Determining Responsibility in Uber or Lyft Accidents in Massachusetts

If you are injured in an accident with a rideshare vehicle, such as Uber or Lyft, either as a passenger, pedestrian or while driving in a vehicle that’s hit by an Uber or Lyft vehicle, the application of insurance policies and coverage issues can be complicated. It is important to have an experienced Massachusetts personal injury lawyer on your side to make sure you are protected and get the compensation you deserve.

At Mahaney Pappas, LLP, our experienced car accident lawyers understand the complexities and responsibilities of the insurance company liable for the accident and your injuries. If you were hurt in an accident with a rideshare vehicle and have additional questions, or need further information, feel free to contact our Framingham car accident attorneys. You may call our office at (508) 879-3500 or contact us here to schedule your free case review and evaluation.

Overview of Rideshare Vehicles

We’ve all heard of Uber and Lyft these days. These are ridesharing vehicles, who provide transportation services through a ridesharing platform such as a smartphone app. They provide services that connect people who need a ride with drivers available to drive them.

The vast majority of rideshare vehicles are personally owned by the drivers – not the rideshare companies (i.e., Uber or Lyft). However, sometimes the vehicles are leased or rented specifically for rideshare purposes. These rideshare companies often have certain requirements for the vehicles used, such as the age of the vehicle, a clean title, proof of auto insurance, and passing a vehicle inspection to ensure safety and comfort.

The Status of the Uber / Lyft Driver Matters

After being injured in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle, an efficient investigation of the car crash is critical. It’s important to determine the “status” of the rideshare driver. The status of the Uber or Lyft driver must be the first consideration because it will determine how to proceed with your personal injury claim.

In our experience, rideshare companies often carry $1,000,000 in bodily injury liability insurance limits. However, the rideshare company’s insurance policy only applies in certain circumstances.

Rideshare Driver is “Online”

If the Uber or Lyft driver is online and is waiting for a ride request or on route to a ride request, the rideshare company’s insurance policy applies. This bodily injury coverage is available to passengers of an Uber or Lyft, who are injured in an accident involving the rideshare vehicle. As with all car accident cases in Massachusetts, liability or fault must be determined. If the Uber or Lyft driver is found to have caused the accident, then their insurance policy would be available to cover the injuries and damages suffered by their passengers.

Under these circumstances, where the rideshare driver is online and deemed to be at-fault for the accident, their insurance policy would also apply and be available to drivers or occupants of another motor vehicle that were injured in the car crash. Similarly, a pedestrian struck and injured by a rideshare vehicle that is online or transporting passengers would also be covered by the rideshare vehicle’s auto insurance policy.

Rideshare Driver is “Offline”

If the Uber or Lyft driver’s status is offline and is not accepting any rider requests, then the rideshare company’s insurance policy would not be available to offer coverage to injured parties. It will be the rideshare driver’s own personal auto insurance policy for his/her vehicle that would apply. In this situation, an accident victim would have to file and pursue a personal injury claim through the rideshare driver’s own auto insurance policy. The amount of bodily injury coverage from the driver’s own insurance policy, however, may not be as significant as a rideshare company’s policy.

That is why it is always highly recommended to review your own auto insurance policy to make sure you are protected and insured against any underinsured vehicles. If you are injured in an accident caused by a rideshare driver, who is offline, and the driver’s vehicle does not have sufficient insurance coverage to cover your injuries and damages, you can pursue additional compensation from your own auto insurance company from your underinsured motorist coverage – if you have it.

Underinsured coverage is optional in Massachusetts. This means it is not compulsory, and you do not automatically get it by purchasing auto insurance. You must add and purchase underinsured motorist coverage to protect yourself against any underinsured vehicles that cause a car accident and your injuries.

Hurt in an Accident with an Uber or Lyft Vehicle in Massachusetts? Our Experienced Framingham Injury Lawyers are Here to Help.

If you have been in an accident with an Uber or Lyft vehicle, you need an experienced Massachusetts car accident lawyer to help you get the compensation you are owed. To file a claim on your own or communicate with the insurance company on your own can only lead to unforeseen difficulties. 

Our attorneys are well-versed in handling car accident cases and navigating complicated insurance issues. We are here to protect you and ensure you receive the maximum compensation for your losses. We have the experience to get the job done.