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If you were injured while riding in an Uber® or Lyft® in Nevada, the company’s commercial liability insurance may cover you. However, the coverage for the personal injury claim may be different than a typical car accident. This guide will walk you through the details. 

Who Is at Fault for the Accident? 

After a crash, you may need compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. However, should you seek coverage from the driver or the ride-sharing company? It can be tempting to sue Uber or Lyft rather than the driver, as these corporations have large budgets and the ability to pay for expensive damages.

personal injuryHowever, they also set up legal boundaries to limit the ability of riders to sue them. For example, they consider drivers to be independent contractors rather than employees so they can avoid being held liable for a car crash. 

Do Ride-Share Companies Still Need to Provide Coverage? 

While ride-share companies may try to avoid being held liable, Nevada has enacted legal measures to protect consumers. The laws are complex and depend heavily on the situation. If the ride-sharing app was off while the crash occurred, only the driver’s regular car insurance applies, as they’re not seen as contractors for Uber or Lyft.

If the app was turned on, but they weren’t providing a ride, the driver gets additional coverage of $50,000 per person for injury protection and $25,000 for property damage. In a case where the driver has a passenger in the car or is heading to pick one up, they must have insurance that will cover up to $1.5 million for personal injuries.

What if You’re to Blame for the Crash? 

If the accident was your fault, the ride-sharing policy won’t provide coverage. However, in a case where you’re partially at fault, you may be covered. According to Nevada law, victims can be compensated as long as the other driver is 50% responsible for the crash. While you may recover less if you’re partially at fault, you can still win a substantial amount if you decide to sue. 

 

If you’ve been injured in an accident that involved a ride-sharing driver, contact Goicoechea, DiGrazia, Coyle, & Stanton. Serving the Elko, NV, area, they’ve been working with clients since 1974. Their attorneys will file the lawsuit, fight for the highest settlement possible, and determine which party to go after. They’ll also help you avoid delays from the insurance company and handle any negotiations. Call (775) 738-8091 to schedule a consultation, or head to their website to learn more about their personal injury services. 

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