Navigating Insurance Coverage in Texas for Pedestrian Injuries in Rideshare Incidents

Downtown Austin, Texas, with its endless event schedule and festivals, is a hotbed of rideshare and pedestrian activity. Services like Uber and Lyft are convenient for visitors and residents, but this combination can also be a recipe for serious injuries and fatal accidents. Between 2019 and 2023, an average of 107 pedestrians were seriously injured or killed on Austin roads each year. Add bicyclists and e-scooter riders, and that average increases to 144.

If you were personally injured by a rideshare driver, or you’re the family member of someone who was injured or killed, knowing how to seek fair compensation can be difficult and overwhelming. The Austin personal injury lawyers at Carabin Shaw can help you better understand your options and will make sure no important details are overlooked.

If you’ve been hit by a vehicle, your primary focus may be recovering medical expenses. However, depending on the circumstances, there may be other types of compensation that you could claim with the help of a reputable lawyer.

The three types of damages that may be claimed in a civil lawsuit in Texas are: economic, exemplary, and non-economic.

Damages that recover any actual, documented costs resulting from the incident. These may include:

• Bills for related medical testing and treatment
• Replacement of property damaged
• Loss of income or earning capacity
• Funeral costs

These are intended to compensate the claimant for other losses, including:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Mental or emotional anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium

These are designed as penalties the state can require a responsible party to pay when there is clear evidence of fraud, malice, or gross negligence. This might apply if the driver was found to be distracted, fatigued, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or driving recklessly.

When Carabin Shaw takes your case, our lawyers will thoroughly review all possibilities to determine what damages you may be entitled to.

Normally if you’re hit by a car, you would submit a claim with the driver’s insurance carrier. However, the Texas Insurance Code does not require insurers to cover incidents that occur while the policyholder is driving for Uber or Lyft. Therefore, unless the driver has purchased coverage for this scenario, their insurance won’t be of much help.

Uber and Lyft both have liability insurance that covers drivers when they’re “active,” meaning they are fulfilling a ride request when the incident occurs. To be compensated through Uber/Lyft insurance for injured pedestrians, you first need to report the accident to the rideshare company.

Seeking compensation from insurers can be intimidating. Our attorneys for pedestrian victims in rideshare accidents can submit claims and communicate with insurance agencies on your behalf. This allows you to focus on your recovery and maximizes the amount you may be able to receive in your settlement.

Hiring a Carabin Shaw attorney to handle your rideshare pedestrian injury claims in Austin Texas can be a game-changer. Not only can it increase your chances of getting fair compensation, but it can also make the process easier and less stressful.

With expertise in Texas laws and relevant cases, our team is well-equipped to represent your interests in a case against Uber or Lyft. Carabin Shaw reviews show how we have helped others secure favorable settlements. Furthermore, we offer services on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you’ll only pay if you receive a favorable settlement.

To request a free initial consultation, call 800-862-1260 toll-free or fill out our online form. Both English and Spanish-speaking staff are available to speak with you 24/7.

For more information:

• Vision Zero
• Insurify
• Texas Statutes 552
• Texas Statutes 1954