If you were hurt in an Uber, Lyft, or any other rideshare vehicle anywhere in Massachusetts, Larson Law can help you understand your rights, identify every insurance policy that applies, and pursue the full compensation you deserve. You pay nothing unless we win.
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Rideshare accidents are not like ordinary car accident claims. When you are hurt in an Uber or Lyft, the question of which insurance policy applies depends entirely on what the driver was doing at the exact moment of the crash. Uber and Lyft each carry up to one million dollars in commercial liability coverage, but that coverage only kicks in under specific conditions. In other situations, you may be dealing with the driver’s personal auto insurance, a limited contingent policy from the rideshare company, or a combination of both. Insurance companies know these rules well and use them to limit what they pay out.
At Larson Law Boston, we handle Uber and Lyft accident cases across Massachusetts. We know how rideshare insurance works, who is responsible at each stage of a trip, and how to build a claim that accounts for every applicable policy. Whether you were a passenger, a driver in another vehicle, a pedestrian, or a cyclist, a Massachusetts Uber accident attorney can review your case for free and tell you exactly where you stand.
One of the most important things to understand after an Uber or Lyft accident is that coverage depends entirely on the driver’s status in the app at the time of the crash. There are three distinct phases, and each one triggers different insurance coverage.
Determining which phase applied at the time of your accident is one of the first things your attorney will establish. The app data is time-stamped and retrievable, and it is critical to identifying exactly which policies are in play. Insurance companies for both the driver and the rideshare company may try to shift responsibility onto the other. Having a lawyer who understands how these policies interact is what prevents you from falling through the gap.
Rideshare accident victims come from all angles of a crash. Larson Law represents anyone hurt as a result of an Uber or Lyft driver’s negligence, including:
Rideshare accident injuries range from minor to life-changing. Even low-speed crashes in city traffic can cause injuries that take weeks or months to fully appear. Getting medical attention right away protects your health and gives your claim the documentation it needs.
Rideshare accidents can cost you far more than just medical bills. We pursue every category of compensation your case supports, across every applicable insurance policy.
Fill in the form or call us directly. Share the basics about your accident, including whether you were a passenger, in another vehicle, or a pedestrian, and we will take it from there.
An attorney will review the details with you, identify which insurance policies apply to your situation, and let you know what your case may be worth. No pressure and no cost for this review.
If you decide to move forward, we deal with the rideshare company, their insurer, and all the legal work while you focus on recovering. We keep you updated throughout the process.
Rideshare companies and their insurers know the rules better than most injury victims, and they use that knowledge to pay out as little as possible. Do not accept a quick settlement without understanding what every applicable policy actually covers. Share a few details with us and we will walk you through your options, identify the right policies, and make sure your claim reflects the full cost of what happened.
Browse our practice areas to see the full range of injury cases we handle across Massachusetts. For broader personal injury representation, visit our Boston personal injury lawyer page.
Responsibility depends on what the driver was doing in the app at the time of the crash. If the driver was offline, only their personal auto insurance applies. If they were logged in and waiting for a ride request, Uber or Lyft provides limited contingent coverage on top of the driver’s personal policy. If they had accepted a trip or had a passenger in the car, the rideshare company’s full one million dollar commercial liability policy applies. In practice, both the driver’s insurer and the rideshare company’s insurer may try to push liability onto the other. A lawyer sorts through which coverage applies and makes sure neither insurer slips out of their obligation.
It is complicated. Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors, not employees, which they use as a reason to avoid direct liability for a driver’s actions. However, this classification does not necessarily protect them in every situation. If the driver was on an active trip and covered under the commercial policy, the claim is typically pursued against that policy rather than the company itself. In cases involving negligent hiring, inadequate driver screening, or failures in app safety design, there may be grounds for a more direct claim against Uber or Lyft. Each case is different and a lawyer can tell you which approach makes the most sense based on the facts.
You can pursue a claim against the driver who caused the accident. If their insurance is not enough to cover your losses, Uber and Lyft also carry underinsured motorist coverage for passengers on active trips. This means you potentially have two sources of compensation: the at-fault driver’s policy and the rideshare company’s underinsured motorist coverage. Your Uber or Lyft driver’s record is not what matters in this scenario. What matters is the at-fault driver’s coverage and whether the rideshare company’s additional coverage fills any gap.
This happens more often than people expect. Many standard personal auto insurance policies include exclusions for commercial or for-hire driving activity. If an Uber or Lyft driver’s personal insurer denies the claim on those grounds, the rideshare company’s contingent coverage is supposed to step in. However, the rideshare company’s insurer may also dispute coverage depending on the phase of the trip. Having a lawyer involved from the start means someone is tracking both policies, pushing back on any denials, and making sure coverage questions do not leave you without compensation.
Massachusetts regulates Uber and Lyft through the Department of Public Utilities. Under state rules, rideshare companies must conduct criminal background checks and driving history checks on all drivers. Drivers must complete a state-approved driver education course covering safe driving practices and local regulations. Vehicles must meet minimum safety standards. Despite these requirements, screening is not foolproof, and drivers with concerning histories have still been approved. If a driver’s background was a known risk and the company approved them anyway, that can be relevant to a claim involving their conduct.
Yes. If an Uber or Lyft driver hit you while you were walking or cycling, you have the same rights as anyone struck by a car. The driver’s liability coverage applies first. If the driver was on an active trip at the time, Uber or Lyft’s commercial policy may also apply, which significantly increases the available coverage. Pedestrians and cyclists hit by rideshare vehicles are entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any lasting physical effects. The fact that the vehicle was an Uber or Lyft does not change your rights. It may actually increase the total coverage available.
Call 911 and get medical attention immediately. Take photos of the scene, the vehicles, and any visible injuries. Get the Uber or Lyft driver’s name, license plate, and insurance information. Screenshot the ride details and trip information from the app right away, including the driver’s name and the time the trip started. This establishes which phase of coverage applied. If there are witnesses, collect their contact details. Report the accident to Uber or Lyft through the app but do not give them a recorded statement about your injuries. Contact a lawyer before accepting any settlement offer or signing any documents.
The value depends on several factors: the severity of your injuries, how long recovery takes, how the accident has affected your ability to work, and which insurance policies apply. Rideshare cases can involve higher compensation than typical car accidents because Uber and Lyft carry up to one million dollars in commercial liability coverage on active trips. That means there is more insurance available to compensate you than in most two-car accidents. The exact amount depends on the specifics of your situation, and a free case review is the best way to get a realistic sense of what your claim may be worth.
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of rideshare accidents. Uber and Lyft drivers regularly check the app for new ride requests, navigate GPS directions, and monitor ratings while driving. If you can show the driver was looking at their phone at the time of the crash, that strengthens your claim significantly. Phone records, app data, and witness accounts can all support this. Massachusetts law prohibits handheld phone use while driving, and a violation of that law can support a finding of negligence. This is exactly the kind of evidence your attorney will look for during the investigation.
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Massachusetts is three years from the date of the accident. If you miss that deadline, you lose the right to compensation entirely. While three years sounds like enough time, waiting is risky. App data and trip records may not be preserved indefinitely. Witness memories fade. Medical records are easier to connect to the accident the sooner treatment begins. The sooner you speak with a lawyer, the better your chances of preserving everything you need to build a strong claim.
Do not accept it without speaking to a lawyer first. Quick settlement offers from rideshare companies or their insurers are almost always lower than what the case is actually worth. Once you sign a release, you give up the right to claim anything more, even if your injuries turn out to be more serious than they first appeared. A lawyer can review any offer, compare it to what the full claim is worth across all applicable policies, and negotiate for a fair result. This review costs you nothing at Larson Law.
Yes. Larson Law handles rideshare accident cases across Massachusetts, not just in Boston. Uber and Lyft operate in every major city and town in the state, including Worcester, Cambridge, Lowell, Springfield, Brockton, Quincy, and New Bedford. Wherever your accident happened in Massachusetts, we can help. If coming into the office is not practical, we will work around your situation. Reach out by phone, text, or through the form on this page to get started at no cost.
