Rideshare has grown in Montana's cities and tourist hubs, and with it a new kind of claim. When an Uber or Lyft is involved in a crash, the insurance picture is more complicated than an ordinary collision.
Coverage Depends on the Driver's Status
The available insurance in a rideshare crash depends on what the driver was doing. When the app is off, only the driver's personal auto policy applies. When the app is on and waiting for a ride, a limited contingent coverage applies. When the driver is en route to or carrying a passenger, the rideshare company's larger commercial policy generally applies.
Pinning down the driver's status at the moment of the crash is therefore a key early question in any Montana rideshare claim.
Who Can Be Injured — and Recover
Rideshare claims can involve injured passengers, other drivers, pedestrians, or the rideshare driver. Each may have access to different coverage depending on the circumstances. Passengers in particular usually have a strong claim, since they're not at fault.
Because multiple policies may overlap, identifying all available coverage is important to fully compensate serious injuries.
Why These Claims Get Complicated
Multiple insurers, an app-based company, and disputes over the driver's status can make rideshare claims more contentious than ordinary crashes. The companies are large and well-defended, and they don't volunteer the most favorable interpretation of their coverage.
Preserving evidence of the trip — app records, ride receipts, and the driver's status — helps establish which coverage applies.
Get Help Navigating Rideshare Coverage
If you've been hurt in an Uber or Lyft crash in Montana, an attorney can sort out the coverage and pursue every available source.
Call 973-566-5599 for a free review of your Montana rideshare claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the driver's app status. With a passenger or en route, the rideshare company's commercial policy generally applies. App off, only the driver's personal policy does.
Almost certainly, if you were injured. Passengers aren't at fault, and rideshare coverage typically applies while carrying a rider.
Have questions about your own situation? Get a free, confidential case review. You pay no fee unless you win. Call 973-566-5599.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation, consult a licensed Montana attorney. Injury Claim Team is a legal referral and lead-generation service, not a law firm.