When Uber or Lyft Drivers Cause Accidents - How to Hold Them Accountable in San Antonio

When you request a driver through a rideshare app, you’re probably considering convenience and safety. The last thing on your mind is the possibility of a devastating accident. And yet, Uber reported 101 fatalities in 2019 and 2020, including drivers, Uber riders, pedestrians, and occupants of other vehicles.

Although Lyft and Uber require background checks, drivers don’t need to meet higher driving standards than the typical person. Just like anyone operating a vehicle, rideshare drivers might be distracted, tired, or reckless. If you’ve suffered injuries due to a driver’s negligence, the San Antonio attorneys at Carabin Shaw help you hold the appropriate parties responsible.

Rideshare drivers are personally liable for all accidents they cause when they’re not logged in to the app. Thus, Uber and Lyft require their San Antonio drivers to have auto insurance liability policies that fulfill the minimum amounts outlined in Texas state law:

• $30,000 for injuries per person
• $60,000 for injuries per accident
• $25,000 for property damage

If the driver is logged in to the app but hasn’t yet connected with a customer, the insurance circumstances are slightly different. Although the driver’s personal auto insurance should primarily cover damages, Lyft and Uber have contingency insurance to fill in coverage gaps.

You might have been a pedestrian, motorcyclist, or in another vehicle that collided with the rideshare vehicle while the driver was logged in but not serving a customer. If so, a lawyer can gather facts to prove that the company’s insurance should also provide compensation for the full extent of your injuries.

Though drivers for Uber and Lyft are contractors, not employees, these companies have liability insurance policies fully covering accidents that occur while drivers are logged in and connected with customers. Uber and Lyft may also hold liability if a driver’s assigned passenger isn’t yet in the car at the time of the accident.

Because the rideshare status is so important for determining liability, Uber and Lyft sometimes try to deny coverage based on lack of evidence and other factors. If you’re an injured rideshare passenger, your case is most ironclad—but even still, there may be nuances around proving fault, the monetary worth of your injuries, and more.

A successful Uber or Lyft accident lawsuit in San Antonio typically results in settlements of $300,000 to $1 million per accident. To achieve the maximum compensation for your case, an experienced attorney captures every detail that works in your favor.

Your health is the priority following any accident. Depending on the severity of injuries, receiving on-the-scene medical treatment might be critical. In addition, you or another involved party can take the following steps to strengthen your case for a fair San Antonio Uber accident settlement:

• File a police report.
• Record contact information from drivers, passengers, injured parties, witnesses, and anyone else involved.
• Document property damages or injuries by taking photos.
• Seek ongoing medical treatment to establish a record of care with a professional.

Compared to other kinds of personal injury cases involving car accidents, rideshare cases add complications to proving liability. Your legal team is an indispensable resource, and you deserve one with a proven record of success.

At Carabin Shaw, your initial consultation and case review are always free. By calling the toll-free number 800-862-1260, you can speak with our staff 24/7 in Spanish or English.

Our team thoroughly investigates each case to identify all possible liable parties and recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, suffering, and much more. Beyond that, as Carabin Shaw’s client reviews show, your peace of mind is our priority. We want to help restore the sense of safety that you lost in your rideshare accident.