How Much is My Ridesharing Accident Worth?

Ridesharing companies, such as Uber and Lyft, have become wildly popular in the United States and across the world, with Uber itself reaching 111 million active users in the fourth quarter of 2019. Although the companies have seen an expected reduction in their use during the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in the first half of 2020, the companies are experiencing a rebound in their number of riders now that states are “reopening” across the country. 

One of the main factors that has led to the rise of ridesharing companies has been the perception that they are a safer and more convenient transportation option, particularly when there is alcohol involved. However, the high demand of ridesharing companies has resulted in less of a reliance on public transportation and a greater number of cars on the road. When there are more cars on the road, the number of car accidents naturally rise.

Frequency of Rideshare Accidents

The risk for an accident is particularly high for rideshare cars. There are many factors which take the driver’s attention away from the road, including (but not limited to):

• Constant GPS usage 
• Loud and disruptive passengers
• Driving in areas with higher rates of traffic
• Driving unfamiliar routes
  

With the combination of partially distracted drivers and more cars on the roads, it is no surprise that the nation has seen a rise in traffic accidents. According to a study conducted by the University of Chicago and Rice University, the rise of Uber has coincided with a 2 to 3 percent increase in traffic fatalities in the nation since the company’s launch in 2011. 

All of this means that ridesharing accidents are not an uncommon occurrence. If you are involved in a ridesharing accident, you might have many questions on the next steps that you need to take. Remember, your priority should always be your health. If you have sustained injuries in the accident, seek medical attention and maintain your medical records for your injuries. Documentation of these records are key, as the extent of your injuries will be pivotal in determining the important question: How much is my ridesharing accident worth?

Types of Damages and Compensation from Rideshare Accidents 

As with any personal injury case, the amount of compensation that you can receive will depend on the facts and circumstances of your individual case. The more severe your injury is, the greater compensation you can recover from the company. After sustaining injuries in a ridesharing accident, you can receive a few different types of compensation, including:

1. Medical Expenses: This can include various different expenses, such as the costs of emergency medical attention received directly after the accident, physical therapy costs, medications, and other treatments. You may also be compensated for future medical expenses if the injuries are severe enough to require long-term medical care. 
   

2. Lost Wages: If you were unable to work due to your injuries, you can recover damages for the income that you would have earned had you been able to work. This can also include the loss of future earnings or future earning potential if the injuries have resulted in you being unable to perform the same work you did prior to the accident.
   

3. Non-Economic Damages: These damages are more difficult to compute since there are no tangible expenses that are associated with them, but they can include damages for pain and suffering, emotional and psychological injuries, and a diminished quality of life due to the injuries. Non-economic damages generally vary significantly depending on the case.
   

Uber and Lyft Insurance Policies

The amount of compensation that you receive from the rideshare company also depends on the circumstances of when the accident occurs. All Uber and Lyft drivers are required to maintain personal insurance policies, and if the driver of the ridesharing car is the at-fault party in an accident, their personal insurance policy will be liable for damages. However, Uber and Lyft both carry similar insurance policies for their drivers that supplement the drivers’ individual insurance.

Uber and Lyft offer insurance coverage for their drivers in three different scenarios, including when the driver is offline or the Driver app is off, when the Driver app is on and the driver is available or waiting for a ride request, and when the driver is en route to pick up riders and during the requested trips. Here’s what each scenario covers:

• The driver is offline or the Driver app is off: In this scenario, the driver’s personal insurance company covers any expenses. The ridesharing company’s insurance does not kick in if the driver is not actually performing services for the company.
• Available or waiting for a ride request: The driver’s personal insurance provider will still be the primary source of compensation in this scenario. However, if the personal insurance of the driver does not apply, Uber maintains third-personal liability insurance up to 
• $50,000 in bodily injury per person 
• $100,000 in bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 in property damage per accident
• En route to pick up riders and during trips: When the driver is fulfilling a ride request, Uber maintains three insurance coverages
• Third party liability up to $1,000,000, for bodily injuries stemming from the accident
• Uninsured/Underinsured motorist bodily that covers the excess costs when the at-fault driver’s insurance does not cover the full extent of damages
• Contingent collision and comprehensive coverage that covers up to the actual cash value of your vehicle or the cost of repair (with a $1,000 deductible for Uber and $2,500 deductible for Lyft), contingent on the rideshare driver maintaining a personal comprehensive and collision policy 
  
  

How Much Will You Get?

Ultimately, the monetary value of your ridesharing accident will depend on the injuries that you sustained in the accident. If your injury is relatively minor, the amount of damages you will receive will also be relatively low. However, if the accident has caused injuries that require a significant hospital stay, physical therapy, lost wages from being unable to work, or emotional trauma, you might be entitled to a more significant sum of money due to the accident. 

The highest potential for compensation comes in the third scenario listed above, where the driver is fulfilling a ride request. For example, if you are a passenger in an Uber or Lyft that you requested and you are involved in an accident prior to reaching your destination, you could receive up to $1,000,000 from the ridesharing company’s insurance policy. In another example, if a driver for a ridesharing company causes an accident with your car while they do not have a passenger but have their Driver app on, you can recover up to $50,000, as well as up to $25,000 for damage to your vehicle. If you are in an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver while they are not taking rides, you will have to deal with their personal insurer. 

Remember, it is always important to get the necessary medical attention when in a ridesharing accident. It is also important to create and retain a medical record, including hospital records, expenses, and treatments used in relation to the accident. These records will be very useful in proving injuries that require compensation from Uber or Lyft. 

Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with a Pennsylvania Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured in a ridesharing accident and do not know what steps to take next, you should call attorney Robert Disney today. Mr. Disney is a skilled and experienced personal injury attorney in Pennsylvania who can get you the compensation to which you are entitled. To schedule a free case evaluation, call or text us today at 412-999-5765 or contact us online at Disneylaw.com