UBER, LYFT & DELIVERY CRASHESCoverage depends on what the app was doing.
Rideshare and delivery drivers are everywhere in Houston. When one is involved in a crash, there can be several insurance policies in play: the driver's own, and coverage provided by the app. Which one pays depends on the driver's status in the app at the moment of the crash.
RIDESHARE & DELIVERY crash claims.
PASSENGERS
Hurt while riding in an Uber or Lyft, whether your driver or another driver caused the crash.
OTHER DRIVERS
Hit by a rideshare or delivery driver while you were driving your own car.
PEDESTRIANS & CYCLISTS
Struck by a driver who was distracted by an app, a pickup or a delivery address.
DELIVERY CRASHES
Crashes involving drivers for food, grocery and package delivery apps, where coverage rules differ from rideshare.
Rideshare drivers get hurt too. If you drive for an app and another driver hit you, the at-fault driver's insurance, your own coverage and the app's coverage may all be part of the picture.
WHAT THE APP was doing matters.
Texas law requires rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft to make sure certain coverage is in place, and the amount depends on the driver's status.
- 01App offThe driver is just a driver. Their own personal auto policy applies, the same as any other crash.
- 02App on, waiting for a ride requestAt least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per crash for injuries, plus $25,000 for property damage. Many personal auto policies exclude this period, so the app-provided coverage often matters most.
- 03Ride accepted or passenger on boardAt least $1,000,000 in liability coverage from the time the driver accepts a ride until the passenger gets out.
- 04Delivery drivers are differentThe Texas rideshare insurance law generally doesn't apply to food and package delivery. Some delivery companies carry their own policies that apply only during an active delivery, and many personal policies exclude business use.
WHAT TO DO after a rideshare crash.
In a rideshare case, the first question isn't who caused the crash. It's what the app showed at that moment.
RIDESHARE & DELIVERY FAQ
Can I sue Uber or Lyft directly?
Usually the claim is paid through the insurance the app is required to carry rather than by the company itself. Texas law generally treats rideshare drivers as independent contractors, not employees. Every case depends on its facts.
I was a passenger. Whose insurance pays?
Once your driver accepted the ride, Texas law requires at least $1,000,000 in liability coverage. If another driver caused the crash, that driver's insurance may also be responsible, and uninsured motorist coverage may apply if they had none.
What if the delivery driver was using their personal car?
It depends on the company and the driver's own policy. Some delivery companies carry coverage that applies during an active delivery, but personal policies often exclude business use. Getting the app records early helps answer the question.
How long do I have to file?
Most Texas injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the crash. App data and trip records are easier to get the sooner you ask.