Rideshare Accident Lawyer Philadelphia, PA

After you have been injured in a car accident while you were using a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft, you need the help of a rideshare accident lawyer Philadelphia, PA residents recommend from Wieand Parker Arreola, PLLC. Whether you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle or you were another driver who was in an accident with an Uber or Lyft vehicle, you should speak with attorneys quickly. Getting injured by someone driving for Uber or Lyft can make things far more complicated when it comes to filing a claim, so you will likely feel more relaxed and at ease with the help of an attorney who understands the insurance and laws regarding ridesharing services. 

Insurance Coverage Depends on Whether You Are a Driver or Passenger, and the Stage of the Trip

One of the most confusing parts of any rideshare accident case is figuring out which insurance policy actually applies. Unlike a typical car accident, the coverage available to you after an Uber or Lyft crash depends heavily on your role in the accident, whether you were the rideshare passenger, the rideshare driver, or another driver or pedestrian involved, and on what stage of the trip the rideshare driver was in at the moment of the crash. Pennsylvania recognizes several distinct coverage periods for rideshare vehicles:

• App Off. If the rideshare driver was not logged into the Uber or Lyft app at the time of the crash, the rideshare company provides no coverage at all, and any claim is handled through the driver’s own personal auto insurance, just like an ordinary car accident.
• App On, Waiting for a Ride Request. Once a driver logs in but has not yet been matched with a rider, Uber and Lyft provide only limited, contingent liability coverage that generally applies only if the driver’s personal insurance denies the claim or does not provide enough coverage.
• En Route to Pick Up a Passenger, or Passenger in the Vehicle. Once a driver accepts a ride request, whether on the way to pick up the passenger or with the passenger already in the car, Uber’s and Lyft’s insurance coverage expands significantly, typically providing up to $1 million in third-party liability coverage, along with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage that can protect passengers when the at-fault driver does not carry enough insurance of their own.

If you were a passenger, you are generally entitled to the highest level of coverage available under whichever policy was in effect at the time of the crash. If you were the rideshare driver, your own recovery may instead be governed by your personal auto policy and Pennsylvania’s limited tort versus full tort rules. Sorting out which policy, or policies, apply and pursuing the insurer that is actually responsible requires an attorney who regularly handles these claims.

Wieand Parker Arreola, PLLC, has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of rideshare passengers and drivers injured in Uber and Lyft accidents, and our attorneys are experienced in navigating the layered, and often contested, insurance coverage available in these cases. If you were injured while using a rideshare service, don’t try to sort out the insurance issues on your own, contact us for a free consultation.

What kinds of damages can you get in an Uber or Lyft accident?

Understandably, you likely want to know what kinds of damages you can receive after you have been in an accident like this. Damages will depend entirely on how seriously the accident affected you. For example, if you only have minor scrapes and bruises, it is not likely that you will have extended hospital stays or need time off work. It is still possible that you suffered from emotional trauma, however. On the other hand, some Uber and Lyft accidents can be more catastrophic and leave victims in the hospital needing surgery and needing to take weeks or months off of work. Our car accident lawyer Philadelphia, PA trusts can help you with this. 

Types of Damages

• Medical Expenses. This could be the medical expenses you get for a shorter treatment, including any medications you need to take during the recovery process. Medical expenses can also mean surgery for your injuries, physical therapy, and any other treatment you received as a direct result of the accident. 
• Lost Earning Capacity/Income. If your injuries are so bad that you are not able to work for a period of time, you can ask to receive damages based on the compensation that you have already lost and the compensation that you will lose in the future. 
• Pain and Suffering. You may be able to receive damages for two types of pain and suffering: physical pain and suffering you have had to endure because of your injuries and mental pain and suffering. This could be sleepless nights since the accident, a fear of getting into cars, and general anxiety and stress. 

If you are interested in learning more about what to do when you have been the victim in an Uber or Lyft accident, speak with our Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Uber and Lyft accident lawyer from Wieand Parker Arreola, PLLC.