Getting hit in a rideshare crash feels different from a typical fender bender. You are now dealing with a giant company, an app, and questions about which insurance applies. A car accident lawyer in Phoenix can help you determine your rights when the driver is working for Uber or Lyft.
GLG Personal Injury Lawyers has seen how messy these cases get once the companies and their insurers get involved. Victims often find themselves stuck between the driver’s personal policy and the rideshare’s corporate coverage. Knowing when and how you can sue makes all the difference in what compensation you walk away with.
Read on for a breakdown of the situations where you may be able to hold Uber or Lyft accountable after an accident.
Key Takeaways
- Rideshare accident claims depend on the driver’s status in the app, which can change the insurance coverage available.
- Uber and Lyft may be held directly responsible when unsafe policies or ignored driver risks contribute to a crash.
- Arizona’s negligence laws and fast-moving evidence make it critical to act quickly with the help of GLG Personal Injury Lawyers.
Company Policies Can Be Challenged
Uber and Lyft often point to drivers being “independent contractors” as a way to dodge blame. Courts in Arizona give you the chance to argue that unsafe policies or weak oversight from the company played a role in the crash. Holding the rideshare accountable creates a clearer path to full compensation.
Corporate decisions on training, driver screening, and safety standards affect every passenger. When those choices lead to dangerous conditions, you have the right to question them in court. Challenging company policies keeps the focus on the bigger picture, not just the driver behind the wheel.
Coverage Changes By The Minute
The amount of insurance available in a rideshare crash shifts depending on the driver’s status in the app. A driver waiting for a request has less coverage than one with a passenger in the car. These differences can significantly alter the outcome of your claim.
A Phoenix auto accident attorney understands how to track the exact phase of the trip and use that detail to your advantage. Insurance companies fight hard to avoid paying when coverage limits rise. Knowing the timing of the ride is one of the strongest tools for building your case.
Passengers Have Direct Leverage
When you ride as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, the law views your claim with stronger protection. You are tied directly to the company’s highest level of insurance, which increases the value of your case. This position gives you leverage that other victims often lack.
Here are ways passengers hold more power in these cases:
- Maximum Liability Coverage – Passengers receive access to the broadest insurance limits provided by the rideshare company. This gives you a path to higher compensation when injuries or significant losses occur.
- Company Accountability – Uber and Lyft connect passenger safety to their public image and legal duties. When a crash happens with you in the car, the companies have fewer arguments to avoid responsibility.
- Stronger Evidence Trail – App records, trip data, and driver activity logs are automatically generated during the ride. This creates clear proof to support your claim and limits how much insurers can dispute.
Passengers have leverage that makes the rideshare company directly responsible for their safety.
Pedestrians And Cyclists Are Not Excluded
Rideshare coverage reaches beyond the people sitting in the car. If you were hit while walking or biking and the driver was active in the app, you have the right to pursue compensation. This wider protection means Uber and Lyft insurance applies in more situations than many expect.
The stage of the trip determines the amount of coverage available. Drivers who are logged in and waiting, heading to pick someone up, or carrying a passenger all trigger different insurance layers. Understanding those stages gives pedestrians and cyclists a real path to hold the rideshare company accountable.
Driver Records Can Strengthen Your Claim
Past issues with a driver can play a significant role in your case. Complaints, DUI arrests, and accident history reveal patterns that show the driver should not have been on the road. When rideshare companies overlook these records, they put passengers and the public at risk.
An accident lawyer in Phoenix, AZ, knows how to obtain and use these records in court. Evidence of ignored red flags points directly to company negligence. Proving this link makes it harder for Uber or Lyft to avoid liability.
Arizona Law Shifts The Balance
Comparative negligence rules in Arizona give you a chance to recover damages even if you share part of the blame. Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault rather than blocked altogether. This approach changes the way rideshare claims unfold in court.
Disputes over who caused the crash are common in Uber and Lyft cases. Arizona law keeps the door open for victims to pursue compensation even when drivers or insurers argue fault is split. This detail can turn a complex case into a fair recovery.
Fight Back With the Help of a Car Accident Lawyer in Phoenix
Uber and Lyft want you to think their insurance rules make things too complicated to challenge. The truth is, with the right legal strategy, you can cut through the confusion and demand real accountability. GLG Personal Injury Lawyers is ready to stand up for you when the rideshare companies try to stand in your way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hold Uber or Lyft responsible if their driver caused my accident?
Yes, you may pursue claims against Uber or Lyft if the driver was logged into the app or carrying a passenger. Their corporate insurance and safety policies can make the companies themselves part of the lawsuit.
What happens if I was hit by an Uber or Lyft driver while walking or biking?
Pedestrians and cyclists are covered under rideshare liability when the driver is logged into the app. You can file a claim against the company’s policy even if you were not a passenger.
How do Arizona laws affect my Uber or Lyft accident claim?
Arizona uses comparative negligence, which allows you to recover damages even if you share part of the blame. A car accident lawyer in Phoenix at GLG Personal Injury Lawyers can use these laws to maximize your case.