Ridesharing is quickly becoming the go-to form of private transportation for residents and visitors around Houston, Texas. Still, complex questions arise about fault and liability when rideshare vehicles are involved in accidents. Victims and their families may wonder: Does Lyft cover accidents? Who will pay for medical bills after a Lyft accident? Who is liable for such accidents?
At the law office of Johnson Garcia, our Houston personal injury lawyers have over 35 years of experience handling personal injury and motor vehicle accident lawsuits. Our Houston law firm is prepared to zealously advocate for your rights and interests to ensure you get maximum compensation for your damages. If the defendant tries to play hardball and devalues or denies your claim, Johnson Garcia will move to court to fight for a favorable verdict that covers all your damages.
What Makes a Lyft Accident Different?
Liability in ridesharing accidents involving Lyft is often a complex issue. Lyft typically considers its drivers to be independent contractors who operate their own cars. This means the company doesn’t technically view drivers as employees. As such, Lyft isn’t typically liable for the actions or inactions of its drivers. This means that you can’t recover damages from ridesharing companies based on employment law theories.
Lyft Insurance Policies Based on the Status of the Driver
Lyft maintains a $1 million auto liability policy. However, depending on the circumstances surrounding a collision, this coverage may or may not be fully available. Various factors determine the policy that kicks in once an accident involving Lyft occurs in Houston.
Lyft provides several types of insurance based on the driver’s status when the accident occurred, which can be broken down into four periods:
- Period 0: When the app is off. This is a period when the driver may be using their car for personal use.
- Period 1: When the app is open and the driver is anticipating a request.
- Period 2: When the driver has accepted a request and is en route to pick up a client.
- Period 3: When the Lyft driver has a passenger in their car.
Coverage for Houston Lyft Passengers
For Lyft passengers involved in accidents, period 3 is the only relevant portion based on the driver’s status. During this period, Lyft provides passengers with the following coverage:
- $1 million in third-party auto liability
- First-party coverages, including uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
This implies that regardless of whether the Lyft driver is to blame or if a third party is at fault, Lyft’s insurance carrier will offer up to $1 million in liability coverage. If the Lyft driver was liable for the crash, the injured victim may file an insurance claim under the company’s third-party auto liability coverage.
To be clear, does Lyft cover accidents? Yes, it does. However, the circumstances surrounding the accident significantly determine whether Lyft will cover your damages.
In cases where the Lyft driver isn’t responsible for the crash, the primary source of compensation for passengers will be the at-fault party’s insurance policy. Since Texas is an at-fault state, a passenger must seek compensation from the party responsible for causing their accident and injuries.
If the at-fault driver doesn’t have the minimum liability coverage required to operate a vehicle in Texas, Lyft’s uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may cover the passenger’s damages. This policy may also apply when the at-fault driver has no insurance coverage.
Who May Be Financially Responsible After a Houston Lyft Accident?
After a rideshare accident in Houston, it’s important to determine who is responsible for your accident in order for you to recover maximum compensation. An experienced Houston Lyft accident lawyer can look at the facts surrounding your case as they gather and analyze evidence proving liability and damages. This evidence may include the following:
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Medical bills
- Pay stubs
Evidence may point out who is to blame for an accident. Some of the potentially liable parties include:
- The Lyft driver
- Lyft
- Third-party passenger car drivers
- Cyclists
- Pedestrians
- Truck drivers
- Bus drivers
- Houston transit authorities
- Government agencies responsible for traffic lights, or road repairs.
The person who causes an accident may not always pay damages after a Lyft accident in Houston. Multiple parties may be financially responsible for rideshare accidents. For this reason, you should seek legal advice to understand who may be financially responsible for your damages.
Call an Experienced Houston Lyft Accident Attorney for a Free Case Evaluation Today
Lyft accidents are complicated, and at Johnson Garcia, our Houston personal injury lawyers will work to make your case uncomplicated if you were injured in a crash. Our lawyers will give you frank answers to all your questions, address your concerns, explain the ins and outs of Lyft insurance, and ensure you have all the pertinent information you need to make an informed decision.
To learn more, call 832-844-6700 or contact our Houston office to schedule a free case evaluation. We accept cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that you don’t pay any upfront costs for our legal services.