Philadelphia Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers
With busy streets, confusing layouts, and a relative lack of parking, driving the streets of Philadelphia can feel confusing for those unfamiliar with the region. Rideshare solutions like Uber and Lyft offer a convenient and efficient solution for visitors and residents alike—but for a variety of reasons, the city has started to see more accidents involving rideshare vehicles.
If you have experienced one of these accidents and need to cover your medical, property, or emotional costs, our Philadelphia car accident lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC can help. We have helped many of our clients navigate the legal aftermath of rideshare car accidents: here is what you need to know.
What Are the Common Causes of Uber/Lyft Accidents in Philadelphia?
Rideshare accidents can happen for several reasons. Most commonly, Uber and Lyft drivers rely on GPS navigation systems or use their phones mid-ride, distracting their attention from the road. This temporary lapse in attention can cause them to rear-end the car in front accidentally.
Additionally, rideshare companies like Uber or Lyft incentivize drivers to complete rides as quickly as possible so they can move on to other fares—this pressure has led some drivers to adopt reckless driving habits to make more money.
Factors that impact all drivers, such as poor road conditions, construction hazards, and inclement weather also endanger Uber and Lyft passengers. Fatigue can also affect rideshare drivers’ reaction speed and spatial awareness, as part-time Uber contractors tend to log long hours and work multiple jobs.
How Is Liability Determined in Rideshare Accidents?
Unfortunately, if you get into an accident while riding with an Uber or Lyft, you might find it difficult to determine the party at fault. Though you might want to sue Uber or Lyft directly for any injuries or damages you might have suffered, these companies employ their drivers as independent contractors, not as employees; therefore, your driver would likely own responsibility for your accident.
However, if you can establish a direct link between the company’s conduct and your accident—for instance, if they failed to run adequate background checks, respond to repeated safety concerns, or obey state and federal regulations—you may have grounds to hold the rideshare company liable.
You might look to the car manufacturer’s insurance for compensation in other circumstances, such as a vehicle malfunction or failure. Lastly, in Pennsylvania, the “comparative negligence rule” for personal injury means that you could hold the other drivers in your accident liable if they contributed more than 51% to your collision.
It is not easy to determine the party responsible for an Uber or Lyft accident. We recommend consulting with a seasoned car accident attorney to parse through your case and hold the appropriate parties responsible.
What Insurance Coverage Is Available for Uber/Lyft Accidents?
Uber and Lyft offer varying levels of insurance coverage that change based on the driver’s activity. If the driver got into the accident with the app off, Uber and Lyft typically offer no assistance—you will need to work with the driver’s personal insurance. If the driver has the app active and gets into an accident while waiting for a ride request, Uber and Lyft provide limited liability coverage.
But in an accident that occurs either during a pickup or during an active ride, Uber and Lyft provide upward of $1,000,000 for third-party liability coverage, as well as varying levels of uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage, and comprehensive collision coverage.
What Should You Do Immediately After a Rideshare Accident in Philadelphia?
First and foremost, you must ensure your safety and the safety of any drivers involved in the accident. Get everyone to the side of the road and turn on each car’s hazard lights to alert oncoming traffic of the collision.
Pennsylvania law mandates reporting the accident for injury, death, or severe vehicle damage. But even without these conditions, you should still call 911 and request police assistance and medical aid.
Try to record as much as you can from the accident by taking photos of the collision scene, all damage, and any injuries. Consider writing down your recollection of the incident on a notepad or recording yourself with your phone so you can refresh your memory down the line.
Then, collect contact details and insurance information from the other drivers, and consider contacting a personal injury attorney if you need to recoup any damages incurred in the collision—but make sure you do so in a timely manner. In Pennsylvania, you generally have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury claim. This statute of limitations helps ensure that all involved parties and witnesses remember the events with clarity and that any important evidence does not deteriorate with time.
What Compensation Can You Expect from a Rideshare Accident Claim?
Depending on the severity of your injuries, the extent of your property damage, the level of negligence involved, and the insurance coverage available, the amount of compensation you can claim for the accident can vary widely. Medical bills, rehabilitation costs, current and future lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering can all count as damages for the purposes of your insurance payout.
Additionally, Pennsylvania courts can award punitive damages if the at-fault party acted exceptionally recklessly or egregiously. Though courts rarely do so, some judges use punitive damages to punish the liable party and deter similar actions in the future.
The Philadelphia Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC Will Help You After a Rideshare Accident
The legal aftermath of an Uber or Lyft car accident can feel stressful and overwhelming. Our compassionate, seasoned Philadelphia Uber and Lyft accident lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC have helped several clients claim the maximum possible compensation for their injuries, property damage, and emotional trauma. Call 215-569-8488 or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation; our Pennsylvania offices in Philadelphia and Abington, and our Delaware office in Wilmington, serve clients in the surrounding areas. We look forward to helping you with your case.