Uber/Lyft Accidents: Immediate Actions You Must Take for Fair Compensation

Many people rely on rideshare services like Uber and Lyft to get around Las Vegas. But like any passenger, you can sustain serious injuries if your Uber or Lyft vehicle gets into an accident. Given the special status of rideshare companies, you need to be aware of how Nevada law affects your right to seek fair compensation for your accident injuries. Here, our Las Vegas ridesharing accident lawyers provide a comprehensive guide to Uber/Lyft collision claims in Nevada. 

Call 911

It should go without saying that you should always call 911 following any car accident where yourself or someone else appears to be hurt. Having the police come to the scene of an Uber or Lyft accident is the first step in creating a “paper trail,” as an officer can take down an official report. Additionally, if anyone is injured the 911 dispatcher can also send emergency medical personnel to the scene.

Always Get Medical Attention

Even if you do not require an ambulance to take you to the emergency room, it is still always worthwhile to get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible following an Uber or Lyft accident. What might seem like a “minor” scratch may be more serious than you think. For that matter, many life-threatening auto accident injuries do not produce immediate symptoms. And by seeking medical attention immediately following an accident, you once again help to create a paper trail to document your injuries should you need to seek compensation.

Get Everyone’s Information

Assuming you do not require emergency medical attention, you should take time following an Uber or Lyft accident to gather contact and insurance information for all of the drivers involved. Remember, it may not be clear which driver is at-fault. So you should make sure to take down information for all vehicles and drivers at the scene. It also cannot hurt to identify any potential witnesses–including other passengers in your rideshare–and take down their contact information as well.

Report the Accident to the Rideshare Company

Nevada classifies Uber and Lyft as “transportation network companies” or TNCs. Most drivers who work for TNCs are independent contractors using their personal vehicles to provide rides. This can lead to a certain amount of confusion when it comes to seeking compensation following an Uber or Lyft accident.

Basically, if you use the Uber or Lyft app to arrange a ride, and you are injured during that ride due to your driver’s negligence, the TNC must provide commercial liability coverage of up to $1 million per person (up to $2 million per accident). Additionally, if you are injured by an Uber or Lyft driver who is “active” on the app but has no passengers in their vehicle–say you are a pedestrian who is struck–the TNC must provide contingent liability coverage to of up to $50,000 for personal injury to the extent the individual driver’s personal auto insurance is inadequate.

In any case, you need to report your accident to Uber or Lyft in order to ensure you are fully protected by the applicable TNC insurance policy.

An Overview of Ridesharing Accidents, Personal Injury Claims, and Nevada Law  

Whether a crash involves an Uber or a Lyft, a ridesharing accident claim can be especially complicated for the people involved in it. It is crucial that you understand how Nevada law works. Here are the two key things to know ridesharing accident claims in Las Vegas: 

1. Car Accident Liability Laws are Similar: As a starting point, it is useful to know that the law is not fundamentally different for collisions involving ridesharing vehicles. Liability is still based on fault, Nevada’s comparative negligence standard (N.R.S. § 41-141) can still apply, and the statute of limitations is the same. Ridesharing accident victims still have the right to seek financial compensation for the full extent of their damages from the at-fault party, including for vehicle repairs, medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other types of damages. An injury crash should still be reported to law enforcement—such as the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD)—and the incident should be investigated by an experienced attorney. 
2. Insurance Coverage Issues Make These Cases Different: While much of the law is the same, ridesharing accident cases are also quite different in practice. The primary issue: Insurance coverage.  Ridesharing companies are required to provide insurance for their drivers, but the coverage varies significantly depending on the driver’s status at the time of the accident. Major disputes can arise between insurance providers. There are typically three periods to consider: 1) When the driver is not logged into the ridesharing app, 2) When they are logged in but have not yet accepted a ride request, and 3) when they are actively transporting a passenger. Each period has different levels of insurance coverage provided by the ridesharing company, which can complicate claims.

Contact an Experienced Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyer

Sorting out liability for an Uber or Lyft accident is often complicated due to the involvement of multiple drivers and the specific laws governing TNCs in Nevada. So if you have been injured in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft driver, it is in your best interest to work with an experienced Las Vegas personal injury attorney. Call Heidari Law Group, P.C., today at 702-772-1500 or contact us online to schedule a free case evaluation. With a law office in Las Vegas, we are well-positioned to handle ridesharing accident claims in Clark County and throughout all of Southern Nevada.

***Disclaimer: This webpage has been crafted by Heidari Law Group solely for educational purposes. The content of this article aims to offer a broad comprehension of the law and does not constitute specific legal advice. By accessing this site and perusing its contents, no attorney-client relationship is established between you and any member of Heidari Law. Additionally, it’s important to note that the legal landscape is subject to continuous change, rendering some of the information provided herein potentially outdated or no longer applicable.