Rideshare accidents can feel confusing. You’re not the driver. You didn’t cause the crash. But now you’re stuck with medical bills, questions about liability, and an app that’s giving you generic support replies.
If you were hurt in an Uber or Lyft accident in Houston, you do have rights—and you may be entitled to compensation. But don’t expect Uber or Lyft to walk you through the process. However, a Houston car accident lawyer will.
Here’s what you need to know and do, step by step.
Step 1: Get Medical Help First
Even if you think you’re okay, get checked out. Some injuries take time to show up—especially:
- Whiplash
- Concussions
- Back or spine injuries
- Internal bleeding
Your medical records will also be a critical part of your injury claim. Without documentation, the insurance company will argue that you weren’t really hurt.
✅ Pro Tip: Don’t wait for Uber or Lyft to offer help with a doctor. They won’t. You’re on your own.
Step 2: Get the Rideshare Info While You Can
Right after the crash—if you’re physically able—collect this info:
- Your driver’s name and contact info
- Their Uber or Lyft profile screenshot
- The license plate and make/model of the car
- Screenshots of your trip (time, route, destination)
- Any police report or case number
If another vehicle was involved, get their info too. Rideshare crashes often involve multiple cars, and fault may not be clear at first.
Step 3: Report the Crash in the App (But Be Careful What You Say)
Both Uber and Lyft have “help” sections to report accidents. You’ll need to fill this out to get the claim process started.
BUT: Don’t give a recorded or written statement about your injuries or the accident details without talking to a lawyer first. Why?
- They may use it to deny or downplay your claim
- You might say something that hurts your case later
- You’re talking to a company, not an advocate
✅ Pro Tip: Stick to basic facts: date, location, and that you were injured. Say you’re seeking medical attention. That’s it.
Step 4: Understand Who’s Actually Paying
Uber and Lyft don’t directly pay injury claims. Here’s how it works:
- If another driver caused the crash, their insurance pays first.
- If your Uber/Lyft driver was at fault, Uber/Lyft’s $1M liability policy may kick in.
- If the at-fault driver has no insurance, the rideshare company may still cover your injuries through their uninsured motorist coverage.
But they’ll all try to point fingers and shift blame.
That’s why having an experienced attorney can help cut through the back-and-forth—and get to the money.
Step 5: Don’t Accept the First Settlement Offer
Rideshare insurers move fast. They want to settle before:
- You realize how serious your injuries are
- You understand your legal options
- You get a lawyer involved
They may offer a small payout within days. But once you accept, you can’t go back—even if you need surgery later or miss months of work.
✅ Bottom line: If you’re being offered money quickly, they know you have a case.
Step 6: Talk to a Rideshare Accident Lawyer Before You Sign Anything
A lawyer can:
- Deal with the Uber/Lyft insurance teams directly
- Estimate what your case is really worth
- Help you get ongoing medical care
- Handle all the paperwork, deadlines, and legal filings
- Make sure you don’t get lowballed or ignored
Best of all? Most personal injury lawyers (including our firm) work on a contingency fee—you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Who’s Most at Risk in a Rideshare Accident?
In Uber/Lyft crashes, passengers often suffer worse injuries than the drivers—especially in rear-end and side-impact collisions.
We’ve helped:
- Passengers in stopped or turning rideshares
- Riders in vehicles hit by speeding or distracted drivers
- Victims in multi-car pileups where fault wasn’t clear
- People injured while entering or exiting an Uber/Lyft
You don’t have to prove fault on your own. Let us handle that while you focus on recovery.
Final Thoughts
Uber and Lyft have deep pockets—and aggressive insurance teams. If you were hurt while riding in one of their cars in Houston, don’t let them rush you, confuse you, or underpay your claim.
Call Attorney Omar today for a FREE consultation. We’ll deal with the rideshare companies so you don’t have to.