Pennsylvania Rideshare Accident Lawyers
Representing Victims of Uber & Lyft Accidents Throughout the State
When you hire an Uber or Lyft, you’re putting your life into someone else’s hands. Unlike a taxi or limo driver, a ridesharing driver doesn’t receive any additional training; they can be anyone with a license and a car. You are trusting that they will take you where you need to go safely without any problems.
However, this is not always the case, especially in Philadelphia and other heavily populated areas throughout Pennsylvania. Accidents occur every day on the Schuylkill, the Blue Route, and in the downtown area—and these accidents often involve ridesharing vehicles.
At Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law PC, we represent victims of Uber and Lyft accidents in Pennsylvania, including in Philadelphia, Scranton, and Wilkes-Barre. Or maybe you’re the one who’s behind the wheel. You just wrecked your personal vehicle while driving for Uber or Lyft—that’s an insurance nightmare. Will workers' compensation pay your medical bills?
Our lawyers are highly experienced at handling all types of motor vehicle accident cases. We understand the difficulties surrounding ridesharing accidents, and we have a proven track record of negotiating high settlements and winning favorable jury verdicts on behalf of car accident victims.
Learn how we can help you with your ridesharing accident claim today; call (877) 989-4878 or contact us online to request a free consultation with a member of our team.
Ridesharing Accidents Involve Complex Insurance Issues
When it comes to hired vehicle drivers, such as taxi or limo drivers, there are very strict rules drivers need to follow; they must meet all state and city insurance requirements. As such, if the vehicle gets into an accident, then there are laws that determine who is liable for both passengers’ and drivers’ injuries.
However, ridesharing vehicles, such as Uber and Lyft, do not fall under these requirements. These are personal vehicles being used by ridesharing drivers—not by the companies that hired them. And, although Uber and Lyft do have insurance, the drivers are required to have their own personal car insurance in case of an accident.
But the rules of liability in regards to an Uber or Lyft accident can be very convoluted. Sometimes, Uber drivers use the company insurance as only secondary to their own coverage.
If this is the case, the following factors must be in place for Uber or Lyft’s coverage to apply:
- The driver is using the app and is considered on duty. In other words, the driver needs to be working in order to use Uber or Lyft’s insurance.
- The driver has logged in and accepted a ride. However, if the driver has not accepted a ride yet, the ridesharing company uses a reduced or “contingent” policy.
The policy is in effect between the time the driver accepts the ride and drops off the passenger. So, if there is an accident during this time and the Uber driver is found at fault, the ridesharing company’s policy will cover the driver’s and passenger’s injuries. However, if another driver was at fault, the driver’s personal policy will cover both the driver’s and the passenger’s injuries.
Since many Uber and Lyft drivers use personal insurance policies, there can be a variety of issues with coverage options. For example, if you are a passenger in a Lyft vehicle that gets into an accident and the driver only has basic coverage, there may not be enough money to pay your medical bills. This means you will have to use your own insurance to pay your medical bills.
Insurance Issues for Ridesharing Drivers
As for ridesharing drivers, they may have a fight on their hands with their insurance company. Since their personal policies may not cover commercial use of the vehicle, the insurance company may not pay the driver’s claim after an Uber accident because the vehicle was being used for commercial purposes.
But what about workers’ compensation for the driver? In the case of a ridesharing driver, that option is not available to you. Generally, Uber and Lyft drivers are considered independent contractors instead of an employee, which means they cannot apply for workers’ comp benefits.
Injured in a Ridesharing Accident? We Can Help.
If you’ve been injured in an accident while driving or riding in an Uber or Lyft, our Pennsylvania Uber and Lyft accident attorneys can fight to get you the compensation you deserve. At Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law PC, we have decades of experience fighting for car accident victims in Philadelphia, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and across the state. We have a winning record, having secured more than $110 million on behalf of our clients over the years, and we are prepared to advocate tirelessly for you and your recovery.
Don’t delay another second! You only have two years to file your ridesharing accident claim (in most cases). Reach out to our team right away to learn more about your legal rights and learn how we can help you fight for justice and fair compensation. We can begin investigating your claim and building your case right away.
To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation, contact us online or call (877) 989-4878 today.
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$5 Million Trucking Accident
A settlement was obtained for three victims of a tractor-trailer crash.
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$4 Million Trucking Accident
Our client was hit by an overweight and out-of-control tractor-trailer which was driving illegally on PA 115. This verdict was the #1 trucking collision verdict in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 2011.
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$3 Million Medical Malpractice
Settlement for a confidential medical malpractice case.
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$2 Million Medical Malpractice
A settlement was obtained in a case where the doctor negligently managed anesthesia.
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$1.8 Million Car Accident
A settlement was obtained for a firefighter who was injured in an automobile crash.
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$1.5 Million Medical Malpractice
A verdict was obtained on behalf of a medical malpractice victim involving a doctor failing to provide informed consent for a tonsillectomy. Was named one of the top 30 verdicts in Pennsylvania in 2015.
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We could have never made it without Molly Clark and Fellerman & Ciarimboli!! It's scary going after someone for wrongdoing and she took us through every step. She answered all our questions, good or bad. She was available 24-7 and weekends fighting for us. She fought for our needs and got us what was deserved!! They are the best choice!!- Star K.
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- Frank K.
I have a friend who sought help from Fellerman & Ciarimboli and said they were very nice and helpful. So when I needed assistance, they were the first ones I thought of, and gave them a call. I was connected to Attorney Molly Clark, who made a significant impact. Her comforting personality created a welcoming environment during our interactions, turning what could have been a somber experience into one filled with positivity. Our upbeat conversations, in contrast to the challenging situation, improved my well-being.
What truly won me over was Molly's commitment to keeping me informed about the progress of my situation. Whenever I called her with questions, she promptly provided answers, ensuring I had the information I needed when I needed it. Working with Fellerman & Ciarimboli was a positive experience given the circumstances I was facing. I highly recommend Attorney Molly and the firm to anyone seeking reliable and compassionate assistance during challenging times.
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Molly thank you for everything you’ve done for Terry and me. You went above and beyond. You are like family to us and will always love you!- Arlene P.
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I can't express how GREAT my first experience with an attorney has been! I'm not kidding when I say that both you and the entire firm are I think the best around. Once get things settled around here, I would like to make an appointment to come up to talk about some other issues, but I have been doing nothing, but singing the praises of you The entire organization to everyone that I speak with.- R.R.
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- Client
There are no adequate words to convey to you, Mike, and Ed how grateful our family is for all of your hard work in helping us through the most difficult time of our lives. Your commitment to justice is unlike anything we have ever witnessed. Our tragedy became your tragedy. The three of you have become part of our family.
Harry, you explained everything necessary in terms which were comprehensible and helpful to us to better understand all that was presented. We are so grateful for that.
The compassion shown to us by not only the three of you, but everyone to whom we encountered at Fellerman & Ciarimboli was off the charts and so sincere.
We will grieve our profound loss for the rest of our lives, but all of you helped to make it a bit easier, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
God's Blessings to you and your family.
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Molly, Thank you so much! I can't tell you how much you mean to me, throughout this process, you have always been there and helped me through. I am glad it all came to a good ending and that it is over. But, I will miss you and you will always be referred to anyone that ever asks me for an amazing lawyer! Keep fighting for the people who need you! You are amazing at what you do, you're professional and genuine! I wish you all the best in your career and am happy that I chose you to take my case. Your team is amazing, too!- Nicole W.
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“Happy that the night that ruined a lot in my life was finally over. If you want a great firm, get things done right and efficiently, and have a team supporting you along your journey, I suggest F&C to be your choice!”- Nicole W.
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I was in a bad accident and I had my daughter in the car with me. I highly recommend this firm. My attorney Myer Messinger was very compassionate and offered empathy with helping me and my daughter with the mental agony we experienced after the accident. Mr Messinger is very professional and knowledgeable. We sat for hours for the mediation and he fought to get me the best settlement- Enide Jerome
