Who Is Liable if an Uber or Lyft Driver Ran a Red Light and Hit My Car?

Rideshare drivers who run a red light risk the safety of their passengers and others sharing the road. Like other car crashes involving negligence, victims are left with a lengthy recovery and mounting medical bills. If the red light runner is an Uber or Lyft driver, however, which insurance company is liable for the damages?

At Anderson Cummings & Drawhorn, our experienced Fort Worth car accident attorneys help injured victims every day, including those injured in car accidents involving rideshare drivers.

Not sure if you have a case? We offer a no-risk, free consultation where you can discuss your case, get answers to your questions and learn if you may have legal options

Request your FREE case review. Call: (817) 920-9000 today

Who May Be Liable For My Fort Worth Rideshare Crash?

After an accident during a ride service, there may be several parties who may be liable for the damages resulting for your rideshare crash. The complexity of these cases extends beyond simply proving the Uber or Lyft driver ran a red light. When a rideshare driver is involved, different insurance policies and corporate responsibilities may apply, depending on the specific circumstances of your crash.

The Driver’s Personal Liability

All drivers have a direct responsibility for following traffic laws and taking reasonable steps to prevent causing harm to others. If a driver ignores this legal duty of care by running a stop light and causing your accident, they may be held liable for your damages. Texas law requires all licensed drivers to follow traffic signals and operate their vehicles safely, making the driver legally liable for their negligent actions.

Uber or Lyft If Drivers Are Liable and Actively Working

When Uber or Lyft drivers cause a crash while actively working on their platforms, these companies share responsibility for the resulting damages. Uber and Lyft have a duty to properly screen drivers, enforce safety policies and maintain adequate insurance coverage. If the company fails in any of these obligations, it may face additional liability for your injuries.

Rideshare insurance carriers often become primary defendants in accident claims involving their negligent drivers. These companies may be liable for covering your damages based on the driver’s status during the crash. However, they frequently attempt to minimize payouts or deny claims, making experienced legal representation crucial.

Third-Party Driver Involvement

Sometimes, other drivers contribute to these accidents, even when the driver runs the a light. For example, if another vehicle’s actions force the hired driver to make an unsafe decision, that driver might share liability. We investigate all potentially responsible parties to ensure every avenue of compensation remains open.

Your Own Insurance Company’s Role

Your personal auto insurance carrier may also play a role in your claim, if the Uber or Lyft driver who hit your car was underinsured or uninsured. While not directly liable for the accident, your insurance company may be responsible for providing additional coverage if other sources prove insufficient.

Who Pays When a Rideshare Driver Runs a Red Light?

Even when an Uber or Lyft driver runs a red light and hits your car, it is important to remember that fault cannot be assumed. While red light runners are often assessed with primary fault for a crash, the incident must still be investigated to determine if other parties contributed to the crash in some way.

Once fault has been determined, insurers will assess the rideshare driver’s status at the time of the crash to determine which policy applies.

• Actively Carrying a Passenger or Accepted a Ride Request: Lyft’s one million insurance policy typically covers the medical costs and other losses of the injured victim, whether or not the victim was a passenger. Uber also has a one million dollar insurance policy.
• Driver Logged Into the App but Waiting for a Ride: A lower coverage limit applies if the driver was logged into the app and actively waiting for a ride request.
• Driver Was Not Logged Into the App: The driver’s personal auto insurance becomes responsible for covering your damages.

In Texas, drivers are typically required to carry a minimum liability coverage of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage. However, drivers who use their personal vehicles to provide ridesharing services are required to purchase insurance that extends beyond the minimum coverage.

This complex insurance structure often leads to coverage disputes, as insurance companies may argue about the driver’s status during the accident. For example, multiple insurance policies might apply if a driver had just dropped off a passenger or was about to accept a new ride when they ran the light. Victims can improve their odds of a successful claim by seeking experienced legal representation to navigate these overlapping coverage periods to claim all entitled compensation.

Proving Fault in Your Accident Case

Drivers who run a red light are typically the primary at-fault party. However, even if liability seems clear in a Texas car accident case, victims are still required to establish negligence. The liable insurance company may try to devalue your claim, such as by shifting some of the fault to the victim, even in a situation where liability seems clear.

Strong evidence that can help to support your case may include:

• Traffic Camera Footage and Nearby Security Cameras: Recorded events provide visual evidence of how the crash occurred, making these recordings powerful in establishing facts.
• Police Report: Serves as an authoritative evidence documenting the driver’s traffic violation and any citations issued at the accident scene
• Rideshare App Data: Shows the driver’s exact location and status at the time of the crash
• Witness statements: Collect statements from passengers, other drivers and bystanders who saw the driver run the red light
• Photographs of the Accident Scene: Capture details including skid marks, vehicle damage and the traffic signal configuration that can help support your claim
• Cell Phone Records:  Logs that show phone activity can determine if driver distraction contributed to running the light

How Can An Attorney Help My Rideshare Accident Case?

When a hired driver runs a red light and causes an accident, victims face unique legal challenges that extend beyond typical car crash claims. The intersection of traffic violations, company policies and multiple insurance coverages creates a complex situation requiring professional legal guidance.

Our knowledgeable attorneys can help build a compelling case on your behalf by:

• Determining the Liable Party: Determines coverage based on driver status (active ride, waiting for requests or offline) when they ran the red light.
• Pursues All Source of Compensation: Accesses rideshare company’s liability policy and identifies secondary options including the driver’s personal insurance.
• Collects Crucial Evidence: Secures traffic camera footage, security recordings, witness statements, police reports and citations documenting the violation.
• Obtains Digital Documentation: Acquires app data showing driver’s exact location and status, plus cell phone records to identify potential distractions that may have contributed to the crash.
• Builds a Strong Technical Case: Consults with accident reconstruction experts, as needed, to establish precisely how the red light violation caused your injuries.
• Counters Insurance Company Tactics: Employs strategies to overcome attempts to minimize liability for red light accidents

Injured In a Uber or Lyft Accident? Contact Anderson Cummings & Drawhorn today.

It can be difficult to understand your rights after an accident involving an Uber or Lyft driver, especially when insurance coverage depends on the status of the hired driver. Without legal expertise, you may miss out on significant compensation due to the complex nature of company insurance policies and driver status classifications.

At Anderson Cummings & Drawhorn, we understand the challenges of facing a rideshare accident. Our proven track record of securing favorable results for accident victims speaks to our commitment to maximizing compensation for all compensable damages. Do not let insurance companies take advantage of your situation contact our trusted Fort Worth law firm today for a free consultation or fill out our secure online form. There are no upfront costs when we represent you.

Millions recovered for our clients. Call: (817) 920-9000 today