Flagstaff Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Flagstaff Rideshare Accident Attorney

Being involved in a car accident is scary and complicated, but when one of the drivers in the crash is working for a rideshare company, the situation can become even more complex. It can be hard to know who is responsible: the driver or the rideshare company. If you’ve been in an accident involving a rideshare driver, a qualified Flagstaff rideshare accident lawyer at The Kaiser Law Group can help you figure out how to move forward. For broader legal assistance in accident-related cases, consulting a Flagstaff personal injury lawyer can provide additional expertise and guidance.

The Kaiser Law Group has been representing clients in Arizona for more than 35 years. For each client, we take the time to understand their specific circumstances and develop a legal strategy to fight for their interests. We know car accidents are a stressful situation, and we approach each case with compassion, honesty, and responsiveness. Our top priority is to make sure every client receives the most beneficial result in their case.

Auto Insurance and Rideshare Companies

Arizona requires all drivers to carry a minimum limit of auto insurance coverage to cover property damage and bodily injury. The minimums are:

• $25,000 for one person for injuries
• $50,000 total per accident for injuries
• $15,000 per accident for others’ property damage

When the vehicle is used in the normal course of a business, it may need to have a commercial insurance policy as opposed to a personal insurance policy. For example, if a landscape company owns a pickup truck that their employees use to carry materials to job sites, the truck may require commercial auto insurance.

Ridesharing makes this complicated. Since the driver owns the vehicle and may use it for personal reasons as well, the driver is required to have a personal auto insurance policy. However, most personal policies do not cover rideshare driving since it’s a business activity.

Arizona requires that the rideshare driver have commercial insurance with minimum limits, or the rideshare company maintains the minimum required insurance, or both.

Rideshare Accidents

When an accident involves a rideshare service, also called a transportation network company, it creates a new set of complications that aren’t present in most car crashes, and there may be additional liability as a result. Both the rideshare company and the driver must have insurance, but there are guidelines about who is responsible for damages and how much in certain situations.

If a driver is in a vehicle they use for ridesharing but is not on the clock at the time of the accident, the driver’s insurance company is responsible for the claim. If the driver is on the clock, the driver’s insurance is likely to deny a claim, and the rideshare’s insurance company has to cover any damages.

Rideshare Insurance

In addition, the rideshare company’s insurance may have different limits depending on the circumstances. For example, Uber has a higher limit when there is a passenger or when the driver is on the way to pick up a passenger than it does when the driver is logged in but doesn’t have a current client.

When there’s a car accident with a rideshare driver, the process of filing claims and getting proper compensation can be confusing and frustrating for the other parties involved. It can be challenging to know where to start, especially when facing injuries, car repairs, missed work, and other tasks that arise after a car crash.

Flagstaff Rideshare Insurance by App Status

Arizona law ties available insurance to the driver’s Uber or Lyft app status at the moment of the crash. Under A.R.S. § 28-4038, a driver logged in but not yet on a ride generally carries $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $20,000 for property damage.

Once a driver accepts a trip through drop-off, Arizona requires primary commercial coverage of at least $250,000 per incident during this phase. That amount jumps to $1,000,000 per incident once a passenger is actually in the car. Arizona also requires uninsured motorist coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $75,000 per incident (or the state’s regular minimum, whichever is higher).

Who can bring a claim depends on your role in the crash. Passengers, other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists struck by a logged-in Uber or Lyft vehicle may have a claim against the applicable policy layer, and delivery drivers on similar apps face the same coverage-period questions.

If the rideshare driver lacked adequate coverage, our page on uninsured and underinsured rideshare claims explains your options, and our fatal rideshare accident claims page covers cases involving a death.

Rideshare Evidence and Damages in Flagstaff

Rideshare crashes generate evidence that can disappear quickly, so preserving it matters. Screenshot the driver’s profile, trip status, and fare receipt before the app record ages off. Request the police report, photograph the vehicles and scene, collect witness contact information, and keep your medical records. This trip data often becomes the deciding factor an insurance adjuster relies on when determining which policy applies to your Coconino County claim.

Depending on fault and app status, compensation for a Flagstaff rideshare crash may come from the driver’s personal policy, the rideshare company’s commercial policy, or both, and can include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Arizona law generally gives injury victims two years from the crash date to file suit under A.R.S. § 12-542, so acting promptly helps preserve your evidence and legal options.

A Lawyer Can Give You Answers

Consider scheduling a consultation with an experienced Flagstaff car accident attorney who is well-versed in the processes and laws of rideshare services. Your lawyer can assess the facts of the case, help you determine liability, guide you through the process of filing claims, and act as a buffer between you and the insurance companies, rideshare service, police, medical bill collectors, and other parties.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does Uber Insurance Allow Per Accident?

A: Uber’s insurance may allow up to $1 million per accident in some cases. However, if your medical bills and car repairs exceed the limit of their insurance policy, or if you need compensation for other expenses or non-economic damages like pain and suffering, you may be able to file a claim against Uber directly. Arizona does not place a limit on damages in these cases.

Q: What Are Most Lawyer Fees for a Car Accident?

A: Most lawyers charge what is called a contingency fee for car accident cases. This means that the client does not pay upfront, and the lawyer collects their fee out of the final settlement amount. The percentage they charge depends on several factors, including how complex the case is, the lawyer’s experience and reputation, and if the case goes to trial. Be sure to ask about fees in your consultation.

Q: Can Someone File a Legal Claim Against You for a Car Accident in Arizona?

A: Yes, someone can file a legal claim against you for a car accident in Arizona in some circumstances. You have to be assigned fault or partial fault in the accident. In addition, you could have a claim filed against you if your insurance doesn’t cover all the damages or if another party has additional non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.

Q: How Is Fault Determined in a Car Accident in Arizona?

A: Arizona uses a pure comparative negligence system for car accidents. This means each party is assigned a percentage of fault, and their damages are reduced by that percentage.

Q: Can I Get Compensation if My Uber Crashes?

A: It depends on who was at fault, the driver’s app status at the time, and the extent of your injuries. If the driver was logged in and responsible, compensation may come from Uber’s commercial policy rather than the driver’s personal insurance.

Q: How Do I Submit a Claim to Uber?

A: Report a crash through the Safety Toolkit in the Uber app or the Help section by selecting Report a Crash. Reporting documents the incident, but it does not replace filing an insurance claim or speaking with an attorney.

Q: What Should I Do if My Uber Gets in a Car Accident?

A: Check for injuries and call 911 if needed, then photograph the vehicles, scene, and any damage. Get the other driver’s insurance information, screenshot your trip details, and notify Uber and your own insurer once safe.

Q: Will Lyft Cover My Car if it Was in an Accident?

A: Lyft’s contingent collision coverage applies only during an accepted trip and only if you carry comprehensive and collision coverage, subject to a deductible. Outside an active trip, your personal policy generally covers your own vehicle’s damage.

Your Flagstaff Rideshare Accident Lawyer

If you or a family member have suffered injuries or property damage in a car accident that involved a rideshare service, a knowledgeable attorney at The Kaiser Law Group can provide the guidance and legal assistance you need to navigate the complexities of the case. Whether you are a driver or a passenger, you may be able to recover compensation for your damages, depending on who was at fault and what insurance coverage applies.

Contact our office right away to schedule a consultation and discuss the details of your case.