What to Do if Your Rideshare Driver is Uninsured or Underinsured

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have changed how we get around, offering a convenient alternative to driving ourselves. However, rideshare accidents can create complicated legal issues, especially if the driver is uninsured or underinsured. If you have been hurt in a rideshare accident in South Carolina, understanding your options is critical. A skilled South Carolina rideshare accident attorney can help you navigate complicated insurance issues and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Insurance Requirements for Rideshare Drivers

Both Uber and Lyft require their drivers to carry personal auto insurance policies. In addition, they provide supplemental insurance coverage while the driver is logged into the app and transporting passengers. However, complications arise when drivers fail to maintain personal coverage or when insurance policies are insufficient to cover the full extent of damages after an accident.

If a rideshare driver is uninsured or underinsured at the time of the crash, victims can face mounting medical bills, lost wages, and serious financial hardship. Fortunately, both Uber and Lyft maintain commercial insurance policies that may step in under certain circumstances, but accessing that coverage is not always straightforward.

What Happens If the Rideshare Driver Is Uninsured?

If you are involved in an accident where the rideshare driver has no personal auto insurance, the company’s insurance may still provide coverage under specific conditions.

Suppose the driver was logged into the rideshare app and either waiting for a ride request, en route to pick up a passenger, or actively transporting a passenger. In that case, the company’s insurance policy generally applies. Depending on the driver’s status, different levels of coverage are available:

• If the driver was en route or had a passenger, higher commercial coverage applies, often up to $1 million in liability and UM/UIM coverage
• However, if the driver was not logged into the app at the time of the accident, Uber or Lyft’s insurance coverage likely does not apply, and the driver’s insurance, or lack thereof, would be the primary source of recovery
• If the driver was waiting for a ride request, limited liability coverage applies

What if the Rideshare Driver Is Underinsured?

In some cases, the rideshare driver may have insurance, but it may not be enough to cover your injuries and damages fully. When this happens, the rideshare company’s UM/UIM coverage may provide additional compensation.

UM/UIM coverage protects victims when the at-fault party does not have sufficient insurance. However, accessing this coverage often requires negotiation with powerful insurance companies focused on minimizing payouts. Having an experienced South Carolina rideshare accident attorney is critical to ensuring you receive the full amount you are entitled to under all available insurance policies.

Protecting Your Rights After a Rideshare Accident

Rideshare accident claims are rarely straightforward. Between determining which insurance policy applies, dealing with corporate insurers, and gathering evidence to prove fault, the process can quickly become overwhelming, especially when trying to heal from your injuries. Insurance companies may attempt to delay, deny, or undervalue your claim, making it even harder to recover the compensation you need.

Our knowledgeable South Carolina rideshare accident lawyers can step in immediately to investigate the accident, identify all sources of coverage, calculate the full extent of your damages, and negotiate aggressively on your behalf. Whether dealing with an uninsured driver or battling for fair compensation under a rideshare company’s policy, you deserve a strong advocate.

Contact a South Carolina Rideshare Accident Attorney Today

If you have been injured in a rideshare accident involving an uninsured or underinsured driver, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. At Parker & Bain, our South Carolina rideshare accident attorneys are committed to helping accident victims throughout South Carolina manage complex insurance claims and secure the financial recovery they need to move forward.

Contact a South Carolina rideshare accident lawyer at Parker & Bain on 864-252-2650 or online for a free consultation. Let us use our experience to fight for the justice you deserve.