Pennsylvania Uber/Lyft Accident Attorneys

Fighting to Hold Rideshare Companies & Drivers Accountable

The mere fact that you can hire a driver with a few taps on your smartphone is an incredible modern convenience. In the last decade, mobile app technology has advanced by leaps and bounds and completely revolutionized how people get from point A to point B. Many prefer Uber and Lyft over hiring a taxi largely due to convenience and affordability. However, these companies often hire undertrained or inexperienced drivers to meet the growing demand. The companies benefit from an increase in profits—but the passengers suffer the consequences of careless hiring practices.

When you request a ride from an Uber or Lyft app, you may not realize it, but you are putting your life in someone else’s hands. Unlike a taxi, limo, or bus driver, ridesharing drivers do not undergo extensive training or require specific professional licenses. Their training is minimal; a clean driving record and a current Pennsylvania driver’s license is usually all it takes to set someone up as a rideshare driver in our state. You likely have implicit trust in your Uber or Lyft driver and don’t expect any incidents or mishaps will happen on the road, apart from perhaps taking the wrong exit on the freeway. But accidents can and do occur.

Ridesharing giants, like Uber and Lyft, vigorously defend their drivers and often deny or underpay claims made by passengers, which is why you will need the experience and legal knowledge of our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers to help you seek the compensation you need to recover. At Metzger Wickersham, our rideshare accident attorneys are highly experienced in handling all types of car crashes and motor vehicle accident cases. We understand that rideshare accident claims are difficult to litigate, but we have a proven track record of negotiating high settlements, as well as winning favorable jury verdicts on our clients’ behalf.

Metzger Wickersham helps the injured and is prepared to help you after an Uber or Lyft accident. Contact our attorneys at (888) 286-2850 if you have been injured in a rideshare accident.

Qualifications of a Rideshare Driver

To qualify as an Uber or Lyft driver, individuals must meet the following requirements, ensuring safety, reliability, and professionalism:

• Age and Driving Experience: Both Uber and Lyft require drivers to be at least 21 years old. Additionally, drivers must have a minimum of one to three years of licensed driving experience, depending on their age. Typically, those under 23 years of age need more experience.
• Valid Driver’s License and Background Check: A valid driver’s license is required, and drivers must provide proof of residency and vehicle registration in the area where they plan to operate. They are also subject to a background check, which includes a review of their criminal history and driving record. Disqualifying factors may include recent serious driving violations (such as DUIs), major accidents, or a history of violent crimes. The background check ensures the safety of passengers by excluding those with dangerous records.
• Vehicle Requirements: Drivers must own or have access to a vehicle that meets Uber or Lyft’s specific requirements. This includes having a car that is typically no older than 10-15 years, depending on the city, with four doors, functioning seat belts, and proper registration. The vehicle must also pass an annual inspection to confirm it is in safe working condition.
• Insurance: Drivers are required to have personal auto insurance, and both Uber and Lyft provide additional coverage when the app is on and a ride is in progress. However, in some jurisdictions, drivers may need to inform their insurer that they are using their vehicle for commercial purposes.
• Smartphone and App Use: Drivers need to have a smartphone capable of running the Uber or Lyft app. This app is essential for accepting ride requests, navigating to destinations, and communicating with passengers.

Can You Sue Uber or Lyft After an Accident?

The short answer is yes, you can file a claim or lawsuit against a rideshare company, like Uber or Lyft, after an accident in which one of their drivers was at fault. However, both Uber and Lyft generally classify their drivers as “independent contractors,” not employees. This effectively shields them from liability in many instances, as they do not have the same liability as an employer would regarding employee conduct.

That being said, most major rideshare companies offer varying levels of insurance coverage available to passengers and others who are injured in accidents with their drivers. This coverage only applies in certain circumstances, namely, when the accident/injury occurs during one of the recognized covered driving periods.

Uber and Lyft both define covered driving periods in the following ways:

• Period 1: The driver has the app turned on and is looking for a ride but has not yet accepted a ride request.
• Period 2: The driver has the app turned on and has accepted a ride request but does not yet have the passenger in the vehicle.
• Period 3: The driver has the app turned on, has accepted a ride request, and has the passenger in the vehicle.

During period 1, Uber and Lyft offer different limited coverage amounts for bodily injury and property damage per person and per accident. In period 2 and period 3, both rideshare companies provide up to $1 million in total coverage per accident.

How to File an Accident Claim Against a Rideshare Company

Filing a claim or lawsuit against a rideshare company after an accident is incredibly complex. There are numerous factors that affect the process, such as how the accident occurred, what driving period it occurred in, and who was at fault.

This is further complicated by the fact that Pennsylvania is a “choice” no-fault state, which affects how you file for compensation after an accident, as well as the coverage available to you. After most standard car accidents, victims can seek compensation for their damages by filing claims with their own insurance providers. Depending on whether you have limited tort or full tort coverage, you could be covered only for specific out-of-pocket costs, such as medical expenses, or you could receive compensation for all damages resulting from the accident, including lost wages, pain and suffering, and lost quality of life.

If you have opted out of the state’s no-fault system, you must bring a claim against the at-fault driver to recover compensation for your out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident. And, if do have limited or full tort coverage, you may still be able to step outside the no-fault system and file a lawsuit directly against the at-fault driver (or his or her respective rideshare company) if you can prove that your injuries meet the state’s “serious injury threshold.”

In short, filing a claim after an Uber or Lyft accident is very complicated. We strongly encourage you to reach out to an experienced attorney, like those at Metzger Wickersham, for help with your case. Our Pennsylvania Uber and Lyft accident lawyers understand the law, as well as how the state’s insurance requirements apply to your situation. We can walk you through your options and advise you on the best course of action during a free, no-obligation consultation.

What to Do If You Are Injured in an Uber or Lyft Accident

All types of motor vehicle accidents can cause devastating injuries, leading to emergency treatment and ongoing medical care. You may find your medical care is becoming cost-prohibitive and, to make matters worse, you are losing wages from taking off so much time from your job. As the medical bills continue to pile up, it is important to get in touch with an experienced lawyer who has the skills and resources to maximize your claim.

Types of Rideshare Injury Claims We Can Handle

• Wrongful death
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Rotator cuff tears
• Bone fractures and breaks
• Lacerations
• Paralysis
• Disc protrusions or bulges
• And more

What to Do if You’ve Been Injured in a Rideshare Accident

If you have been injured in a ridesharing accident, take the following steps (if possible):

• Call 9-1-1 for emergency medical treatment
• Keep documents detailing your diagnosis and treatment from medical professionals, as well as itemized receipts
• Ask for a copy of any existing police reports or documentation related to your accident
• Take screenshots of your ride receipt
• If you are able to, take photos of the accident scene
• Contact an experienced attorney

By collecting as much evidence as possible, we can help make your claim that much stronger. Our Pennsylvania rideshare accident attorneys can develop a customized strategy to ensure we have a strong approach to fight against insurance companies, who often vigorously try to protect their drivers from litigation.

If you are offered a settlement payout from an Uber or Lyft insurance representative, do not accept it without first having an experienced rideshare accident attorney look over the terms and conditions, which may or may not be 100% fair. You should know, though, that insurance companies are notorious for lowballing those who file claims, which makes it all the more important to retain experienced legal representation.

Call Metzger Wickersham for a Free Consultation

After an accident with an Uber or Lyft, you should spend your time focusing on getting the proper medical care and taking the time off work you need to heal. You should not have to worry about how you will be able to afford your medical bills or keep up with day-to-day expenses while out of work. Instead, allow our team to represent your best interests and fight to recover the fair compensation you are owed.

We have successfully represented rideshare passengers, as well as other motorists, passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists who were injured in collisions with Ubers, Lyfts, and other rideshare vehicles. Our firm has the necessary resources and skill to go up against these major entities and their defense teams—and we are prepared to do everything we can to win your case. If we do not recover a settlement or verdict on your behalf, you do not pay.

Before you accept a settlement offer from an insurance company, call Metzger Wickersham at (888) 286-2850 or contact us online for a free consultation.