Both Uber and Lyft drivers do have insurance. Drivers working for these ridesharing apps must maintain auto liability insurance policies that meet their state’s minimum requirements.
Additionally, both companies provide insurance coverage whenever the driver switches on the app. If you were hurt in a crash caused by an Uber or Lyft driver, you may want to work with a rideshare accident attorney from our firm. Determining which insurance coverage was in effect when a collision occurred can be challenging.
Lyft and Uber’s Insurance Policies
Both Lyft and Uber provide all drivers with liability coverage for some parts of their trips. Their insurance policies can be summarized as follows:
- If the driver is offline, the driver’s personal insurance is applicable.
- If the driver is available for a request, the service provides contingency insurance coverage.
- If the driver has a rider match or a rider in the vehicle, the service provides a large primary liability policy.
Lyft’s Insurance Coverage
Lyft provides coverage any time the driver is on the app, although it is active only when their personal auto insurance is not available under some circumstances. When they switch on the rideshare app, and the driver is waiting for a ride request, Lyft provides third-party liability insurance if the driver’s personal insurance is not applicable. The coverage amounts are as follows:
- Bodily injury – $50,000 per person
- Bodily injury – $100,000 per accident
- Property damage – $25,000 per accident
When the rideshare driver has a rider match, the company provides insurance for accidents. This coverage lasts from the time the driver goes to pick up passengers until the passengers have been dropped off at their destination. The coverage details are as follows:
Auto liability insurance up to $1,000,000: Auto liability insurance is meant to cover the bodily injuries and personal property damage of someone other than the driver – for example, a rider or another motorist sharing the roadway with a Lyft driver’s vehicle.
Uninsured or underinsured motorists: The insurance Lyft provides can cover injuries sustained by the driver and passengers if an uninsured or underinsured motorist causes an accident.
Contingent comprehensive and collision insurance: This applies if the driver has a personal auto insurance policy that includes comprehensive and collision coverage. Contingent collision and comprehensive insurance cover any damage to the driver’s vehicle up to its total cash value, not including the deductible.
Uber’s Insurance Coverage
According to Uber, their insurance coverage is very similar to the policies provided by Lyft and other rideshare companies. Uber’s contingent liability insurance covers:
- Bodily injury – $50,000 per person
- Bodily injury – $100,000 per accident
- Property damage – $25,000 per accident
If an accident occurs while the driver is en route to pick up their passengers or during the ride, Uber provides the following insurance coverage:
- Up to $1,000,000 in liability coverage for victims
- Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage
- Comprehensive and collision insurance
Laborde Earles injury was great for me they took care of me very fast and professional. If for any reason I need legal help they will be who I use.
ClientHow Much Coverage Must a Driver Have When Not Working for a Rideshare Company?
The minimum requirements for drivers in Louisiana center on ensuring all motorists have liability coverage for any vehicles they own. This policy would pay out to cover the losses and expenses incurred by a victim of a collision the policyholder caused.
Louisiana uses the 15/30/25 liability limit rule, as outlined on Page 4 of the “Consumer’s Guide to Auto Insurance” issued by the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI). This means that drivers are generally covered for up to:
- $15,000 for bodily injury to an individual
- $30,000 for bodily injuries to multiple people per accident
- $25,000 to cover property damages
I thank God for Digger & David. I don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t have been for them.
Rick Smith | ClientHow Our Team Can Help with Your Claim
When someone gets hurt in a crash or their vehicle sustains damage, they can file for compensation from the at-fault driver’s liability coverage. Many complications can occur when filing a claim based on a rideshare accident. Working with a law firm like ours may be beneficial, as we are familiar with these insurance policies and how these services operate.
Our team can help you sort through all of the obstacles and challenges of a rideshare accident lawsuit by:
- Determining liability: It can be confusing to determine whether Uber and Lyft drivers are partially or totally liable when you are in this sort of accident. We can figure out which party or parties are liable in your case.
- Determining monetary worth: We can use legal formulas and our decades of experience to figure out how much money you can seek from the insurance company. In the past, we have recovered millions for auto accident clients.
- Seeking compensation: Our first step may be to meet with the insurance company and convince them to pay what you need. If this is not successful, we can go to trial and work to persuade a jury that you deserve damages.
- Giving you peace of mind: An attorney from our team can focus on developing the case and securing a financial recovery. You only need to worry about undergoing treatment, healing, and getting back to your life.
- Reducing expenses: Our rideshare accident lawyers represent clients based on contingency. This means you pay no attorney’s fees until we win compensation. In addition, we offer free case reviews to all personal injury victims.
Damages for Rideshare Accidents
Ridesharing companies owe their passengers, drivers, and the general public a duty of care to prevent an accident. If they fail in this duty, you may be able to recover compensation for injuries like:
- Pain and suffering and inconvenience
- Diminished quality of life
- Partial or total disability
- Loss of consortium, or relationships with relatives
- Disfigurement or scar tissue
- Past and projected medical expenses
- Other expenses necessitated by the accident
- Past and projected loss of income
- Future loss of employment opportunities
- Property damage
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientWhat to Do After a Rideshare Accident in Louisiana
If you were in an accident with a rideshare driver, it is a good idea to focus on safety and wellbeing first. Prudent first steps may include:
- Getting contact information from everyone involved
- Seeking medical treatment immediately
- Calling 911 and filing a police report
- Documenting the accident with photos of the property damage and/or injuries for insurance purposes
If you were in an Uber or Lyft when the accident occurred, you could qualify to collect damages from the rideshare service’s insurance. However, having a ridesharing service involved can complicate your case. That is why an attorney from our firm may be invaluable for handling your claim.
Fault in Ridesharing Accidents
You may be able to seek compensation from your driver or the rideshare service if:
- The rideshare driver collided with your vehicle.
- You were a pedestrian hit by an Uber or Lyft driver.
- A rideshare driver caused your injuries in some other way – for instance, by driving too fast or ignoring traffic signals.
- A rideshare company’s policy contributed to the accident or your injuries.
Time Limits for Filing a Rideshare Accident Lawsuit
You may have a limited time to sue for damages after a Louisiana rideshare accident, according to CC Art. 3492. We encourage prospective clients to quickly get legal help with their cases because:
- Claimants must start their cases within one year of the accident date.
- Missing this deadline could mean sacrificing all rights to financial damages.
- There may be more – and more valuable – evidence available sooner after the accident rather than months down the line.
They treated us like no other people would. Whenever we needed something they were there for us. I put my trust in them and I don’t regret it.
ClientCall Today to Learn How We Can Help
If you or someone you care about was hurt in an accident caused by a Lyft or Uber driver, let Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers review your case for free today. Call our office at (337) 777-7777 at any time, day or night, to begin this consultation. Uber and Lyft drivers do have insurance, and we want to help you negotiate with those insurance companies for an equitable settlement.
