If you are injured while riding in an Uber or Lyft, you may assume the rideshare company’s insurance is the only coverage that matters.
But your own auto insurance may also become relevant depending on the circumstances of the crash, the policies involved, and the type of coverage you carry. Understanding how your insurance may fit into a rideshare passenger claim can help you avoid overlooking an important source of coverage.
Does My Car Insurance Cover Me in an Uber?
The short answer is that your own auto insurance policy may provide coverage in some circumstances, but you should not assume it automatically applies to every Uber or Lyft accident.
When you are a passenger, you are not operating your own vehicle. That means the analysis can be different from what happens when you are driving your own car.
Your policy may contain uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist coverage that could become relevant if another driver causes the accident and does not have enough insurance to cover your injuries.
The exact answer depends on the language of your policy and the facts of the accident.
Why Your Own Insurance May Matter
Imagine you are riding in an Uber when another driver causes a serious crash.
The at-fault driver may have no insurance. Or the driver may have insurance, but the available limits may not be enough to cover your medical expenses and other losses.
In that situation, you may need to look beyond the at-fault driver’s policy.
The rideshare company’s insurance may be relevant. Your own auto insurance may also need to be reviewed.
This is why it can be important to identify every potentially applicable insurance policy after a serious rideshare accident.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage Can Be Important
Uninsured motorist coverage is designed to provide protection when an at-fault driver does not have applicable insurance.
For example, suppose you are riding in a Lyft when an uninsured driver causes a collision. You suffer a serious injury, and the driver who caused the crash cannot provide liability insurance.
The question then becomes whether other uninsured motorist coverage may be available.
Depending on the circumstances and policy language, your own auto insurance may be one of the policies that needs to be evaluated.
That does not mean your insurance company will automatically pay your claim. Coverage still has to be reviewed based on the specific facts and policy terms.
What About Underinsured Drivers?
The same basic issue can arise when the driver who caused the crash has insurance but not enough coverage.
This is an underinsured motorist situation.
Suppose an at-fault driver carries limited liability insurance, but you suffer injuries that require extensive medical treatment and keep you out of work for months.
The driver’s policy may not be enough to cover all of your losses.
Depending on the circumstances, underinsured motorist coverage may provide another potential source of compensation.
Your own policy may therefore become relevant even though you were not driving your vehicle when the accident happened.
The Rideshare Company’s Insurance Still Matters
Your own auto insurance is not necessarily the first or only policy to consider.
Uber and Lyft maintain insurance coverage for certain periods when their drivers are working through the rideshare platform.
The coverage that may apply can depend on what the driver was doing when the accident occurred.
For example, there can be differences between a driver who is offline, a driver who is logged into the app and waiting for a request, a driver who has accepted a ride, and a driver who is carrying a passenger.
If you were already a passenger when the accident happened, the rideshare company’s applicable coverage may be an important part of your claim.
Who Caused the Accident?
One of the first questions in any rideshare injury claim is who caused the crash.
If another driver caused the accident, that driver’s insurance may be the starting point.
If the other driver is uninsured or underinsured, additional coverage may need to be considered.
If the Uber or Lyft driver caused the collision, the analysis can be different because the rideshare company’s insurance may become directly relevant.
This is why simply asking whether your own insurance covers you in an Uber does not provide the entire answer.
The cause of the crash and the insurance available to each driver both matter.
Your Insurance Policy May Have Important Details
Insurance policies can contain specific terms that affect whether coverage is available.
Your policy may include uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage, or other provisions that could become relevant after an accident.
The amount of coverage can also vary from policy to policy.
You should not assume that because you have automobile insurance, you automatically have every type of protection that might be useful after a rideshare accident.
Reviewing the actual policy can help identify what coverage exists.
If you are dealing with a serious injury, an attorney can also help you understand how the different policies may interact.
What If You Do Not Own a Car?
Not owning a car does not necessarily mean you have no potential source of insurance coverage.
A rideshare passenger’s claim may involve the rideshare company’s insurance and the insurance carried by the driver who caused the accident.
Depending on the circumstances, other coverage may also need to be investigated.
The important point is to avoid making assumptions before the available insurance has been identified.
A serious injury can create substantial medical expenses, lost income, and other damages. Knowing what insurance may be available can be an important part of protecting your claim.
Your Injuries Matter, Too
Insurance coverage is only one part of a rideshare injury case.
The extent of your injuries can affect the value and complexity of your claim.
A collision can cause:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Broken bones
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Internal injuries
- Chronic pain
- Emotional effects
- Permanent limitations
Your losses may also extend beyond medical bills.
You may miss work while recovering. You may need ongoing treatment. You may have difficulty returning to activities you enjoyed before the accident.
Medical records, employment documentation, and evidence about how your injury has changed your daily life can all help demonstrate the full impact of the crash.
Do Not Assume the Insurance Company Will Explain Everything
An insurance company has its own interests in evaluating a claim.
The insurer may investigate the accident, your medical treatment, your prior medical history, and the extent of your injuries.
It may also take a position about whether a particular policy provides coverage.
That is why it can be useful to understand your rights before agreeing to a settlement or making important statements about your claim.
You do not have to become an insurance expert before seeking legal advice.
Trial Experience Can Matter When Multiple Policies Are Involved
Rideshare claims can involve multiple insurance companies and complicated coverage questions.
A lawyer who understands how to investigate and litigate personal injury claims can help determine which policies may apply and how the evidence supports your damages.
Bendinelli and his team of trial attorneys prepare cases with trial in mind from the beginning. As Bendinelli explains, “We prepare every case from the very beginning as if it’s going to trial.”
Most personal injury attorneys never go to trial. Bendinelli and his team do.
Most personal injury cases settle. But if an insurance company refuses to make a fair offer, having a lawyer prepared to take the case further can matter.
What Should You Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident?
If you were injured as a rideshare passenger, take reasonable steps to protect your health and preserve information about the accident.
Consider:
- Getting appropriate medical attention.
- Keeping your medical records and bills.
- Saving information about your Uber or Lyft trip.
- Photographing the accident scene and your injuries when possible.
- Obtaining insurance information for the drivers involved.
- Keeping records of missed work and lost income.
- Reviewing your own auto insurance policy.
- Avoiding assumptions about which insurance policy applies.
- Speaking with an attorney if you have questions about available coverage.
The sooner you understand the insurance picture, the easier it may be to make informed decisions about your claim.
Talk With Julian Bendinelli Law Firm About Your Rideshare Injury
If you are asking, “Does my car insurance cover me in an Uber?” the answer depends on your policy, the circumstances of the crash, and the other insurance coverage available.
Your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may be relevant in some situations. The rideshare company’s insurance and the at-fault driver’s insurance may also need to be evaluated.
Julian Bendinelli Law Firm offers free consultations for Colorado injury victims. There is no upfront cost, and you do not pay attorney fees unless we win your case. Se habla español.
Contact Julian Bendinelli Law Firm through cotrialattorneys.com to discuss your rideshare accident and learn about your options.
Disclaimer :
“Nothing in this communication is legal advice. While general principles remain true, you must speak with an attorney to obtain legal advice that is tailored to your specific circumstances.”
