Houston Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer
Joe is one of the few Texas lawyers that is double board certified.
“No Legal Fees Until Joe Wins Your Case”
Content Reviewed by: Joe Stephens
If you were injured in a rideshare accident in Houston, the aftermath can be overwhelming. While you’re dealing with painful injuries, medical bills, and missed work, you’re also trying to figure out who can be held responsible. A Houston Uber and Lyft accident lawyer can help you determine fault, navigate the complex claims process, and recover compensation for your losses.
Attorney Joe Stephens and The Stephens Law Firm offer compassionate support and award-winning legal services to pursue justice for our clients. Contact us to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you fight for the compensation you need to move forward after a rideshare accident.
Table of Contents
- Why Choose Joe Stephens As Your Houston Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer?
- Steps To Take After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Houston
- Why Houston Rideshare Accidents Are More Complicated Than Other Car Crashes
- How Uber and Lyft Insurance Coverage Works in Texas
- Who Can Be Held Liable in a Houston Uber or Lyft Accident?
- Who Can File a Rideshare Accident Claim in Houston?
- Compensation Available After a Houston Uber or Lyft Accident
- Frequently Asked Questions About Houston Rideshare Accidents
- Contact The Stephens Law Firm Today for a Free Consultation
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Rideshare accidents are often complex because they involve multiple parties and insurance policies that may be confusing without legal guidance.
- Depending on the status of your ride, you may qualify to file a claim with the rideshare company’s $1 million insurance policy to cover your damages.
- Working with an experienced Uber and Lyft accident lawyer can help you recover the maximum compensation for your losses.
Why Choose Joe Stephens As Your Houston Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer?
Since 1985, Joe Stephens has earned national recognition for his tireless legal advocacy on behalf of injured victims in Texas. As a double board-certified personal injury lawyer, Joe has extensive experience handling, negotiating, and trying Houston rideshare accident claims, securing meaningful case results for clients and their families.
Joe offers one-on-one representation and handles every case personally. He takes the time to get to know his clients, understand their struggles, and determine how he can best help them. This takes the legal burden off their shoulders so they can focus on what matters most—their health and recovery.
If you’re looking for a trusted rideshare accident attorney in Houston, reach out to The Stephens Law Firm. There is no upfront cost to hire Joe to represent you, and you pay no legal fees unless he wins your case.
Steps To Take After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Houston
We understand that a sudden rideshare accident can be a shocking experience, but there are things you can do after the crash to protect your health and rights:
- Call 911 and report the accident: A police report creates an official record of what happened, which is important evidence
- Get medical attention: Even if injuries seem minor, delayed symptoms are common, and medical documentation is critical for your claim
- Screenshot your trip details: In your Uber or Lyft app, take screenshots of your driver’s name, the route, and your ride status at the time of the crash
- Document the scene: If possible, take photos or video of vehicle damage, road conditions, license plates, and insurance cards
- Be careful what you say: Avoid giving a recorded statement to the insurance company or posting about the accident on social media
- Contact a Houston rideshare accident lawyer: Speak with a legal professional to determine your next steps
Why Houston Rideshare Accidents Are More Complicated Than Other Car Crashes
Rideshare accidents are often more complex than other types of traffic crashes because they involve multiple parties, complicated insurance policies, and corporate legal teams that can make it difficult to recover the compensation you deserve. Here’s why you may want an Uber or Lyft lawyer in Houston to assist with your case:
- Multiple insurance policies: Depending on when the crash occurred and who was involved, you may have to deal with the driver’s personal policy, the rideshare company’s policy, and possibly a third party’s policy
- Shifting coverage based on app status: Insurance coverage changes when the driver is logged in the app, en route to pick you up, or actively completing the ride
- Driver classification as an independent contractor: Uber and Lyft argue they are not employers, which complicates direct liability claims
- Corporate legal resistance: Powerful insurance companies have legal teams that may try to unfairly delay or deny your claim
How Uber and Lyft Insurance Coverage Works in Texas
In Texas, insurance coverage for rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft is strictly regulated by the Texas Insurance Code Chapter 1954. This law protects drivers and passengers with a tiered system based on the driver’s activity in the app, including these three distinct periods:
- App on but no ride accepted: $50,000 per person for injuries, $100,000 per accident, $25,000 for property damage
- Driver en route to pick up passenger: At least $1 million in third-party liability coverage
- Passenger in vehicle: At least $1 million in third-party liability, plus potential uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Coverage gaps when the app is on but the ride hasn’t been accepted yet are the most common insurance disputes. Both the rideshare insurance company and the driver’s personal insurer often try to deny responsibility.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Houston Uber or Lyft Accident?
The party legally responsible for a rideshare accident depends on several factors, including the status of the ride and whether negligence was involved. In some cases, multiple parties may share fault. Common parties that may be liable for an Uber or Lyft accident in Houston include:
- The rideshare driver: Negligent Uber or Lyft drivers who failed to exercise reasonable care may be liable for accidents they cause while waiting to accept a ride
- Another motorist: Other careless or reckless drivers can be held responsible for traffic collisions with rideshare vehicles
- Uber or Lyft: If the rideshare company’s coverage applies when an accident occurs, victims may file a claim through the Uber or Lyft insurance policy
- A vehicle or parts manufacturer: If faulty parts or equipment cause the accident, the manufacturer may be liable for damages
- A government entity: In rare cases, a municipality or government agency may be responsible for negligent road maintenance or design
When someone else’s mistake puts you in harm’s way, you deserve more than just a quick insurance payout. We help everyday Texans get the support and compensation they need to move forward after a car accident.
Who Can File a Rideshare Accident Claim in Houston?
Individuals who are injured in a rideshare accident that was caused by negligence may be eligible to bring a legal claim, including:
- Passengers: People injured while riding in the Uber or Lyft vehicle
- Other drivers: Motorists hit by a rideshare driver on Houston roads
- Pedestrians: Walkers who are injured in a pedestrian accident after being struck by a rideshare vehicle at a crosswalk, parking lot, or intersection
- Cyclists: Bicyclists involved in a collision with a rideshare vehicle
- The rideshare driver: Uber or Lyft drivers who are injured due to another motorist’s negligence while driving for the rideshare company
Compensation Available After a Houston Uber or Lyft Accident
Victims of rideshare accidents may recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are your financial losses and expenses, such as:
- Medical bills
- Cost of future medical care
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings capacity
- Property damage
Non-economic damages are the subjective or intangible losses that affect your quality of life, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
Personal injury claims involving rideshare insurance policies with $1 million in coverage may allow for a significantly higher recovery than a standard car accident case. Work with an experienced Uber or Lyft accident lawyer in Houston, TX, to help you fight for the maximum compensation available for your claim.
Frequently Asked Questions About Houston Rideshare Accidents
Can I Sue Uber or Lyft Directly After an Accident?
In Texas, it may be possible to sue a rideshare company directly, but it is legally complex because they classify their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. Instead of suing the companies themselves, most victims file claims against the $1 million insurance policies that Uber and Lyft are legally required to carry.
What if the Rideshare Driver Was Not Logged Into the App?
If a rideshare driver is not logged into the app at the time of the accident, they are legally considered a private motorist, and the rideshare company’s coverage generally does not apply. You can typically file a standard car accident claim in these cases.
How Long Do I Have To File a Rideshare Accident Claim in Texas?
Under the Texas statute of limitations for personal injuries, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. While there are some exceptions, failing to bring a claim within this two-year deadline could result in forfeiting your right to recover damages.
Contact The Stephens Law Firm Today for a Free Consultation
After a rideshare accident, you need an experienced Houston personal injury lawyer who can handle the nuances of these types of cases. Joe Stephens has decades of experience helping clients seek the maximum recovery for their damages while providing compassionate support and fierce legal advocacy. Call (281) 201-0035 or contact The Stephens Law Firm online for a free consultation.
