Common Injuries to Rideshare Passengers

Rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft provide people with on-demand, and they offer individuals a convenient and cashless way to get from place to place. Rideshare drivers can be just as likely to cause or have involvement in an automobile accident as any other driver, so any person who suffers injuries in such a crash will want to be quick to contact an accident lawyer.

Before scheduling an Uber or Lyft ride, you will want to know whether an Uber or Lyft driver has personal car insurance. Rideshare injury cases can be much more complicated than your traditional car accident claim. 

Common Rideshare Accident Injuries

People can suffer various kinds of injuries in rideshare accidents that may include, but are not limited to:

• Broken bones

• Concussions

• Internal organ damage

• Burn injuries

• Spinal cord injuries

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)

• Head injuries

• Back injuries

• Neck injuries

• Eye injuries

• Chemical injuries

• Nerve damage 

• Severed limbs

• Hearing damage

• Sprains and soft tissue damage

Whose Insurance Covers a Rideshare Accident?

Injuries in a traffic accident do not mean that Uber or Lyft automatically covers the damages. Both companies do offer additional protection in some cases when a driver’s insurance proves to be inadequate for covering the bills a victim is facing.

Uber or Lyft may cover up to $100,000 in bodily injury per accident (or a maximum of $50,000 per person) and $25,000 for property damage. When a rideshare driver causes injuries while picking up passengers or during a ride, Uber or Lyft can provide up to $1 million in liability coverage. 

People who sustain injuries when a rideshare driver was not using the Uber or Lyft app at the time of the accident will only be able to file a claim with that driver's personal car insurance company. If another driver is at fault for a rideshare accident, then the other driver becomes liable for paying all damages. 

Uber and Lyft may provide additional coverage when a rider suffers injuries in a hit-and-run accident or the other driver is uninsured or underinsured. 

Read also: Gallery: The Latin American Countries with the Best Work Right

Lawsuits Against Rideshare Companies

Many people assume they can sue Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare companies directly after rideshare accidents, but it is not always possible to do this because most rideshare companies classify their drivers as independent contractors specifically to avoid this type of liability. There may be cases in which it is possible to sue the rideshare company, but you are going to need to act quickly in these cases to satisfy the Texas statute of limitations for personal injury actions, which is two years from the date of an accident or injury.

Rideshare companies really do not want to spend the money needed to take cases to trial, so chances are good that the rideshare company will be seeking a settlement to resolve your case instead. Do not try to settle your case on your own because many people who do this end up receiving much less than they need, so let an attorney negotiate your settlement for you.

Arbitration with Rideshare Companies

Another possible catch with a lawsuit against a rideshare company could be the possibility that you might have terms of service indicating that your claim needs to be resolved through arbitration. Arbitration operates somewhat similar to a court process but has some major differences, and the final decision could be binding, meaning that you cannot appeal the decision.

There could be exceptions to the arbitration clause for instances involving sexual assault by a driver or certain other claims that you file in a small claims court. Make sure to get legal representation for assistance handling any kind of arbitration issue.

Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Consultation with a El Paso Accident Lawyer

You do not want to be handling your rideshare accident claim on your own. Cesar Ornelas Injury Law has attorneys who practice all over the country and understand different rideshare insurance policies as well as the practices they commonly use when offering accident victims settlements. 

You deserve the money necessary to cover every expense you are facing after a rideshare accident. Call usor contact us online to get an entirely free evaluation of your case and let us detail what actions you can take.