Claim Periods with Uber & Lyft Insurance

The world is changing and nowadays, more and more people are riding with Uber and Lyft, than ever before. These rideshare companies have taken over the transportation industry, becoming so successful that they have driven taxi cabs nearly out of business in some places while also incentivizing riders to ditch their cars entirely. As with any quickly growing societal trend, there are bound to be legal questions that have to be answered as a result of these shifts in technology. For Uber and Lyft, many of these questions have to do with insurance coverage. What happens when a rideshare driver slams into another car and causes and accident? How do riders handle their claims? These questions are commonly asked by those who travel with Uber or Lyft often.

Uber and Lyft Drivers

The normal driver out on the road is typically carrying $25,000 to $50,000 in liability insurance, while others are just getting by with the required state minimum. This means that if another driver hurts you, then you are limited in what you can recover from a practical perspective. The same is not true for Uber or Lyft. Given how big the companies have grown, they have gotten very serious about their insurance posture. In particular, the companies ensure that their drivers have $1,000,000 in liability coverage. If you are hurt because of something the rideshare driver does, then there is an opportunity to recover those damages.

Uber Insurance

Still, many riders don’t know how Uber insurance works. These individuals know they need to file an Uber claim or a Lyft claim, but are unaware of how to facilitate the process. Outstanding rideshare lawyers can walk you through the legal details, as well as help you file such accident claim. The key is to understand the timelines and deadlines associated with filing a claim. As with all insurance-related matters, if you take too long, then it will become much more difficult to get the insurance payout that you are rightfully entitled to.

Understanding Uber and Lyft Claim Periods

An Uber accident attorney can properly advise you in the periods regarding Uber insurance claims. Namely, Uber and Lyft have different levels of insurance that they provide, depending on what the driver is doing. Period 1 is when the driver has his app on and is waiting for a ride. Uber and Lyft do not provide any insurance for their drivers when the app is not on. This means that if you are hit by an Uber or Lyft driver who was just hanging out as a regular citizen, then you will need to file a claim against their standard insurance. However, the limits and liabilities during the waiting period are much lower, as well. This means you will need to figure out whether the rideshare driver was actually in the process of taking a fare.

Period 2

During Period 2, which is defined as the period after a driver has taken the ride and before he picks up a passenger, Uber provides up to $1 million in liability coverage. While it may seem simple to just file a claim on Uber’s insurance for this driver when he happens to hit you, such is not as simple as it may seem. A Lyft accident attorney will tell you that the companies will often make their drivers prove that they were in the process of picking up a customer. Without a knowledgeable lawyer to help you through these claims, you may have a hard time recovering on the company’s insurance. The company will in some cases fight against its own drivers and if you are just relying on the driver’s insurance, then there will be much less to look forward to collecting.

Period 3

Period 3 may potentially be the easiest period when it comes to proving what was going on. This is the period during which a driver has a passenger and is actively taking them from Point A to Point B. Uber and Lyft provide their highest levels of insurance during this period and is often the easiest for your rideshare attorneys to prove negligence. Since the driver will have a passenger in the car during the course of the accident, you will have a ready-made witness as to what happened. This reasoning is due to the fact that Uber and Lyft are required to cover the accident with their own insurance policies.

Protection for Uber and Lyft Passengers

There are many people who could potentially be harmed by the actions of an Uber or Lyft driver. The most obvious, of course, is the passenger, who has taken a risk by getting into the car of a stranger. Passengers hurt during the course of a ride have claims against Uber for those injuries. Victims who experienced injuries while riding with Uber or Lyft may want to seek the legal support of a trusted personal injury attorney. With trusted legal support, such individual would gain assistance from filing their claim, seeking further medical support, as well as support in negotiating proper settlement and/or recovery options needed.

3rd Party Claimants

In addition, other drivers and pedestrians are also at risk. Uber and Lyft are fairly new services, always hiring new drivers, as well as condoning business in under a decade. These individuals may not yet know all the roads they are driving for commercial purposes. This means such rideshare drivers may have to look down at the app to try to figure out what is going on. Many different things can happen to put people at risk. In addition, many of these Uber or Lyft drivers don’t endure an interview process, nor meet with an official to verify eligibility. There have even been counts where an Uber or Lyft driver did not have the same appearance from their profile, as to when they actually show up. When an Uber or Lyft driver causes an accident through their negligence, they are still covered by the company’s insurance. Those people who are innocent victims in these accidents can recover damages by filing a claim against the insurance policy of Uber or Lyft.

The Claim-Filing Process

Such rideshare accidents work roughly the same as normal car accidents. If you have ever been hurt in a car wreck, then you know the drill. How Lyft insurance works is relatively simple. You should first make sure that everyone who needs it gets medical care. That is most important, as your health is paramount. From there, you should document everything. Get pictures if possible. Get names, insurance policy numbers, license plate numbers, as well as a copy of the police report, if one was filed. The more information you have, the better you will be when filing a claim. You should also collect and save information in regard to your expenses, including your hospital bills.

Gaining Legal Support

For those who are skeptical about going about this process alone, or simply want to ensure their claim is in great hands, they should retain the legal support of an Uber or Lyft attorney. Here, these successful individuals may help you file your claim, accommodate your medical appointments, as well as negotiate a fair and proper settlement for your recovery. Without the help of a trusted personal injury law firm, your claim may be subject to getting belittled or completely rejected. For more information on how to get started, or for any questions you may have, contact our firm immediately ” we’re here to help.

Your free case review regarding your unique situation is available by calling:

888-529-3111 Monday-Friday, 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week.

– Jack Ter-Saakyan, Esq.
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