Indianapolis Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers

In the past, if there was no taxi service in your area, you were stuck with public transportation or begging friends for a ride. Today, Uber and Lyft have made finding rides much easier. These companies are present in most major cities and even small towns throughout the country, serving millions of riders per year. However, the legal ramifications of accidents may be more complicated than you think.

As with most car accident cases, you will probably have to duke it out with someone’s insurance company. While drivers for Uber and Lyft are required to carry their own insurance, their insurance might not cover them if they are driving for a ridesharing service. You can sue your driver and hopefully the ridesharing company’s insurance will cover you. While Uber and Lyft have insurance policies in case of accidents, do not expect a payout without a fight.

If you were a passenger or driver in an Uber or Lyft vehicle or a driver in a different car, your injuries after an accident should be compensated. Our Indianapolis Uber and Lyft accident lawyers handle these cases frequently. Call the offices of Wruck Paupore at (219) 322-1166 for a free legal consultation.

Filing a Claim in Indianapolis if You Were Hit by an Uber or Lyft

Ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft take on a massive responsibility when their drivers pick up passengers. Drivers, and the companies that pay them, are responsible for keeping passengers safe. Unfortunately, accidents are relatively common, and Uber and Lyft vehicles are no exception. You can file a claim against an insurance company if you were an injured passenger or driver in another vehicle struck by an Uber or Lyft car. However, whose insurance you end up suing – if necessary – is a question to discuss with an attorney.

The driver of your vehicle should have their own insurance. Because Uber and Lyft drivers use their own vehicles to provide rides to passengers, they must carry their own rideshare insurance. Unfortunately, many insurance companies do not cover their customers if they were driving for a ridesharing service at the time of a crash. Drivers must carry upgraded commercial or rideshare insurance. However, you still have options for compensation.

You can often sue Uber or Lyft’s insurance for accidents that occur while the Uber or Lyft driver is working. These ridesharing companies have insurance policies that cover everyone injured in a collision with one of their drivers. However, you might not get full compensation by simply filing an insurance claim. Uber and Lyft are very strict about when these insurance policies kick in. If your driver is driving with their ridesharing application on their phone turned off, they are considered off-duty and not covered by insurance. If this sounds like your case, speak to our Indianapolis Uber and Lyft accident lawyers before making any important decisions.

What If I Was an Uber or Lyft Passenger in an Accident in Indianapolis?

You may also have legal options as the passenger of an Uber or Lyft vehicle involved in a crash. As mentioned above, all drivers should be carrying their own insurance. Unfortunately, the ridesharing company’s insurance might not cover you for accidents that happen if your driver was not “on the clock.” If that is the case, your driver is required to have their own commercial or ridesharing insurance to drive for Uber or Lyft, and you can always file a claim with their insurance provider. If your driver does not carry the necessary insurance, you might have to sue the driver personally for damages

The same insurance policies that cover injured passengers may also extend to injured drivers. However, drivers may have to contend with the issue of fault for the accident. If you were at fault for the accident, Uber or Lyft might resist paying for your injuries and damages. When filing your claim, it may be necessary to offer evidence demonstrating that another driver is responsible for the accident.

As stated previously, Uber and Lyft will not cover drivers or passengers in cases where drivers turn their ridesharing application off. If the application is off, your driver is technically not working for Uber or Lyft, and the company’s insurance will not protect you. You might have to find other ways to cover your costs. If another driver caused the accident, you might have to file a claim with their insurance if you cannot get coverage through your own. Contact our Indianapolis Uber and Lyft accident attorneys for assistance.

Can I Sue Uber or Lyft Directly for a Car Accident in Indianapolis?

While you have several options when pursuing an insurance claim, you likely will not be able to sue Uber or Lyft directly for your injuries. Uber and Lyft are very large companies with very deep pockets, and they have set up numerous legal barriers preventing injured passengers from taking legal action against them.

Drivers for Uber and Lyft are not legally considered employees. While this rule might vary by state, generally, independent contractors are not considered employees. Drivers for Uber and Lyft are classified as independent contractors and have no employer to hold liable for their accidents.

The inability to sue Uber or Lyft may put some injured victims in a financial bind. However, depending on how your accident happened, you might be able to sue the Uber or Lyft driver. If Uber and Lyft’s insurance policy covers the accident, it should also cover the lawsuit damages. If another driver in a different car caused the accident, you could file a lawsuit against them instead. Talk to our Indianapolis Uber and Lyft accident lawyers for more information.

Contact Our Indianapolis Uber and Lift Accident Lawyers

If you were injured in a car accident while riding in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, your injuries might be covered by someone else’s insurance. Our Indianapolis Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you file a claim and get compensation quickly. Call our team at Wruck Paupore at (219) 322-1166 for a free legal consultation.