
When an Uber or Lyft vehicle is involved in an accident, various issues may be raised that are different from those faced by other car crash victims. A New London Uber & Lyft accident lawyer can help injured passengers, drivers, and pedestrians comprehend how liability may be determined in these circumstances. Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-At-Law represents individuals who have been hurt in collisions involving a rideshare company, including Uber or Lyft.
For over 80 years, Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-At-Law has served as counsel in Connecticut on issues of serious injury and complex liability. Our firm’s personal injury attorneys in New London are Super Lawyers honorees, AV Preeminent-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, and are Best Lawyers-listed. Our firm’s extensive litigation and negotiation experience guides our clients through the unique insurance schemes involved in rideshare crashes.
Coverage for ridesharing accidents may vary based on when the driver is logged into the app. This could include waiting for a request to pick up a rider, driving to pick up a rider, or driving in New London to Bank Street or I-95 with a rider.
When a driver is logged into Uber or Lyft, coverage depends on the trip phase. If the driver is waiting for a request, both companies provide contingent liability coverage that is typically lower than when a ride is active.
After a trip is accepted or the passenger is in the car, both Uber and Lyft offer third-party liability and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage of up to $1 million in most states. Eligibility is generally dependent on the digital status of the trip.
Depending on the situation, policies, notices, and which insurer has priority may differ. Electronic trip information, timing, and communication with the ridesharing service may be important.
Liability for an app-based accident is not always clear and does not always lie with one motorist. There could be a ride-sharing driver involved, another vehicle operator, or coverage related to a transportation network company. In Connecticut, 83,750 crashes were reported in 2025. In those crashes, there were 156,647 vehicles and 200,650 people involved.
These statistics help to show that often, several parties are involved in claims after an accident. Liability can be found by taking into consideration many details. Contracts, insurance companies, and how the trip was logged can come into play when there are a variety of vehicles involved in the chain of events.
Evidence in an app-related accident can include more than the damage to the vehicles or medical reports. Trip logs, driver status records, electronic messages, and app information can all become relevant to the coverage and liability issues. Retaining such evidence early on can help define how the ride was rated and what coverages may apply.
There are many reasons why someone can be involved in a rideshare accident. The passenger who called for the service, a driver of the vehicle, or a pedestrian near the site can have individual recovery avenues. Policy limits, language, and fault analysis can vary from a typical two-vehicle collision.
Evaluating these differences can mean exploring how a company categorizes an in-progress trip, what insurance coverage may be available to a third person, and how medical records can substantiate the extent of an injury.
Rideshare accidents also sometimes occur with a driver who was not using the app at all. In those cases, a claim may go forward primarily against the outside driver but still needs to be coordinated with the rideshare-related coverage. The specific details of individual policies can influence where demands are directed and how available benefits are pursued.
Requests for recorded statements or authorizations may arise before treatment has stabilized or before individuals fully understand their injuries. Research examining rideshare activity has found that roughly one-third of surveyed rideshare drivers reported experiencing a crash while working, illustrating how frequently insurers encounter these claims. Information shared early may influence how responsibility, coverage, and damages are evaluated as a case develops.
Rideshare cases involve additional complications compared to other collision cases. Services like Uber and Lyft introduce trip contracts and digital documentation, along with distinct insurance terms that private vehicle accident cases don’t possess. Issues with the status of the trip, priority of coverages, and reporting requirements might surface initially. The dynamic nature of app-based transportation creates distinct procedural distinctions from traditional two-driver claims.
Ridesharing operations are also subject to state regulation. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 13b-117 and other similar statutes impose regulations on transportation network companies. The statutes include various requirements related to driver qualification and insurance requirements, as well as operational requirements.
Statutory requirements may affect trip designation, coverage requirements, and the reporting of claims to government agencies, among other aspects. In a crash scenario, some statutory requirements may overlap with the company requirements and affect claims or procedures. An overview of these requirements can help provide a context for actions taken by various parties after a crash.
Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584, a person injured in an accident in Connecticut generally has two years from the date the injury was first sustained or discovered to bring a claim. Delaying too long can bar recovery, even when liability and damages are clear. It’s imperative to hire an Uber & Lyft Accident lawyer who can help you gather all the necessary documentation and file a claim before the timeline expires.
Rideshare accidents often raise issues involving concurrent insurance policies, contracts, and state laws that can be foreign to the average citizen. Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-At-Law helps you explore your options and understand how these legal issues might affect your recovery. Contact our office to speak to one of our skilled car accident lawyers in New London and schedule a consultation today.