We’ve all been there: you grab your phone, request an Uber or Lyft, and hop in without a second thought. It’s convenient, affordable, and part of everyday life. But what happens if your ride takes a turn for the worse?
At Hasty Pope, with offices in Canton and Gainesville, we’ve represented countless injury victims across North Georgia who were involved in crashes while riding as passengers in a ride-share. And the truth is, most people don’t know what kind of protection they really have until it’s too late.
If Your Ride-Share Driver Is at Fault
The good news? Uber and Lyft both carry $1 million in liability insurance that covers passengers if their driver is at fault. That means if you're injured, there should be coverage available to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
But here's the catch: this insurance only kicks in during the actual ride—from the time your trip starts to the moment you're dropped off. If your driver hasn’t accepted a ride or you're not officially on a trip, the coverage could be drastically reduced.
If Another Driver Causes the Crash
You’re still not out of luck. Uber and Lyft also provide uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, which applies when a third-party driver causes the crash and doesn’t have enough insurance.
However, recent regulatory changes have reduced the amount of UM/UIM coverage Uber and Lyft are required to carry in some states—including Georgia. That means if the at-fault driver only carries the state minimum of $25,000 (which is alarmingly common), the rideshare's backup insurance might not be enough to cover serious injuries.
Your Own Insurance Still Matters
This is where your own policy becomes critical. In Georgia, where the minimum required bodily injury coverage is just $25,000, it’s essential to protect yourself.
Here’s what we recommend:
- Max out your Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM): This is your safety net. If you're hurt while riding in a ride-share and the other party doesn't have enough coverage, your UM/UIM can step in to make up the difference.
- Stack Coverage Across Vehicles: If you own multiple vehicles, make sure you have a separate policy for each—this lets you stack UM coverage and expand your protection.
- Ask About Umbrella Policies: Some umbrella policies provide extended UM/UIM coverage. It’s worth discussing with your insurance agent.
Real-World Impact: A Case We Handled
We recently worked with a client who was rear-ended while riding in an Uber in Metro Atlanta. The at-fault driver had only minimum coverage. Uber’s reduced UM policy didn’t come close to covering her surgery, therapy, and lost wages.
Thankfully, she had strong UM/UIM on her personal auto policy. Because of that, we were able to combine policies and negotiate a total settlement that actually covered her long-term care.
The Bottom Line
Ride-shares are convenient, but they come with legal gray areas most passengers don’t consider.
At Hasty Pope, we help clients in Canton, Gainesville, and across Georgia understand their rights and navigate these complex cases. Whether you're hurt in an Uber, Lyft, or any other rideshare vehicle, don’t assume you’re fully protected.
If you've been injured in a crash, call us. And if you haven't been, now's the time to check your auto insurance policy.
Accidents happen fast. Make sure you're covered.