Uber Accident Lawyer in Lubbock, TX

When rideshare companies entered Texas, they brought convenience—and a whole new set of legal complexities for accident victims. I’m James Perrin, an experienced Lubbock Uber accident lawyer, and in my 20+ years practicing personal injury law, I’ve watched these cases evolve from simple collisions into multi-layered insurance battles that can leave victims feeling trapped between corporate policies and mounting medical expenses.

The reality is that Uber and Lyft accidents involve layers of insurance coverage that shift based on whether the driver was logged in, waiting for a ride, or actively transporting passengers—complexities not found in typical car accident cases.

Each phase triggers different coverage limits and requirements, creating a maze that insurance adjusters know how to navigate—but victims rarely do. As an experienced Uber accident attorney in Lubbock, Texas, I’ve guided hundreds of Texans through these exact challenges, fighting to ensure rideshare companies and their insurers pay what they owe, not what they hope to get away with.

Whether you were a passenger trusting a rideshare driver to get you home safely, another motorist struck by a distracted app driver, or a pedestrian caught in their path, I understand the unique pressures these cases bring. My role is to shoulder the legal burden while you focus on recovery, using my decades of experience to level the playing field against corporate insurance teams who hope you’ll accept less than you deserve.

What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Lubbock

The first moments after a rideshare crash are crucial for both your health and your legal claim. Taking the right steps now can make the difference between a successful recovery and a denied claim.

Your safety comes first, so call 911 immediately to report the accident and request medical help. Even if you feel fine, adrenaline can mask serious injuries that may not appear for hours or days. Getting checked at UMC Health System or Covenant Medical Center creates an official medical record linking your injuries to the crash.

Document Everything at the Scene

If you’re physically able, use your phone to capture critical evidence before it disappears:

• Vehicle damage: Photograph all cars involved from multiple angles.
• Road conditions: Document weather, lighting, traffic signals, and any hazards.
• Your injuries: Take pictures of visible cuts, bruises, or other trauma.
• Driver information: Get the rideshare driver’s name, license, and insurance details.

Collect contact information from witnesses who saw what happened. Their testimony could be vital if the case goes to court.

Report the Incident Properly

Use the Uber or Lyft app to file an official incident report through their safety features. Stick to basic facts about what occurred—avoid speculating about fault or giving detailed injury descriptions until you’ve spoken with an attorney.

Insurance adjusters may contact you quickly, sometimes even at the accident scene. Politely decline to give recorded statements until you have legal representation. These statements are often used to minimize your claim later.

Who Pays After an Uber or Lyft Crash in Texas?

Rideshare insurance coverage depends entirely on what the driver was doing when the accident happened. Understanding these different phases is essential because it determines how much compensation may be available for your injuries.

Driver App Is Offline

When the rideshare driver’s app is turned off, they’re considered a regular private driver. Only their personal auto insurance applies, which in Texas must meet the state’s minimum liability requirements for bodily injury. This amount rarely covers serious accident injuries.

Driver Is Online but Hasn’t Accepted a Ride

Once logged into the app and waiting for ride requests, limited rideshare company coverage kicks in. During ‘Period 1’ — when a driver is logged into the app but hasn’t accepted a ride — limited rideshare liability coverage typically applies rather than relying solely on the driver’s personal insurance. Typically, Property damage coverage is usually $25,000.

Driver Has Accepted a Ride or Passenger Is in the Vehicle

This is when Uber and Lyft’s full commercial insurance becomes active. Both companies provide $1 million in liability coverage during this phase, which applies whether you’re the passenger, another driver, or a pedestrian. However, having coverage doesn’t guarantee the insurance company will pay fairly without a fight, that is why it is crucial to work with an experienced Lubbock Uber accident lawyer.

Can I Sue Uber or Lyft Directly in Texas?

You can potentially sue the rideshare company itself, not just the driver. While Uber and Lyft classify drivers as independent contractors to limit liability, certain circumstances can make the company directly responsible.

If Uber or Lyft was negligent in hiring, training, or supervising a driver, you may have a direct claim against them. This could include failing to conduct proper background checks, ignoring safety complaints about a driver, or pressuring drivers to work excessive hours.

The company may also be liable if their app or technology contributed to the accident, such as a navigation error that led the driver into dangerous conditions.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Rideshare Crash?

Multiple parties often share responsibility for rideshare accidents. Identifying every liable party is crucial because it maximizes the compensation available for your injuries and losses.

• The rideshare driver: If they were distracted, speeding, or driving recklessly.
• Other motorists: Third-party drivers who caused or contributed to the crash, particularly in truck accident scenarios.
• Vehicle manufacturers: When defective parts like brakes, tires, or airbags fail.
• Government entities: For dangerous road conditions, broken traffic signals, or poor signage.
• Rideshare companies: For negligent hiring practices or app-related issues.

Each liable party may have separate insurance coverage, which can significantly increase your total recovery.

What Compensation Can I Recover After an Uber or Lyft Crash?

Texas law allows injured victims to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. As your Lubbock car accident attorney, I’ll fight to recover every dollar you’re entitled to receive.

Medical Expenses and Future Care

You can recover all accident-related medical costs, including emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, prescription medications, and rehabilitation therapy. If your injuries require ongoing treatment, we’ll work with medical experts to calculate future care costs and include them in your claim.

Lost Wages and Earning Capacity

Compensation includes wages lost during your recovery period. If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or limit your ability to earn income in the future, you can also recover damages for this diminished earning capacity.

Pain and Suffering Damages

Non-economic damages compensate you for the physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life caused by the accident. Texas doesn’t cap these damages in most personal injury cases, allowing for substantial recovery in serious injury cases, including wrongful death claims.

Property Damage Recovery

You’re entitled to compensation for vehicle repairs or replacement value if your car was totaled. This also covers personal items damaged in the crash, such as electronics, clothing, or other belongings.

How Texas Law Affects Your Rideshare Claim

Two critical Texas laws impact every rideshare injury case. Understanding these rules helps ensure you don’t miss important deadlines or lose your right to compensation.

Statute of Limitations Deadline

Texas gives you two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline typically bars you from recovering any compensation, regardless of how strong your case might be. Acting quickly also helps preserve evidence and witness testimony while memories are fresh.

Proportionate Responsibility Rule

Texas follows a modified comparative fault system, meaning you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident. As long as you’re 50% or less responsible, you can collect compensation reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example, if awarded $100,000 but found 30% at fault, you’d receive $70,000. Insurance companies often try to shift blame to reduce their payouts, which is why having experienced legal representation from Perrin Law is essential.

What if the Rideshare Driver Lacks Adequate Insurance?

Even when accidents involve rideshare vehicles, the at-fault driver may not have enough insurance to cover your damages fully. Fortunately, you have additional options for recovery.

Uber and Lyft must carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage that protects passengers and others injured by their drivers. This coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient limits to pay for your injuries.

Your own auto insurance may also provide uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage that can help bridge any gaps. I’ll review all available insurance policies to maximize your recovery from every possible source.

Will My Rideshare Accident Case Go to Court?

Most rideshare injury cases settle through negotiations without ever going to trial. Insurance companies generally prefer to avoid the uncertainty and expense of court proceedings.

However, if the insurance company refuses to make a reasonable settlement offer or disputes liability, filing a lawsuit may be necessary. I prepare every case as if it will go to trial, which puts us in the strongest position whether we’re negotiating a settlement or presenting your case to a jury.

Having trial experience matters because insurance companies know when an attorney is willing and able to take a case all the way. This often leads to better settlement offers during negotiations.

How I Build Strong Rideshare Accident Cases

Winning rideshare cases requires thorough investigation and compelling evidence. I begin working on your case immediately to preserve crucial information before it’s lost or destroyed.

My investigation process includes obtaining police reports, requesting app data from Uber or Lyft, interviewing witnesses while their memories are fresh, and working with accident reconstruction experts when necessary. I also collaborate with medical professionals to fully document your injuries and economic experts to calculate your total losses.

Strong cases lead to better outcomes, whether through settlement negotiations or trial verdicts. My goal is to build such a compelling case that the insurance company has no choice but to pay fair compensation.

Why Choose Perrin Law for Your Lubbock Uber Accident Case

When you hire Perrin Law, you work directly with me—not a junior associate or paralegal. I’ve spent over two decades helping injury victims across Texas, and I bring that experience to every rideshare accident case I handle.

I understand the tactics insurance companies use to minimize payouts, and I know how to counter them effectively. My approach is to prepare every case for trial while aggressively pursuing settlement negotiations that serve your best interests.

You’ll never pay attorney fees unless I successfully recover compensation for you. This contingency fee arrangement means you can access experienced legal representation without any upfront costs or financial risk.

Schedule Your Free Consultation with a Lubbock Uber Accident Attorney

Don’t let insurance companies take advantage of your situation. Texas law limits your time to take legal action, so it’s important to act quickly after your accident.

During our free consultation, I’ll listen to your story, review the facts of your case, and explain your legal options in plain English. You’ll understand what your case might be worth and how I can help you recover the compensation you deserve.

Call me today or complete our online contact form to schedule your no-obligation case review. Let me handle the legal complexities while you focus on getting your life back on track.

Uber and Lyft Accident Frequently Asked Questions

Can I File Claims with Multiple Insurance Companies After a Rideshare Crash?

Yes, you may need to file claims with several insurers including the rideshare company, the driver’s personal insurance, and possibly your own coverage. An experienced attorney handles this complex process to ensure all potential sources of recovery are pursued.

How Do I Obtain My Uber or Lyft Trip Information After an Accident?

Access your trip history through the rideshare app on your phone, where you can find details about your ride and report the incident through their safety features. This creates an official record with the company.

What Happens if the Rideshare Driver Denies Being on Duty During the Crash?

Electronic app data can verify the driver’s exact status at the time of the accident. If necessary, I can subpoena these records directly from Uber or Lyft to prove whether the driver was logged in and available for rides.

Does Rideshare Insurance Cover Me if I’m Hit by an Uninsured Driver While in an Uber?

Yes, both Uber and Lyft provide uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage that protects passengers when another driver causes the accident but lacks adequate insurance coverage.

How Long Will It Take to Resolve My Rideshare Accident Case?

Simple cases with clear liability and minor injuries may settle within a few months. Complex cases involving serious injuries, disputed fault, or multiple parties can take one to two years to reach resolution.

What Are the Attorney Fees for Handling My Uber Accident Case?

I work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no upfront costs and I only collect attorney fees if I successfully recover compensation for you. Under a contingency fee arrangement, the attorney’s fees are taken as a percentage of your recovery.

This information is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and circumstances. Contact Perrin Law for personalized guidance about your situation.