Who Is Liable in an Uber or Lyft Accident in Connecticut?

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are more popular than ever. But when accidents happen, victims must determine who can be held responsible for their injuries. One of the most important steps you can take in this regard is to hire an experienced car accident attorney.

Barry & Spinella, LLC represents Connecticut victims of Uber and Lyft accidents. We handle each stage of your personal injury claim with the professional advocacy that you deserve.

The two insurance sources most likely to apply

The issue of accident liability is at the core of an injury claim to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more. But this is not always straightforward. For example, if you were injured in an Uber accident, asking which insurance source applies will likely lead you to one of the two following answers:

The driver’s insurance company

When the driver is offline, as in not using the Uber or Lyft app, their own automobile insurance policy is responsible for covering an accident victim’s losses. So if the driver is not actually driving for a rideshare company and gets into a crash, you will start with their personal policy.

In a case like this, the timeline of the accident can become highly relevant. The accident victim will need to know what exactly the driver was doing at the moment of the crash. If there’s no evidence that the driver was working for Uber or Lyft, then these companies will likely not be liable.

Uber and Lyft, through their insurers

There are two situations in which insurance coverage shifts from the driver’s personal auto insurance policy to the insurance companies that cover Uber and Lyft:

• When the driver is logged in to the app and waiting for a ride, Uber and Lyft’s insurance provides limited coverage of $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 per accident for property damage.
• When the driver has accepted a ride request or has a passenger in the vehicle, the rideshare company’s insurance generally provides at least $1 million in combined liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage claims. Depending on the policy and the driver’s own coverage, limited coverage may also be available for the driver’s vehicle.

Other parties who could be held liable

Although these insurance companies are typically the coverage sources in rideshare accidents, this is not always the case. Depending on the unique facts of your case, these are some other parties who could be liable:

• Another driver: Not all accidents occur due to the Uber or Lyft driver. If a third-party motorist is negligent, for instance, because of distracted or drunk driving, they and their insurer could have to cover your losses.
• The owner of the at-fault vehicle: Whoever actually owned the vehicle responsible for the crash could bear some liability under certain circumstances. This individual is not always the same person as the driver. For instance, a family member could lend a vehicle to an unsafe relative.
• An employer: This scenario usually involves a commercial vehicle, like a delivery truck. An important question to answer is whether the driver, as the employee, was working at the time they got into an accident using the company vehicle.
• Vehicle or parts manufacturer: Defects with the vehicle itself could make its manufacturer responsible. The same is true for the company that installed a defective part.
• Maintenance or repair company: Similarly, when repair shops or mechanics do poor work on the vehicle, they can be held liable. Expert witnesses are often called upon to explain what sort of work was done and how it points to negligence.
• Bars or restaurants: These and other establishments that serve alcohol to clearly intoxicated individuals can possibly be named as a defendant in a lawsuit in certain circumstances if a patron subsequently gets into a crash involving a rideshare vehicle.
• The government: If there was a problem with the roadway conditions (e.g., major potholes) that contributed to the crash, the government entity responsible for road work can be sued in limited circumstances. However, there are different rules and deadlines for suing the government.

Can Uber or Lyft be directly held liable?

Although Uber and Lyft usually avoid liability by claiming their drivers are independent contractors, this strategy does not always shield them. For example, the company may have improperly screened its drivers or allowed a dangerous driver to remain on the platform. Your attorney can investigate to see whether the rideshare company is directly responsible.

Naming multiple defendants can help your case

You should ask your Connecticut Uber and Lyft accident attorney about all of the various individuals and entities who may be liable for your injuries. Having multiple defendants in a car accident lawsuit is important for these reasons:

• If your injuries are serious, your damages may exceed the limits of just one insurance policy
• Various defendants may carry different levels and types of insurance coverage
• Commercial insurance policies often have higher limits
• Different parties may share responsibility in different ways for the accident

How a car accident lawyer can help with your claim

At Barry & Spinella, LLC, we understand how complicated Uber and Lyft claims can be. Multiple parties may have been involved, but their respective liability may not be clear at first. That’s why when you retain us as your law firm, we commit to serving you by:

• Investigating the accident thoroughly to uncover evidence of negligent behavior
• Identifying all parties and their insurance companies who can potentially be held liable
• Determining the value of your past, present, and future damages (e.g., medical bills and lost income)
• Hiring expert witnesses to explain complex subjects to judges and juries and help determine liability
• Taking care of your claims against the different insurance companies
• Negotiating a settlement with the insurers, including through mediation
• Going to trial if we cannot reach a fair settlement with the insurers

Untangling liability can be especially challenging in Uber and Lyft accidents, since so many different parties could be involved. Expert witness testimony can prove essential in establishing the necessary elements of a personal injury claim, particularly causation. Our firm is ready to bring its considerable experience to bear on your case.

If you or a loved one were injured in an accident involving a rideshare driver, taking quick action is the best way to preserve evidence, ascertain liability, and protect your legal rights. Get in touch with Barry & Spinella, LLC today to schedule your free initial consultation with our Manchester, Connecticut office.