If you have seen Uber and Lyft in the news over the last few weeks, you may have realized that it has nothing to do with Pittsburgh. Right now, there is talk of Uber and Lyft shutting down operations in California over a conflict about whether or not their drivers are employees or independent contractors. However, even though this case has nothing to do with Pennsylvania, it has brought back questions about what happens if you are involved in an accident with an Uber or Lyft vehicle. The reality is that insurance can become a nightmare in these situations, and victims may need help from a Pittsburgh rental car accident attorney to secure the compensation they need.
Who is liable for compensation in these crashes?
The aftermath of an accident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle can be a confusing time. This is particularly true when trying to determine whose insurance is responsible for covering the crash. This will all depend on the status of the driver at the time of the collision.
- If the Uber or Lyft driver is not signed into the rideshare app to work, then they are going to be on their personal time. If they cause an accident in their vehicle, then their personal insurance carrier is going to be responsible for covering the expenses. The minimum insurance requirements in Pennsylvania include bodily liability insurance coverage of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident as well as $5,000 in property liability coverage.
- If the Uber or Lyft driver is signed into the rideshare app to work but they do not have a passenger and they cause a crash, their personal insurance carrier is still going to be the primary coverage provider. However, both Uber and Lyft will provide supplemental insurance coverage that will kick in if the driver’s personal insurance coverage limits are exhausted or if their carrier denies a claim. Both rideshare companies will cover up to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily liability coverage as well as $25,000 for property damage coverage.
- If an Uber or Lyft driver has a sanctioned passenger or is on the way to pick one up, then both rideshare companies provide a $1 million insurance policy that is supposed to cover everybody involved in the crash. This includes the rideshare driver and passengers, as well as anybody else involved (those in other vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, etc.).
Let us help after an Uber or Lyft Accident
If you or somebody you love has been injured in a car accident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle, you need to speak to an attorney as soon as possible. At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, we understand that these cases can become incredibly complicated, but our attorneys have extensive experience helping clients recover compensation in complex personal injury cases. This includes coverage of all medical bills, lost income, household out-of-pocket expenses, pain and suffering damages, and more. When you need a Pittsburgh Uber or Lyft accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 1-888-988-9467.