Houston Ridesharing Accident Attorney

ridesharing accident - Rideshare app on phone attached to windshield of car

Ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft have become increasingly popular in Houston and the United States. Rideshare companies connect private drivers with passengers through a phone app with an affordable, easy-to-use service. As the popularity of ridesharing apps increases, so does the amount of ridesharing accidents. If you’ve been injured in a ridesharing accident in Houston, you may be entitled to compensation.

Discuss Your Ridesharing Accident Case With a Houston Personal Injury Attorney Today

Ridesharing accidents can be more complicated than other motor vehicle accidents. Additionally, navigating the process of claiming compensation through Uber or Lyft insurance companies can be complicated. The skilled ridesharing accident attorneys at Ceja Law Firm PLLC are here to help you navigate the process of obtaining compensation. Contact our Houston personal injury law firm today to schedule your free initial consultation. 

Do I Need a Rideshare Accident Attorney?

Becoming injured in a rideshare accident is an overwhelming process. In addition to healing from your injuries, you’re probably considering what steps you should take to obtain compensation for your injuries. After seeking medical help, discussing your case with an experienced attorney is one of the most important things you can do. The process for obtaining compensation through an insurance policy is more complicated than you might anticipate. Many rideshare accidents involve multiple insurance companies. 

Sometimes there are arguments about who caused the accident, which insurance policy is primary or secondary, the extent of your injuries, and more. One of the experienced personal injury attorneys at Ceja Law Firm PLLC will guide you through all of these complications while advocating for your right to compensation. Working with an attorney gives you the best strategy to obtain all of the damages you deserve, including medical expenses, lost time at work, pain, and suffering.

Investigating a Ridesharing Accident

Undergoing a thorough investigation will help your attorney gather evidence showing that the at-fault driver’s negligence or recklessness caused the accident. The legal team at Ceja Law Firm PLLC will immediately begin gathering information about the accident, including the following:

  • The police crash report
  • Any available photo and video evidence
  • Eyewitness statements
  • Any digital data from the vehicles involved in the accident
  • Personal injury and medical records

Our legal team will also work with your doctor, specialist, and physical therapist to clearly understand how your injuries affect your life today and how they will affect you in the future.

Determining Liability in a Houston Rideshare Accident

After our extensive investigation, we will determine who is at fault and liable for your injuries. Multiple parties may be financially liable for your injuries, including the Uber or Lyft driver, the rideshare company, and/or a third-party driver. If the Uber or Lyft driver acted negligently or recklessly and caused the accident, victims will have a right to sue the driver. Unfortunately, many Uber or Lyft drivers may not have the resources or insurance policy necessary to cover all victims’ injuries.

We will investigate whether you may be able to hold the rideshare company itself vicariously liable for the actions of the rideshare driver. Holding rideshare companies accountable for the actions of their drivers can be challenging. Ridesharing drivers are not considered employees of Uber or Lyft, making it more challenging to bring a lawsuit against the rideshare company. Nonetheless, there are certain circumstances under which Uber and Lyft could be liable for your injuries and damages.

Insurance Settlements After a Rideshare Accident

We will also determine whether the Uber or Lyft driver was using the rideshare application when the accident occurred. Uber and Lyft have extensive insurance policies that victims of rideshare accidents can use, whether or not their driver was at fault. Uber and Lyft insurance limits depend on whether the driver was on the app picking up a customer or driving a customer. When the accident occurred while the Uber or Lyft driver was logged into the application and driving a passenger, Uber and Lyft’s insurance policy will pay up to $1 million. 

When the accident occurred while the rideshare driver was not logged into the app, Uber and Lyft’s liability policy will not cover the accident. Instead, the at-fault driver’s own auto insurance policy will cover the damages caused to other vehicles and people. When the rideshare driver is logged into the app but doesn’t have a rider yet, the driver’s personal insurance policy will be the primary payer if an accident occurs. Uber is required to provide contingency coverage for injured passengers when the driver’s insurance company tries to deny the claim. 

Pursuing Compensation from a Third-Party Driver

In some cases, a third-party driver will cause a rideshare accident. Victims will need to pursue compensation from the third-party driver who is at fault in this scenario. Victims must file a claim for compensation through the third-party driver’s insurance company. Unfortunately, the third-party driver may not have auto insurance or enough insurance coverage to cover the victim’s injuries. 

In that case, victims can pursue compensation through Uber or Lyft uninsured motorist coverage. Uber and Lyft have a $1 million uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance policy. They will cover whatever expenses the third-party driver’s insurance policy will not cover up to $1 million. Uninsured motorist cases are complicated and require an attorney skilled in negotiating with multiple insurance companies. At Ceja Law Firm PLLC, we will handle the insurance negotiation process for you to focus on your recovery.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Ceja Law Firm PLLC

If your loved one has been injured due to the negligence or recklessness of a Lyft or Uber driver, it’s important to have an experienced attorney on your side. You will be confronted with complicated legal issues and insurance companies that will try to avoid paying your claim. Working with an experienced rideshare accident attorney will give you the best chance of obtaining the total amount of compensation you deserve. At Ceja Law Firm PLLC, we have a proven track record of obtaining compensation for rideshare accident victims. Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation and learn more.

Ceja Law Firm PLLC helps clients with rideshare accident cases throughout Harris County and the Greater Houston Area including Pasadena, Baytown, Sugar Land, Bellaire, Galveston, Texas City, Jacinto City, and more.