READING UBER & LYFT ACCIDENT LAWYER
Content Legally Reviewed & Approved
This page has been written and edited by a team of experienced legal writers. This page was approved by Managing Partner, Michael Saile who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.
Uber and Lyft accidents are surprisingly common, with around one-third of rideshare drivers reporting having had a crash while working. A rideshare driver’s negligence can lead to life-altering injuries, while complicated insurance rules can add uncertainty to the already-challenging aftermath of a crash.
Depending on what the driver was doing at the time of the collision, you may have the right to seek compensation through Uber or Lyft’s insurance policies, the rideshare driver’s personal coverage, or another driver’s policy. Our legal team at Cordisco & Saile, LLC can help you understand your rights and pursue fair compensation. While you focus on getting better, our Reading Uber and Lyft accident lawyers will determine which policies apply and handle the claims process on your behalf.
Table of Contents
- How Our Reading Rideshare Accident Lawyers Can Help You Seek Fair Compensation
- When to Involve a Lawyer in Your Uber or Lyft Accident Case
- What Can a Rideshare Accident Claim Include?
- What If Your Uber or Lyft Driver Caused the Crash?
- What If Another Driver Hit Your Uber or Lyft?
- The Digital Evidence Behind a Rideshare Crash
- Why Rideshare Insurance Can Be Confusing for Passengers
- Pennsylvania’s Rules for Uber and Lyft Insurance
- When a Rideshare Company or Insurer Disputes Your Claim
- Getting Legal Help With a Reading Uber or Lyft Accident
How Our Reading Rideshare Accident Lawyers Can Help You Seek Fair Compensation
When you choose us to represent you after an Uber or Lyft accident, we’ll investigate the facts of the collision, determine who’s responsible for your damages, and identify all applicable insurance coverage.
Rideshare insurance coverage depends on what the driver was doing in the app at the time of the crash, so the evidence involved in these cases often goes beyond that of a standard car accident investigation. As we build your rideshare accident case, we’ll look for evidence of whether the driver was waiting for a ride request, heading to a pickup, or carrying a passenger and preserve it before it disappears.
The rideshare company’s insurers may dispute coverage or question the extent of your injuries. Our Reading car accident lawyers are prepared to stand up to those challenges with evidence of liability and your damages. We’ll handle the negotiations and be ready to go to trial if necessary to pursue maximum compensation for your losses.
When to Involve a Lawyer in Your Uber or Lyft Accident Case
It’s always a good idea to get legal advice after a rideshare crash. Speaking with a lawyer can be particularly important if:
- You suffered serious injuries.
- The insurance company is disputing fault.
- It’s unclear which insurance policy covers your injuries.
- You received a settlement offer.
You don’t need to have all the answers before reaching out for help, and a consultation with our Reading rideshare accident law firm carries no obligation. During your free consultation, our team will take the time to understand what happened and explain your options. It’s an opportunity to learn whether you may have a claim and how we can help before deciding what to do next.
“They didn’t waste any time making the decision with taking my case . Everyone who called me treated me with respect and courtesy and were really concerned about my well being. I highly recommend them.”
“I worked with Cordisco & Saile for an injury claim. They are very polite, compassionate and quickly responsive!”
“I appreciate this team of lawyers because not only do they really care about you, but they kept me updated when I needed it on my case and I was never really concerned with where things stood. Would hire them again if needed without thought. Thank you!”
What Can a Rideshare Accident Claim Include?
If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Reading, you may be eligible for compensation for the full range of losses you’ve suffered because of the crash. Your settlement or verdict can compensate you for many types of economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Disability-related expenses, such as personal assistance, home or vehicle modifications, and mobility equipment
- Lost wages resulting from the work you missed while recovering
- Reduced earning capacity for the injury’s long-term limitations on your ability to work
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life due to the injury’s effects on your ability to participate in activities you enjoyed before the crash
The compensation available will depend on the unique circumstances of your case. When we pursue your Reading Uber accident claim, our attorneys will consider how the crash has affected you and how it may continue to impact your life in the future.
What If Your Uber or Lyft Driver Caused the Crash?
Uber and Lyft maintain liability insurance to cover injuries caused by their drivers during rideshare trips. If a driver’s negligence caused the crash, you may be eligible for compensation through the company’s coverage.
The exact coverage available depends on the driver’s activity in the app at the time of the crash. When the app is off, the driver’s personal auto insurance typically applies. Once the driver logs in and waits for a request, rideshare coverage becomes available. The limits increase when they accept a ride and remain higher while transporting a passenger. Confirming the driver’s status in the app can help you preserve your right to pursue the maximum compensation available for your Lyft or Uber accident injuries.
“You took an Uber and your driver caused the accident. Uber provides liability coverage for passengers who suffered serious bodily injuries in crashes caused by Uber drivers. So once you exhaust that PIP, personal injury protection, on medical treatment and care, you might be able to file a claim with Uber.”
What If Another Driver Hit Your Uber or Lyft?
If a driver not associated with Uber or Lyft caused a crash while you were traveling in a rideshare vehicle, you might be able to pursue a claim against that driver. In addition to no-fault coverage, their liability insurance could potentially cover your injuries just as it would if you had been driving your own car.
Uber or Lyft’s insurance coverage may still apply in your case, especially if fault isn’t clear-cut. In some cases, both the other driver and the rideshare driver may share fault for the accident. In that situation, both the other driver’s and the rideshare company’s insurance may apply and cover your damages under Pennsylvania’s modified comparative negligence system.
The Digital Evidence Behind a Rideshare Crash
Several types of digital evidence can help build a strong Uber or Lyft accident claim. Digital evidence can include:
- App activity: The driver’s app activity records can indicate whether the driver had an active ride at the time of the crash, which can help determine which insurance coverage applies.
- Trip records: Your ride history and receipt can confirm that you were riding in the driver’s vehicle at the time of the accident.
- Location data: We can compare GPS data with trip records to confirm that the crash happened during a ride.
- Vehicle data: Many vehicles record speed and braking information in the moments leading up to a crash, which is helpful for showing whether the driver’s negligence contributed to the accident.
Some of this evidence may only be available from the rideshare company or another third party. Our Uber and Lyft accident attorneys can identify who holds the records, request that they be preserved, and take legal action to obtain them.
Why Rideshare Insurance Can Be Confusing for Passengers
Uber and Lyft’s insurance coverage changes based on the driver’s activity in the app. An accident that occurs while the driver is waiting for a ride request has different coverage limits than one that occurs after the driver accepts a trip or starts carrying a passenger.
This coverage system may seem simple enough if you were injured while riding in a rideshare vehicle, but unexpected challenges can arise when establishing coverage. For example, the driver might mark the ride as complete before you’ve reached your destination. If a crash happens while you’re still in the vehicle, that discrepancy can create disputes about which coverage applies.
In that case, you could easily find yourself in the middle of the rideshare company’s and the driver’s personal auto insurers. Our Lyft and Uber accident attorneys can review the policy terms and compare conflicting evidence to determine what actually happened. From there, we can communicate with each insurer directly so you don’t have to handle coverage disputes while recovering from your injuries.
What if You Were Injured But the Crash Seemed Minor?
Some injuries take time to develop symptoms. You might feel okay when you leave the Uber or Lyft accident scene, but then notice pain hours or days later. This is a common scenario, and it doesn’t rule out your right to pursue compensation.
To recover compensation for a rideshare accident injury, you must show that the accident directly caused you harm. This may still be possible even if there was a delay between the accident and the time you first noticed symptoms.
The sooner you get medical attention, the easier it is to establish this connection. Be sure to seek medical attention as soon as you suspect you have suffered an injury, then follow your provider’s medical recommendations.
Pennsylvania's Rules for Uber and Lyft Insurance
Pennsylvania’s Transportation Network Company Act requires rideshare companies to meet specific insurance coverage requirements based on the driver’s status in the app. These requirements establish which insurance should cover your injuries and how much compensation you have the right to pursue and recover after an Uber or Lyft accident near Reading.
If the driver was logged in and waiting for a request at the time of the accident, liability insurance must cover at least $50,000 per person for injuries or death, $100,000 per crash, and $25,000 for property damage. If the accident occurred after the driver accepted a ride or was carrying a passenger, liability insurance must cover at least $500,000 for injuries, death, and property damage.
The law also requires at least $25,000 per crash in no-fault medical coverage for passengers and pedestrians injured in rideshare crashes during a prearranged ride. This coverage helps pay for treatment regardless of who caused the collision.
When a Rideshare Company or Insurer Disputes Your Claim
Even when coverage should be available, you can face resistance from the insurance company if you are seeking compensation after a rideshare crash. The insurer might deny coverage based on the driver’s app status, argue that another driver is at fault, dispute whether your injuries are connected to the accident, or question the extent of your damages.
Insurance disputes are common in Uber and Lyft accident claims, but they don’t have to stop you from pursuing fair compensation. Our Reading Uber accident lawyers know how to challenge the insurance company’s attempts to undervalue your claim with strong evidence and negotiations. If the insurer refuses to settle for what your claim is worth, we’re prepared to take your case to court and seek a favorable jury verdict.
Getting Legal Help With a Reading Uber or Lyft Accident
You’re dealing with enough stress after being injured in a rideshare accident, and the last thing you need is to spend your recovery untangling complex insurance rules. Let our Reading Uber and Lyft accident lawyers handle the legal details while you rebuild your life.
Our case results reflect that we’ve recovered over $100 million for our clients, and we’re ready to put that track record to work for you. Contact us online or call 215-642-2335 today for a free consultation with the Pennsylvania Injury Pros.
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