Hurt in an Uber or Lyft Accident in Texas? What to Do Next
Updated: 1 day ago
You opened an app, got in a car, and now you're hurt. Or maybe an Uber or Lyft driver hit you. Either way, a rideshare crash feels more confusing than a normal wreck, because there may be more than one driver, more than one app, and more than one insurance company. This guide walks you through the next steps in plain language.
Step 1: Get safe and get checked
Call 911 if anyone is hurt or if cars are blocking traffic.
Get checked by a doctor or urgent care, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline can hide pain for hours or days, and a visit creates a record of how you felt right after the crash.
Step 2: Save your trip details before anything changes
Your rideshare app is one of the most useful records you have. Before you close it:
Screenshot the trip: pickup time, route, driver name, car, plate and trip receipt.
Screenshot the driver's profile if you can still see it.
Report the crash in the app using its help or safety section, and save any confirmation.
Step 3: Collect the same information you would after any wreck
The rideshare driver's name, phone number and insurance information.
The other driver's name, insurance, plate and vehicle, if another car was involved.
Photos of both cars, the scene, road conditions and anything that caused the crash.
The officer's name and the report number, if police responded. Later you can request the crash report from TxDOT. Our guide on getting your Texas crash report (CR-3) explains how.
Names and phone numbers of witnesses, including other passengers.
How rideshare insurance works in Texas (general information)
Texas law sets minimum insurance for rideshare drivers, called transportation network company drivers, in Chapter 1954 of the Texas Insurance Code. The coverage depends on what the driver was doing when the crash happened:
During a ride: a "prearranged ride" starts when the driver accepts a ride request in the app and ends when the last rider gets out. During that time, the law requires liability coverage with a total limit of at least $1 million per incident, plus uninsured/underinsured motorist and personal injury protection coverage where required by Texas law (Tex. Ins. Code § 1954.053).
Logged in, waiting for a request: lower minimums apply: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per incident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage (Tex. Ins. Code § 1954.052).
App off: the driver's personal auto insurance usually applies, like any other driver.
This is why the trip screenshots matter: they help show which stage the driver was in. Which policy actually pays, and how much, depends on the facts of your crash. An attorney can explain what applies to you.
Things to be careful about
Don't guess or apologize when you talk to insurance. Stick to facts you know.
Don't sign anything you don't understand, including a quick settlement offer.
Keep your posts private. Avoid posting about the crash or your injuries.
Keep every paper: medical visits, receipts, missed-work notes and every insurance call (date, name, what was said).
Don't wait too long. Texas generally sets a two-year deadline to file many personal injury lawsuits (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003), and some situations have different rules. A lawyer can tell you what deadline applies to you.
Questions people ask after an Uber or Lyft accident
Who pays if I'm hurt as an Uber or Lyft passenger in Texas?
It depends on what the rideshare driver was doing and who caused the crash. During a ride, Texas law requires the driver's coverage to include at least $1 million in liability coverage per incident. If another driver caused the crash, that driver's insurance may be involved too. An attorney can explain which policy applies to your accident.
I felt fine at first. Can I still get help?
Yes, many people feel pain hours or days later. Get checked by a doctor as soon as you notice symptoms and keep the visit records. Our guide on whether to see a doctor after a car accident explains why.
What if the insurance company is already calling me?
That's common. You can stick to the basics and ask to talk later. Our guide to what to say when the insurance company keeps calling walks you through it.
Does it cost anything to talk to Accident Advocate Network?
No. Talking to us is free, and so is the case evaluation with an independent attorney if you want one.
Related guides
Do you need a lawyer after a rideshare crash?
Not everyone does. But rideshare crashes often involve several insurance companies, and many people want someone on their side to explain their options. Many personal injury attorneys offer free consultations.
At Accident Advocate Network, we talk with you first, for free. We help you understand general next steps and get organized. If you want a lawyer, we share independent Texas personal injury attorneys you can choose from for a free case evaluation. You decide what happens next.
Prefer to call? 945-266-2321.
Sources
Texas Insurance Code, Chapter 1954 (Transportation Network Companies), Sections 1954.001, 1954.052 and 1954.053: statutes.capitol.texas.gov
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003: statutes.capitol.texas.gov
Accident Advocate Network is not a law firm and does not provide legal or medical advice. This article is general information only and may not apply to your situation. Talk to a licensed Texas attorney about your specific case.
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