accident, their personal auto insurance may deny the claim because they were driving for a business. You also must prove exactly what the driver was doing on the app when the crash occurred, which can be hard to do. Finally, large rideshare companies have strong attorneys whose job is to fight claims and protect the company’s money.
How to build a strong claim?
Securing compensation after a California rideshare collision ultimately hinges on the driver’s app status at the exact moment of impact. While the law mandates tiered insurance coverage to protect victims, proving liability remains difficult. Anticipate strong pushback from personal insurers and corporate legal teams. One of the best strategies for your case is to prioritize careful evidence collection with the help of an attorney.
