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Rideshare Accidents: Uber/Lyft Liability in San Antonio
Rideshare Accidents: Uber/Lyft Liability in San Antonio
Rideshare accidents in San Antonio present a layered insurance problem that standard car accident claims do not. When an Uber or Lyft driver causes a crash, the question of which insurance policy applies depends on whether the driver had the app on, had accepted a ride, or was actively transporting a passenger at the time of the crash. Getting that answer wrong costs victims thousands of dollars.
Video Transcript
I’m Jamie Shaw with Carabin Shaw in San Antonio. How long do you actually have to file a car accident claim in Texas? Generally two years from the date of the crash. Miss that deadline and the court can throw your case out, no matter how strong it is. People think two years is plenty, so they wait. But evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and the insurance company uses that delay against you. And watch out — claims against a government vehicle can have deadlines as short as six months. Don’t guess. If you’ve been hurt in a San Antonio crash, call Carabin Shaw. Free consultation and you pay nothing unless we win. 210-222-2288.
The Three-Phase Insurance Structure That Governs Rideshare Crashes
Texas law and the policies maintained by Uber and Lyft divide rideshare driver activity into three distinct phases, each with different insurance coverage. The San Antonio car accident attorneys at Carabin Shaw identify the correct phase immediately after a crash because the phase determines which insurer is responsible and what coverage limits apply.
Phase 1: App Off
When a rideshare driver is not logged into the app, they are operating as a private driver. Only their personal auto insurance applies. Uber and Lyft provide no coverage during this phase. If the driver’s personal policy has low limits, the injured victim’s own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage becomes the primary recovery option.
Phase 2: App On, No Ride Accepted
When the driver is logged in and waiting for a ride request but has not yet accepted one, Uber and Lyft provide contingent liability coverage of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident. This coverage only applies if the driver’s personal insurance denies the claim or the claim exceeds the personal policy limits.
Phase 3: Ride Accepted or Passenger in Vehicle
Once a driver accepts a ride request or has a passenger in the vehicle, Uber and Lyft’s $1 million liability policy becomes active. This is the highest coverage tier and applies until the passenger is dropped off and the trip is completed in the app.
Why Rideshare Claims Are Contested More Aggressively
Uber and Lyft both classify their drivers as independent contractors, not employees. That classification is designed to limit the companies’ direct liability for driver conduct. However, Texas courts have recognized that the degree of control these platforms exercise over their drivers — through ratings systems, route requirements, and behavioral standards — can support a finding of employer-like liability in some circumstances. These arguments require experienced legal representation to develop and present effectively.
The Injured Passenger’s Position
Passengers injured in a rideshare crash have the strongest position of any victim because the Phase 3 $1 million policy is clearly applicable. The challenge is that Uber and Lyft’s claims teams are experienced at minimizing payouts and will scrutinize every aspect of the injury documentation. Independent medical evaluations, complete treatment records, and documented economic losses are essential to a full recovery.
Pedestrians and Other Drivers Hit by Rideshare Vehicles
Pedestrians struck by an Uber or Lyft driver, and drivers of other vehicles hit by a rideshare car, face the same phase-based insurance analysis. The phase at the time of the crash determines the available coverage. Establishing the phase requires obtaining the driver’s trip log from the platform — which requires a formal legal request or subpoena — and cross-referencing it with the crash time recorded in the police report.
Documenting a Rideshare Crash
Screenshot the ride details in the app immediately after a crash — the trip ID, driver name, vehicle information, and timestamp. That information can be deleted or become inaccessible if the app is closed or the account is deactivated. Medical treatment should begin as soon as possible, and every injury should be documented from the first visit forward. The NHTSA’s risky driving data shows that rideshare-related crashes are increasing as the platforms expand into more markets.
What Rideshare Accident Victims in San Antonio Should Know
The time limit for filing a personal injury claim in Texas is two years from the date of the crash. Rideshare claims involve multiple parties — the driver, the platform, and potentially other vehicles — and building the full picture of liability takes time. Waiting to consult an attorney allows evidence to disappear and gives the insurance companies more time to build their defense.
Carabin Shaw has handled rideshare accident cases across San Antonio and Bexar County. The firm takes cases on a contingency basis — no fee unless the case is won. Call (800) 862-1260 to speak with an attorney about the specifics of what happened.