Using Uber or Lyft in Pittsburgh has become a regular part of life. Whether you’re heading to work, meeting friends in Lawrenceville, or trying to avoid downtown parking, these rideshare apps make it easy to get from place to place. But what happens if you’re in a car accident during one of these rides? It can be confusing to figure out who’s responsible, how insurance works, and what steps to take. Here’s what you need to know if you suffer injuries in an Uber or Lyft crash.
How Rideshare Accidents Are Different
Uber and Lyft drivers use their own cars, but they operate under a different kind of insurance when they’re working. These companies have their own policies that kick in at various times depending on the driver’s actions.
- If the driver is not logged into the app, only their personal car insurance applies.
- If the driver is logged in and waiting for a ride, there is limited rideshare coverage available.
- If the driver is picking up or driving a passenger, Uber and Lyft provide up to one million dollars in insurance coverage.
Knowing what the driver was doing at the time of the crash helps determine what insurance coverage is available.
What if You Were a Passenger in the Rideshare?
If you were riding in an Uber or Lyft when the crash happened, you may have coverage available to you through the rideshare company’s insurance policy. It usually doesn’t matter whether your driver caused the accident or another driver did. Either way, the company’s insurance may help cover your medical bills, missed work, and other losses.
That said, rideshare companies and their insurers don’t always make things simple. They may question your injuries or try to pay less than you deserve. You may still need help getting full compensation.
What if You Were Hit by a Rideshare Driver?
If you were in another car, walking, or biking and were hit by an Uber or Lyft driver, insurance may still cover you. Again, it depends on whether the driver was working. If they were logged out of the app, their own personal insurance applies. If they were on the clock, the rideshare company’s policy may help cover your injuries.
What To Do After a Rideshare Accident
No matter how the crash happened, it’s important to take the right steps.
- Get medical care right away, even if you do not see any visible injuries. Internal organ injuries, concussions, and some other injuries may not be obvious.
- Call the police so there’s a report of the crash. That report may be helpful later when filing a personal injury claim.
- Gather information from all drivers, including whether the rideshare driver was using the app.
- Take photos of the crash scene, your injuries, and any damage to the cars.
- Get witness names and numbers in case their statements are needed later.
Who Pays for Your Injuries?
If someone else caused the crash, their insurance should pay. But in rideshare accidents, there can be more than one insurance company involved. It may be the driver’s personal insurance, the rideshare company’s policy, or a mix of both. Sorting it out takes time and sometimes pressure from someone who understands how these cases work.
Don’t Try To Figure It All Out Alone
Being hurt in a crash is hard enough. Trying to deal with medical bills, missed work, and confusing insurance issues just adds more stress. If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Pittsburgh, it’s important to know you don’t have to handle it by yourself.
Call SMT Legal today to speak with our rideshare accident attorneys serving Pittsburgh. We’ll take the time to hear your story, explain your options clearly, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Let SMT Legal help you move forward with confidence.
