By Alex Stalvey
Will Uber or Lyft pay my medical bills?
How long does a rideshare injury claim usually take?
What am I supposed to do if another driver caused the accident, not my Uber driver?
What happens if the other driver was uninsured or underinsured? Who is going to help me recover?
Unfortunately, these questions are becoming more common because rideshare drivers are 73% more likely to be involved in an accident than the general population, according to Insurify data.
The good news? When it comes to severe outcomes, like fatalities, rideshare accident statistics tell a different story. Although they’re on the road more, rideshare drivers are statistically less likely than the average driver to be in a fatal accident. Uber and Lyft report fatality rates lower than the national average, though recent years have seen an uptick. Uber reported 0.87 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 2021–2022, up from 0.62 in the previous period, according to data from Uber. Lyft showed a rise from 0.74 in 2019–2020 to 0.94 in 2021–2022, per Lyft data.
Driving newer, safer vehicles and the incentive to drive safely to remain on ridesharing platforms may contribute to lower fatal accident rates among rideshare drivers.
That’s good news for customers. However, knowing these types of accidents are growing in frequency, it gets complex when a passenger is involved in a rideshare accident, regardless of the severity of injuries or who is at fault.
Who Pays When a Rideshare Passenger Is Injured?
It’s important to know that the law provides access to insurance coverage designed to protect rideshare customers involved in an accident. When a rideshare driver is actively transporting a passenger, companies like Uber and Lyft typically provide up to $1 million in liability insurance, according to their publicly disclosed policies.
The payoff is simple: coverage exists. The challenge is understanding which coverage applies and when.
When the Rideshare Driver Is at Fault
Unfortunately, even if the fault is clear, it does not always mean a smooth process. If the rideshare driver caused the accident, the claim usually goes through the rideshare company’s insurance carrier. That insurance can cover medical care, lost income, and the physical limitations caused by the injury.
However, these insurance providers are motivated to reduce payouts. A 2023 Insurance Research Council study found that injury claimants without legal guidance often received substantially lower settlement offers, even when fault was not disputed.
This presents a murky legal landscape. When a third-party driver is involved, liability becomes difficult to determine—especially if the Uber or Lyft trip was in progress. In many cases, injured riders may be unsure whether the platform, their driver, or the third-party vehicle is legally responsible. For injury victims, this legal ambiguity makes it even more essential to speak with an attorney who understands rideshare-specific litigation and liability structures.
When Your Rideshare Driver is Not at Fault
Unfortunately, when multiple insurance policies are in play, everything slows down. Uber’s safety report shows that other drivers were responsible for 95% of fatal crashes involving an Uber vehicle.
If another driver caused the accident, the claim usually starts with that driver’s insurance. Problems arise when that coverage is not enough. According to the Insurance Information Institute, about 13% of drivers nationwide are uninsured or underinsured.
In those situations, rideshare uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may apply. That coverage is not automatic. It usually requires proof that the other driver’s insurance is unavailable or insufficient.
Why Rideshare Passenger Claims Take Longer Than Expected
While it looks like a typical accident, behind the scenes, it won’t be.
Rideshare injury claims depend on app status, timing, fault, and policy limits across multiple insurers. A Consumer Federation of America report found that rideshare-related injury claims take longer to resolve on average because insurers must determine responsibility across overlapping policies.
Be patient while the insurance companies sort this out. Rest assured, this delay is not a sign that your claim is being considered. It’s just subject to a non-traditional process.
It’s easy to see why the process is complex when you compare it to traditional commercial transportation, like buses, shuttles, and taxis, which operate under continuous commercial insurance and clearer liability structures. Those drivers are typically employees, coverage is consistent, and responsibility is easier to identify. There’s less ambiguity when it’s time to sort out what comes next.
Rideshare services are structured differently. Coverage depends on the app’s status; drivers are classified as independent contractors, and multiple insurance policies may apply.
The ride may feel routine, but the framework behind it is more fragmented.
What Rideshare Accident Victims Should Do First
Small decisions early can shape the outcome of a claim.
After a rideshare accident, we always encourage our clients to seek medical evaluation, even for mild symptoms, and to continue seeking treatment even if it’s not clear when these medical expenses will be reimbursed. Due to the costs involved, we often hear from clients who have decided against taking this step, making it difficult to prove the impact of the accident on injuries down the road.
Immediately begin keeping written notes about pain, missed work, and daily limitations. We’ve written extensively on how accident victims should work with their medical teams.
Many passengers accept early settlement offers to move forward. Those offers often focus on immediate bills and ignore long-term treatment, lingering pain, or reduced ability to work.
Once a claim is settled, it usually cannot be reopened. Check out this article about why it’s important to consider injuries that present themselves in the future.
Save the ride details and screenshots from the app. This information will be requested repeatedly.
Avoid making any recorded statements without understanding their purpose. Even better, let your attorney handle them.
Rideshare passengers involved in an accident want clear answers about coverage, liability, and timing. But insurance coverage is nuanced and unfamiliar. My team will work with these victims to help determine which policies apply, evaluate injuries over time, and prevent rushed decisions.
Our firm works with injured rideshare passengers to identify which policies apply, evaluate injuries over time, and prevent rushed decisions that can limit long-term recovery.
If you were injured as a passenger in a rideshare accident, understanding the structure behind the ride is the first step toward making informed decisions with confidence. Ready to speak with us? Book a no-obligation consultation HERE.
