Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer in Houston, TX
Uber and Lyft drivers spend their days moving through some of the busiest parts of Greater Houston, such as the rideshare pickup area at Bush Intercontinental Airport and heavily traveled entertainment and business districts. These are just a few areas where rideshare crashes may happen. When they do, the resulting personal injury claim can involve Uber and Lyft’s insurance policies and confusing app-status evidence. As a seasoned Uber & Lyft accident lawyer, Ryan Nguyen fights tirelessly to hold careless rideshare drivers accountable and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Ryan strategically investigates fault, finds applicable insurance coverage, and argues why you deserve a higher payout. His keen eye for detail and sharp tactical vision have helped cement his reputation as The Falcon (El Halcón)!
No matter where or when your Houston rideshare crash occurred, The Falcon is ready to swoop in. Ryan’s team is available 24/7, and we’re just a phone call away: (832) 742-6300.
How Rideshare Accident Claims Work Differently
Car accidents are already complicated enough. But rideshare crashes are a different beast.
Uber and Lyft drivers may be covered by different insurance policies depending on what they were doing in the app at the time of the crash. The key question after a rideshare crash is often, “Was the driver offline, waiting for a ride request, driving to pick up a passenger, or transporting a passenger?”
The liability and insurance policies that apply to your case can depend on a wide range of other factors, such as whether other drivers were involved.
Rideshare Crashes at Houston’s Airports
Airport rides can create their own set of factual questions. At Bush Intercontinental Airport and Hobby Airport, Uber and Lyft riders and drivers must use designated pickup zones. After a crash near one of these locations, investigating a personal injury claim may involve a review of:
- The airport terminal
- The designated pickup zone
- The driver’s trip status
- The traffic conditions
- The available airport or app records
Once the circumstances of the crash are clear, the next question is: who might have a claim after a rideshare crash?
Who May Have a Claim After an Uber or Lyft Crash?
Houston’s nightlife districts, NRG Stadium and Toyota Center areas, and airport pickup and drop-off zones all see heavy rideshare traffic, and more rides equal more risk. When an Uber or Lyft accident occurs, anyone who is injured may have a claim, depending on the facts of the case. People who may have a claim include:
- Rideshare passengers injured in transit
- Drivers or passengers in another vehicle who are hit by a rideshare driver
- Motorcyclists struck by an Uber or Lyft driver
- Pedestrians and cyclists injured by a rideshare vehicle
- Uber or Lyft drivers who are injured because another driver or another party caused the crash
The available claims and insurance coverage depend on the details of your case. In complicated crashes involving multiple parties, your case may involve multiple insurance policies. Attorney Ryan Nguyen knows how to identify all potential insurance coverage that may compensate you, helping to maximize your payout.
How Uber and Lyft Insurance Coverage May Apply
Rideshare apps track drivers’ statuses. After a crash, their status affects their insurance coverage.
In practice, coverage usually comes from a commercial auto liability policy that Uber or Lyft obtains for its drivers while they’re actively responding to a ride request or transporting someone.
Coverage Levels by Driver Status
Not every rideshare crash is covered the same way. The coverage that kicks in depends on one main factor: what the driver’s app said when the crash occurred. Was the driver logged off? Waiting for a ride request? Already on a trip? Each scenario can involve different insurance coverage and policy limits, which may affect your potential payout after a crash. Here’s how it breaks down:
The Driver Isn’t Logged in on the App
If the driver is not online, Uber or Lyft coverage generally does not apply. You may have a claim against the driver, but the claims process works more like a typical car accident case. The driver’s personal auto policy is more likely to be responsible for compensating you, subject to its terms and limits.
The Driver Is Logged In and Waiting for a Request
When an Uber or Lyft driver causes a crash while they are logged into the app and are waiting for someone to request a ride, Texas Insurance Code § 1954.052 requires minimum insurance coverage of:
- Up to $50,000 for one person’s injuries
- Up to $100,000 for all injuries in one crash
- Up to $25,000 for property damage
Think of these numbers as the minimum, not what you’ll actually collect. What you actually receive depends on your injuries, damages, and the strength of your claim. This lower coverage applies before the driver accepts a ride. Taking a ride request triggers a much higher coverage requirement (see below).
The Driver Has Taken a Ride Request or Is Transporting a Passenger
Once the driver takes a ride request, Texas considers the driver to be engaged in a prearranged ride until the last requesting rider leaves the car. Under Texas Insurance Code § 1954.053, Uber, Lyft, the driver, or some combination of the three must maintain at least $1 million in total coverage for a single crash during this time.
That amount is the total policy limit for one crash and is generally shared among all qualifying injury and property-damage claims. It does not mean you are entitled to the full $1 million if you are hurt in or by an Uber or Lyft. Your recovery depends on your injuries, damages, the available coverage, and the strength of your claim.
Rideshare insurance policies are complicated, but you don’t need to know the rules by heart. That is what Ryan Nguyen is for. Investigating rideshare accidents is familiar terrain for him, and he knows how to zero in on the details that count.
Why Choose The Falcon as Your Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer?
Why call Ryan Nguyen after your rideshare accident? When you work with our firm, you get someone who’s ready to fight back. Ryan builds the strongest possible case to hold massive rideshare companies like Uber & Lyft responsible for your damages.
With over 10 years of experience handling complex car accident cases throughout Greater Houston, Ryan Nguyen knows how to turn the details of an accident into a compelling case. One of the first things he’ll do is obtain available trip and app-status records. He’ll also handle all the rideshare insurer communications on your behalf, taking the pressure off you while you recover. That includes reviewing and negotiating any settlement offers and pushing back against lowballing attempts. If necessary, he will take the case to court.
When you work with The Falcon, you have access to legal support in three languages: English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Hablamos español. Chúng tôi nói tiếng Việt. Ryan’s commitment to diversity sets him apart. He’s a true Houston native, and he serves everyone in his community like family.
Serving the community also means making legal help accessible, no matter your financial situation. How much does it cost to get your personal injury case started with a fearless attorney? Nothing upfront. Ryan works on a contingency fee basis. You don’t pay a single penny unless we win your case!
What Clients Have To Say
Our clients are glad they put their rideshare cases in Ryan’s hands. That’s why he has hundreds of 5-star reviews from satisfied clients, just like this one:
“Luật Sư [Attorney] Ryan Nguyen did an incredible job on my Lyft accident case! I really appreciate Ryan and his team!” – Tuong B.
Results like these reflect the level of dedication Ryan brings to every rideshare accident case. If a careless Uber or Lyft driver caused a crash that left you injured, Ryan wants to help you get the fair settlement you deserve.
Call an Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer Before You Talk to the Insurer
No one plans to get in a rideshare crash. So immediately afterward, you might not know what to do. That’s exactly why you should reach out to an Uber & Lyft accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Ryan Nguyen can advise you on the next steps to help protect your rights and preserve evidence.
For starters, don’t give a recorded statement to insurance adjusters immediately after the crash. And don’t sign anything before understanding your rights. Insurers may offer a settlement right away, but you shouldn’t accept it without knowing all your options. Early settlement offers often won’t account for the full cost of your injuries, ongoing treatment, or lost income.
When you work with Ryan Nguyen, you’re working with someone who’s truly on your side. He’ll fight to make sure rideshare companies don’t lowball you or settle your claim for less than it’s worth.
Book a Free Consult With an Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer
Car crashes are tough enough, and rideshare crashes come with their own unique hurdles. With your personal injury claim at stake, choosing the right Uber & Lyft accident lawyer is critical. Ryan Nguyen is an experienced rideshare accident attorney in Houston who is ready to push back and make rideshare companies pay you for the full extent of your injuries.
Ryan was named one of Expertise.com’s Best Car Accident Lawyers in Houston, a distinction based on his verified experience and reputation among car accident clients, like those hurt in an Uber or Lyft.
When a rideshare crash leaves you hurt, let The Falcon take flight! Book a free consultation, and we’ll fight for the payout you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rideshare accidents follow the same deadlines as typical car accidents in Texas. You generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a rideshare accident lawsuit in Harris County. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003 sets that deadline.
Regardless, it’s best to reach out to an attorney like Ryan Nguyen as soon as possible after you’re injured by a careless Uber or Lyft driver.
While it’s possible to settle with Uber or Lyft without involving an attorney, it’s not advisable. An attorney knows what your case is actually worth and understands when a rideshare insurer is shortchanging you with an offer that seems appealing at first, but it is actually a bad deal.
Many victims of car crashes find that legal support after an Uber or Lyft accident is very helpful, especially when it comes to evaluating a settlement offer. Ryan Nguyen knows that quick settlement offers often undervalue claims. He’s not afraid to push back against insurers’ arguments to fight for the compensation you deserve.
In some cases, yes, you can! Texas follows modified comparative negligence under Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001. If you’re found less than 51% at fault, you can still recover compensation, though your award gets reduced by your percentage of fault. Cross that 51% threshold, and you won’t be eligible to recover anything.
Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto the injured party to reduce their payout. Ryan Nguyen pushes back against those tactics, challenging unsupported attempts to assign fault and presenting evidence to the contrary.
