Uber & Lyft Car Accident FAQ: Answers for Victims

The Questions Don’t Stop When The Ride Does

When you’ve been in a crash involving an Uber or Lyft, confusion hits fast. 

You’re juggling injuries, bills, and endless app notifications while wondering who’s actually responsible. Every victim has the same questions: Who pays for what? Which policy applies? What do I do now? And those answers matter, because they shape your recovery.

Our personal injury attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, represent victims of rideshare accidents throughout New York, and we also serve clients across New Jersey, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. 

Whether your crash happened on the FDR Drive, the Garden State Parkway, or outside a small-town diner in Maine, we’ve seen how complicated Uber and Lyft cases get. That’s why we’ve broken down the most important FAQs, so you know exactly where you stand and what comes next.

Who’s Responsible After a Rideshare Accident?

Responsibility depends on what the driver was doing when the crash happened. Uber and Lyft drivers operate in “phases” that decide which insurance coverage applies. 

If the app was off, their personal insurance pays. If they were waiting for a fare, Uber or Lyft’s limited coverage applies. If they were en route to pick up or drop off a passenger, the company’s full $1 million policy kicks in.

But here’s where things get tricky, Uber and Lyft love to argue about “driver status.” They’ll say the driver wasn’t technically active, even if the trip data shows otherwise. 

Our car accident lawyers pull the timestamps, app logs, and GPS data that prove your driver was working when the crash occurred. Once that’s on the table, excuses disappear.

What if Another Driver Caused the Crash?

Not all rideshare accidents are caused by the Uber or Lyft driver. Sometimes another motorist runs a red light or rear-ends your vehicle. 

In those cases, you can still file a claim against that driver’s insurance, but Uber and Lyft’s coverage might also apply, especially if your driver was logged into the app or had a passenger.

We examine every angle to see which policy provides the best route to recovery. In New York’s no-fault system, your initial medical bills are typically covered by the rideshare company’s insurer. 

Beyond that, we pursue claims against any negligent party whose actions caused your injuries. Multiple policies can mean more compensation, if you know how to access them.

What Should I Do Right After a Rideshare Accident?

You don’t need to be a lawyer to protect yourself,  just take the right steps early.

• Call 911 immediately – Police reports confirm who was involved and set the record straight before stories change. These documents become the foundation of your claim.
• Get medical attention – Even minor symptoms can point to deeper injuries. Medical records prove your pain came from the crash, not something else.
• Save your trip data – Screenshot the driver’s name, license plate, and trip route. That digital evidence helps establish liability later.
• Avoid speaking to insurers – Uber and Lyft adjusters aren’t your friends. Let your attorney handle all communication to avoid accidental missteps.
• Document your recovery – Keep notes on pain, anxiety, or missed work. These details matter when we calculate your damages.

The goal is simple: secure your evidence now so your story can’t be rewritten later.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?

In New York, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under Civil Practice Law & Rules Section 214. But that timeline can shrink fast. 

If a municipal vehicle was involved, say, an MTA bus or city-owned car, you may have only 90 days to file a Notice of Claim. And when Uber or Lyft are involved, delays can kill your chances of preserving critical app data.

Time limits vary across states too. That’s why our firm handles claims throughout New York, New Jersey, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont — because deadlines shouldn’t decide justice. Acting quickly is the best protection you have.

What Damages Can Victims Recover?

Every case is different, but rideshare accident victims typically recover two main types of compensation:

• Economic damages – These cover tangible losses like hospital bills, surgeries, prescriptions, therapy, lost income, and future medical expenses. Everything you can quantify should be documented and claimed.
• Non-economic damages – These compensate for pain, emotional trauma, anxiety, and the way your injuries affect your quality of life. The law recognizes that suffering doesn’t have a receipt — but it’s real.
• Punitive damages – In rare cases, if the driver acted recklessly (like driving drunk or fatigued), you may recover additional damages meant to punish that conduct.

Your compensation isn’t based on luck. It’s built from evidence, persistence, and an attorney who won’t settle for less than what you’re owed.

Can I Sue Uber or Lyft Directly?

Usually, rideshare companies claim they aren’t responsible because their drivers are “independent contractors.” But that defense doesn’t always hold. 

If Uber or Lyft failed to properly vet the driver, ignored safety reports, or allowed dangerous app practices that encouraged reckless behavior, they can absolutely share liability.

Our legal team has taken on these giants before. We dig into corporate policies, driver complaint logs, and internal communications that expose negligence at the company level. 

The moment they realize we’re not stopping at the driver’s insurance, the conversation changes.

What if I Was a Pedestrian or Bicyclist Hit by a Rideshare Vehicle?

Pedestrians and cyclists have the same rights to compensation as passengers or other motorists.

Whether the driver was picking up a fare, cruising for rides, or just finishing one, Uber and Lyft’s insurance can apply. The key is proving the driver was active on the app.

We’ve handled countless cases where rideshare drivers hit pedestrians in crosswalks or swerved into bike lanes after hours of driving. Fatigue, distraction, and rushing to meet app quotas are a dangerous mix. 

Pedestrian injuries are often catastrophic and those victims deserve the full scope of protection under state law.

What Makes Rideshare Claims Harder than Regular Car Accidents?

Traditional car accidents involve two drivers and two insurance companies. Rideshare crashes involve three — the driver’s insurer, the company’s insurer, and often another motorist’s insurer. 

Each one points fingers at the others. Add app data, corporate lawyers, and vague coverage tiers, and you’ve got a maze.

That’s why it’s critical to have New York lawyers who know how to decode Uber and Lyft’s insurance structure. We track login times, coverage windows, and liability caps down to the minute. 

Once those facts are mapped, the excuses start to fall apart.

You Deserve Answers And Accountability

When your life changes because of a rideshare crash, questions pile up faster than solutions. You shouldn’t have to chase down clarity while juggling pain and paperwork.

Our Uber or Lyft car accident attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, make sure every question gets an answer and every responsible party gets held accountable. 

From New York City’s busiest intersections to quiet roads in Vermont, we fight for fairness wherever Uber and Lyft operate. You didn’t cause this crash, and you shouldn’t carry the burden alone.

Your recovery starts with answers. We’ll make sure you get both — the clarity and the justice you deserve. Get in touch with our team to arrange a complimentary case review.