Rideshare apps have made getting around Indiana more convenient than ever, but the legal landscape that follows a crash is anything but simple. When an accident happens in an Uber or Lyft, injured victims often discover that questions of liability and insurance coverage are far more complicated than those in a standard car accident. The good news is that you may have multiple avenues for pursuing compensation, and understanding how Indiana law applies to these cases is the critical first step.
At Wagner Reese, LLP, we have been representing seriously injured Hoosiers for over 25 years, and our attorneys are well-versed in handling the complex insurance and liability issues that arise in rideshare accident cases. Our firm takes a selective approach to casework, focusing exclusively on catastrophic and high-stakes claims where our attorneys’ combined 150+ years of experience can make the most meaningful difference for our clients. If you or someone you love was hurt in an Uber or Lyft accident, here is what you need to know about your legal options in Indiana.
Can You Actually Sue Uber or Lyft After a Crash?
The short answer is: it depends. Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, which is a distinction that significantly limits direct corporate liability in many circumstances. Indiana courts generally apply the independent contractor framework, meaning that rideshare companies can argue they are not responsible for the negligent actions of their drivers in the same way an employer might be for an employee.
However, this does not mean injured victims are left without options. Both Uber and Lyft carry substantial commercial insurance policies that may cover your losses, and the amount of coverage available hinges on what the driver was doing at the exact moment of the crash.
How Driver Status Determines Coverage
The rideshare insurance structure is divided into three coverage periods based on the driver’s app activity. When the driver has the app turned off entirely, only the driver’s personal auto insurance applies. When the driver is logged in and waiting for a ride request, Uber and Lyft provide contingent liability coverage of up to $50,000 per person injured and $100,000 per accident. Once a driver has accepted a ride and is en route to pick up a passenger, or has a passenger in the vehicle, the rideshare company’s full $1,000,000 liability policy becomes the primary coverage.
Determining which period applies to your case is one of the most consequential steps in a rideshare injury claim. A small difference in timing can mean the difference between limited coverage and access to a million-dollar policy. This is why having an attorney investigate the details of the accident immediately is so important for injured passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers alike.
When Third-Party Drivers Are at Fault
Not every rideshare crash involves a negligent Uber or Lyft driver. If a third-party driver caused the accident while you were a passenger in a rideshare vehicle, your claim would generally be filed against that driver’s insurance. Indiana requires drivers to carry minimum bodily injury liability coverage of $25,000 per person, which may be insufficient to cover serious or catastrophic injuries resulting from a high-impact crash.
In those situations, you may also have access to the rideshare company’s underinsured motorist coverage, depending on the circumstances. Indiana’s vehicle accident laws create a fault-based insurance system, meaning the at-fault party is ultimately responsible for compensating injured victims. Our attorneys carefully analyze every layer of available coverage to ensure no source of compensation is overlooked.
What Damages Can You Recover?
Victims of rideshare accidents in Indiana may pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include quantifiable losses such as medical bills, future treatment costs, lost income, and diminished earning capacity. Non-economic damages cover the more personal toll of an injury, including physical pain, emotional distress, and the lasting impact on your quality of life.
In cases where a rideshare accident results in a fatality, surviving family members may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim against the responsible parties. According to the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute’s 2022 Traffic Safety Fact Book, there were 964 traffic deaths in Indiana in 2022, underscoring just how serious the consequences of negligent driving can be on state roadways.
Contact Wagner Reese, LLP After an Indiana Rideshare Accident
When the stakes are this high, having the right legal team on your side matters. Wagner Reese, LLP is recognized year after year as a Tier-One Best Lawyers Law Firm, and our attorneys have been continuously honored by Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America. We work on a contingency basis, meaning our clients never pay out of pocket. We are only compensated when we secure a recovery on your behalf. Learn more about our attorneys and our firm, as well as how our record of multi-million dollar recoveries sets us apart.
If you were injured in a rideshare accident anywhere in Indiana, do not wait to get legal guidance. The sooner our team can begin investigating your case, the better positioned we are to preserve critical evidence and build the strongest possible claim. Contact Wagner Reese, LLP today to schedule a free, no-obligation case review with our experienced personal injury attorneys.
