This blog was posted by Shaw-Cowart Personal Injury Attorneys in Austin, representing clients for car accident injuries, truck / 18-wheeler accidents, motorcycle accident injuries, work-related accidents, wrongful death claims and much more in Austin and the surrounding areas

Rideshare Accidents with Uber and Lyft in Austin

Rideshare accidents with Uber and Lyft have become increasingly common as these services dominate Austin transportation. When Uber and Lyft drivers cause accidents, victims face complicated insurance situations involving multiple policies and coverage disputes. Rideshare accidents with Uber and Lyft require understanding which insurance applies based on the driver’s status at the time of the crash. Navigating these complexities helps accident victims recover fair compensation.

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Rideshare accidents with Uber and Lyft differ from typical car accidents because drivers operate as independent contractors using personal vehicles for commercial purposes. The companies provide insurance coverage that varies depending on whether drivers are waiting for rides, en route to pick up passengers, or actively transporting passengers. Rideshare accidents with Uber and Lyft may involve the driver’s personal insurance, the company’s contingent coverage, or the company’s primary commercial policy.

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Austin’s busy streets, entertainment districts, and airport traffic generate constant rideshare activity. The Texas Department of Transportation reports increasing accidents involving transportation network company vehicles. Understanding how rideshare accident claims work protects your ability to recover compensation, whether you were a passenger, another driver, or a pedestrian.

Insurance Coverage Phases for Rideshare Drivers

Uber and Lyft insurance coverage depends on the driver’s status when an accident occurs. Three distinct phases determine which insurance applies.

Phase One covers periods when the driver has the app on but has not accepted a ride request. During this phase, the driver’s personal insurance provides primary coverage. Uber and Lyft provide contingent liability coverage that applies only if personal insurance denies the claim or provides insufficient limits.

Phase Two begins when the driver accepts a ride request and continues until the passenger enters the vehicle. Both Uber and Lyft provide primary liability coverage during this phase with limits of at least $1 million. The company’s uninsured motorist coverage also applies.

Phase Three covers the period from passenger pickup through dropoff. Maximum coverage applies during this phase with $1 million liability limits and comprehensive coverage for the vehicle. Passengers injured during Phase Three have the strongest coverage available.

Disputes about which phase applies often arise in rideshare accidents. Companies may argue that drivers were in Phase One to minimize coverage obligations. Evidence from the app, GPS data, and driver testimony establishes the actual phase.

Claims as a Rideshare Passenger

Passengers injured in Uber and Lyft accidents have multiple potential sources of compensation. The applicable coverage depends on who caused the accident.

When the rideshare driver causes the accident, claims go against the company’s commercial liability policy. The $1 million coverage limit applies during Phase Three. Uber and Lyft cannot deny coverage for their drivers’ negligence while transporting passengers.

When another driver causes the accident, passengers can claim against that driver’s liability insurance. The rideshare company’s uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage provides backup if the at-fault driver lacks adequate insurance.

Passengers should document their injuries and the accident circumstances. Get the driver’s name and information from the app. Photograph the accident scene if possible. Seek medical attention promptly and keep records of all treatment.

Claims Against Rideshare Drivers

If you were in another vehicle or were a pedestrian when a rideshare driver caused an accident, your claim depends on the driver’s phase status.

Phase Two and Three accidents provide access to the company’s $1 million commercial policy. This coverage responds to third-party liability claims from other drivers, passengers in other vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Phase One accidents create more complicated situations. The driver’s personal insurance may deny coverage because the vehicle was being used for commercial purposes. Contingent coverage from Uber or Lyft may have lower limits and apply only after personal insurance is denied.

Establishing which phase applied requires evidence from the rideshare app. Attorneys can subpoena records showing when the driver logged on, accepted rides, and transported passengers. GPS data confirms the driver’s location and activity.

Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare drivers face unique pressures and distractions that contribute to accidents. Several factors make rideshare driving particularly dangerous.

App distraction causes accidents when drivers focus on their phones rather than the road. Checking for ride requests, navigating to pickup locations, and managing the app while driving divides attention dangerously.

Unfamiliar routes put rideshare drivers in areas they do not know well. Following GPS directions while navigating traffic creates cognitive overload. Wrong turns and sudden lane changes cause accidents.

Fatigue affects drivers who work long hours to maximize earnings. Many rideshare drivers work late nights serving traffic in bars and entertainment districts. Drowsy driving produces impairment similar to alcohol intoxication.

Pressure to complete rides quickly encourages speeding and aggressive driving. Drivers know that faster trips mean more rides per hour and higher earnings. This incentive structure promotes dangerous driving.

Passenger pickup and drop-off create hazards when drivers stop suddenly or in unsafe locations. Double parking, blocking traffic, and pulling into traffic without checking mirrors cause many rideshare accidents.

Get Legal Help After a Rideshare Accident

The car accident attorneys at Shaw Cowart understand the complexities of Uber and Lyft accident claims. We investigate to determine coverage phases, pursue all available insurance, and fight for maximum compensation. If you were injured in a rideshare accident, contact Shaw Cowart today for a free consultation.