Indianapolis Uber & Lyft Accident Attorney

You got in the car, but someone else was driving. You had no say in how fast they were going, whether they were paying attention, or whether they ran that red light. And now you’re hurt.

As a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, you are almost never at fault for a crash. The problem isn’t your case, it’s that these claims run through a corporate insurance structure built to limit payouts, not deliver them. That’s where having the right attorney makes a real difference.

At Ladendorf Fregiato & Bigler, we’re experienced in dealing with companies like Uber and Lyft, and we know how their insurance works. We’ll fight to make sure your needs are covered and you’re compensated for your injuries. Call us at 317-842-5800 for a free consultation.

How Uber and Lyft’s Insurance Coverage Works

Rideshare insurance can get complicated. Because companies like Uber and Lyft consider their drivers independent contractors, it’s not always possible to hold the company accountable. What coverage applies depends entirely on what the driver was doing at the exact moment of the crash.

App off: If the driver wasn’t logged into the Uber or Lyft app when the crash happened, the rideshare company provides no coverage at all. You’d be filing a claim against the driver’s personal auto insurance policy.

App on, no ride accepted: If the driver was logged in and available but hadn’t accepted a fare yet, Uber and Lyft do provide some liability coverage — up to $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident / $25,000 for property damage. But this coverage only kicks in after the driver’s personal policy has been exhausted.

Ride accepted or passenger in the car: Once a driver has accepted a trip, or you’re already in the vehicle, Uber carries a $1 million third-party liability policy. However, they do not typically have Underinsured or Uninsured Motorist Coverage. The driver has to have that on their personal insurance, as well as a rideshare provision. 

Who Can Be Held Responsible

Depending on how the accident happened, there may be more than one party responsible for your injuries.

The driver. In most rideshare accidents, the driver’s negligence is the starting point, whether it’s distracted driving, speeding, or running a light. A claim against the driver runs through their personal policy first, then Uber or Lyft’s depending on the specific circumstances of the accident.

A third-party driver. If another driver caused the crash — ran into your Uber, for example — you’d have a claim against that driver, not just through the rideshare company’s coverage.

Uber or Lyft itself. Rideshare companies push hard to limit their responsibility (as we recently wrote about in Indiana House Bill 1417: A Warning About What Could Be Coming.) The companies classify their drivers as independent contractors specifically to distance themselves from liability. However, if a rideshare company ignored complaints about a driver, failed to properly screen someone with a problematic history, or otherwise contributed to an unsafe situation, there may be grounds to sue the company directly.

Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare driving creates specific pressures and distractions that don’t apply to most other drivers.

App distraction. Drivers are constantly managing the Uber or Lyft app, including accepting fares, following GPS directions, and monitoring trip status. That divided attention creates risk. 

Fatigue. Many rideshare drivers work long hours, sometimes across multiple platforms at once. Unlike commercial truck drivers, they aren’t subject to federal hours-of-service rules, which means there’s no regulatory floor on how exhausted a driver can be before getting behind the wheel.

Unfamiliar routes. Drivers cover a wide area, often navigating neighborhoods they don’t know well. Last-minute turns, sudden stops, and hesitation in traffic all increase crash risk.

Speeding. More trips mean more income. Some drivers push the pace to maximize what they earn in a shift.

Vehicle maintenance. The cars are the drivers’ own. Uber and Lyft have inspection requirements, but ongoing maintenance is the driver’s responsibility, and it doesn’t always happen.

What to Do After a Rideshare Accident

The steps you take in the hours after a rideshare accident can directly affect your ability to recover compensation.

1. Get medical attention. Even if you feel okay, get evaluated. Some injuries, like soft tissue damage or concussions, don’t show up immediately, and a gap in medical records can be used against you later.
2. Document which phase the trip was in. The insurance that applies depends on whether the driver had the app on and whether they had accepted your ride. Screenshot the app if you can. If not, note the time of the crash and whether you were in the middle of a trip.
3. Get the driver’s personal insurance information. Record their name, plate number, and insurance card, not just the Uber or Lyft confirmation. You may need the driver’s personal policy depending on the circumstances.
4. File a report through the app. Both Uber and Lyft have in-app accident reporting. Do it, but understand that this is a record, not a claim. It doesn’t start the insurance process.
5. Don’t give a recorded statement to Uber or Lyft’s insurer. Their adjusters will reach out quickly. You’re not required to give a recorded statement, and doing so before you’ve spoken with an attorney can hurt your claim.
6. Call us. We’ll sort out which policies apply, who the right parties are, and what your case is actually worth. There’s no fee for the consultation and no obligation.

What You Can Recover

A rideshare accident claim can include compensation for:

• Medical bills, including future care if your injuries require ongoing treatment
• Lost wages and lost earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life

Every case is different. The right number depends on the severity of your injuries, how your recovery goes, and the insurance coverage available. We’ll help you determine what’s possible in your case based on the specifics. 

How We Handle Rideshare Cases and Why It Matters

A lot of personal injury firms will settle your case, take their fee, and hand you a check. What you do with your medical bills after that is your problem.

We don’t work that way.

Our fee is one-third of the settlement, not the 40% you’ll see at many larger firms. More importantly, we handle lien negotiation and medical bill reduction as part of the case. If we get your medical bills reduced, that money goes back into your pocket. We don’t take a fee on what we save you.

We also commit to something straightforward: we will never take a fee larger than what you walk away with. If the numbers don’t work out that way, we adjust our fee, not yours.

If you want to understand exactly how our fees work before you decide anything, visit our fees page or ask us directly when you call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Uber or Lyft have insurance? 

Yes. Both companies carry a $1 million liability policy that applies once a driver has accepted a ride or a passenger is in the vehicle. The coverage that applies in your situation depends on which phase the driver was in at the time of the crash — see the insurance section above for a breakdown.

Can I sue the Uber or Lyft driver directly? 

Yes. The driver is typically the starting point for any claim. Their personal auto insurance applies first, with Uber or Lyft’s coverage stepping in depending on the phase.

Can I sue Uber or Lyft itself? 

It depends. Both companies classify drivers as independent contractors to limit their liability exposure. However, if there’s evidence the company was negligent — for example, if they failed to properly screen the driver, ignored complaints, or maintained unsafe practices — a direct claim against the company may be possible. This is one of the more complex questions in rideshare cases and worth discussing with an attorney.

Does my own car insurance apply if I was a passenger? 

Possibly. If you have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage on your own auto policy, it may apply if the at-fault driver’s coverage isn’t enough to cover your injuries. 

What if a third-party driver contributed to the crash and not just my Uber driver? 

Then your claim would be against that driver’s insurance, with any UM/UIM insurance held by Uber or Lyft as a potential additional layer if that driver is uninsured or underinsured.

How long do I have to file a claim in Indiana? 

The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim in Indiana is 2 years. 

Talk to an Attorney with No Pressure, No Obligation

If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Indianapolis, we’re happy to talk through your situation and tell you honestly what we think. We do home and hospital visits if you can’t come to us, and we’re available evenings and weekends.

Call 317-842-5800 or fill out our contact form to get started.