With rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft rising in popularity, it is only natural that we begin to see more and more accidents and injuries as a result. While these are generally thought of as safe, cost-effective means of transportation, the truth is, accidents happen. There is nothing more jarring than being the victim of a serious car accident, which is why if you were injured, you are most likely now seeking financial compensation to help you get back on your feet again. To win a personal injury claim, you will need an experienced attorney who is capable of proving that you were injured as a direct result of an Uber/Lyft driver’s negligence. Please read on to learn more about how Uber/Lyft coverage works.
Both Uber and Lyft are independent contractors. Rather simply, this means that their insurance only covers accidents where the Uber/Lyft driver was on the clock at the time of the accident. However, if the driver was not on the clock at the time of the accident, then his or her insurance will be responsible for paying damages to the injured party. Uber and Lyft have a point system in place, which they use to designate what percentage of coverage they will supply in the event of an accident. The point system is as follows:
- Period 0: This is when the driver is not logged into the rideshare app. If a driver crashes while not yet logged in, Uber/Lyft will not provide coverage.
- Period 1: This is when the driver is logged in but has not yet accepted a ride. During this stage, if there is an accident, Uber/Lyft will provide liability coverage if the accident is the driver’s fault for up to $50,000 per person injured in the accident, $100,000 in total injury liability per accident, and $25,000 in property damage liability.
- Period 2: Period 2 is when the driver has accepted a trip and is en route to pick up the passenger. If an accident occurs during this time, Uber/Lyft’s liability coverage increases to $1 million.
- Period 3: This is when the passenger is now in the rideshare car. If an accident happens at this stage, liability coverage is up to $1 million, plus Uber/Lyft will provide limited coverage for damage to the driver’s car and uninsured motorists’ coverage.
Contact our experienced Delaware firm
We understand how terrifying an auto accident and its aftermath can be. If you or someone you know was involved in a personal injury accident and wishes to speak with a skilled attorney, contact Delaware Injury Law Firm today.
Delaware Injury Law Firm is comprised of an experienced team of attorneys focusing on legal matters of personal injury, workers’ compensation, Social Security Disability, product liability, and wrongful death in Delaware. If you require an effective attorney to guide you through these difficult legal matters, contact Delaware Injury Law Firm today to schedule a free case evaluation. We are here to help.