Every day Las Vegas residents and out-of-state visitors hail taxis or use a rideshare app to get where they need to go. While this is a very convenient form of transportation, a ride could turn into a nightmare if the driver causes an accident. Passengers sitting in the back seat—sometimes without access to seat belts—can suffer catastrophic injuries or death in a crash. If you or a family member was injured in a taxi or rideshare accident, our skilled legal team is here to fight for the compensation you deserve from all liable parties.
Causes of Nevada Taxi and Rideshare Accidents
Since taxi, Uber, and Lyft drivers can earn more money by completing multiple trips in a short amount of time, they may take risks that endanger their passengers. When drivers engage in unsafe practices and make poor choices, it is their passengers who pay the price when a crash occurs. Common causes of rideshare and taxicab collisions include:
- Speeding
- Unsafe lane changes
- Distracted driving
- Intoxication and drugged driving
- Traffic law violations
- Drowsy driving
- Lack of vehicle maintenance
- Inexperience and lack of training
Parties That May Be Held Accountable for Taxi or Rideshare Accident Injuries
There are a number of potentially liable parties in taxi or rideshare accidents. Identifying all the responsible parties is crucial to ensuring that you receive all the compensation you are entitled to for your injuries. Liable parties may include:
- Taxi driver
- Rideshare driver
- Taxicab company
- Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare company
- Other drivers who were partially or entirely at fault in causing the crash
- Manufacturers of the vehicle or its parts if a defect caused the wreck
Our experienced rideshare accident attorneys will investigate what happened in your crash to identify all possible liable parties.
Uber and Lyft Insurance Policy Coverage
Determining whether Uber’s or Lyft’s insurance will cover a passenger who is injured in a crash caused by one of their drivers is complicated. In part, it depends on which phase of activity the driver was in at the time of the crash:
- Phase 1: The driver is logged on and ready to accept passengers.
- Phase 2: The driver has accepted a passenger’s request and is on the way to pick them up.
- Phase 3: The driver is taking a passenger to their destination.
If the driver is not logged into the rideshare app when an accident occurs, they are not considered to be driving for Uber or Lyft. In this case, the company would not be responsible for compensating an injured crash victim.
Under Nevada law, rideshare companies are required to supply insurance to drivers who are providing transportation services. The amount of coverage will depend on the driver’s phase of activity. Following are the minimum required insurance amounts:
- Phase 1: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for personal injuries and $25,000 for property damage
- Phases 2 and 3: $1.5 million for personal injuries or property damage per accident, which is more than the $1 million in coverage that Uber and Lyft provide in other states
In addition, Uber provides $1 million in uninsured and underinsured insurance coverage per accident. This coverage applies to accident injuries that occur when another driver is at fault, and they are uninsured or don’t have enough insurance.
Taxi Insurance Coverage
Taxicab companies are also required to provide a minimum amount of insurance coverage if their drivers cause a taxi accident. They must provide $250,000 per person for personal injuries and $500,000 per accident in coverage. Their insurance policy must also cover $50,000 in property damage per accident.
Five Steps to Take After a Taxi or Rideshare Accident
Unfortunately, the insurance company for the negligent party may not agree to pay you what you are owed even if their driver’s negligence is clear-cut. If you are injured in a taxi or rideshare crash, take the following steps to protect your legal rights:
- Seek prompt medical care for your injuries.
- Contact the police and obtain a copy of the police report.
- Obtain contact information for all drivers, their insurance companies, and witnesses to your crash.
- Take pictures of the damage to the vehicles, the accident scene, weather conditions, your injuries, and anything else you believe would be helpful.
- Retain an experienced taxi and rideshare lawyer to collect the evidence you need, file your claim, and negotiate your settlement with the insurance company.
Contact Us If You Were Injured in a Taxi or Rideshare Accident
Were you or a loved one hurt in a taxi or rideshare accident? Our experienced taxi and rideshare lawyers are here to help. We handle these cases for residents of Henderson and Las Vegas as well as out-of-state visitors. To learn about your legal options and how we can assist you, call our Henderson office today at 702.405.6000 to schedule your free consultation.
