What if Your Lyft Gets in an Accident

Were you recently injured in an accident involving Lyft in Houston? You may have the right to file for compensation for damages if someone else is to blame for your accident. In this situation, you may wonder whether you can sue Lyft for damages.

There are various parties that you may sue after a Lyft accident, including the company itself and its insurance carrier. So when you request a ride in Houston and ask yourself, “What if your Lyft gets in an accident?” Remember, the Lyft car accident lawyers at Johnson Garcia are ready to pursue your insurance claim or civil lawsuit across all avenues.

Call 832-844-6700 to discuss your case with our experienced legal team. We are here to help.

Who Is Liable for a Lyft Accident in Houston?

Here are some of the main parties that share the blame for Lyft car accidents:

Lyft Drivers

In many instances, Lyft drivers are to blame for car accidents. When they disregard state and federal traffic laws and endanger road users, including passengers, they may be held accountable for their negligent actions.

Some of the common reasons why drivers may be liable for Lyft accidents include:

Drowsy driving
Distracted driving
Running red lights
Speeding
Tailgating
Driving under the influence

Lyft

In certain circumstances, rideshare companies like Lyft may be liable for accidents that their drivers cause. If Lyft fails to vet and train drivers appropriately, they could be held liable for an accident under the principle of vicarious liability. Lyft could also be liable for damages if it fails to take necessary measures to ensure the safety of passengers, such as ignoring the need to ban drivers who receive numerous complaints and bad ratings on their app.

Lyft may also be liable for damages if it doesn’t provide adequate insurance coverage to its clients, the passengers.

Third Parties

Several other parties could share the blame for your Lyft accident injuries in Houston, depending on the details of your case. For instance, if the vehicle had a mechanical defect that led to the accident, multiple parties could be at fault, including:

Auto parts manufacturers
Motor vehicle dealerships
Auto parts designers
Safety inspectors
Auto parts distributors

Other third parties that may share blame include drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, government agencies, and municipalities.

What Is Lyft’s Insurance Policy?

When you are involved in a Lyft accident, here’s what you need to know about Lyft’s insurance policy:

If the Lyft App Is Off

You’ll have to file a claim against the driver’s auto insurance coverage. Texas requires drivers to carry a 30/60/25 minimum liability coverage.

If the App Is on and Waiting for a Ride

In this scenario, Lyft maintains third-party liability insurance for crashes if the driver’s personal coverage doesn’t apply. The insurance policy covers the following:

$50,000 per person for bodily injury
$100,000 per accident for bodily injury
$25,000 per accident for property damage

If the App Is on and the Driver Is on Their Way To Pick up Passengers or During Trips

Lyft maintains at least $1 million in third-party liability coverage. The ride-sharing company also offers first-party coverage for the following:

MedPay
Personal injury protection (PIP)
Underinsured motorist coverage
Uninsured motorist coverage

Who Pays for Damages in a Lyft Accident?

Liability issues may complicate who pays for Lyft accident settlements. But still, an experienced personal injury lawyer can look at the facts of your case and help you establish liability after a Lyft accident.

Typically, Lyft’s insurance carriers or the driver’s insurance policy will pay for damages after you’ve sustained catastrophic injuries, such as severe burns, during the crash. If the driver’s insurance denies the claim due to the car’s business exception use, Lyft should step in and cover your damages. However, this will only happen if the driver was online during your trip.

If another driver, say a drunk driver on Houston roads, hits your Uber and injures you, you may file a claim against their insurance company. The drunk driver and their carrier will be responsible for your damages in such a case.

If Lyft’s or the at-fault driver’s policies are inadequate to cover your damages, or if they deny your claim, you have the right to file a lawsuit.

Statute of Limitations for Lyft Accidents

In Texas, all injured victims and their loved ones who want to pursue personal injury claims — including Lyft accident claims — have two years to do so. This time limit applies from the date of the accident. If you wait for more than two years to file your Lyft car accident claim, it might be too late to receive any compensation for damages.