Hurt in a crash involving an Uber or Lyft? These cases are more complicated than a normal car accident. Multiple insurance policies may apply. The rideshare company will point fingers. And the clock starts right away.
The Burkett Law Firm can sort it out for you. We have represented injured Texans since 1960 and recovered more than $80 million. Get a free case review or call 361-738-5548.
4,150 People killed in Texas traffic crashes in 2024 — more than 11 per day | Up to $1M Third-party liability coverage rideshare companies typically provide during an active trip | 2 yrs Texas deadline to file most injury claims |
Sources: TxDOT 2024 Crash Facts; Uber published insurance policy; Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code | ||
Who Can File an Uber Accident Claim?
- Rideshare passengers hurt during a trip — see our passenger injury page
- Other drivers hit by an Uber or Lyft driver
- Pedestrians and cyclists struck by a rideshare vehicle
- Rideshare drivers hurt by another negligent driver
Whose Insurance Pays After a Rideshare Crash?
It depends on what the driver was doing at the moment of the crash:
App Off
The driver’s personal auto policy applies — just like any other car accident.
App On, Waiting for a Ride Request
Rideshare companies provide limited contingent liability coverage in this window.
En Route to Pickup or During a Trip
This is when the largest coverage applies — typically up to $1 million in third-party liability, plus uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in many cases. If an uninsured driver hit you, also read our uninsured driver accident page.
Insurers on all sides will try to push the claim onto someone else’s policy. We identify every policy that applies and hold the right ones accountable.
Common Causes of Uber Accidents
- Distracted driving — rideshare drivers work off a phone app
- Speeding to complete more trips
- Driver fatigue from long hours
- Sudden stops for pickups, causing rear-end collisions
- Unfamiliar roads and unsafe turns
★★★★★ “Thank you for the help with my car accident. Your team does great work and I could not have gotten through this without you. Great accident lawyers! I recommend them to everyone hurt in an accident.” — Paul E., Burkett Law Firm client
What to Do After a Rideshare Accident
- Call 911 and get medical care — even if you feel okay.
- Screenshot the trip details in the app.
- Photograph the vehicles, the scene, and your injuries.
- Get names and contact info for the driver and witnesses.
- Report the crash in the app, but give no recorded statements.
- Call a lawyer before accepting any offer.
For a full checklist, read what to do after a Corpus Christi auto accident.
Compensation for Uber Accident Victims
- Medical bills and future care
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
Serious crashes can cause brain injuries and whiplash. Do not settle before you know the full extent of your injuries.
Uber and Lyft Claims vs. Regular Car Accident Claims
Three things make rideshare cases different from an ordinary crash claim:
- Layered insurance. The driver’s personal policy, the rideshare company’s contingent coverage, and the $1 million trip policy can all be in play. Which one pays depends on the app status at the moment of impact.
- Digital evidence. The app records the trip, speed, and route. That data helps your case — but you need to request it before it is gone.
- Corporate defense teams. Rideshare insurers handle thousands of claims and know every tactic to pay less.
An experienced lawyer neutralizes all three. We identify the correct coverage tier, preserve the app data, and deal with the adjusters so you do not have to.
How Long Does a Rideshare Accident Case Take?
Minor injury claims often resolve in a few months. Cases with serious injuries — or disputes between insurers over whose policy applies — can take longer. Do not let an adjuster rush you. Settling before your medical picture is clear means settling for less than your case is worth.
We Take the Insurance Fight Off Your Plate
After a rideshare crash, you may hear from three different adjusters in a week — the driver’s insurer, the rideshare company’s insurer, and maybe your own. Each one has the same goal: close your claim cheap.
Once you hire us, they all talk to us instead. We:
- Put every insurer on notice and identify the correct coverage tier
- Preserve the app trip data before it disappears
- Gather the police report, witness statements, and medical records
- Build your damages file and demand full value — on your timeline, not theirs
You heal. We handle the rest. And you owe us nothing unless we recover for you.
Uber Accident FAQs
Can I sue Uber directly?
Usually claims go through Uber’s insurance rather than Uber itself, because drivers are classified as independent contractors. But the $1 million policy is there for exactly these cases — and we know how to pursue it.
I was a passenger. Do I have to prove who was at fault?
No matter which driver caused the crash, an injured passenger almost always has a claim. We determine fault and file against the right policies.
How much does a rideshare accident lawyer cost?
Nothing up front. We only get paid if we win your case.
What if the rideshare driver’s app was off at the time of the crash?
Then the driver’s personal auto policy applies, like any other crash. If that driver was uninsured or underinsured, your own UM/UIM coverage may step in — see our uninsured driver page.
Do rideshare cases apply to Lyft, food delivery, and other app drivers?
Yes. Lyft carries similar coverage, and delivery platforms carry their own policies. The same app-status analysis applies. Bring us the details and we will find every policy that owes you.
Talk to a Corpus Christi Rideshare Accident Lawyer
Do not let three insurance companies play hot potato with your claim. Call 361-738-5548 or schedule a free consultation with our injury team today.
