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Cambridge and Somerville Uber and Lyft Accidents
If you have been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Cambridge or Somerville, Attorney Tracy Paulsen is a Massachusetts car crash attorney who can help.
Attorney Tracy Paulsen passionately advocates for individuals harmed in Uber and Lyft accidents throughout Massachusetts, including Middlesex County. Through her personal injury law firm, Rightful Legal, Attorney Paulsen works closely with rideshare accident victims to protect their legal rights and pursue accountability for the injuries they have suffered. Backed by more than fifteen years of legal experience, she has in-depth knowledge of Massachusetts automobile insurance law, Uber and Lyft insurance policies in Massachusetts, and the unique challenges that rideshare claims often present. Attorney Paulsen and her team have a strong track record of successfully standing up to powerful insurance carriers and giant rideshare companies, whether through strategic negotiations or aggressive courtroom litigation.
If you or a family member were hurt in a rideshare accident in Cambridge, MA or Somerville, MA, contact Attorney Tracy Paulsen and the team at Rightful Legal now to schedule a free, confidential consultation. There is no obligation from attending this consultation and no pressure from our team. We want to offer you a low-stress opportunity to share your experience and learn how we may be able to help. Should you decide to move forward with us, Rightful Legal will remain by your side from the start of your claim to its resolution. Attorney Paulsen is ready to Fight for Your Rights as a Middlesex County rideshare accident victim.
Injured in an Uber or Lyft Wreck in Cambridge?
Contact Rightful Legal Today
Call or Text 617-821-5856
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Who Pays for Injuries Caused by a Cambridge or Somerville Rideshare Accident?
This is the central legal question in Middlesex County Uber and Lyft crash cases, and it is one you should seek the counsel of an experienced Massachusetts personal injury attorney to answer given the particular facts of your case.
Although legal representation is important after any motor vehicle accident, Uber and Lyft cases tend to be far more complex than standard car crash claims. Having a knowledgeable attorney on your side can be the difference between a fair recovery and a failed claim. This is especially true because several unique factors can make Cambridge and Somerville rideshare accident cases difficult to navigate without experienced legal guidance.
First, rideshare drivers are classified by Uber and Lyft as independent contractors.
Uber and Lyft drivers are not considered by the rideshare companies or the law to by employees. As a result, Uber and Lyft are generally not directly liable for a driver’s actions in the same way an employer would be. However, Uber or Lyft still provide insurance coverage for certain injuries depending on the circumstances of the crash. Drivers’ classification as independent contractors also means that injured rideshare drivers are not eligible for workers’ compensation benefits and must instead pursue recovery through a personal injury claim.
Next, multiple insurance policies may be involved, and it can be difficult to tell which policies apply.
Rideshare accidents often trigger coverage from several insurers. In a typical multi-car collision, common in Cambridge and Somerville, there may be three separate policies in play: the rideshare driver’s personal auto insurance, Uber or Lyft’s commercial policy, and the at-fault driver’s insurance. Identifying which policy applies, determining the order in which they pay for your damages, and establishing appropriate payment amounts can be extremely challenging for rideshare accident victims like you. An experienced Uber or Lyft accident attorney is critical when navigating these overlapping layers of insurance.
Coverage levels depend on the driver’s app status at the time of the crash.
This is perhaps the biggest complexity with Somerville and Cambridge rideshare crash liability. The insurance coverage available to compensate you for your injuries depends on whether the driver had their app open at the time of the accident, as well as the particular stage of the ride they were in when the collision occurred. Coverage is more limited when a driver is logged into the app but has not yet accepted a ride request. Better coverage is typically available once the driver accepts a ride and starts to travel to pick up a passenger. The best coverage applies once a passenger has entered the rideshare vehicle. An experienced rideshare accident lawyer can assist you with identifying which stage of the ride the driver was in and understanding what coverage is available as a result.
Common Middlesex County Uber and Lyft Accident Scenarios
- You are in a crash as a rideshare passenger, and another driver is at fault.
If you are hurt as an Uber or Lyft passenger in a collision caused by another driver (not your rideshare driver), you usually must seek compensation through the personal insurance policy of the at-fault motorist. In these situations, it is important for you to obtain the other driver’s name, contact details, and insurance information when it is safe to do so. You should not assume that Uber or Lyft will record this information or provide it to you.
If the negligent driver’s insurance coverage is not enough to fully compensate you for your injuries, medical expenses, or other damages, additional recovery may be available through the rideshare company’s insurance policy, depending on the circumstances of the crash.
In Somerville and Cambridge, injured rideshare passengers may also have access to personal injury protection (PIP) benefits through the rideshare vehicle’s policy, regardless of which driver caused the accident. PIP coverage can help pay for certain medical costs and a portion of your lost wages, up to a maximum amount of $8,000, providing an important source of early financial support after an Uber or Lyft accident in Middlesex County.
- You are in a crash as a rideshare passenger, and your driver was at fault.
When a rideshare passenger is injured in an accident caused by their own Uber or Lyft driver, compensation is typically available through the insurance coverage provided by the rideshare company. Unlike ordinary car accidents, these cases often involve higher policy limits designed to protect passengers during active rides.
Lyft states that it provides up to $1 million in liability coverage when a driver is logged into the app and either traveling to pick up a passenger or actively transporting someone. Uber carries a similar $1 million liability policy that also applies during passenger pickup and active rides. This highest coverage is specifically intended to protect riders who are injured due to a driver’s negligence while the rideshare service is in use.
For injured passengers, this level of coverage can be especially important. Standard personal auto insurance policies often carry much lower liability limits, which may be insufficient in cases involving serious injuries, extensive medical treatment, or long-term disability. Rideshare insurance coverage is frequently the primary source of recovery for passengers hurt in Uber or Lyft accidents, making it a critical factor in securing full compensation for your injuries.
- You are in a crash in a private vehicle, and an Uber or Lyft driver was at fault.
When an Uber or Lyft driver causes a crash involving another vehicle, injured drivers and passengers in that vehicle may be entitled to compensation through the rideshare company’s insurance coverage. Similar to rideshare passengers, the availability and amount of coverage often depends on what phase of the ride the at-fault rideshare driver was in at the time of the collision. This frequently comes as a surprise to people hurt in Uber or Lyft accidents, and it can be difficult to ascertain without access to the driver’s app. If it is safe to do so, gathering information at the scene about the driver’s rideshare status can be key to recovering fair compensation for your Middlesex County Uber or Lyft crash injuries.
If the Uber or Lyft driver had already accepted a ride request and was a) traveling to pick up a passenger or b) actively transporting a rider, the rideshare company’s commercial insurance policy generally applies. During these phases, Uber and Lyft each provide up to $1 million in liability coverage for injuries and damages caused by their driver, as discussed above.
Different rules apply when a rideshare driver is logged into the app but waiting for a ride request. In that situation, Uber and Lyft offer substantially lower liability limits, typically $50,000 per injured person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, along with $25,000 total per accident for property damage. In many cases, the driver’s personal auto insurer may deny coverage for a crash that occurs while the app is active, even if they had not yet accepted a ride.
If the Uber or Lyft driver was not logged into the app at the time of the accident, the rideshare company’s insurance does not apply at all. Instead, the driver’s personal automobile insurance policy is generally responsible for covering injuries and property damage resulting from such a collision.
What if You Were Sexually Assaulted in an Uber or Lyft in Middlesex County?
If your injury stems from a sexual assault rather than a crash, Rightful Legal is still here for you. Attorney Paulsen believes strongly in your right to be free from unwanted sexual behavior, including in rideshares in Cambridge and Somerville. Regardless of whether you have reported the incident to law enforcement, you may be eligible to join other survivors in a growing multi-district litigation to hold Uber and Lyft accountable for endangering passengers by failing to take precautions against sexual assault. Reach out to Rightful Legal today to learn how you can bring a claim for your Middlesex County Uber and Lyft sexual assault injuries.
Hurt in an Uber or Lyft Car Accident in Somerville?
Contact Rightful Legal Today for Your Free Consultation
Call or Text 617-821-5856
or
Why Is Rightful Legal the Right Choice for Your Middlesex County Uber or Lyft Crash Claim?
Were you injured while riding in an Uber or Lyft in Cambridge? Were you hurt by a rideshare crash in Someville? If any negligent driver caused the accident, you may be entitled to seek financial compensation for your injuries through a personal injury claim.
Families who have lost a loved one in a fatal Middlesex County Uber or Lyft collision may also have the option to pursue a wrongful death claim. Rightful Legal’s attorneys have experience in compassionately and effectively handling wrongful death claims on behalf of grieving families.
At Rightful Legal, clients are treated as individuals and valued customers, not case numbers. Based in Attleboro, our firm maintains deep ties throughout Cambridge, Somerville, the greater Boston area, and communities across Massachusetts. Attorney Tracy Paulsen pairs her knowledge of Massachusetts personal injury law with a strong history of holding major insurance companies accountable, offering the hands-on attention and tailored strategy that large national firms often lack when serving injured clients like you.
At Rightful Legal, we know that rideshare accident claims can be especially complicated due to overlapping insurance policies and coverage disputes. Insurance providers for both the rideshare company and the at-fault driver may attempt to downplay your injuries, dispute the value of your losses, or argue that certain policies do not apply. Attorney Paulsen and her legal team work diligently to counter these tactics by carefully preserving evidence, fully assessing your damages, and identifying every source of available coverage. You never pay legal fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
Rightful Legal is dedicated to simplifying the Uber and Lyft accident claims process for people hurt in Somerville or Cambridge. To start, we offer a free, private consultation to learn about your situation, outline your legal options, and help you decide how to move forward with your claim with confidence.
Text / Call Rightful Legal Now at 617-821-5856 or contact our passionate Massachusetts Cambridge and Somerville Rideshare Accident Victim Attorneys Online Right Away.
