Durham Uber, Lyft, and Rideshare Accident Lawyers Who Don’t Back Down

You’re sharing the road with many rideshare drivers every day – whether you are in your car or in theirs. So, what happens when you are involved in a car accident involving a rideshare driver in Durham? What’s different about rideshare accidents? And what should you do to try to get compensation for your injuries?

You must notify ridesharing services of an accident to qualify for any applicable compensation from their policies.

But these companies are protecting their own interests, not yours. We urge you to speak with a rideshare accident lawyer before you give a recorded statement or agree to anything.

Call 1-866-900-7078 or contact us online now for a free case evaluation. There is no obligation.

How Can an Attorney Help if I’m Hit by an Uber or Lyft?

If you are injured by an Uber or Lyft, our personal injury team can help you through the entire process of your rideshare accident case. We can:

• talk to the parties involved
• gather crucial evidence
• obtain any witness reports and testimony
• negotiate with the insurance companies while you focus on your health
• build your case for maximum compensation

What if I’m a Rider in an Uber or Lyft Accident?

In addition to the list above, if you’re a rider in a rideshare service vehicle involved in a car accident, our legal team can review these (and other) items as we seek to build your case:

• Was the driver texting or distracted while driving?
• Was the driver interacting with the app at the time of the accident?
• Was the vehicle in good condition? Was it making any strange noises?
• Was the driver showing signs of fatigue at any point?
• Was the driver speeding or disobeying any traffic laws?

What Are the Insurance Rules for Uber and Lyft Drivers?

In Durham, rideshare drivers are legally different from taxi drivers. North Carolina law sets specific requirements for every rideshare company, including Uber and Lyft.

1) While the driver is logged in, they must be covered by at least the minimum bodily injury coverage required by law – $50,000 for bodily injury to one person, $100,000 for bodily injury to two or more people, and $25,000 in property damage coverage for a single accident.

2) The driver must also maintain combined uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage that at least meets the minimum coverages listed above.

3) While the driver is engaged in service, for Uber or Lyft, they must have $1.5 million in liability coverage, and $1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage for the wrongful death of one or more persons, injury to one or more persons, and property damage coverage, or any combination thereof, in one accident. Uber and Lyft generally provide this policy in North Carolina.

4) Vehicles must pass safety inspections, and drivers must pass background checks before they are allowed to operate.

How Are Rideshare Accidents Different?

These are car accidents like any other, with a few important exceptions, including: In Durham, the status of the driver determines which policies may apply under North Carolina law. Just because there’s a placard on the dash, doesn’t mean the Uber or Lyft vehicle is “in service.” Even if that sign is lit, that doesn’t necessarily mean the driver was working.

This is an important distinction because of the way insurance policies may cover damages. It could make a massive difference in the case of severe injury claims and your ability to seek compensation for your harms and losses.

The Rideshare Driver’s Circumstances

• If the Uber or Lyft driver has a passenger or is en route to a pickup, the law considers them “logged in” or “on the clock.” In these cases, you can file a personal injury claim against the driver, and the coverage of the corporate policy can kick in if that driver’s policy is insufficient to cover your costs, including medical bills, lost wages, and more.
• If the driver is between rides or otherwise has the app on and is waiting on a ride request, there’s a strong possibility that the at-fault driver’s policy may be all that is available to those injured in a crash. This may not legally be a Lyft or Uber accident; it may just be a car wreck. However, there is some gray area, and there may be limited liability coverage from the rideshare company in these cases, even if the driver was not transporting passengers.
• If the driver is logged out of the app, off duty, or otherwise unengaged in ridesharing, then potential compensation for injuries or damages sustained in an accident will generally rely on the at-fault driver’s policy without the supplemental policies that Uber or Lyft offer in certain circumstances.

Before you agree to any settlement – Consult with a Durham car accident law firm to ensure you know your rights.

Is There Any Difference Between an Uber Accident and a Lyft Accident in Durham?

Not really – Uber and Lyft are generally viewed the same way by North Carolina law, and their drivers subject to the same rules. The differences you might experience are in their rider policy agreements, the amount of compensation possibly available, and how they treat your claim for compensation.

What Kind of Compensation Can I Seek in a Rideshare Accident?

You can seek financial compensation for all the harms and losses you may have suffered, including:

• medical bills
• future medical expenses
• lost wages
• pain and suffering
• loss of consortium (loss of the benefits from a personal relationship)
• and others

It’s vital to know what the at-fault rideshare driver was doing at the time of the accident and whether they were logged into the app and considered on the clock. A Durham attorney can help you understand which insurance policies may be in play and how to seek as much as possible, as fast as possible for you.

How the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin Can Help You

Our goal is to help you recover stress-free from your accident by handling the heavy lifting of your case. We’ll deal with the insurance company and fight for your rights.

And there’s no need to worry about cost. You won’t have any fees to pay upfront and there is no retainer fee or hourly charges. And if we don’t recover compensation for you, you won’t owe us any attorney’s fee whatsoever. Guaranteed.²

We have the experience and resources to help you. We were selected to the “Best Law Firms” list by Best Lawyers in America in 2024, and we are one of the largest firms in North Carolina.⁴

We’ve helped 65,000+ clients recover more than $1.8 billion in total compensation since 1997 by putting our clients’ needs first.¹ We even have an official You-First Policy because we care about our clients and their case outcomes.

But don’t take our word for it. See what our clients have to say:

Contact us online for your free case evaluation. You can also visit our Durham office, or we can even come to you!

A real person is available to help you right now. Just call 1-866-900-7078!

Text Us