Were You Hurt In A Crash While Riding In An Uber Or Lyft? Learn About Your Rights.
Uber and Lyft have made people’s lives easier in many ways, providing a new form of transportation for people who don’t have cars as well as families on vacation. What happens when your driver gets in an accident?
Like all car accidents, whoever was at fault must have their insurance pay for damages. However, you may have to deal with more than one insurer or try to negotiate fair compensation from a corporate adjuster who will do everything they can to pay you less. You don’t have to accept a low settlement.
Insurance Requirements In Hawaii
Hawaii is a no-fault insurance state. If you’re not familiar with that term, it simply means that no matter who causes an accident, each driver’s insurance will pay for their damages up to the policy’s limits.
Later, the insurers for each involved party will contact each other to decide questions of fault and recover money among themselves This insurance structure helps everyone access the care they need right away, without having to argue with adjusters or take them to court.
It also restricts injured parties’ right to sue except in cases of serious injury. An attorney can help evaluate the damages in your case and advise you on whether a lawsuit is appropriate.
Whose Insurance Should I Contact In A No-fault State?
After an accident, a driver’s personal injury protection (PIP) insurance will be your first point of contact.
Each Hawaii driver must carry at least $10,000 in PIP coverage to provide medical treatment for:
- Themselves
- Their passengers
- Any pedestrians involved in an accident
What To Do After A Rideshare Accident
As a passenger or pedestrian, it’s essential to get some information from your driver after an accident so you know where to go for reimbursement.
This includes:
- Your driver’s full name
- Contact information
- And insurance information
In most cases, drivers’ personal insurance will not cover rideshare accidents. Automotive insurance policies are typically for personal, not commercial, use.
Ask your driver if they have a commercial insurance policy under their name. If they do, you may be able to receive benefits through their insurer. If not, you’ll need to reach out to the rideshare company (Uber or Lyft) that arranged your trip.
How Much Insurance Do Uber And Lyft Carry?
Because personal coverage doesn’t offer protection for commercial activities, Uber and Lyft have put together their own insurance offerings for drivers.
The coverage differs depending on whether the driver is looking for requests or actively providing a ride, but it meets Hawaii’s requirements for rideshare insurance.
Typically, drivers have more coverage while giving rides as there are more potential victims in an accident.
Uber’s Hawaii insurance provides:
- $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) insurance
- $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage
- $25,000 per accident in property damage coverage
- $250,000 per person/$1,000,000 per accident in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Lyft’s insurance coverage for Hawaii drivers is identical:
- $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) insurance
- $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage
- $25,000 per accident in property damage coverage
- $250,000 per person/$1,000,000 per accident in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
If you’re involved in an accident while riding with Uber or Lyft, you may need to advocate for your damages to be covered—even though you had nothing to do with the collision.
Be sure to screenshot your ride receipt to prove you were in the car when the accident happened.
It’s also recommended saving any:
- Doctor’s notes
- Medical bills
- Recording lost income
- Saving receipts from any other related expenses
When Can I Sue For Damages In Hawaii?
Because PIP insurance covers damages up front, Hawaii does not allow most people involved in car accidents to sue the at-fault party or their insurer. However, sometimes PIP minimums aren’t enough to cover your medical bills and other expenses.
If that’s the case, Attorney Daniel T. Pagliarini is here to help. His office has advocated for victims of many Honolulu car, truck, and rideshare accidents. An attorney can simplify your legal options and clarify your next moves.
When insurers don’t give you the help you need, Attorney Pagliarini is here to advocate on your behalf. Bring your questions to him by scheduling a free consultation online.
