are accidents blur the lines between personal vehicle crashes and commercial transportation claims. When an Uber or Lyft vehicle is involved in a collision, figuring out who pays for your damages is complicated. The answer depends on various factors that don’t apply to car crashes involving two personal vehicles. Not knowing what insurance may apply could cause you to miss a source of compensation when filing a legal claim.
At [firm-name], our experienced car accident lawyers in Harrisburg have been helping injured crash victims for decades so we have a extensive knowledge of how to handle even the most complex cases.
Not sure if you have a case? We can help you with that. Like many injury lawyers, we offer a free case review. We are prepared to listen to your story and find out what happened. We also welcome your questions. Don’t wait too long to call – we can begin protecting your rights from day one.
Find out if you have a case. Call for a FREE case review today. 717-727-2500
Who Pays if a Rideshare Driver Caused My Harrisburg Car Accident?
In Pennsylvania, your own auto insurance typically pays first for your medical bills and lost wages, no matter who caused the accident. That said, the driver who caused your crash still bears legal responsibility for your damages. This law applies whether they were operating as a rideshare driver or driving their personal vehicle at the time.
You may be able to file for damages against the rideshare driver’s personal policy. But Uber and Lyft drivers may often not carry more than the minimum required personal insurance. Medical bills and lost wages can quickly exceed basic policy limits, which could leave you undercompensated before pain and suffering damages can be determined.
Can I Sue Uber or Lyft for Damages in Pennsylvania?
Possibly – since both Uber and Lyft provide insurance coverage that protects passengers and third parties injured in rideshare car accidents. The coverage available, however, depends on the driver’s status when the crash occurred.
Rideshare companies divide this into distinct periods or tiers, each of these levels provides different insurance limits:
- Period 0: App is off: Only the driver’s personal insurance applies. Uber and Lyft provide no coverage whatsoever during this time.
- Period 1: App is on, waiting for a ride request: The rideshare company provides limited contingent liability coverage. In Pennsylvania, this means up to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident.
- Period 2: Driver has accepted a ride and is en route to pick up the passenger: Uber and Lyft provide $1 million in liability coverage during this period.
- Period 3: Passenger is in the vehicle: The same $1 million liability policy remains active until the passenger exits and the trip ends in the app.
Understanding which period applies to your accident determines your access to compensation.
How Can I Tell if the Rideshare Driver Had the App On or Off?
Determining the driver’s app status at the time of your crash is critical to your claim. This single fact can mean the difference between having $50,000 or $1 million in available coverage. If you don’t see a passenger riding in the car, you may have to take additional steps to find out. The rideshare driver may not voluntarily disclose this information at the scene. Police reports don’t always capture app status details either.
When Schmidt Kramer manages your case, our legal team can request this information from the rideshare company. Both Uber and Lyft maintain digital records of driver activity, including timestamps for when drivers log in, accept rides, and complete trips. This data shows exactly what the driver was doing at the moment of impact. It also reveals whether a passenger was in the vehicle or if the driver was en route to a pickup.
Acting quickly preserves this evidence and protects your right to full compensation. When we represent you, we will take prompt action to secure evidence that supports your claim.
Why Vicarious Liability Doesn’t Apply to Rideshare Drivers
If you are familiar with vicarious liability, you likely know it is a legal principle that holds employers responsible for their employees’ actions. When an employee causes harm while doing their job, the employer typically shares liability. Unfortunately, this principle doesn’t apply to Uber and Lyft drivers in Pennsylvania. Both companies classify their drivers as independent contractors, not employees.
This classification helps rideshare companies avoid direct liability for crashes their drivers cause. You cannot sue Uber or Lyft based solely on the driver’s negligent actions. However, this doesn’t leave you without legal options. The insurance policies Uber and Lyft provide still cover accidents that occur during rideshare activity.
When eligible, your claim goes against the applicable insurance policy, not against the rideshare company itself.
When Other Parties May Be Liable for Your Damages
The rideshare driver isn’t always the only party responsible for your accident. As with any type of car crash, multiple parties may share liability depending on how the crash occurred.
- Another driver may have caused the collision. Multi-vehicle accidents often involve fault from more than one party, expanding your potential sources of compensation.
- Manufacturers or repair shops may share liability if a vehicle defect, such as faulty brakes, defective tires, or other mechanical failures played a role in the crash.
- Government entities may bear some responsibility if poorly maintained roads, missing signage, or dangerous intersections led to the accident.
When we manage your case, we work tirelessly to identify all liable parties, pursuing all available avenues for compensation.
Time Limits Apply for Filing a Rideshare Car Crash Claim in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania law gives you two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline applies to rideshare accidents just like any other car crash case. Missing this deadline typically means permanently losing your right to pursue any amount of compensation. Evidence also disappears within a short time, making it urgent to protect your claim by taking early action.
Injured in a Harrisburg Rideshare Crash? Don’t Risk Your Case – Call Schmidt Kramer Today
Rideshare accident claims involve complex insurance issues that don’t exist in standard car crashes. Determining app status, navigating multiple policies, and determining what insurance applies can be confusing.
At Schmidt Kramer, we manage complex car crash cases every day – and we’re good at it! We’d love the opportunity to help you recover the compensation you need and deserve. Our legal team is deeply committed to holding at-fault parties accountable for the damages they cause.
There are no upfront fees or out-of-pocket costs to pay. We only get paid if you do.
Call Schmidt Kramer to get started today. 717-727-2500