While ridesharing cars such as Uber and Lyft can be very convenient for getting around the Steel City and maybe even lowering the number of DUI accidents, when an accident with injuries does happen, it can be confusing as to who should be held liable and pay for those injuries and related costs.
When injuries occur from car accidents in ridesharing cars, much like rental car accidents, multiple insurance policies may come into play, depending on how many people were involved in the collision and who is determined to be at fault.
Because Uber and Lyft drivers are independent contractors and are driving their own vehicles, insurance works differently than would a normal taxi service. Even with the explosion of this industry, it is still in the beginning stages and the legalities may not be entirely clear.
If you were injured in a car accident involving a ridesharing vehicle or were the driver of an Uber / Lyft and were in an accident caused by another driver, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering and medical expenses.
Our Pittsburgh uber accident attorneys offer free case evaluations and can help determine whether you have a case and if so, we can help you file the claims needed, investigate the accident to prove fault by gathering evidence and speaking to witnesses and medical professionals.
We can also help in negotiating with the insurance companies and prepare your case for court and litigation, if a settlement is not agreed upon. We do not collect any fees unless we recover money for you.
If you want to file a claim in order to collect compensation for your injuries after an Uber or Lyft accident, there are four possible insurance companies of which you may have grounds to file a claim:
Which insurance company will be the best option could depend on a variety of factors. You should discuss the cause of the crash and your injuries with a personal injury lawyer.
Pennsylvania has a no-fault program when it comes to car accident insurance coverage for drivers of a vehicle. Typically you do not have to prove fault in order to be compensated through your own insurance company – if you have a car and personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. However, the money the insurance companies will payout is sometimes limited and if you do not have PIP, the other insurance companies may come into play.
If the rideshare driver caused the accident, an injured passenger could collect insurance money from the driver’s personal insurance company or the ridesharing app’s liability policy. If another vehicle was at fault, the injured party(s) could collect compensation from that driver’s insurance company.
The policy under Uber/Lyft is that only when the app is turned on, will the insurance policy be active. If you were driving an Uber/Lyft car without the application turned on and struck another vehicle, Uber/Lyft insurance will not cover the accident. Likewise, if you turn the application off while a passenger is still in the car, and an accident occurs, Uber/Lyft cannot be held liable.
If you were the driver in an Uber/Lyft accident, your personal insurance should cover the costs of the accident, regardless of whether or not the app was on or off at the time of the accident.
Who was at fault, the extent of the injuries and the insurance coverage of each party involved can all determine whether you should file a third-party claim and with which insurance company.
Who is liable in a rideshare accident depends on which stage of the ride the vehicle was in during the time of the accident and who was at fault.
You may be eligible to file a claim against Uber/Lyft if you are:
If you were injured in an Uber-related accident, you may be able to file a claim against Uber’s commercial vehicle insurance.
While the app is turned on and the passenger is in the vehicle, Uber will cover:
Before the passenger is picked up, but while the app is turned on, Uber’s policy will cover the driver’s liability for bodily injury up to $50,000/individual/accident with a $100,000 limit per accident, and up to $25,000 for property damage. There is no deductible under this policy.
The commercial vehicle insurance of Lyft works much the same way as Uber, with a $1,000,000 per accident limit.
Before the passenger is picked up, but while the app is turned on, Lyft’s policy has a $50,000 maximum limit per person, $100,000 maximum limit per accident and a $25,000 maximum limit for property damage. There is no deductible under this policy.
Even though insurance policies cover the costs of certain injuries and hospital expenses, the insurance companies will try to pay as little as possible and may not cover everything, especially if you suffered a serious injury or if a wrongful death occurred.
And even though the ridesharing companies may boast about a million dollar coverage, that doesn’t mean they won’t try to get out of paying it or try to pay as little as possible. This is why it makes sense to call an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Personal insurance companies often will not cover accidents of drivers that were caused during a commercial transaction, such as rideshare.
If you were seriously injured and those injuries affect the rest of your life and cause you and your family lost wages, you will want to have an experienced and aggressive lawyer on your side to fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Taking the first steps to contact an attorney is easy enough and at SMT Legal we never charge a fee unless we win compensation for our clients. We will give your case the best possible chance of winning – either through a settlement or, if appropriate, through litigation and court proceedings.
Do not accept the first settlement you are offered, especially if you think your injuries will cause you pain or suffering or disrupt your life in the future. We can investigate your case and provide you with the best options possible for getting maximum compensation. Uber and Lyft also have lawyers, fighting to keep every dollar. Don’t let them keep your dollars.
Our Pittsburgh auto accident lawyers can help you understand your rights and how you can recover the maximum compensation for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.
Proving who is at fault is critical and the sooner witness statements, evidence, medical examinations and other important information can be collected and investigated, the greater chance of having a winning case.
You should not have to pay for your injuries because someone else was distracted or negligent. Call our law office for a free case evaluation today.
We will aggressively fight the insurance companies to get you the maximum compensation. We will investigate every detail of the accident and explore all the evidence.
We have years of experience investigating automobile accident injuries and a roster of client testimonials and case results to prove our success.
Our Pittsburgh attorneys do not charge any fees to victims of auto accidents unless we win their case. We are compassionate attorneys who will listen closely to your situation and answer your questions.
Our attorneys are not just here to collect a paycheck – we are here to make a difference.
Oftentimes victims will reluctantly accept the first sum of money offered by insurance companies because they don’t want to deal with the hassle of fighting.
Let us fight for you. Our goal is to get the maximum compensation you deserve. Contact SMT Legal to find out your options.
When abuse occurs within a trusted group or setting, such as a school, church, medical facility, or youth organization, the resulting harm often extends beyond the actions of any individual
One key element of a motorcycle accident claim is identifying how the crash happened and who caused it. Otherwise, you can’t connect your injuries to the responsible party’s careless actions,
When lawyers talk about “damages” in a car accident claim, they’re referring to the compensation you can receive for your losses from the crash. Many injured drivers accept less than
Pennsylvania law allows families to file wrongful death claims when their loved ones die as a result of other parties’ negligence or misconduct. These claims aim to recover compensation for
Most states use either fault-based or no-fault insurance systems for car accident cases. But Pennsylvania has a unique “choice” no-fault system. In this system, your medical benefits coverage will cover
Did you recently lose someone close to you in a preventable accident? If so, you might have heard terms like “negligence” or “wrongful death” and felt unsure about what they
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
When a motor vehicle accident involves two vehicles, figuring out who caused what can feel like a puzzle with missing pieces. However, if you’ve been hurt in a multi-car crash
Starting June 5, 2025, it is illegal to hold your phone while driving in Pennsylvania. Under the new Senate Bill 37, also known as Paul Miller’s Law, you must use
If you’ve been charged with a DUI in Pennsylvania, a recent court decision could have a big impact on what happens next. On May 30, 2025, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court
Pools can be a great way to cool off during hot Pittsburgh summers, but they also pose serious risks, especially for children. Drowning is one of the leading causes of
Slip and fall accidents are surprisingly common in stores, sidewalks, and offices. In Pennsylvania, property owners must keep their spaces reasonably safe. If they don’t and someone gets hurt, the
Dog owners in Pennsylvania are responsible for the victim’s medical expenses if their dog bites someone. If you or someone you love suffered injuries in an animal attack, a dog
Fires, natural disasters, and other incidents can cause commercial property loss, leading to significant expenses. Fortunately, many businesses are covered by commercial property insurance. However, getting a fair settlement from
Property owners in Pennsylvania bear a significant responsibility to maintain safe environments for visitors. When someone gets hurt due to unsafe conditions on another person’s property, the law provides pathways
Pennsylvania treats driving under the influence (DUI) offenses with increasing severity based on two key factors: your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level and your prior offense history. Understanding these penalties
Defective products can cause devastating injuries that can alter your life forever. When a product fails due to poor design, manufacturing errors, or inadequate warnings, Pennsylvania law provides strong protections
Pennsylvania has strict drug possession laws. Whether it’s a small amount of marijuana or a controlled substance like heroin or prescription opioids, the consequences can range from fines and probation
Comparative fault allows courts to assign blame to multiple parties in a personal injury case. If someone suffers an injury, they might share some responsibility for what happened. Instead of
Five attorneys at SMT Legal won Super Lawyers or Rising Star honors for 2025 in the areas of personal injury law and criminal defense. Attorneys Jonathan Stewart, Patrick Murray, and Christopher
Distracted driving is so dangerous that Pennsylvania has recently banned using interactive mobile devices (IMDs) while driving. However, distractions come in many forms. Whether talking or texting on the phone,
We place significant trust in our medical doctors. When a healthcare provider makes a mistake, however, it can seriously harm the patient. In Pennsylvania, patients harmed by a provider’s negligence
Before considering a lawsuit against your insurance company, it’s essential to review and understand your policy. This document outlines your rights and your insurer’s obligations. Familiarize yourself with the coverage
How Can a Criminal Defense Attorney Challenge Evidence in Pennsylvania? Evidence can support or weaken the prosecution’s case in a criminal trial. Prosecutors might use physical evidence, witness testimony, or
Pennsylvania’s DUI laws impose strict penalties based on a driver’s prior offenses and the circumstances of the arrest. Second-time DUIs result in higher fines, longer jail time, and extended license
In Pennsylvania, wrongful death settlements aim to provide financial support for families who have lost a loved one due to another person’s negligence or misconduct. Calculating these settlements involves considering
Following an accident, it’s common to consider the potential financial recovery you can achieve by filing a personal injury claim against the party at fault for your injuries. Although there
When someone loses their life because of another person’s carelessness or wrongdoing, the surviving family members might be able to file a wrongful death claim. It is essential to understand
The necessity defense is an argument a defendant and their defense lawyer might invoke if they acted to prevent a greater harm. This defense strategy acknowledges that, while the person
Driving under the influence (DUI) is serious, but certain factors in Pennsylvania can lead to even more severe penalties. Knowing what can elevate a DUI charge is essential for understanding
If you have been charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) for the first time in Pennsylvania, one of your biggest concerns is probably whether you’ll lose your driver’s license.
A felony can significantly impact your life. From a lengthy prison sentence to losing the ability to vote or carry a gun, a felony carries many consequences. Your ability to
With school shootings committed by students becoming an all-too-common occurrence in the U.S., recent incidents have highlighted the potential for parental liability for the injuries and deaths caused by their
After suffering injuries in an accident, you may be facing unexpected bills and other expenses related to your injuries. You may wonder how you will cover these costs if you
If a police officer stops you on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) in Pennsylvania, you may be arrested if they have probable cause you were intoxicated. A DUI
It’s common to hear talk of suing to recover personal injury compensation after an accident. In reality, most cases close through negotiation and settlement rather than through a court verdict.
Someone else’s choices led to your injuries, but you are not without power in this situation. As the victim of an injury accident, you choose how to respond to your
Jonathan Stewart at SMT Legal has successfully secured a $2,000,000 settlement for the family of a road worker tragically killed by a tractor-trailer.
Public Drunkenness and Travel Sports Team Parents If you’re a travel sports parent, you’re well aware of how hectic an out-of-town sporting event can be. After all the chaos of
No two Pennsylvania criminal cases are alike, and neither are the ways such cases are defended. Defense attorneys have quite a bit of latitude when it comes to defending their
A yellow light is an indicator of a change in traffic flow. Intersection accidents are common in Pittsburgh. However, running a yellow light does not always indicate actions of negligence.
Employees spend many waking hours providing a service for a business or industry, expecting that their safety is an employer’s priority. However, far too many workers are at risk of
Gun laws may arguably be among the most important for keeping members of our community safe. Many of us know that gun laws can vary from state to state. Of
In the last ten years, the Pennsylvania General Assembly has made several changes to the car seat laws in the Commonwealth, bringing the requirements more in line with the recommendations
If you’re filing a personal injury lawsuit, it’s typically because you have suffered an injury and believe it to be due to someone else’s negligence. However, this would suggest we
Whether for commuting to work, exploring scenic trails, or simply enjoying the outdoors, riding a bicycle offers a sense of freedom and mobility. Just like driving a car, cycling comes
Being hurt in a work-related injury means you could lose income while you recover. However, Pennsylvania allows various ways for employees to seek benefits and compensation to help them pay
Data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in recent years sheds light on the leading causes of car accidents. Through an earlier survey the National Motor Vehicle
We work for income and, hopefully, health insurance. We do our best to stay healthy and in good “working condition” so we can support ourselves and our households by earning
