Personal Injury

1. The Uber or Lyft driver causes and accident while you were a passenger
Uber and Lyft have very similar insurance policies when it comes to transporting passengers. Both carry $1,000,000 (one million dollars) in Bodily Injury (BI) coverage. Meaning if your Uber or Lyft driver was at-fault in causing an injury to you by striking another vehicle or the likes, you would have that amount of coverage from Uber or Lyft. If you also have UM coverage on your own vehicles, you would be able to get that additional coverage to help with your injuries.

2. You were a passenger when another vehicle caused the accident.
Similarly to number 1., Uber and Lyft also carry $1,000,000 (one million dollars) Underinsured or Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM). This is important when your Uber or Lyft driver was not at-fault in the accident but the person who struck your Uber or Lyft has inadequate coverage. The amount of lack thereof of insurance coverage the person who struck you has would be added to the UM coverage provided by Lyft or Uber. If you also have UM coverage on your own vehicles, you would be able to get that additional coverage to help with your injuries.

3. You were driving for Uber or Lyft and got into an accident.
If you are an Uber or Lyft driver and work on their behalf and go into an accident Uber or Lyft has coverage for you too.

According to Uber they provide two types of coverage.
1. While the App is on
2. Request Accepted and on trip.

1: App on

• While waiting for a request
• While you’re online with Uber and before you accept a request, you are covered for your liability to a third party if you are in an accident when you’re at fault. A third party is someone other than yourself. Coverage includes your liability to pay another person’s medical bills or to pay for property damage (like a damaged fence).

Coverage Limits vary by state, but are at least:
• $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident for bodily injury
• $25,000 per accident for property damage

If you are not at fault, you may make a claim against their insurance. Your personal insurance policy may also cover you in this situation. Please check your personal coverage for more information.

2. Request accepted and on trip
On your way to pick up a rider and during a trip

While you drive to pick up a rider after accepting a request and during an Uber trip, you are covered for three things:

Third party liability coverage
This insurance covers your liability for damages to any third party such as another driver, pedestrian, or property in case of an accident when you’re at fault. Coverage limits vary by state, but are at least $1,000,000 per accident.

Uninsured or underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage
This insurance covers you and anyone else in your vehicle in case of an accident where another driver is at fault, but does not have sufficient insurance. This also covers hit and run accidents where the at-fault driver cannot be identified. Coverage limits vary by state, but are at least $1,000,000 per accident.

Contingent collision and comprehensive coverage
This insurance covers your vehicle in case of an accident whether it was your fault or not, as long as you maintain auto insurance that includes collision coverage for that vehicle while not on an Uber trip. Coverage limit is up to the actual cash value of your vehicle. There is a $1,000 deductible.

Offline

When driving your car for personal use
Since you are not driving on the Uber platform during this period, you are not covered by the insurance Uber maintains for driver-partners. Any accidents that occur in your car while not driving on the Uber platform are covered by the personal auto insurance coverage that you purchase on your own.

What do I do immediately after the Uber or Lyft accident?

• Move to a safe place- If you are able, safely move yourself to safe place.
• Call for emergency response- Call the Sheriff, police or Fire to come out to the scene and assess the situation. Get medical attention if needed and always get a police report.
• Do not make statements of fault- You were just in a crash. Do not be quick to judge what happened. Do not admit to the other driver or anyone that it was your fault until Bernstein Law does an investigation.
• Get information from all drivers- This includes Insurance and also taking photos of the vehicles and location.

When to hire an attorney after a Uber or Lyft accident?
In simple terms immediately. Insurance companies who know you are not represented will try to negotiate with you knowing you do not know the law or medicine. They will try to get you to make statements against your interests and try to convince you that your injuries are only temporary. It is a shame when someone settles a case on their own only to find out their medical condition is way worse than they thought.

When you have representation like Bernstein Law we will make sure you don’t get those harassing phone calls, don’t make unnecessary statements and don’t fall into the traps of the insurance company.

How much does representation on an Uber or Lyft crash cost?
At Bernstein Law we offer a free evaluation and consultation of your case. If there is no case, it costs you nothing. If you are indeed injured and have a claim, we will assist you in getting the compensation you deserve.

Our fee is based on a contingency, meaning if we do not collect for you, we charge no fee.

If you have been injured in an Uber or Lyft crash and need to speak to an attorney for a free consultation please reach out to Attorney Derek Bernstein via email at dbernsteinlaw@gmail.com or by calling his cellphone at 407-405-4684 to schedule an appointment.