What to Know About Rideshare Accidents in Virginia

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have become a fixture of daily transportation in Hampton Roads, carrying passengers from Virginia Beach to Norfolk, Chesapeake to the Naval Station, and across the region’s major corridors. For all their convenience, crashes involving rideshare vehicles can raise legal questions that differ from a typical two-car collision. Understanding how Virginia law applies to these situations may help injured individuals better understand their legal options.

Insurance Coverage Depends on the Driver’s Status

One of the most important things to understand about rideshare crashes is that the available insurance coverage may depend on what the driver was doing at the time of the crash. Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft divide their drivers’ activity into distinct periods, each of which triggers different levels of insurance protection.

The insurance coverage available after a rideshare crash often depends on whether the driver was waiting for a ride request, traveling to pick up a passenger, actively transporting a passenger, or using the vehicle for personal purposes. Determining which insurance policy applies is often an important part of investigating a rideshare accident.

For passengers, understanding the driver’s status at the time of the crash may be important when determining which insurance policies could apply.

Claims Against Multiple Parties

Depending on how a rideshare crash occurred, one or more parties may be involved in the claims process. Determining responsibility depends on the specific facts established during the investigation and the insurance coverage available. Depending on the circumstances, an injured person may have legal options through an auto accident claim under Virginia law.

Virginia’s contributory negligence rule can significantly affect rideshare accident claims. The specific facts surrounding how the crash occurred may play an important role in determining an injured person’s legal options under Virginia law.

What to Do After a Rideshare Crash

If you are injured in a crash while riding in an Uber or Lyft, the steps you take in the immediate aftermath matter. If possible, save the ride information from the rideshare app, seek prompt medical attention, obtain a copy of the official police report, and keep records related to the crash. Preserving this information may be helpful while the circumstances of the collision are being investigated.

Understanding Rideshare Accident Claims

Rideshare crashes often involve multiple insurance policies and questions about which coverage applies. Reviewing the circumstances of the crash and the available insurance information can be an important part of understanding the claims process.

If you were injured in a rideshare crash anywhere in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, or across Hampton Roads, Breit Law is here to help. With more than 47 years of trial experience, William Breit has represented injured individuals and families throughout Hampton Roads. Contact us today to discuss your situation.

Map of the Hampton Roads region served by Breit Law.