Injured As a Passenger in an Uber? Insurance Coverage, Explained

divider

For people across New York and Long Island, the explosion of Uber and other ridesharing services has been a welcome relief for many of our transportation headaches. The ability to hail and pay for a ride through a smartphone app has revolutionized the way we get around.

Despite this convenience, however, riding in an Uber is not necessarily any safer than being a passenger in any other car. Accidents can and do happen, whether they are caused by the rideshare driver, another motorist, a defective part, or a municipal entity’s negligence. Whatever the reason for the crash, if you’re hurt in a rideshare accident while riding in an Uber or Lyft, you likely have many questions about your rights and what type of compensation you could be owed. Here, we’ll discuss the insurance policies that might be available to you.

Insurance Policies Available to Injured Passengers

Uber requires all drivers to maintain automobile liability on any vehicles that are being used to provide it’s services. Drivers must have policy limits that “equal to or greater than the minimum requirements for the state where you drive.”

As a passenger, you should be covered by both the driver’s personal insurance policy as well as Uber’s own insurance while you are being transported as a paid fare. Uber’s policy includes third-party liability coverage for injuries with a limit of up to $1,000,000 (coverage limits may vary by state).

If an underinsured or uninsured motorist causes a crash that results in injuries, both the rideshare driver and the passenger also have coverage through Uber of up to $250,000.

The full terms of Uber’s insurance coverage for both drivers and passengers can be found on their website here.

Making Sure You Get the Maximum Amount Possible

While these insurance policies exist to protect drivers and riders if they are hurt in a crash, recovering the compensation you’re owed is not always easy. Uber was reluctant to provide this coverage at all, and the media covered the company’s public battle to shirk responsibility by claiming that its drivers were independent contractors and not employees.

Because Uber (like most large companies) is often more concerned about its bottom line than the safety of its customers, it is crucial to hire an experienced rideshare accident attorney to represent you. Your lawyer will make sure that the company takes your claim seriously and pays you the fair compensation you’re owed under its policies.

Hurt in an Uber Accident? Call Finz & Finz, P.C., Today

If you were hurt in an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare accident while riding as a passenger, protect your rights by calling Finz & Finz, P.C. on Long Island, right away. Our New York Uber accident lawyers will immediately step in and make sure that you get the compensation that you’re entitled to under the company’s policy, as well as any other policies that might exist to cover you. Call us at 1-855-TOP-FIRM to schedule a FREE consultation with one of our attorneys to discuss the specifics of your case today.

  • About the Author
  • Latest Posts

Finz & Finz, P.C. is a New York and Long Island personal injury law firm based out of Mineola, NY. It was founded in 1984 and is highly rated, with many honors and awards of excellence.