Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers | July 18, 2023 | Uber & Lyft Accidents
If you get into an Uber accident, who pays for your medical bills and other damages? The insurance company for the rideshare driver? Uber? Uber’s insurance company?
Texas law has sought to provide a clear answer to this question. However, Uber’s (and its insurance company’s) liability for your accident will depend on the status of the rideshare driver at the time of the accident. In fact, this will determine the insurance policy applicable in any injury claim that arises from a rideshare accident.
Transportation Network Companies in Texas
Under Texas Transportation Code Section 2402.001, a transportation network company (TNC) is defined as “a corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or other entity that, for compensation, enables a passenger to prearrange with a driver, exclusively through the entity’s digital network, a digitally prearranged ride.” Uber and other rideshare companies (such as Lyft) are considered transportation network companies.
Does Uber Have Insurance for Drivers?
Under Texas law regarding TNCs, Uber must maintain automobile insurance on behalf of its drivers. However, the Uber accident policy varies based on whether the driver was transporting a passenger at the time of the accident.
Sec. 1954.051. Insurance Requirements During Prearranged Rides
The highest Uber car insurance policy applies in situations where an Uber driver is transporting a rideshare passenger in a prearranged ride.
In these cases, Uber must provide the following coverage:
- $1 million for death, bodily injury, and property damage per incident
- Contingent collision coverage
This insurance also applies when an Uber driver has accepted a ride request and is en route to pick up a passenger.
Sec. 1954.042. Insurance Requirements Between Prearranged Rides
A lower Uber insurance policy applies when a driver is not engaged in a prearranged ride but is logged into the company’s digital network or app in anticipation of a ride request.
In these situations, Uber (and/or the rideshare driver) must maintain the following insurance coverage:
- $50,000 per person in bodily injury
- $100,00 per accident in bodily injury
- $25,000 in property damage per accident
There are other coverage limits that may apply after an Uber accident as well.
Personal Auto Insurance
If an Uber driver is not transporting a passenger and is not logged into an app, the driver’s personal insurance coverage will apply to any accidents they cause.
Texas requires its drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance coverage, including:
- $30,000 per person
- $60,000 per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
Uber bears no liability for a driver who is not logged into its digital network and is not transporting a rideshare passenger. There is no Uber driver accident policy available in these situations.
Summary of Coverages
To summarize, the following rideshare policies apply in accidents involving Uber drivers:
| During Prearranged Rides | $1 million for death, bodily injury, and property damage per incident |
| Between Prearranged Rides | $50,000 per person in bodily injury/ $100,00 per accident in bodily injury/$25,000 in property damage per accident |
| The Uber Driver’s Personal Policy | $30,000 per person/ $60,000 per accident/ $25,000 for property damage |
Contact an Experienced Uber Accident Lawyer at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers for Help
Uber insurance requirements can be confusing. It can be difficult to know whether your accident is covered by an Uber policy.
An experienced personal injury attorney can help you determine your rights and options after an Uber crash. Your lawyer can gather evidence of the rideshare driver’s status at the time of the crash and identify which policies will apply to your injury claim.
If you were injured, schedule a free consultation with an Uber accident lawyer in Houston.
You can contact the Houston car accident law firm of Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers by calling (713) 500-5000.
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