Lyft drivers don’t work for Lyft—at least that’s what the company will tell you after an accident. That independent contractor status gives Lyft a shield they use to dodge responsibility when their drivers hurt people.
If you were injured in a Lyft accident in Royse City, you need a lawyer who understands how rideshare companies operate and knows how to hold them accountable. The Texas Law Dog represents injured passengers, drivers, and other motorists against Lyft and its insurance carriers. We have Lyft accident lawyers in Royse City ready to help you.
We understand the tactics these companies use because we’ve seen them before, and we bite back when they try to shortchange injury victims. Contact our rideshare accident lawyer in Royse City for a free consultation.
Lyft’s $1 Million Liability Policy
Lyft advertises a $1 million insurance policy, but that coverage only kicks in under specific conditions. The driver must have accepted a ride request or have a passenger in the vehicle when the accident happens. If those conditions are met, Lyft’s commercial policy covers injuries to passengers, other drivers, pedestrians, and property damage.
The $1 million policy provides liability coverage when the Lyft app shows the driver is on an active trip. This includes the time from accepting your ride request through dropping you off at your destination. During this period, you have access to substantial insurance coverage.
However, Lyft’s insurance company doesn’t just hand over money because the policy exists. They question the severity of your injuries, argue you were partially at fault, or claim the driver wasn’t actually on duty when the crash occurred. Our car accident lawyer in Royse City handles these tactics regularly and knows how to prove your claim.
Three Phases of Rideshare Coverage: Logged Off, Waiting, and On Trip
Rideshare insurance coverage exists in three distinct phases, and knowing which phase applied during your accident determines which insurance pays your claim.
Phase One
Phase One happens when the driver is logged off the app. At this point, only the driver’s personal auto insurance applies. Most personal policies exclude coverage for commercial activity, which means if a Lyft driver causes an accident while logged off, you might face an uninsured motorist situation even though the driver technically works for Lyft.
Phase Two
Phase Two covers the waiting period after the driver logs into the app but before accepting a ride. Lyft provides limited contingent liability coverage during this phase—$50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage.
This coverage only applies after the driver’s personal insurance is exhausted. These amounts rarely cover serious injuries.
Phase Three
Phase Three activates when the driver accepts your ride request or has you in the vehicle. This is when Lyft’s full $1 million policy applies. The challenge comes when insurance companies dispute which phase the driver was in at the time of the collision. Lyft might claim the driver had logged off or hadn’t yet accepted your ride.
We gather evidence from the app, GPS data, and trip records to prove the driver’s status and trigger the right coverage. Contact our personal injury lawyer in Royse City for help with finding out which phase applies to your situation.
Royse City Lyft Accident Lawyer Near Me (817) 775-5364
Why Rideshare Companies Fight Accident Claims
When you file a claim after a Lyft accident, you’re not just dealing with one insurance company. You might face the driver’s personal insurer, Lyft’s insurance carrier, and potentially other drivers’ insurance companies if multiple vehicles were involved. Each company points fingers at the others, trying to make someone else pay for your claim.
This finger-pointing benefits the insurance companies but delays your recovery and forces you to fight multiple battles at once. Rideshare companies also fight claims by questioning when the accident happened relative to the driver’s app status. They might argue:
- The driver had logged off before the collision
- You had already been dropped off when the crash occurred
- The driver was traveling to pick you up, but hadn’t officially accepted the ride yet
- The accident happened during a personal errand between rides
These arguments attempt to shift your claim from Lyft’s commercial policy to the driver’s personal insurance, which often won’t cover commercial activity.
Why Hire Our Lyft Accident Attorneys in Royse City
The Texas Law Dog represents injury victims throughout Royse City and the surrounding areas. Our lead attorney, Matthew Aulsbrook, grew up in East Texas and understands the challenges working families face when insurance companies deny legitimate claims.
Before becoming a lawyer, Matt owned insurance agencies for years. That experience gave him insider knowledge of how insurance companies evaluate claims, what tactics adjusters use to reduce payouts, and where the weaknesses exist in their defenses.
Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for injury victims. We’ve handled cases involving catastrophic injuries, complex liability disputes, and insurance companies that refused to negotiate fairly. When insurance carriers know we’re willing to take cases to trial, they take our settlement demands seriously.
Get Help from a Lyft Accident Lawyer in Royse City
Lyft accidents create complicated insurance situations that most people can’t handle alone. Insurance companies use that complexity to their advantage, denying valid claims or offering settlements that don’t cover your actual losses.
You need a Royse City Lyft accident lawyer who understands rideshare insurance, knows how to prove which coverage applies, and fights back when companies try to avoid responsibility. We handle claims involving passenger injuries, accidents with other vehicles, and disputes over insurance coverage.
The Texas Law Dog represents Lyft accident victims throughout Royse City. Contact us today for a free consultation about your Lyft accident claim.
