When you step into an Uber or Lyft, you trust that your driver will get you safely to your destination. Unfortunately, accidents happen—and when they do, figuring out who’s at fault and proving negligence can feel overwhelming. You’re already dealing with injuries, medical bills, and lost wages. The last thing you need is a confusing legal battle.

At Siddons Law, we’ve helped hundreds of rideshare accident victims navigate this complex process over our 20+ years of experience. We understand the unique challenges these cases present, and we’re here to fight for the compensation you deserve—at just 25% contingency fee (compared to the 33-45% many firms charge).

Bottom Line: To prove negligence in an Uber or Lyft accident, you must show the driver failed to exercise reasonable care, directly causing your injuries. This requires gathering specific evidence quickly and understanding how rideshare insurance works. We’ll walk you through exactly what you need to know.

Understanding Negligence in Rideshare Accidents

Proving negligence isn’t just about showing an accident happened—it’s about demonstrating that someone’s careless actions directly led to your injuries. Every successful negligence claim must prove four essential elements:

The Four Elements of Negligence

Duty of Care Every driver has a legal responsibility to operate their vehicle safely and follow traffic laws. Rideshare drivers have this same duty to their passengers and other road users—no exceptions.

Breach of Duty This is where we show the driver failed to meet their responsibilities. Common examples include:

• Texting while driving
• Speeding to complete more rides
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Driving under the influence
• Failing to maintain proper following distance

Causation We must prove the driver’s negligent behavior directly caused the accident and your injuries. This means showing that if the driver had acted responsibly, the crash wouldn’t have happened.

Damages Finally, we document the real harm you suffered—medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and other losses directly related to the accident.

Critical Evidence You Need to Gather

Time is crucial after a rideshare accident. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be. Here’s what you need to collect:

Immediate Scene Documentation

Take Photos of Everything Capture multiple angles of vehicle damage, street conditions, traffic signals, skid marks, and debris. Don’t forget to photograph the rideshare vehicle’s license plate and any visible company decals.

Get the Police Report Always call police, even for minor accidents. The official report provides an unbiased account of the scene and often includes citations that support your negligence claim.

Collect Witness Information Eyewitness testimony can make or break your case. Get names, phone numbers, and brief statements from anyone who saw what happened. Their accounts often contradict the other driver’s version of events.

Medical and Digital Evidence

Document Your Injuries Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine. Some injuries don’t show symptoms right away. Keep all medical records, bills, and follow all treatment recommendations.

Preserve Rideshare Data Screenshot your ride details from the app, including driver name, route, and timing. This information can disappear, so save it immediately.

Gather Digital Evidence Request any available dashcam footage, traffic camera recordings, or security footage from nearby businesses. This visual evidence often provides the clearest picture of what happened.

Navigating Rideshare Insurance Complications

Rideshare accidents involve complex insurance coverage that changes based on the driver’s status at the time of the crash:

Coverage Periods

Period 1: App On, No Ride Request Limited coverage—your personal insurance may be primary

Period 2: En Route to Pickup Rideshare company provides up to $1 million in liability coverage

Period 3: Passenger in Vehicle Full rideshare insurance coverage applies, including up to $1 million in liability

Understanding which period applies to your accident is crucial for determining available compensation sources.

Filing Your Insurance Claim

Don’t let insurance companies take advantage of you. Here’s how to protect your interests:

Step-by-Step Process

Notify the Rideshare Company Report the accident through the app or website immediately. This starts their internal investigation.

Contact All Insurance Companies File claims with both the rideshare company’s insurer and your personal auto insurance. Both may contribute to your settlement.

Provide Comprehensive Documentation Submit all evidence you’ve gathered—photos, medical records, witness statements, and police reports. The more documentation you provide, the stronger your position.

Keep Detailed Records Document every conversation with insurance representatives, including dates, times, and what was discussed.

When Driver Responsibility Gets Complicated

Proving negligence becomes more challenging when multiple factors are involved:

Common Complications

Disputed Fault When both drivers claim the other was at fault, expert accident reconstruction and witness testimony become crucial.

Multiple Parties Accidents involving several vehicles require careful analysis to determine each party’s level of responsibility.

Driver History A rideshare driver’s past violations or complaints can strengthen your negligence claim, but this information isn’t always easy to obtain.

Company Policies If the driver violated Uber or Lyft policies (like using their phone while driving), this can support your case against both the driver and the company.

Advanced Legal Strategies for Maximum Compensation

Leveraging Technology and Data

Rideshare companies collect extensive data that can support your claim:

• GPS tracking showing speed and route deviations
• Driver app usage during the accident
• Historical performance ratings and complaints
• Communication records between driver and passengers

Expert Testimony

Accident reconstruction specialists can analyze the crash scene and provide professional opinions about:

• Vehicle speeds at impact
• Driver reaction times
• Whether the accident was preventable
• How the collision occurred

Why You Need Experienced Legal Representation

Rideshare accident cases involve unique legal and insurance challenges that require specialized knowledge. Insurance companies have teams of lawyers working to minimize payouts—you need an experienced advocate fighting for your rights.

Red Flags That Require Legal Help

• Fault is disputed between parties
• You suffered serious injuries requiring ongoing treatment
• Multiple parties are involved in the accident
• Insurance companies offer inadequate settlement amounts
• The rideshare company denies coverage
• You’re receiving conflicting information from insurers

What Siddons Law Brings to Your Case

With over 20 years of experience handling personal injury cases in Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, we understand the local laws and insurance practices that affect your claim. We’ve successfully resolved hundreds of accident cases, securing fair compensation for our clients.

Our Advantage:

• Only 25% contingency fee (vs. 33-45% at most firms)
• No upfront costs—we only get paid when you do
• Free consultation to evaluate your case
• Direct access to Attorney Siddons
• Local expertise with multiple office locations

Take Action to Protect Your Rights

The clock starts ticking immediately after your accident. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and insurance companies begin building their defense. Don’t let valuable time slip away.

Contact Siddons Law today for your free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and fight to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.