What Are the Legal Implications of Rideshare Accidents in Texas?
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are becoming increasingly popular across Texas. This is especially true in larger cities like Dallas. It’s easy to hop into a rideshare and trust that the driver will get you safely to your destination.
But have you ever wondered what would happen if you got into an accident in a rideshare? Who would be responsible for your injuries, and could you get any compensation from the rideshare company? Rideshare accidents are a somewhat new area of the law, so these claims can sometimes be quite complex.
Dive into all the details below to learn more about the legal implications of rideshare accidents in Texas.
Who Is Legally Responsible for a Rideshare Accident?
Just like most car accidents, someone’s negligence is usually to blame for a rideshare accident. To recover compensation in most rideshare accident cases, you must generally establish negligence.
The following elements are typically required to prove negligence:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care
- They breached their duty
- The breach was the cause of your injuries
- You suffered some actual damages
Successfully proving these elements is often one of the most important aspects of a personal injury claim.
Potentially Liable Parties
Several parties may potentially be responsible for a rideshare accident, depending on the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Potentially liable parties may include:
- The rideshare driver
- The rideshare company
- A third-party driver
- A negligent passenger or pedestrian
Identifying all potentially liable parties is important because it can affect both liability and the amount of compensation available.
Why Rideshare Cases Are Different
This is where rideshare accident claims can become more complicated. Most rideshare companies classify their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. As a result, they are often shielded from direct liability for a driver’s actions.
Rideshare drivers frequently spend long hours on the road, and some may engage in risky driving behaviors to complete more trips and increase their earnings. Drivers can also become distracted by GPS directions, incoming ride requests, or other features within the rideshare app.
However, rideshare drivers are not always responsible for an accident. If another motorist causes the crash, that driver may be liable for your injuries. In some situations, the rideshare company itself may also face liability if its own negligence contributed to the accident. For example, a defect or malfunction within the app could potentially play a role in causing a crash.
Insurance Coverage After a Rideshare Accident
Most personal injury claims arising from motor vehicle accidents involve insurance coverage. Although rideshare companies may not be directly liable for every accident, they generally provide insurance coverage for drivers using their platforms.
Although policy details may vary by company, major rideshare services generally provide coverage that falls into several categories.
Coverage When the Driver Is Offline
When a rideshare driver is not logged into the app, no rideshare insurance coverage applies. In these situations, the driver’s personal auto insurance policy is generally responsible for covering the accident.
Coverage When the Driver Is Waiting for a Ride Request
When a driver is logged into the app and available to accept ride requests, rideshare companies generally provide the following coverage:
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury
- $100,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 for property damage
These coverage limits typically remain in place until the driver accepts a ride request.
Coverage During an Active Ride
Once the driver has accepted a ride request or is actively transporting a passenger, rideshare companies generally provide up to $1 million in liability coverage.
This higher coverage limit is designed to protect both passengers and other parties who may be injured in an accident.
What Happens if Another Driver Causes the Accident?
If a third-party driver causes the accident, that driver’s insurance policy will typically apply first. Texas law requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance coverage.
Those minimum limits are:
- $30,000 per person for bodily injury
- $60,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 for property damage
While these minimum coverage amounts satisfy Texas law, they are not always enough to fully compensate an injured victim.
Contact the Dallas Car Accident Attorneys at Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers for Help Today
The legal implications of a rideshare accident in Dallas, TX, can be complex, and pursuing compensation without experienced legal guidance can be challenging.
The team at Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for accident victims. We have the knowledge and experience to handle complicated rideshare accident claims and help protect your rights throughout the process.
Contact our experienced Dallas car accident lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
We proudly serve in Dallas County and its surrounding areas:
Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers
1825 Market Center Blvd # 350, Dallas, TX 75207
Phone: (214) 556-8321
Hours Open: 24/7
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Dallas.
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 32.7950252,-96.8241861
About the Author
Jeff Benton is the founder of Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers in Dallas. He represents clients in claims involving truck accidents, car accidents, wrongful death, workplace accidents, and other forms of negligence. Jeff is known for taking on difficult cases that other firms decline and for fighting aggressively against powerful insurance companies and corporate defendants. He was honored with the Dallas Trial Lawyers Association’s John Howie Award for his pursuit of justice and remains committed to helping injured individuals and families throughout Texas. Click here to see some of his notable case results.
