If You’re Hurt as a Rideshare Passenger in Texas, Who Pays Your Medical Bills?

If you’re injured while on an Uber or Lyft ride in Texas, your medical bills could be paid for by the insurance provided by the rideshare companies. Depending on the circumstances, however, your medical expenses might be covered by another insurance company, or you could end up struggling to pay those bills on your own. 

It is important to protect your legal rights after a crash as a rideshare passenger, and if you do not, you could find yourself responsible for losses that were caused by someone else’s irresponsible behavior. Here, a knowledgeable Alvin rideshare accident attorney explains your sources of recovery. 

Does Uber or Lyft Insurance Cover Injured Passengers?

Uber and Lyft both provide liability insurance for drivers who operate for them, and although their insurance coverage does not apply in every situation, when it is in force, it covers passengers in the rideshare vehicle as well as drivers and passengers of other affected vehicles.

When Does Rideshare Insurance Coverage Apply?

Rideshare company insurance policies operate in full force when their insured driver is transporting a passenger or driving to pick up a passenger who has engaged a ride. However, it is necessary to prove that the Uber or Lyft driver was primarily responsible for causing the crash to obtain full coverage, which can provide up to $1 million to cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other harm to your quality of life. 

If the rideshare driver was not at fault, then the primary responsibility should be with the insurance company of the driver who caused the accident. The rideshare policy may provide limited secondary backup coverage or uninsured/underinsured coverage for situations where the driver who caused the crash is not fully insured.

Is It Hard to Recover if You Make a Claim for Rideshare Insurance?

Yes, the insurance companies will make it extremely difficult to recover full compensation for your losses after an accident. They might offer a small amount up front to tempt you to settle the case quickly. But if you want to recover amounts to meet your future needs, cover all your past expenses, and provide amounts for your suffering and other intangible losses, you will need to be prepared to establish legal liability with solid evidence and arguments. 

The insurance company will rely on experienced corporate lawyers to contest liability and argue that someone other than the rideshare driver was actually responsible. You need an experienced Alvin rideshare accident attorney who is prepared to stand up and fight effectively for your recovery, or you could find yourself blamed for something that was not your fault.

The bottom line is that insurance companies want to keep up profits by paying out as little as possible. They will not pay fair compensation to an accident victim unless they can see that the victim has a case that can win in court. This is one reason why it is so helpful to work with an experienced accident attorney even if you’ve already been offered a settlement.

What if Another Driver Caused the Rideshare Accident?

If you were riding in an Uber or Lyft vehicle at the time of the accident but another driver caused the collision, multiple insurance policies may be involved, which could make the case very complicated. Attorneys for each insurance company will be fighting with the others, trying to deflect liability. They may even try to claim that the injured passengers did something to cause the accident.

Medical bills could be paid by:

• Rideshare insurance
• Private insurance of the driver who caused the collision
• Insurance of an outside party who did something to cause the crash
• Your personal health insurance, or
• A combination of one or more sources

FAQs About Compensation for Rideshare Passenger Injuries

How is fault shared after an accident?

Courts will frequently assign a share of fault to each party involved, which can include the person who was hurt and is seeking compensation. If you were not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, for instance, the court could determine that you were 20% at fault for your injuries. 

In that situation, your fault would not prevent you from recovering compensation, but it would reduce the amount of your damage award by 20%. If your losses added up to $100,000, you would receive 20% less, or $80,000.

If you are found to be more than 50% responsible for causing your injuries, then Texas law prevents you from recovering any compensation from the others involved. Those insurance companies that want to keep their costs down may be trying to get your share of fault pushed over 50% so they don’t need to pay. This is another reason it is crucial to work with a dedicated Alvin rideshare accident attorney on your claim.

If your health insurance pays the costs but you later win a settlement, what happens?

Your health insurance company is likely to seek reimbursement from you or to take legal steps to recover what they have paid if you receive an award or settlement that covers those medical costs. 

What if you can’t afford the medical bills?

You should not delay seeking medical care, even if you are worried about paying for it, because without records of medical exams and treatment, they can be used as evidence to “prove” that you were not really injured. Instead, you should explain to your health insurance company or your doctor that you were in an accident. They will frequently agree to provide care in exchange for a legal promise to pay for the care from the proceeds of the legal action. An Alvin rideshare accident attorney can help you work out an arrangement that protects your rights.

Find Out How DeKeyzer Law Could Help If You Were Hurt in a Rideshare Accident

Rideshare accidents are much more complicated than other accident cases because of the different insurance coverages involved and the involvement of corporate lawyers. Insurance may be available to cover all your medical needs, but it may feel like it is always just out of reach because of the legal forces fighting against you.

Allow us to help. At DeKeyzer Law, we understand how rideshare and insurance companies try to prevent accident victims from recovering fair compensation, and we know how to successfully overcome their tactics. Call us at 713-904-4004 or contact us online today to learn how we can help after an Uber or Lyft accident.