Pedestrian Accidents and Rideshare Vehicles

Rideshare Accident Complexity

Accidents involving Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare services have unique liability issues.

Insurance Coverage Periods

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Period 0 - App Off
- Driver's personal insurance only
- Rideshare company not liable
- Standard pedestrian accident case

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Period 1 - App On, Waiting for Ride
- Limited rideshare insurance kicks in
- Uber/Lyft: $50K per person/$100K per accident
- Covers liability if personal insurance denies

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Period 2 - En Route to Passenger
- Full rideshare insurance active
- Uber/Lyft: $1 million liability
- Covers pedestrian injuries

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Period 3 - Passenger in Vehicle
- Full rideshare insurance active
- $1 million liability coverage
- Highest level of protection

Determining Which Period

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Evidence Needed
- Driver's app status at time of accident
- GPS records from rideshare company
- Passenger testimony
- Driver's statement

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Why It Matters
- Determines available insurance
- Affects total compensation
- Identifies responsible parties

Filing Claims

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Multiple Potential Sources
1. Driver's personal auto insurance
2. Rideshare company's commercial policy
3. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
4. Driver personally

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Steps to Take
- Report accident to rideshare company
- Get driver's personal insurance info
- File claim with rideshare
- Consult attorney for guidance

Common Challenges

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Distracted Driving
- Watching app for rides
- Following GPS directions
- Rushing to pick up passengers

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Proving Driver Status
- Companies may resist disclosure
- Legal process to obtain records
- Attorney can subpoena data

Rideshare Company Policies

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Uber
- James River Insurance Company
- $1M coverage during trips
- Limited coverage when app on

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Lyft
- Similar coverage structure
- May vary by state
- Policy limits same as Uber