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Being hurt in a rideshare accident, or any kind of vehicle accident, can feel overwhelming. You were just trying to get somewhere, and now you’re dealing with injuries, missed work, and insurance companies that are not on your side.
Uber and Lyft accidents are not like typical car crashes. The insurance rules are complicated. The companies behind these apps have legal teams working to limit what they pay. And most people have no idea where to turn.
At Westmoreland Injury Lawyers, we help rideshare accident victims throughout Greensburg, Westmoreland County, and surrounding communities. Whether you were a passenger, a driver, or another motorist hit by a rideshare vehicle, we may be able to help you understand your options and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Most car accident claims involve two drivers and their insurance companies. Rideshare accidents are rarely that simple.
When you’re dealing with an Uber or Lyft accident, you’re not just dealing with a driver. You’re dealing with a large technology company that classifies its drivers as independent contractors, not employees. That distinction matters more than most people realize.
Because drivers are considered independent contractors, Uber and Lyft argue they are not directly responsible for their drivers’ actions. Getting fair compensation often means navigating multiple layers of insurance coverage, gathering digital evidence, and understanding how rideshare companies structure their liability policies.
Evidence in these cases often includes GPS logs, app activity records, and trip data that exists inside the rideshare company’s systems. Knowing how to request and use that information is part of what makes these cases different.
If you were injured in a rideshare accident in Westmoreland County or the surrounding area, speaking with a rideshare accident attorney early may help protect your ability to recover.
The legal framework around rideshare accidents continues to evolve. Pennsylvania has seen legislative changes that affect the uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage available to rideshare passengers. Recent updates have reduced mandatory UM/UIM minimums in certain rideshare scenarios, which can make it harder for injured passengers to recover full compensation if the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.
Please note: This section references evolving Pennsylvania legislation. Specific statutory provisions and current insurance minimums should be verified with our legal team at the time of your consultation, as these details may have changed.
What this means for you is that there may be less automatic protection in place than you expect. However, additional insurance layers may still be available depending on the circumstances of your accident. These can include your own personal auto policy, the driver’s personal coverage, and coverage provided through the rideshare company itself.
This is one of the strongest reasons to speak with a rideshare accident attorney before accepting any settlement or signing any documents from an insurance company. What looks like a final offer may not account for all of the coverage that could apply to your case.
One of the most confusing parts of an Uber or Lyft accident claim is figuring out which insurance policy applies. Coverage depends on what the driver was doing at the exact moment of the crash. Rideshare companies divide driver activity into three distinct periods.
The driver has the app open and is available for rides, but has not yet accepted a trip. During this period, Uber and Lyft provide limited liability coverage, typically around $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. The driver’s personal auto insurance may also be involved, though many personal policies do not cover commercial activity. This period creates coverage gaps that can be difficult to navigate without legal support.
Once a driver accepts a ride request and is on the way to pick up the passenger, coverage increases significantly. Both Uber and Lyft provide up to $1,000,000 in third-party liability coverage during this period. This higher limit applies to accidents involving the rideshare vehicle and other drivers, pedestrians, or property.
From the moment a passenger enters the vehicle until they exit, the full $1,000,000 liability policy is in place. Contingent collision and comprehensive coverage may also apply. This is the period with the most coverage, but recovering that compensation still requires building a strong case and dealing directly with the rideshare company’s insurance team.
Understanding which period applies to your accident can significantly affect the outcome of your claim. Our team can help you sort through the details.
The steps you take in the hours after a rideshare accident can have a significant impact on your case. Here is what we recommend:
Many accident victims do not realize how much a serious injury truly costs. Medical bills are only part of the picture. If you were hurt in a rideshare accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to recover compensation for:
Every case is different, and the compensation available to you will depend on the specific circumstances of your accident. A free case review is the best way to start understanding what may be possible for your situation.
We are a personal injury law firm rooted in the community in Westmoreland County. We know this area, and we know the people in it.
What makes our approach different from larger regional firms is the personal attention we bring to every case. When you work with us, you are not handed off to a paralegal you have never met. You know who is working on your case. You know the staff by name and by face. We go to every hearing. We are with you through every step of the process.
We understand that many people who reach out to us have never hired a lawyer before. You might feel uncertain about the process, or even hesitant about taking legal action at all. We hear that often. And we want you to know that seeking compensation for injuries caused by someone else’s negligence is not something to be embarrassed about. It is about protecting yourself and your family.
Our clients regularly come to us stressed and overwhelmed. Our goal is to make sure the legal process does not add to that stress. You focus on getting better. We handle the rest.
No fee unless we win. Free consultations available. We serve clients throughout Greensburg, Latrobe, Ligonier, Mount Pleasant, Irwin, North Huntington, New Stanton, and communities across Westmoreland County and beyond.
After an accident, it is normal to have a lot of questions and not many clear answers. At Westmoreland Injury Lawyers, we hear the same questions every day from people right here in our community, so we put together this resource to help you understand your options in plain language, without the legal jargon. Browse the questions below to learn more about personal injury claims, the legal process, and what working with our firm looks like. If you do not see what you are looking for, or you are ready to talk through your specific situation, contact us today to schedule your free consultation. There is no cost to speak with us, and you will not pay any legal fees unless we win your case.
How much does it cost to hire a rideshare accident lawyer?
Nothing upfront. Westmoreland Injury Lawyers works on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay any legal fees unless we recover compensation for you. You can get a free consultation with no obligation and no cost.
What if I were partly at fault in the rideshare accident?
Pennsylvania follows a comparative negligence rule, which means you may still be able to recover compensation even if you shared some responsibility for the accident, as long as you were not more than 50 percent at fault. The amount you recover may be reduced based on your percentage of fault. Our lawyers can help you understand how this may apply to your situation.
Can I still recover compensation if the rideshare driver was uninsured?
Potentially, yes. There may be coverage available through the rideshare company’s policy, your own auto insurance policy, or other sources. This is one reason why working with a rideshare accident attorney can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of your claim.
How long do I have to file a rideshare accident claim in Pennsylvania?
In most cases, Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. However, certain circumstances may affect this deadline. It is important not to wait. Evidence can be lost, and the sooner your legal team can begin building your case, the better positioned you may be.