Rideshare Accident Cases We Handle

The Mason Firm handles serious injury and wrongful death cases involving Uber, Lyft, and other app-based transportation services.

We handle rideshare accident cases involving:

• injured Uber passengers;
• injured Lyft passengers;
• rideshare drivers injured by other drivers;
• occupants of other vehicles hit by rideshare drivers;
• pedestrians hit by Uber or Lyft drivers;
• bicyclists hit by rideshare drivers;
• motorcyclists injured in rideshare-related crashes;
• rear-end collisions;
• intersection crashes;
• unsafe turns;
• distracted driving;
• speeding;
• drunk or impaired driving;
• hit-and-run crashes;
• uninsured and underinsured motorists;
• negligent pickup or drop-off locations;
• crashes during active rides;
• crashes while a driver was logged into the app;
• crashes involving delivery or app-based drivers;
• serious injuries;
• and wrongful death.

A rideshare case may require investigation into the driver’s app status, trip history, insurance coverage, vehicle ownership, driver conduct, other vehicles involved, and whether the rideshare company’s policy applies.

Why Rideshare Accident Cases Are Different

Rideshare accident cases are different because insurance coverage may depend on what the driver was doing at the time of the crash.

Important questions may include:

• Was the driver logged into the Uber or Lyft app?
• Was the driver waiting for a ride request?
• Had the driver accepted a ride?
• Was the driver on the way to pick up a passenger?
• Was a passenger already in the vehicle?
• Was the driver using the app for delivery or transportation?
• Was another driver responsible for the crash?
• Was the rideshare driver using a personal vehicle?
• Did the driver’s personal insurance deny coverage?
• Does Uber or Lyft insurance apply?
• Is uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage available?

These questions matter because the available insurance may change depending on the driver’s status and the facts of the crash.

Insurance companies may dispute whether the driver was working, whether the app was active, whether the ride had started, or whether another policy should apply. The Mason Firm investigates these issues early so the claim is not limited by incomplete information.

Uber and Lyft Insurance Issues

Insurance is often one of the most important issues in a rideshare accident case. Several different insurance policies may need to be reviewed.

Potential sources of recovery may include:

• the rideshare driver’s personal auto insurance;
• Uber or Lyft’s commercial policy;
• the at-fault driver’s insurance;
• the vehicle owner’s insurance;
• uninsured motorist coverage;
• underinsured motorist coverage;
• umbrella or excess insurance;
• delivery-driver coverage;
• and other responsible parties depending on the facts.

Rideshare insurance disputes can become complicated. A personal auto insurer may deny coverage if the driver was using the vehicle for rideshare work. A rideshare insurer may dispute the driver’s app status. Another driver’s insurer may blame the rideshare driver or the injured passenger.

For that reason, serious rideshare accident cases should be investigated carefully before accepting any settlement or signing a release.

Injured Uber and Lyft Passengers

Passengers injured in Uber or Lyft accidents often assume the claim will be straightforward because they were not driving. But even passenger claims can become disputed.

Passenger claims may involve:

• determining which driver caused the crash;
• identifying all available insurance policies;
• reviewing the rideshare trip records;
• documenting the passenger’s injuries;
• preserving app-related evidence;
• dealing with multiple insurance companies;
• and evaluating whether the rideshare company’s coverage applies.

An injured passenger should preserve the trip receipt, screenshots from the app, driver information, pickup and drop-off details, photographs, medical records, and insurance communications.

Rideshare Drivers Injured in Crashes

Uber and Lyft drivers can also be seriously injured while working. These cases may involve claims against another negligent driver, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, rideshare insurance, personal auto insurance, or other available coverage.

Important issues may include:

• whether the driver was logged into the app;
• whether the driver had accepted a ride;
• whether the driver was transporting a passenger;
• whether another driver caused the crash;
• whether commercial or rideshare insurance applies;
• and whether the driver’s own insurance includes relevant coverage.

Rideshare drivers should be cautious when communicating with insurers because coverage disputes may arise depending on app status and policy language.

Pedestrians, Bicyclists, and Motorcyclists Hit by Rideshare Drivers

Rideshare drivers often operate in busy areas, near restaurants, bars, hotels, airports, downtown streets, stadiums, residential neighborhoods, and event venues. Pickup and drop-off activity can create additional risk for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists.

These cases may involve:

• unsafe pickups or drop-offs;
• sudden stops;
• drivers blocking bike lanes;
• drivers stopping in traffic lanes;
• unsafe U-turns;
• failure to yield;
• distracted driving;
• looking at the rideshare app instead of the road;
• opening doors into cyclists;
• and unsafe turns near crosswalks or intersections.

Pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists often suffer severe injuries because they have little protection from impact. These cases may require investigation into app activity, driver distraction, road design, visibility, nearby video, witness statements, and available insurance coverage.

Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare accidents can happen for many reasons. Some involve ordinary driver negligence. Others involve risks created by app-based driving, passenger pickup and drop-off pressure, navigation distractions, or unsafe stopping. Common causes include:

Distracted Driving
Rideshare drivers may be looking at navigation, ride requests, passenger messages, pickup instructions, or the app instead of the road.

Unsafe Pickups and Drop-Offs
Drivers may stop suddenly, block traffic, stop in bike lanes, double park, or let passengers out in unsafe locations.

Speeding
Drivers may speed to complete rides, reach pickups, or maximize earnings.

Failure to Yield
Rideshare crashes may happen when drivers fail to yield to pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycles, or other vehicles.

Unsafe Turns and U-Turns
A driver searching for a passenger or pickup location may make sudden turns, illegal U-turns, or unsafe lane changes.

Driver Fatigue
Some rideshare drivers work long hours or drive late at night, increasing the risk of fatigue.

Impaired Driving
Rideshare crashes may involve drunk or drug-impaired drivers, including other drivers on the road.

Inadequate Vehicle Maintenance
Because rideshare drivers often use personal vehicles, maintenance issues such as worn tires, faulty brakes, or lighting problems may contribute to a crash.

Identifying the cause of the crash helps determine who may be responsible and what insurance coverage may apply.

Evidence That Matters in Rideshare Accident Cases

Rideshare accident cases often depend on evidence that should be preserved quickly. Important evidence may include:

• Uber or Lyft trip receipts;
• screenshots from the rideshare app;
• driver name and vehicle information;
• pickup and drop-off locations;
• app-status records;
• ride history;
• GPS data;
• police reports;
• traffic collision reports;
• photographs of vehicle damage;
• photographs of injuries;
• dashcam footage;
• surveillance video;
• witness statements;
• cell phone records;
• insurance information;
• medical records;
• repair records;
• and communications with Uber, Lyft, drivers, or insurance companies.

If a person was injured as a rideshare passenger, they should preserve the trip information before it becomes difficult to access. Screenshots can be helpful, including the driver profile, vehicle, license plate, route, pickup location, drop-off location, and trip receipt.

Common Rideshare Accident Injuries

Rideshare accidents can cause serious and lasting injuries, especially when the crash involves high speeds, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycles, or severe vehicle impacts.

Common injuries include:

Traumatic Brain Injuries
Rideshare crashes may cause concussions, brain bleeds, memory issues, dizziness, headaches, mood changes, sleep problems, and other neurological symptoms.

Neck and Back Injuries
Victims may suffer herniated discs, nerve pain, spinal injuries, chronic pain, and limitations that affect work and daily activities.

Broken Bones and Orthopedic Injuries
Crashes may cause fractures of the legs, arms, wrists, ankles, shoulders, ribs, hips, pelvis, or facial bones. Surgery may be required.

Internal Injuries
High-impact collisions may cause internal bleeding, organ damage, chest injuries, abdominal trauma, and other life-threatening harm.

Knee, Shoulder, and Joint Injuries
Passengers and drivers may suffer ligament tears, labral tears, meniscus injuries, rotator cuff injuries, and other joint injuries.

Scarring and Disfigurement
Broken glass, impact trauma, road rash, surgery, burns, and lacerations may cause permanent scars.

Psychological Trauma
A serious crash can cause anxiety, nightmares, post-traumatic stress, driving fear, and emotional distress.

Wrongful Death
In the most serious cases, rideshare accidents cause preventable death. Surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim.

The full impact of a rideshare accident may not be known immediately. Injured people should obtain medical care and avoid settling before the injuries, treatment needs, and insurance coverage are fully understood.

What to Do After a Rideshare Accident

After a rideshare accident, the steps taken early can affect both medical care and the legal claim.

Consider taking the following steps:

1. Get medical care immediately.
   Serious injuries may not be obvious at the scene. Prompt medical care protects your health and documents the injury.
2. Call 911 and report the crash.
   Make sure law enforcement responds and a report is prepared when appropriate.
3. Save the rideshare trip information.
   Take screenshots of the trip receipt, driver information, vehicle, license plate, route, pickup location, and drop-off location.
4. Take photographs and video.
   Document vehicle damage, injuries, the crash scene, road conditions, license plates, app information, and anything else that may matter.
5. Identify witnesses.
   Get names and contact information from anyone who saw the crash.
6. Report the crash through the app.
   Uber or Lyft may have reporting procedures, but be careful with statements and avoid minimizing injuries.
7. Preserve all records.
   Save medical records, bills, insurance communications, app messages, emails, screenshots, photographs, and notes.
8. Avoid giving recorded statements without legal review.
   Multiple insurance companies may be involved, and each may try to shift responsibility.
9. Do not rush into settlement.
   The full extent of injuries and insurance coverage may not be clear immediately.
10. Contact an attorney promptly.
    Early legal review can help preserve evidence, identify coverage, and protect deadlines.