Rideshare Driver Logged in But No Passenger: Who Pays If You’re Hit in Downey, Norwalk, or Whittier?
Whether you’re hit by a driver who claims they were working for a rideshare app or you were using a rideshare app and the driver caused an accident, be prepared—car accident claims involving rideshare companies can be complex. These companies offer varying levels of insurance coverage based on which “period” a driver is in at the time the collision happens, and the period when they are logged in but don’t yet have a passenger can be incredibly confusing. That’s why it’s helpful to have a California rideshare accident attorney advocating for you.
At the Law Offices of Robin D. Perry & Associates, we’ve helped many Downey-area accident victims demand fair compensation from insurance companies. Attorney Salvador Sanchez, an associate attorney with extensive experience in motor vehicle accident claims, fights aggressively for clients who are getting the runaround from insurance companies. Call our rideshare accident law firm at 562-216-2944 to schedule a consultation now.
Rideshare Periods and Why They Matter
Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft divide a driver’s activity into separate phases. Period 0 is when they are logged off the app entirely, at which point their own personal insurance is all that’s applicable. Period 1 starts when a driver is logged in and waiting for a ride but has not yet accepted a rider. Period 2 starts when a driver accepts a ride request and is en route to the passenger. Period 3 occurs when a driver has a passenger in the car.
Why do these distinctions matter? They determine how much insurance coverage the rideshare company provides. This is one of the first things that the insurance companies—and your rideshare accident lawyer—will ask.
Coverage That Applies When a Driver is Logged In But Has No Passenger
This time is called “period 1.” When a driver is online and available to take a rider, Uber and Lyft offer some coverage, but not as much as they offer when a driver has actually accepted a ride or is driving a passenger. During this stage, Uber provides $50,000 of bodily harm coverage per person, up to $100,000 of bodily harm coverage for the entire accident, and $25,000 of coverage in property damage per accident. However, assuming your accident occurs in California, the minimum amount of coverage for property damage is $30,000, so Uber will provide protection up to that amount.
Why Period 1 Claims Are Disputed
Claims involving drivers who are logged in but not actually transporting passengers are often disputed. The rideshare company’s insurance provider may question if the driver was actually logged onto the app at the time of the collision and if they were actually available for rideshare work. This is an important thing to push back on with a rideshare accident attorney. If the rideshare company completely denies liability or claims that the driver was not driving for them at the time, you may have to go through the driver’s personal policy—and a personal policy won’t pay out anything if a driver is doing commercial driving work without a commercial rider on their policy.
Mistakes to Avoid
Victims of rideshare accidents often find themselves stuck in a frustrating back-and-forth between the rideshare company’s insurance and the driver’s personal insurance. Failing to identify the driver’s rideshare status at the time of the crash can make it harder to access the correct coverage; it also gives them time to change their answer later, after figuring out what is more beneficial for them.
You should also avoid navigating this process on your own without a rideshare accident lawyer. While you are completely allowed to do so, insurance companies are very good at frustrating and discouraging self-represented victims. They know they can often get them to accept an insultingly low settlement (or no settlement at all) if they just delay their responses, ask for documentation over and over, or point the finger at the other insurance company.
Find Out How Our Rideshare Accident Law Firm in California Can Help
Our team of experienced lawyers is ready and willing to help you get to the bottom of your accident and figure out who is liable for your injuries. Schedule a consultation now by calling us at 562-216-2944 or connecting with us online.
Attorney Robin D. Perry has been part of the Long Beach Community for over 25 years handling business litigation, employment litigation and advising, criminal defense, personal injury and code enforcement defense for businesses.
