Rideshare Accident Attorney in Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft have made life easier in many ways, especially for those trying to get around a city or suburb without a vehicle. Summoning a rideshare driver is as simple as ordering a cup of coffee or checking your bank balance, and your ride often appears in minutes. 

In some ways, though, the popularity of rideshare services has created complications. One of those is the rights and remedies available after a motor vehicle accident. If you’ve been involved in a traffic accident involving a rideshare vehicle, you should seek advice from an experienced local motor vehicle accident right away–whether you were the rideshare driver, a passenger in the rideshare vehicle, another driver involved in a collision with a rideshare vehicle or a pedestrian or bicyclist hit by a rideshare vehicle. 

Uber and Lyft Provide Auto Insurance Coverage

Both major rideshare companies provide automobile insurance, including liability coverage for at-fault accidents, uninsured motorist coverage in many states, and even coverage for the driver’s property. But the web of coverages is far more complex than in the typical auto accident case for several reasons. For example: 

• The nature and amount of coverage available through Uber or Lyft is dependent on what the driver is doing at the time of the accident–logged out accidents are treated differently than accidents that happen while a driver is logged in and waiting for a passenger, and accidents with a passenger in the vehicle fall into yet another category. 
• Some coverages are dependent on the driver having certain coverage of their own.
• While standard auto insurance policies typically don’t cover rideshare drivers when they’re working, some drivers purchase additional insurance coverage for their rideshare businesses. 
• If the driver has applicable coverage, their coverage is typically considered primary, and the rideshare company’s coverage kicks in only if the driver’s insurance is insufficient to cover the damages. 

Here’s an example of how these different coverage levels can complicate claims after a rideshare injury.

How Rideshare Liability Coverage Plays Out

Imagine that you are walking across the street and are hit by a rideshare driver. The accident is the driver’s fault. You suffer serious injuries and require surgery and several weeks off work, accumulating expenses and lost income totaling $125,000.

If that driver wasn’t logged in–for example, was driving to a friend’s house or on the way home from their day job and not accepting passengers–they would be personally responsible and compensation would typically be through their own auto insurance. Unless the driver has personal resources to go after, you would generally only be able to recover compensation up to the limits of the driver’s personal policy. Depending on your own coverage, you might also be entitled to some compensation through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.

If the driver was logged in and driving around waiting for a passenger, both Uber and Lyft provide some liability coverage. But, bodily injury coverage per person is limited to $50,000. Again, you may be able to supplement with your own UM/UIM coverage, but that depends on the amount of coverage you purchased.

If the driver was carrying a passenger at the time of the accident or had accepted a ride and was on the way to pick up that passenger, both Uber and Lyft offer much higher insurance coverage–up to $1 million in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Talk to an Attorney Right Away after a Rideshare Accident

If you’ve been involved in a traffic crash with an Uber or Lyft driver or while operating or riding in a rideshare vehicle, you’ll want to talk to an experienced local car accident lawyer right away. Determining who is potentially liable for the accident, which system of insurance coverage is in play, and how much coverage is available can be complicated. It is also essential to securing fair compensation. 

Attorney Kevin P. Broderick has been fighting for car accident victims in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire for decades. He understands the complex coverage issues involved in rideshare cases and the tactics insurance companies use to try to avoid paying out claims or minimize compensation. 

To learn more about how the Broderick Law Firm can help, schedule a free consultation right now–ideally before you speak with an insurance company representative. To get started, just call 978-459-3085 or fill out our contact form.