The convenience of summoning a ride with a few taps on your phone has changed how we travel around Mississippi. From students at Mississippi State heading down Highway 12 in Starkville to tourists exploring the historic Natchez Trace Parkway, rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are everywhere. But with this convenience comes a unique set of risks. When a rideshare vehicle is involved in a collision, determining who is liable for the resulting injuries can be incredibly confusing.
If you are reading this, you or someone you love has likely been hurt in a crash involving an Uber or Lyft. Please know that you do not have to navigate this difficult time by yourself. An experienced Mississippi Uber & Lyft accident lawyer from Richard Schwartz & Associates can help you understand your rights and lift the legal burden from your shoulders.
We invite you to reach out to us for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. We are here to listen to your story and explain your legal options.
Why Choose Richard Schwartz & Associates for Your Mississippi Uber & Lyft Accident Claim?
After a traumatic accident, choosing the right law firm is one of the most important decisions you will make. You need a team that not only has the experience and resources to take on large corporations like Uber and Lyft but also has the compassion to understand what you and your family are going through. At Richard Schwartz & Associates, we lead with compassion and win with excellence. We are not just your attorneys; we are your advocates, your partners, and your support system.
Here is why so many Mississippians have turned to Richard Schwartz & Associates for over 40 years:
- A Record of Success: Our firm has recovered over $1 billion for injured clients and their families. This track record is a testament to our skill, dedication, and relentless pursuit of justice. It shows that we have the resources and tenacity to go up against powerful insurance companies and win.
- Unmatched Experience: Rideshare accident claims are not like typical car accident cases. They involve multiple layers of insurance and complex corporate policies. Our attorneys have a wealth of experience specifically handling these intricate cases and know precisely how to navigate them to protect your rights.
- Mississippi’s Law Firm: We are proud to serve communities across our great state, with offices in Jackson, Tupelo, Hattiesburg, Meridian, Columbus, Greenwood, and Greenville. We understand the local roads, the local courts, and the local communities because we are a part of them.
- No-Risk Guarantee: We offer a free case evaluation and work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay us no attorney’s fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you. You can get skilled legal help without any upfront cost or financial risk.
When you trust us with your case, you are choosing a firm with deep roots in Mississippi and a long history of fighting for its people. We see you as a neighbor, not a case number, and we are dedicated to helping you rebuild your life.
Who Can File a Lyft or Uber Accident Claim?
A rideshare accident can be chaotic, and it may not be immediately clear who has the right to seek compensation. The truth is, several different parties can be harmed in these incidents. At Richard Schwartz & Associates, we have represented clients from all walks of life who have been impacted by the negligence of a rideshare driver or another motorist.
You may be able to file an Uber or Lyft accident claim if you are:
- A Passenger in the Uber or Lyft
- The Driver or Passenger of Another Vehicle
- A Pedestrian or Bicyclist
- The Uber or Lyft Driver
No matter how you were involved, if you were injured due to someone else's negligence, you should not be forced to bear the financial burden alone. Our team is here to evaluate the specific details of your accident and build the strongest possible case on your behalf.
How Does Insurance Work After a Mississippi Uber or Lyft Accident?
This is the single most confusing aspect of a rideshare accident claim, and where many unrepresented victims make critical mistakes. Unlike a crash between two private vehicles, which typically involves only the drivers’ personal insurance policies, a rideshare accident can involve up to three different insurance scenarios. The coverage that applies depends entirely on the driver’s status within the Uber or Lyft app at the exact moment of the crash.
Insurance companies will use this complexity to their advantage, often trying to deny claims or point fingers at other policies. Our attorneys understand these tactics and know how to prove which insurance period applies to secure the maximum compensation for you.
Here is a breakdown of how the insurance coverage works:
Offline or the App is Off
If the rideshare driver was not logged into the app at the time of the accident, then Uber or Lyft’s corporate insurance does not apply. In this scenario, the driver is considered to be just another private citizen driving for personal reasons. The accident claim would proceed like any other car wreck. You would file a claim against the driver’s personal car insurance policy to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. If the driver is uninsured or your damages exceed their policy limits, you may be able to use your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage if you have it.
Available or Waiting for a Ride Request
This is the first phase where Uber and Lyft’s insurance coverage comes into play. It applies when the driver is logged into the app and is available to accept a ride request but has not yet been matched with a passenger. This period is often referred to as "Phase 1."
During this phase, the rideshare company provides a contingent third-party liability policy. If the driver’s personal insurance denies the claim (which they often do, as many personal policies have exclusions for commercial driving), the rideshare company’s insurance is supposed to step in. For accidents that occur during this phase, the coverage limits are typically:
- $50,000 in bodily injury liability per person
- $100,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 in property damage liability per accident
While this is more than Mississippi’s minimum insurance requirements, it may not be enough to cover severe injuries. Our lawyers will meticulously investigate to ensure you access every available dollar of coverage.
En Route to Pick Up a Passenger or During a Ride
This is the period when passengers and the public have the most protection. From the moment the driver accepts a ride request until the moment the passenger is dropped off at their destination, the full commercial insurance policy provided by Uber or Lyft is active. This is often called "Phase 2" and "Phase 3."
During this time, the following coverage is in effect:
- $1,000,000 in Third-Party Liability Coverage: This policy is designed to cover the damages of anyone injured by the negligent rideshare driver, including passengers in the Uber/Lyft, occupants of other vehicles, pedestrians, or bicyclists.
- $1,000,000 in Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage: This is a critically important protection for you as a passenger. If your accident is caused by another driver who is uninsured, or who flees the scene (a hit-and-run), or whose own insurance is insufficient to cover your catastrophic injuries, this policy provides a vital safety net for you.
Understanding these phases and proving which policy applies requires immediate and thorough investigation. That’s why it is so important to contact a skilled Uber & Lyft accident lawyer as soon as possible after your crash.
Should I Accept the First Offer from the Insurance Company?
In the days or weeks following your accident, you may receive a phone call from an insurance adjuster. They may sound friendly and concerned, and they might even offer you a quick settlement check. It can be incredibly tempting to accept, especially when medical bills are piling up and you’re unable to work. However, we strongly caution you: do not accept the first offer, and do not sign anything without speaking to an experienced attorney first.
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. Their primary goal is to protect their bottom line, not to ensure you are fully and fairly compensated. The first offer they make is almost always a lowball amount, calculated to be just enough to make you go away before you realize the true, long-term cost of your injuries.
They are counting on you not knowing:
- The full extent of your future medical needs, such as surgery, physical therapy, or long-term care.
- The total amount of income you will lose if you cannot return to your job or have to take a lower-paying position.
- The significant value of your pain, suffering, and emotional trauma.
Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you forfeit your right to seek any further compensation for this accident, forever. If your injuries turn out to be worse than you thought, you cannot go back and ask for more.
This is where a lawyer from Richard Schwartz & Associates becomes your most powerful asset. We will handle all communications with the insurance company for you. We will collect all your medical records, consult with experts to understand your future needs, and calculate the full and fair value of your claim. We then present a comprehensive demand to the insurer and negotiate from a position of strength, armed with evidence and the law. Most cases settle for a much higher amount with an attorney than without one, and we are always prepared to take your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to be fair.
Compensation Available to Mississippi Lyft and Uber Accident Victims
The purpose of a personal injury claim is to make you "whole" again in the eyes of the law—to provide financial compensation that accounts for every single loss you have suffered because of the accident. While no amount of money can erase the trauma you’ve endured, a fair settlement can provide the financial stability you need to heal and move forward with your life.
This may include money for:
- All past, current, and future medical bills (hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, medication, etc.)
- Costs of physical and occupational therapy
- Ambulance fees and emergency room costs
- Lost wages and income from being unable to work
- Diminished future earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job
- The cost of repairing or replacing your damaged vehicle or other property
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress, anxiety, and mental anguish
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life and inability to participate in hobbies you once loved
- Wrongful death damages if you have tragically lost a family member in the accident
Our team will work tirelessly to identify and document all of your damages to ensure we are fighting for the full amount of compensation in your case.
Mississippi Uber & Lyft Accident FAQs
Here are some of the questions we hear most often from our clients about rideshare accidents.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
This is a common concern, but it does not necessarily prevent you from recovering compensation in Mississippi. Our state follows a "pure comparative negligence" rule. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially to blame for the crash. However, your total compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found to be 20% at fault for the accident, you would be eligible to receive 80% of your damages. It is a key reason to have an attorney who can protect you from being assigned an unfair share of the blame.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after an Uber or Lyft accident in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is three years from the date of the accident. While this may seem like a long time, it is critical to act much sooner. Evidence can disappear, witnesses' memories can fade, and crucial details can be lost. Contacting an attorney immediately allows us to begin a thorough investigation while the evidence is still fresh, which greatly strengthens your case. If you miss the three-year deadline, you will almost certainly lose your right to file a lawsuit and recover any compensation.
Contact Our Trusted Mississippi Uber & Lyft Accident Attorneys
If you suffered injuries in a Lyft or Uber accident, the experienced team at Richard Schwartz & Associates can be your guide, your advocate, and your champion. For over 40 years, we have dedicated ourselves to fighting for families across Mississippi, from Jackson to Tupelo, Hattiesburg to Meridian, and beyond.
Let our Mississippi Uber & Lyft attorney handle the legal complexities, stand up to the powerful insurance companies, and work tirelessly to secure the full and fair compensation you need to rebuild your life.
Contact Richard Schwartz & Associates today at (601) 800-5559 or through our online form for your free, confidential, and no-obligation case evaluation. We are available 24/7 to listen to your story and answer your questions.