Rideshare crashes create a question ordinary car accidents don’t have: whose insurance is on the hook — the driver’s personal policy, or the rideshare company’s commercial coverage? The answer depends on exactly what the app was doing at the moment of impact, and getting it right can change the available coverage from a state-minimum policy to coverage many times larger.
The Three App Periods That Decide Everything
When the driver is offline, only their personal auto policy applies. When the app is on and waiting for a ride request, the rideshare company provides limited contingent coverage. When a ride is accepted or a passenger is aboard, substantial commercial liability coverage is required — coverage the law allows to be maintained by the company, the driver, or a combination, which is why identifying the responsible policy is the first task in every rideshare case. Passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians can all have claims against that commercial coverage — but the companies and their insurers fight hard over which period applied. Trip logs and app data settle it, and they must be demanded early.
Who I Represent
Passengers injured in a rideshare vehicle, drivers of other cars hit by a rideshare driver, pedestrians, and rideshare drivers themselves who were struck by an uninsured or underinsured motorist. Each position has a different path to recovery — and often more than one policy stacks.
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From the blog: Injured in an Uber or Lyft Accident in Missouri? Here’s Who Pays.
The consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we win. When you’re hurt, call Kurt. (417) 553-4898 — or request a free case review.