A McAllen rideshare accident lawyer helps people hurt in an Uber or Lyft crash sort out which insurance applies and recover for their injuries. The Lopez Law Group represents rideshare accident victims in McAllen and across the Rio Grande Valley, in English and Spanish, whether you were a passenger, another driver or a pedestrian. As an injury law firm, we work on contingency, so you pay no attorney's fee and no case expenses unless we recover for you. Contact us today for a free consultation.
A McAllen rideshare accident lawyer helps people hurt in an Uber or Lyft crash sort out which insurance applies and recover for their injuries. The Lopez Law Group represents rideshare accident victims in McAllen and across the Rio Grande Valley, in English and Spanish, whether you were a passenger, another driver or a pedestrian. Phone: (956) 968-7800.
Why rideshare accident cases are different
A rideshare accident is more complicated than ordinary car accidents because of how Uber and Lyft classify their drivers. Services like Uber and Lyft classify each rideshare driver as an independent contractor, not an employee, which the rideshare companies use to limit their own liability. But Uber and Lyft provide large insurance policies that apply at certain times, so the real question in most rideshare accident cases is which insurance applies at the time of the accident. Anyone injured in a rideshare accident needs an experienced rideshare accident attorney who knows how to answer that, protect your legal rights and reach the rideshare company's right policy. This is a personal injury case like any car crash, but the insurance coverage is the twist.
Which insurance applies after an Uber or Lyft crash
Coverage depends on what the rideshare driver was doing at the time of the crash:
- App off: only the driver's personal car insurance applies.
- App on, waiting for a ride request: Uber and Lyft provide limited liability coverage on top of the driver's policy.
- En route to pick up a passenger or with a passenger in the car: the rideshare company's larger commercial insurance coverage applies.
Because the coverage changes by the second, the time of the crash decides which insurance policy pays. A rideshare accident lawyer pins down the driver's status from the app data, so the claim goes to the policy that actually covers it.
Who is hurt in a rideshare accident
A rideshare crash can injure several people, and each has rights:
- The passenger in the Uber or Lyft
- The driver or passengers of another vehicle
- A pedestrian or cyclist
- The rideshare driver, when another driver caused the accident
If you were injured in an Uber or a Lyft rideshare accident, a Lyft accident lawyer and rideshare accident attorney in McAllen can tell you which policy and which liable party your claim runs against. Whether the crash involved an Uber driver, a Lyft driver, or another vehicle, an attorney can help even when it is not clear who had fault for the accident. Lawyers in McAllen at our firm handle every kind of Uber accident and Uber and Lyft accident claim.
Common causes of rideshare accidents in McAllen
Most McAllen rideshare accidents come from ordinary driving mistakes made worse by app distraction:
- Drivers watching the app instead of the road
- Rushing to pick up a passenger or finish a ride
- Speeding and unsafe lane changes
- Fatigue from long driving shifts
- Another driver who caused the accident entirely
Whoever caused the accident, an experienced rideshare accident lawyer builds the evidence from the accident scene, the app records and any witnesses.
Compensation in a McAllen rideshare accident claim
Texas law lets rideshare accident victims recover both economic and non-economic damages in a personal injury claim:
- Medical bills, past and future
- Lost wages and lost earning ability
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Pain and suffering and lasting disability
How much a rideshare accident claim is worth depends on the injuries and the evidence, so no honest lawyer quotes a settlement figure before reviewing your records. Our job is to prove the full value and reach every insurance policy that applies.
The deadline to file a rideshare accident claim in Texas
In most cases you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under Texas law and the statute of limitations in Section 16.003. A claim filed late can be blocked, and app data and other evidence can be lost over time. Contact an experienced attorney soon so the rideshare company's records are preserved.
What to do after a rideshare accident
What you do at the scene protects your rideshare accident claim:
- Call 911 and get a police report
- Seek medical attention right away, even if you feel fine
- Screenshot the ride in the Uber or Lyft app, showing the driver and trip
- Photograph the vehicles and the scene
- Get witness information
- Do not give any insurer a recorded statement before you talk to a lawyer
These steps make it far easier for a law firm to prove which insurance applies and who was at fault.
How our McAllen rideshare accident lawyers handle your case
The legal process gets the same care whether your case settles or goes to trial. It starts with a free consultation where we discuss your legal options in plain words. Our legal team investigates, obtains the app and trip data to fix the driver's status at the time of the accident, identifies every policy that applies, builds the medical records, and files a claim with a full demand. When there is no fair offer, we file a lawsuit. That is how an experienced rideshare accident law firm can help move a claim from a low first offer to a fair result. For an ordinary crash, our McAllen car accident lawyer page covers a car accident case, and our McAllen personal injury attorney page covers the rest.
Why McAllen rideshare accident victims choose The Lopez Law Group
We are a bilingual personal injury law firm with roots in Hidalgo County and offices serving McAllen and Weslaco. You get an experienced McAllen rideshare accident lawyer, direct access to attorney Fernando J. Lopez, and a firm that has represented more than 2,500 clients over 18 years. We work only on contingency, so you never pay unless we recover money for you, and Spanish-speaking families get everything in their language. You pay no attorney's fee and no case expenses unless we recover for you, and the consultation is free.
Frequently asked questions
Can you sue Uber or Lyft for an accident?
Sometimes directly, and often you reach their insurance instead. Because Uber and Lyft classify drivers as independent contractors, the companies argue they are not liable, but their commercial policies still cover riders and third parties when the app was on. A rideshare accident lawyer reaches the right policy and party.
What should I do after a rideshare accident?
Call 911, get medical attention, screenshot the ride in the app, photograph the scene, and collect witness information. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurer before talking to a lawyer. These steps protect your claim while the evidence is fresh.
What should I not say to an injury lawyer?
Be fully honest with your own lawyer, hiding facts only hurts your case. The caution is about the insurers: do not give the rideshare company or the other driver's insurer a recorded statement or accept quick money before your lawyer reviews the claim.
How much does a rideshare accident lawyer cost in Texas?
Personal injury cases in Texas are handled on a contingency fee. The attorney's fee is a share of the recovery, agreed in writing before the case begins. You pay no attorney's fee and no case expenses unless we recover for you. The exact percentage is stated in the written agreement you sign.
Contact a McAllen rideshare accident lawyer today
If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in McAllen or anywhere in the Rio Grande Valley, contact our law firm to schedule a free consultation. You pay no attorney's fee and no case expenses unless we recover for you. The attorney responsible for the content of this page is Fernando J. Lopez. Our primary office is in Weslaco, Texas.
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The Lopez Law Group, PLLC — 2611 N. Texas Blvd, Suite 1, Weslaco, TX 78599 · (956) 968-7800 · Serving McAllen, Weslaco, Brownsville, Edinburg and the Rio Grande Valley. Hablamos español.
