McKinney Ridesharing Car Accident Lawyer
![](https://cdn.powa.com/www.dallascaraccidentlawyers.net/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/locations-mckinney-tx-ridesharing-accident-lawyer-300-critical-desktop.jpg.webp)
Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft are more common than ever in McKinney. These applications allow residents to easily get from point A to point B without having to drive themselves or worry about parking. It’s also become a popular extra job for many people. However, what happens if you are injured in a crash with one of these vehicles?
Thankfully, one of our McKinney ridesharing accident lawyers can help. You deserve compensation for damages that you suffered but did not cause in the accident—and big ridesharing companies rarely make it easy to get what you deserve. We can help you build a strong case and fight for your rights.
Call us today at (469) 998-4069 or reach out online and we’ll get you started with a FREE consultation. You won’t have to worry about the cost because we don’t collect a fee unless we win your case. So, call today to schedule your FREE, no-risk consultation.
What Ridesharing Means in McKinney
Ridesharing refers to services where a person can arrange a ride in a driver’s privately-owned vehicle. Ridesharing apps often allow you to choose whether or not you want to share the vehicle with other travelers on the way to your destination. Popular ridesharing applications include Uber, Lyft, and Via, with more cropping up around the country and the world.
Although ridesharing drivers should be properly vetted before allowed to provide services, they are still human. Accidents can happen, and when they do, it’s important to understand your rights as a passenger or as another driver.
If you were the passenger in a ridesharing vehicle during the accident, you’ll, of course, know that the driver was at fault. However, if you were operating your own vehicle and the ridesharing vehicle crashed into you, you’ll need to gather information about the crash and their fault. Either way, it’s best to seek the services of an experienced lawyer as soon as possible to help determine fault and liability.
How Insurance Claims Work for Ridesharing Accidents in McKinney
In Texas, you have two years from the date of a ridesharing accident to file a claim against the at-fault party (Texas Civil Practices and Remedies Code section 16.003). This includes filing a personal injury claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company to seek compensation for your damages.
When it comes to ridesharing accidents, the insurance claim process can be a little more complicated than other types of accidents. In short, it depends on whether or not the ridesharing driver was “on” or “off” the clock.
Driving for Personal Reasons
When the ridesharing driver has their app turned off and using their vehicle for personal use (and not for picking up ridesharing passengers), the driver’s own insurance coverage will apply to an accident.
Texas’s insurance minimums are:
- $30,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person injured in an accident
- $60,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
- $25,000 of liability coverage for property damage per accident
Ridesharing drivers are required to carry auto insurance beyond the Texas minimum. If you are in an accident with one of these drivers while they are off the clock, then you would need to file a claim with the driver’s own insurance company.
Available for Ride Requests
If the ridesharing driver was on their app and set to available for ride requests (but not yet actively picking someone up) when the accident happened, the driver must have the following liability coverage:
- $50,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person injured in an accident
- $100,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
- $25,000 of liability coverage for property damage per accident
How exactly this coverage is provided will depend on the ridesharing company. Some companies will provide a portion of the coverage, while others will require drivers to have this coverage themselves. Uber and Lyft provide contingent driver coverage that applies only if the driver’s insurance company rejects a claim.
After your accident, your lawyer can investigate the details and determine which insurance policy applies. This will let you know where to file a claim. In some cases, you might need to file a claim with both the driver’s and the ridesharing company’s insurance companies.
Picking Up a Passenger
If a ridesharing accident happens while the driver is on the way to pick up a passenger through the app, the insurance liability coverage is:
- $1 million total for bodily injury, death, and property damage per accident
- $1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident.
This insurance coverage is provided by the ridesharing company. Some companies will provide further forms of coverage on top of that.
If you are filing a claim with a ridesharing company like Lyft or Uber after an accident, the coverage is extensive. However, that does not mean that it will be easy to get what you deserve. These companies will be aggressive in protecting their money and paying as little as possible.
To protect your legal rights and ensure you are doing everything correctly in your case, contact a McKinney ridesharing accident lawyer as soon as you can. Our Dallas car accident lawyers are happy to provide you with a FREE, no-risk consultation today. Call (469) 998-4069 to get started.
How a McKinney Ridesharing Accident Lawyer Helps Your Case
There are many things an experienced ridesharing accident lawyer can do for you after this type of accident. They can assist you in:
- Filing your personal injury claim (and not missing the Texas statute of limitations)
- Gathering evidence of your damages, such as medical records, pictures from the scene, witness statements, and more
- Negotiating with the insurance company for a higher settlement
- Utilizing experts to strengthen your case and
- Handling all legal aspects of your case so you don’t have to worry about it.
It’s also best to work with someone who is local to the area, as they will be most familiar with the local court system and state personal injury laws. Your lawyer should also have experience working on cases that involve ridesharing accidents of all kinds.
Consult a McKinney Ridesharing Accident Lawyer for Free Today
Our Dallas car accident lawyers know what it takes to win these types of cases. We are here to remove the stress and handle the legal side of things—so you can focus on recovery. Contact us today and we’ll get started with a FREE consultation. Call (469) 998-4069 or reach out online to get started for FREE.