Who May Be Liable for a Rideshare Car Crash With an Uber or Lyft Driver in Cleveland? 

Ridesharing is one of today’s great modern conveniences, and most of us have utilized Uber or Lyft for transportation at some point. But what if you get into a collision with an Uber or Lyft driver? Unlike standard crashes involving another driver, determining who pays is more complex.

At Friedman, Domiano, & Smith, our Cleveland car accident attorneys, can help you understand your legal rights in any type of car crash, including those involving a rideshare driver. Our legal team has extensive experience managing injury claims for crash victims, and we are deeply committed to holding at-fault parties accountable for the damages they cause.

Injured in a Cleveland rideshare accident? If so, we encourage you to call our law offices today for a free, no-risk case review. We welcome your questions! Once we know more about your situation, we can help you understand your legal options.

Why Are Uber and Lyft Crashes More Complicated Than Regular Car Accidents?

Uber and Lyft car accidents are far more complex due to factors you don’t typically have to deal with in traditional car crashes, which can cause confusion, delay claims and in general make getting the compensation you need harder.

These are some of the reasons rideshare claims are more complex:

• Multiple Insurance Policies: Rideshare accidents can involve the driver’s personal insurance, Uber or Lyft’s coverage, and other drivers’ policies. Figuring out which one pays can be confusing.
• App Status Matters: How much insurance coverage you get depends on what the driver was doing when the crash happened: waiting for rides, picking someone up, or driving with a passenger.
• Big Company Resources: Uber and Lyft have teams of lawyers who will be working to pay you as little as possible.
• Special Evidence Needed: The insurance company will want to review data that is unique and not needed for traditional crashes, such as the rideshare app data, GPS records, and driver logs.

Friedman, Domiano & Smith understands the complexities and nuances of these claims, including how they affect your rights after a rideshare accident in Cleveland.

Who Pays for My Damages After a Rideshare Crash in Cleveland?

Who pays for your damages after a Cleveland rideshare accident depends on who caused the crash and what the rideshare driver was doing when it happened. Unlike regular car accidents, rideshare crashes involve different insurance policies that provide different amounts of coverage.

Parties Who May Be Responsible:

• If Another Driver Caused the Crash: Their insurance pays for your damages, just like any regular car accident. The rideshare driver’s status doesn’t matter if someone else was at fault.
• If the Rideshare Driver Caused the Crash: The coverage available depends on what they were doing:
• App Off: Only the driver’s personal insurance applies, which may not cover rideshare activities
• App On, Waiting for Rides: Ohio requires minimum coverage of $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident
• Picking Up or Transporting Passengers: Full one million coverage from Uber or Lyft applies
• Your Own Insurance: May provide backup protection through uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if other sources fall short.
• Multiple Sources: In serious accidents, you may need to use several insurance policies to fully cover your damages.

The key is determining the driver’s exact status when the accident happened, as this controls how much coverage is available to pay for your injuries and damages..

What If an Uber or Lyft Driver in Cleveland Hit My Car?

If an Uber or Lyft driver hits your vehicle in Cleveland, you have the right to seek compensation for your damages just like any other car accident. However, the amount of insurance coverage available depends on whether the rideshare driver was actively working at the time of the crash. The good news is that active rideshare drivers typically carry higher insurance limits than regular drivers.

Overall, your options for recovery are similar to those of a passenger riding in the rideshare driver’s car. This mean some or all of the following insurance may apply:

• The driver’s personal insurance
• Rideshare company coverage
• Your own uninsured motorist protection
• Another driver

The key difference is that you’ll need to prove the rideshare driver was at fault for causing the accident to access these compensation sources.

What If I Was a Passenger in the Uber or Lyft Vehicle That Crashed?

As a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle that crashed in Cleveland, you generally have strong options for compensation no matter who caused the accident. Passengers are considered innocent parties in these situations, which means you can typically recover damages even if the rideshare driver was at fault. Your position as a paying customer also gives you access to the rideshare company’s insurance coverage in most circumstances.

Key Advantages as a Rideshare Passenger:

• Protection Regardless of Fault: You can seek compensation whether your rideshare driver or another motorist caused the crash, since passengers are not responsible for the accident.
• Access to Higher Coverage Limits: Rideshare companies typically provide $1 million in coverage when actively transporting passengers.
• Multiple Insurance Sources: You can pursue claims against the rideshare driver’s insurance, the company’s policy, other drivers involved, and potentially your own coverage.
• Stronger Legal Position: As a paying passenger, you have clearer rights to compensation than drivers who may face coverage disputes.
• Company Responsibility: Rideshare companies have a duty to provide insurance protection for their passengers during active trips.

Can I Sue Uber or Lyft Directly for a Crash Involving One of Their Drivers?

Suing Uber or Lyft directly is challenging due to how these companies structure their business relationships. These companies classify their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, which generally limits their direct liability for accidents. In most cases, compensation comes through the insurance coverage these companies provide rather than direct lawsuits against the corporations themselves.

The independent contractor classification means that Uber and Lyft typically are not held directly responsible for their drivers’ actions behind the wheel. Instead, claims usually proceed through the layered insurance system that covers rideshare accidents.

The Biggest Mistakes People Make After Rideshare Accidents

The immediate aftermath of a rideshare accident often leads to critical errors that can significantly impact your ability to recover fair compensation. Knowing what to avoid can protect your legal rights and financial recovery.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Not Calling Police: Failing to get an official police report that documents the accident details and circumstances. It doesn’t prevent you from seeking compensation, but it can further complicate or delay your claim.
• Assuming Insurance Will Handle Everything: Relying solely on insurance companies to determine coverage without understanding your rights or getting legal guidance.
• Not Preserving Trip Information: Failing to save your ride details from your passenger app showing the trip was active when the accident occurred.
• Accepting Quick Settlement Offers: Agreeing to early insurance settlements before understanding the full extent of injuries or available coverage.
• Not Seeking Medical Attention: Skipping immediate medical care, which can hurt both your health and your ability to prove injury-related damages.
• Giving Detailed Statements Too Soon: Providing extensive recorded statements to insurance companies before consulting with an attorney about your rights.

Contact Friedman, Domiano & Smith After You Have Been Involved in a Rideshare Accident

Rideshare accidents in Cleveland involve complex liability issues, which is why we strongly recommend you seek legal help as soon after your crash as possible.

At Friedman, Domiano, and Smith, we help crash victims seek the compensation they need every day, something we have been doing for decades.

Worried about the cost of hiring a lawyer? Don’t be – there are no upfront costs or fees to pay. We only get paid if you do.