San Antonio Rideshare Accident Attorneys

Uber & Lyft Accidents in San Antonio

Many people rely on Ubers, Lyfts, and other rideshares to commute to work, travel across town, or get home safely after a night out. But these vehicles are just as likely to be involved in an accident as any other. In fact, most rideshare drivers don't have any additional training and are only required to meet bare minimum standards in order to carry passengers for billion-dollar companies that do little to protect the safety of their drivers or their passengers. 

If you were involved in an accident with an Uber or Lyft, whether as a rideshare passenger or the driver or passenger of another vehicle, you could be entitled to financial compensation for your resulting medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering. These cases are more complicated than typical car accident claims. Everything from the insurance coverage to the way claims are handled may be different, so it's best to contact a personal injury lawyer who has experience handling rideshare accident claims. 

At The Warrior Law Firm, we have helped victims of Uber and Lyft accidents successfully recover fair compensation for their injuries. We are not afraid to go up against these big companies and their insurance providers. We know how to advocate for you, and we are prepared to stand beside you throughout the entire legal process, advocating for your rights and the full, fair recovery you need.

For a completely free consultation, call (210) 598-5006 or contact us online. You do not pay us anything unless we win your case. 

San Antonio Rideshare Accidents & Insurance Coverage: How It Works

One of the main things that makes rideshare accidents different from other motor vehicle crashes is the issue of insurance. Usually, after a car accident in Texas, the at-fault driver's insurance company is responsible for paying the other person's damages. When a commercial vehicle is involved, like a semi-truck or 18-wheeler, the at-fault driver's employer comes into play. But, because major rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as “independent contractors,” they are generally not responsible for accidents their drivers cause. This means that Uber or Lyft could deny responsibility—and be off the hook when it comes to paying damages—even if it was one of their drivers who caused the crash. 

This doesn't mean that you're not covered by insurance if you're involved in a rideshare accident, however. In fact, depending on the specific scenario, several types of coverage may apply: 

• If the Rideshare Driver Did Not Have the App Turned On: If you were hit by someone who does drive for Uber or Lyft (or both) but wasn't actively using the app when the crash occurred, you would be able to file a claim with their personal auto insurance provider. For example, imagine you were crossing a busy street in a crosswalk when a driver with an Uber logo in their front windshield turned right on a red light without checking for pedestrians. The driver hit you and sent you to the hospital with serious injuries, but they were not driving for Uber when this happened. In this scenario, you would have a claim against the driver's personal insurance carrier. 
• If the Rideshare Driver Had the App Turned On But Hadn't Accepted a Ride: In this scenario, both Uber and Lyft offer limited coverage. Here's how it works: Say a Lyft driver is currently logged into the app and is waiting for a ride request. They're distracted, checking their phone, so they don't see that traffic has stopped. The driver rear-ends you, causing you to experience whiplash, which leads to ongoing neck and back pain that requires medical treatment and several weeks of physical therapy. In this situation, you could be entitled to compensation through Lyft's limited coverage policy. 
• If the Rideshare Driver Had the App Turned On and Had Accepted a Ride: When a driver has the app turned on and has accepted a ride, both Uber and Lyft offer up to $1 million in coverage. This applies whether the driver has actually picked up the passenger or is simply on their way to get them. So, if you were the passenger of the rideshare vehicle, this coverage would apply to you if your driver was at fault for an accident while carrying you to your destination. The same coverage would apply if you were not the rideshare passenger, but were still injured by a driver who was picking up a passenger or dropping them off.

In this way, the exact circumstances of the accident—specifically, what stage of the ride process the driver was in when they caused a crash—matter a great deal when it comes to filing a claim and securing compensation. We encourage you to reach out to our San Antonio Uber and Lyft accident attorneys if you have questions about your case or whether you were covered by a rideshare company's insurance when you were hurt. 

What Compensation Is Available After a Rideshare Accident in San Antonio? 

Like any car accident, rideshare accidents range in severity from relatively minor “fender-benders” to severe, life-changing collisions. The nature of your injuries and how they affect your life, as well as their long-term impact on your future, play a big role in the type of damages you can recover and the overall value of your claim.

After an Uber or Lyft accident in San Antonio or anywhere in Bexar County, you might be entitled to: 

• Medical Expenses: Hospitalization, treatment costs, surgeries, co-pays, medications, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and any other medical expenses related to your injuries 
• Lost Wages: Lost wages, income, and employment benefits (such as 401k contributions) resulting from time taken off work due to your injuries 
• Pain and Suffering: Physical and mental pain and suffering, such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to the crash
• Lost Earning Ability: Loss of earning ability resulting from a severe or disabling injury that affects your ability to return to work/earn a living 
• Costs Associated with Long-Term Impacts: Reduced quality of life, long-term care needs, home modifications, and other costs related to the accident's overall impact on your life and your future

At The Warrior Law Firm, we help our clients fight for every single dollar they deserve. Our San Antonio rideshare accident lawyers pursue every possible source of compensation, whether that's filing a claim with the driver's personal insurance provider, seeking compensation under the rideshare company's coverage, or even looking at third-party negligence, such as auto defects or other drivers who may have contributed to the accident. We know how important it is that you get everything you are owed so that you can begin the process of healing and moving forward.

Determining Fault After an Uber or Lyft Accident in San Antonio

Just like with regular car accident cases, claims involving Ubers or Lyfts rely on the issue of fault. That is, who was to blame for the accident? Was it the Uber or Lyft driver? The driver of another vehicle? Some other party? An insurance company might even argue that it's partially your fault, which can significantly affect your financial recovery. 

If the rideshare driver was at fault for the accident, you can file a claim with their insurance provider, seek compensation under the company's coverage, or even bring a lawsuit directly against the driver. However, if the rideshare driver was not at fault, these options don't apply. You would have to sue the at-fault party or bring a claim against their insurance. 

If you were partly to blame, you could still be entitled to compensation. As long as you are not more than 50% at fault, you can recover damages, though the amount you can recover will be reduced by your percentage of fault. So, if you are found to be 20% at fault, and you are seeking $10,000 in damages, you can only recover $8,000. 

To determine fault, our attorneys carefully investigate the facts of the case: 

• We review witness statements and police reports to determine what happened and what factors led up to the crash.
• We look at the driver's cell phone records to see if they were texting or using their phone at the time of the accident.
• We evaluate video footage from dashcams or nearby businesses' security cameras, which may have captured the crash.
• We work alongside accident reconstruction specialists who help rebuild the collision and provide expert testimony.

Our team conducts thorough investigations to not only determine exactly what happened and who is to blame but also to show the true extent of your injuries. In this way, we are able to skillfully negotiate a settlement that effectively compensates you for all that you have lost. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers in San Antonio are fully prepared to take your case to trial. 

We Simplify the Legal Process; Call Our San Antonio Rideshare Lawyers Now

Getting back on your feet after an accident in or with an Uber or Lyft can be stressful, challenging, and overwhelming. Finding the right team to handle your claim can make all the difference, not only in the outcome of your case but in your overall experience with the legal process. 

At The Warrior Law Firm, we have made it our mission to protect the rights of people who have been injured by the negligence and reckless conduct of others. Our rideshare accident attorneys in San Antonio are here to explain everything in clear terms, making sure you understand your rights, options, and next steps. We are always accessible to our clients; you get direct access to your attorney, day or night, along with honest and open communication from start to finish. 

An Uber or Lyft accident can upend your life, but we can help make it right. Call us at (210) 598-5006 to speak to a lawyer today at no cost. Hablamos español.

San Antonio Rideshare Accident FAQ