Getting hurt in a rideshare crash is one of the most confusing situations an injured person can face. You know you need help, but between the driver's personal insurance, Uber or Lyft's corporate coverage, and a possible third driver who shares fault, it is genuinely difficult to know where to turn first. The good news is that you do not have to figure this out on your own.
Freeburn Law has been helping injured people navigate exactly these situations across Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania, and our team knows how to cut through the insurance confusion to get you real answers. From your very first call, our team will explain your rights, help you understand which insurance policies apply to your case, and fight to recover every dollar you are owed. Whether you were riding in the back seat, driving your own car when a rideshare vehicle struck you, or working as a rideshare driver when another motorist caused the collision, we are ready to help.
Call Freeburn Law today at (717) 777-7777 to speak with a Pittsburgh rideshare accident lawyer about your case.
Were You Hurt in a Pittsburgh Rideshare Crash?
Rideshare accidents happen every day across Pittsburgh. A passenger gets hurt when their Uber driver runs a red light. A pedestrian is struck by a Lyft driver distracted by the app. A driver in another vehicle gets sideswiped when a rideshare car fails to yield. In each of these situations, the injured person deserves compensation, but collecting that compensation requires knowing exactly who to hold accountable and which insurance policies are on the hook.
If any of the following apply to you, our team wants to hear from you:
- You were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft when the crash occurred
- You were struck by a rideshare driver while walking, cycling, or driving your own vehicle
- You are a rideshare driver who was injured by another motorist while on an active trip
- Your family lost a loved one in a fatal Pittsburgh rideshare crash
- You were hurt as a driver who was between trips when the accident happened
No matter how your accident happened, the time to act is now. Evidence fades, app data gets overwritten, and insurance companies move quickly to protect their own interests. Call (717) 777-7777 so we can start building your case right away.
Why Rideshare Accidents Hit Different Than Regular Car Crashes
A rideshare accident is not like a typical two-car collision. Our Pittsburgh personal injury attorneys handle both types of cases, and rideshare crashes carry layers of legal complexity that simply do not exist in standard motor vehicle accidents. The driver may be an independent contractor rather than an employee, which matters enormously when it comes to corporate liability. The insurance coverage available shifts depending on what the driver was doing at the exact moment of the crash. And you may be dealing with a massive corporation and its legal team before you have even left the hospital.
Here is what makes these cases uniquely challenging:
- Multiple insurance policies may apply, and they do not always overlap cleanly
- The rideshare company classifies its drivers as independent contractors to limit its own exposure
- App data showing the driver's status at the time of the crash can disappear without a legal hold
- Corporate insurers have experienced claims adjusters whose job is to minimize what they pay out
- Pennsylvania's insurance rules add another layer of complexity to an already tangled situation
Understanding these issues is what separates a lawyer who handles rideshare cases from one who is learning on the job. At Freeburn Law, we know this area of the law and we know how to use it in your favor.
The Three Insurance Periods That Determine Who Pays
When it comes to a ridesharing accident, who pays your medical bills and other losses depends almost entirely on what the driver was doing at the moment of the crash. Uber and Lyft both divide their drivers' time into three distinct periods, and each one triggers a different level of insurance coverage.
Period One covers the time when the driver has the app open and is waiting for a ride request but has not yet accepted one. During this window, Uber and Lyft provide limited liability coverage, typically $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident. The driver's personal insurance may also apply, but many personal auto policies exclude coverage when the driver is using the vehicle for a rideshare platform.
Period Two begins the moment a driver accepts a ride request and ends when the passenger gets in the car. Period Three covers the time the passenger is actually in the vehicle. During Periods Two and Three, both Uber and Lyft carry up to $1 million in liability coverage. If someone is seriously hurt during an active trip, this is the coverage that typically comes into play.
When Rideshare Coverage Gets Complicated
Even with that $1 million policy on the table, collecting what you are owed is rarely simple. The rideshare company's insurer will investigate the claim aggressively. They may argue the driver was not actually on an active trip, dispute the severity of your injuries, or attempt to settle your claim quickly before you have a full picture of your long-term medical needs. A Lyft and Uber accident attorney who has handled these claims before knows how to counter each of those tactics and keep your case on solid footing.
Who Is Liable After a Pittsburgh Lyft or Uber Accident?
Determining liability in a Pittsburgh rideshare accident means looking at all the parties involved, not just the driver who was behind the wheel. Our Pittsburgh car accident lawyers conduct thorough investigations to identify every source of responsibility and every available insurance policy.
When the Rideshare Driver Caused the Collision
If the Uber or Lyft driver's negligence caused your accident, whether by speeding, running a red light, distracted driving, or failing to yield, you have a claim against that driver. Depending on what period of the trip was active at the time, you may also have a claim against the rideshare company's corporate insurance policy. In some cases, we may be able to argue that Uber or Lyft shares direct responsibility, particularly if the driver had a history of unsafe driving that the company ignored during its screening process.
When Another Driver Is the One at Fault
Not every Pittsburgh rideshare crash is the rideshare driver's fault. When a third-party driver causes a collision involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle, that driver's auto insurance is the primary source of compensation. If that driver is uninsured or underinsured, Uber and Lyft's uninsured motorist coverage may step in to cover the gap, depending on which trip period was active. Our Pittsburgh Lyft and Uber accident lawyers trace every thread of liability so that no coverage is left on the table.
How Uber and Lyft Insurance Coverage Actually Works
Understanding the difference between what Uber and Lyft advertise and what they actually pay requires knowing how their policies are structured. Both companies carry substantial coverage during active trips, but they also do everything they can to limit when that coverage applies.
Key points about rideshare insurance coverage in Pennsylvania:
- Personal auto policies often contain exclusions for commercial use, leaving drivers with no personal coverage during Periods One through Three
- The $1 million liability policy during Periods Two and Three applies to third parties, not just passengers
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage through the rideshare company can fill gaps when an at-fault driver lacks adequate insurance
- Gap coverage issues arise most often during Period One, when coverage levels drop significantly
- Pennsylvania's choice no-fault insurance rules affect how and when you can pursue compensation for certain losses
Our team works with motor vehicle accident insurance rules every day. We know how to read these policies, identify the gaps, and make the strongest possible argument for maximum coverage.
Common Injuries in Pittsburgh Ridesharing Accidents
The injuries that result from a ridesharing accident can range from minor to life-altering. Because rideshare passengers are often seated in the back without the same warning a driver might have before impact, occupants are sometimes more vulnerable to catastrophic injury even in lower-speed crashes.
Injuries we commonly see in these cases include:
- Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions and more severe TBIs requiring long-term care
- Spinal cord injuries that result in partial or full paralysis
- Broken bones, particularly to the ribs, arms, legs, and pelvis
- Soft tissue injuries to the neck and back, including whiplash
- Internal organ damage caused by blunt force impact
- Lacerations and scarring from broken glass or deployed airbags
- Emotional and psychological injuries including PTSD and anxiety following the crash
If you were hurt in a Pittsburgh rideshare crash, do not wait to see how your injuries develop before talking to a car accident attorney. Some of the most serious consequences of a crash, including brain injuries and spinal damage, take time to fully reveal themselves. Call (717) 777-7777 now so we can help you protect your right to full compensation as your medical picture becomes clearer.
What Compensation Can Accident Victims Recover?
Accident victims in Pittsburgh rideshare cases may be entitled to compensation for a wide range of losses, both economic and non-economic. The full value of a claim goes far beyond just your immediate medical bills.
Compensation in a rideshare accident claim can include:
- Past and future medical expenses, including surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work
- Pain and suffering for the physical and emotional toll of the accident and recovery
- Property damage to your vehicle or other personal belongings
- Out-of-pocket costs related to your injury, such as transportation to medical appointments
- Loss of enjoyment of life if your injuries prevent you from activities you valued before the crash
In cases involving particularly serious harm, we also pursue catastrophic injury claims that account for the long-term costs of ongoing care, adaptive equipment, and home modifications. When a crash takes a life, our wrongful death attorneys help surviving family members pursue the full compensation they deserve for their loss.
Steps to Take After an Uber or Lyft Crash in Pittsburgh
What you do in the hours and days after a rideshare accident can have a significant impact on the strength of your claim. Insurance companies and rideshare platforms act fast, and you should too.
Here are the steps to take after a Pittsburgh rideshare accident:
- Call 911 and get police and emergency medical services to the scene
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel okay at first
- Take screenshots of your trip in the Uber or Lyft app before closing it, including the driver's name, route, and trip status
- Photograph the scene, the vehicles involved, any visible injuries, road conditions, and traffic signals
- Collect contact and insurance information from all drivers involved
- Get the names and contact information of any witnesses
- Do not give recorded statements to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney
- Contact Freeburn Law as soon as possible so we can begin preserving critical evidence
One of the most important steps on that list is the last one. The sooner we are involved, the sooner we can send preservation letters to Uber or Lyft demanding that they hold onto app data, GPS records, and driver history that could be critical to your case.
Why Pittsburgh Injury Victims Choose Freeburn Law
Freeburn Law has built a reputation across Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania for treating clients with genuine care and fighting hard for results. When you call us, you reach a team that takes your situation seriously from the very first conversation. We handle every aspect of your claim so you can focus on healing.
Here is what sets our team apart:
- Deep knowledge of Pennsylvania rideshare insurance law and how Uber and Lyft's policies actually function
- A thorough investigative approach that preserves evidence before it disappears
- Direct communication throughout your case so you always know where things stand
- A commitment to pursuing full and fair compensation, not just a quick settlement
- A track record of results for injured clients across Pittsburgh and the surrounding region
We also handle cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. There is no financial risk to calling us and learning your options. If you or someone you love was hurt in an Uber or Lyft crash, contact Freeburn Law today at (717) 777-7777. Our accident lawyer team is ready to go to work for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pittsburgh Rideshare Claims
How much will I get from a $25,000 settlement?
The amount you take home from a $25,000 settlement depends on several factors, including attorney fees, medical liens, and any out-of-pocket costs that need to be reimbursed. In a contingency fee arrangement, legal fees are typically a percentage of the total recovery. Medical providers who treated you may also have liens that get paid from the settlement. Your attorney can walk you through a full breakdown before you agree to any settlement so you know exactly what you will receive and whether the offer fairly compensates your losses.
Can I sue Lyft for an accident?
Yes, in certain circumstances you can pursue a claim directly against Lyft. If the driver was on an active trip or had accepted a ride request at the time of the crash, Lyft's $1 million liability policy is in play. In some cases, if Lyft failed to properly vet a driver with a known history of dangerous driving, you may have grounds for a negligence claim against the company itself. An experienced Lyft and Uber accident attorney can review the facts of your case and explain exactly what claims are available to you.
How hard is it to sue Uber?
Suing Uber is not simple, but it is absolutely possible with the right legal team. Uber's legal and insurance departments are experienced at defending these claims, which is exactly why having an attorney who knows the rideshare industry is so important. The process involves identifying which insurance period was active, gathering app and GPS data, and building a thorough record of your injuries and losses. The complexity of these cases is a reason to hire strong legal representation, not a reason to give up on your claim.
How much will I get from an Uber settlement?
There is no standard Uber settlement amount because every case is different. The value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries, your total medical expenses, how your injuries affect your ability to work, the pain and disruption you have experienced, and which insurance policies apply to your situation. A rideshare accident attorney can evaluate your specific facts and give you a realistic picture of what a fair recovery might look like in your case.
Can I get compensation if my Uber crashes?
Yes. If you were a passenger in an Uber that was involved in an accident, you are generally entitled to seek compensation regardless of who caused the crash. If your Uber driver was at fault, Uber's insurance coverage applies. If another driver caused the accident, that driver's insurance is the primary source of compensation, with Uber's uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage available as a backstop. Passengers typically have the broadest path to compensation in rideshare accident cases. Call (717) 777-7777 to speak with our team about your specific situation.
