Rideshare Accident Lawyer in New Orleans

Protecting Your Rights After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Louisiana

Insurance coverage after an Uber or Lyft crash can change based on what the driver was doing in the app. Different policies may apply if the driver was waiting for a request, traveling to a pickup, or carrying a passenger, meaning the amount you could receive for your injuries and other damages is heavily determined by what was happening (and who was at fault) when the accident occurred.

At Clayton, Frugé & Ward, we represent injured passengers, rideshare drivers, motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists who have been involved in Uber and Lyft accidents in New Orleans and throughout Louisiana. If you've been injured, make sure you see a doctor as soon as possible (if you have not done so already). You should also report the collision, both to the police and to the rideshare company, and keep a record of the trip details. However, before accepting a settlement or giving an insurer a detailed statement, you should talk to a lawyer who can help you understand your legal rights and options.

Call (225) 209-9943 for a free consultation with our rideshare accident lawyers in New Orleans.

Are You Covered by Insurance When Riding in an Uber or Lyft?

When you are picked up by a rideshare, whether Uber or Lyft, and step foot inside the vehicle, you are covered by the company's insurance. But what happens if you were hit by a rideshare driver while traveling in your own vehicle? What if you were a pedestrian? This is where coverage becomes a bit more complicated.

Rideshare insurance depends heavily on the driver’s app status, meaning whether they were actively transporting a passenger, were on their way to pick someone up, or had yet to accept a ride request. Additionally, things like the accident date, specific policy terms, and the driver’s activity at the time of the crash can all affect which coverage applies.

Here's how rideshare coverage breaks down in Louisiana.

When the App Is Turned Off

If the rideshare driver has the app turned off and is not actively driving for his or her rideshare company, only the driver's personal auto insurance policy will apply. If you were hit by someone with an Uber or Lyft logo on their windshield, but they were not using the app at the time, the rideshare company's insurance is not available to you.

While Waiting for a Request

When a driver is logged on and waiting for a request but has not yet accepted a ride, Louisiana generally requires at least $15,000 per person, $30,000 per incident, and $25,000 for property damage. However, this coverage generally only applies to others who are injured, not to the rideshare driver.

During a Prearranged Ride

A prearranged ride begins when a driver accepts a request. It includes travel to the pickup spot and the actual transportation of the passenger. Louisiana generally requires at least $1 million in coverage for death, bodily injury, and property damage during this period. 

Determining Fault After an Uber or Lyft Accident in New Orleans

Responsibility may rest with the rideshare driver, another motorist, Uber or Lyft, a vehicle or parts manufacturer, or another entity whose conduct contributed to the collision. Determining fault requires examining each party’s actions and whether a vehicle defect or unsafe roadway condition played a role.

Evidence used to investigate these cases may include:

• Police reports and available insurance information
• Photographs from the scene 
• Vehicle damage
• Witness accounts and medical records
• Surveillance, traffic camera, or dashcam footage
• Trip data and app-status records

In some cases, multiple people or parties could be at fault. Our state's comparative fault rules allow you to recover compensation if you were partly at fault, as long as you were less than 51% at fault. If you are found to be partly at fault but less than 51% at fault, the amount you can recover is reduced by your fault percentage. For example, if you are found to be 25% at fault, you can only recover 75% of the amount you are seeking in damages.

We accept difficult personal injury cases that other firms may reject, including claims involving disputed fault, multiple insurers, and complex evidence. Our Uber and Lyft accident attorneys in New Orleans have helped people in situations much like yours. We provide compassionate, client-focused representation and are committed to fighting for the results you need to be made whole again.

We Seek Compensation for the Crash’s Immediate & Long-Term Effects

Your rideshare accident claim may account for immediate losses and long-term effects supported by medical and financial records. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, fractures, and soft-tissue injuries may require continued evaluation because their full effects aren’t always clear right away.

Potential damages may include:

• Emergency treatment, ongoing care, and rehabilitation
• Lost income and reduced earning capacity
• Physical pain and emotional distress
• Scarring, disability, and property damage
• Wrongful death losses after a fatal collision

Louisiana’s prescription period (sometimes referred to as the “statute of limitations”) sets the deadline for filing a lawsuit at two years from the date of the accident. For accidents occurring before July 1, 2024, there is a one-year prescriptive period. We encourage you to reach out to our team at Clayton, Frugé & Ward as soon as possible so that we can begin reviewing your case and taking steps to secure your future.

How Our Rideshare Accident Lawyers Investigate Coverage & Fault

We investigate the collision, preserve digital trip information, identify applicable insurance policies, and organize medical documentation. We also analyze fault and assess whether a settlement offer accounts for the true, documented effects of your injuries.

Our attorneys also handle all communication with the insurance company so that you can focus on your medical care and resting instead of fielding calls from adjusters. If the insurance company or the rideshare company tries to dispute issues like liability, coverage, or the value of your claim, we have the resources to prepare your case for litigation.

More Than $1 Billion Secured in Verdicts & Settlements

Our attorneys have secured more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for personal injury clients across Louisiana, including the largest single-injury verdict in Louisiana history: $117 million obtained for a mother injured in an ambulance accident. While we cannot guarantee any specific outcome for your case, you can rest assured knowing that we have what it takes to successfully navigate complex, high-stakes cases involving severe injuries, disputed liability, and other contested issues. Our attorneys’ diverse legal and cultural backgrounds also shape the personal guidance we provide to clients rebuilding after life-changing accidents.

Get a Free, Personalized Review of Your Rideshare Crash

Whether you were a passenger, driver, pedestrian, bicyclist, or occupant of another vehicle, our team can help with your rideshare accident case in New Orleans or the surrounding areas. During a completely free initial consultation, we'll listen to your story, review your available options, and help you determine which steps to take next. We represent clients on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay an attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.

Call (225) 209-9943 to discuss your New Orleans Uber or Lyft accident with Clayton, Frugé & Ward.