Dedicated Injury Representation

Uber & Lyft Accident in New Bedford for collisions involving rideshare drivers and passengers

Insurance coverage in rideshare collisions depends on which phase of operation the driver was in when the crash occurred—logged into the app but without a passenger request, en route to pick up a passenger, or actively transporting a passenger. Each phase triggers different insurance policies with different coverage limits, and determining which policy applies requires analysis of app activity records, driver statements, and timestamp data. Dussault & Gomes PC represents drivers, passengers, and third parties injured in rideshare collisions, navigating the layered insurance structure that makes these claims more complex than standard automobile cases.

Representation involves identifying which insurance policies were active at the time of collision, whether the driver's personal auto policy applies or whether rideshare company coverage is primary, and what coverage limits are available under each applicable policy. When drivers are logged into the app but have not accepted a ride request, limited liability coverage applies. Once a ride is accepted or a passenger is being transported, higher coverage limits become available through the rideshare company's commercial policy.



Request a consultation to review the details of your rideshare collision and determine what insurance coverage applies.

What Determines Which Insurance Policy Responds

The driver's app status at the moment of impact determines which insurer holds primary liability and what coverage limits are available. Rideshare companies provide contingent liability coverage when drivers are logged in but waiting for ride requests, and full commercial coverage when drivers are en route to passengers or actively transporting them. Disputes frequently arise over what the driver's app status was, requiring attorneys to obtain data directly from rideshare companies that shows precisely when ride requests were accepted, when navigation began, and when passengers entered or exited vehicles.

Your case is handled through investigation of app records, review of all applicable insurance policies, and negotiation with multiple insurers who may dispute which policy is primary. You receive documentation of all communications with insurers and clear explanation of what coverage sources have been identified and what compensation is being pursued under each policy.



Cases may involve the driver's personal insurer, the rideshare company's commercial insurer, and in some scenarios the insurance of other drivers involved in multi-vehicle collisions. Attorneys must understand how each policy's terms and exclusions interact and which policy provides primary versus excess coverage based on the specific facts.

Questions About Rideshare Collision Claims

New Bedford rideshare collisions occur throughout the city's downtown area and along routes connecting transportation hubs and residential neighborhoods, where drivers frequently navigate unfamiliar streets while monitoring app directions.

• What if I was a passenger in the rideshare vehicle? Passengers typically have access to the rideshare company's commercial liability coverage, which provides higher limits than standard personal auto policies and covers injuries regardless of which driver caused the collision.
• How do I prove what the driver's app status was? Attorneys request data directly from the rideshare company showing the driver's log-in status, ride acceptance timestamps, and navigation activity at the time of the collision.
• What happens if the rideshare driver's personal insurance denies the claim? When personal insurers deny coverage based on commercial use exclusions, attorneys pursue compensation through the rideshare company's contingent or primary liability coverage depending on the driver's app status.
• Can I file a claim if I was hit by a rideshare driver? Third parties injured by rideshare drivers can pursue claims under the same insurance policies available to passengers, though coverage amounts vary based on whether the driver had accepted a ride request when the collision occurred.
• Why do rideshare collision claims take longer than regular car accident claims? Multiple insurers must be contacted, app status data must be obtained from the rideshare company, and disputes over which policy is primary frequently delay settlement negotiations until all coverage sources are confirmed.

Dussault & Gomes PC represents all parties involved in rideshare collisions in New Bedford. Arrange a case review to discuss your specific situation and what insurance coverage may be available.

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