Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers in South Carolina
Rideshare services have transformed transportation in the Charleston area, but they have also introduced new crash risks and insurance complexities. When an Uber or Lyft driver causes an accident — or when a rideshare passenger is injured by another driver — determining which insurance policy applies requires understanding the layered coverage system that rideshare companies use.
Roden Law’s North Charleston office handles rideshare accident claims throughout the Lowcountry. Our attorneys understand the three-tier insurance structure that Uber and Lyft use and know how to pursue maximum compensation regardless of which coverage phase applies.
How Rideshare Insurance Works
Uber and Lyft provide different levels of insurance depending on the driver’s status at the time of the crash:
Phase 1: App On, No Ride Accepted
When the driver has the app open but hasn’t accepted a ride request:
- Uber/Lyft provides: $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident bodily injury, $25,000 property damage
- The driver’s personal auto insurance is primary — but most personal policies exclude commercial rideshare activity
- This creates a dangerous gap where coverage may be disputed by both insurers
Phase 2: Ride Accepted, En Route to Pickup
Once the driver accepts a ride and is traveling to pick up the passenger:
- Uber/Lyft provides: $1,000,000 in third-party liability coverage
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage also activates
- Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage applies (with a deductible)
Phase 3: Passenger in Vehicle
While a passenger is in the vehicle (pickup to drop-off):
- Uber/Lyft provides: $1,000,000 in third-party liability coverage
- $1,000,000 in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
- Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage
Common Rideshare Accident Scenarios in North Charleston
- Distracted driving: Rideshare drivers checking the app for ride requests, navigating to pickup locations, or communicating with passengers through the app while driving on busy corridors like Rivers Avenue and I-26
- Sudden stops for pickups/drop-offs: Drivers stopping abruptly in travel lanes on Ashley Phosphate Road or Dorchester Road to pick up passengers, causing rear-end crashes
- Unfamiliar routes: Drivers following GPS into unfamiliar neighborhoods, making erratic turns or wrong-way movements
- Fatigue: Drivers working long hours to maximize earnings, leading to drowsy driving during late-night shifts
- Airport corridor traffic: High rideshare activity on International Boulevard and Aviation Avenue near Charleston International Airport
Who Can File a Rideshare Accident Claim?
- Rideshare passengers injured during a ride — claim against driver’s coverage and/or the at-fault third party
- Other drivers hit by a rideshare vehicle — claim against Uber/Lyft’s commercial policy
- Pedestrians and cyclists struck by a rideshare vehicle — claim against driver and company policy
- Rideshare drivers hit by another vehicle — claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance plus UM/UIM coverage
Challenges in Rideshare Claims
Rideshare accident cases are more complex than standard car accident claims because:
- Multiple insurers: The driver’s personal insurer, Uber/Lyft’s commercial insurer, and the at-fault party’s insurer may all be involved — and all try to shift responsibility to others
- App status disputes: Uber and Lyft may claim the driver was not logged in at the time of the crash, denying coverage. Trip data must be subpoenaed to prove the driver’s status
- Independent contractor defense: Uber and Lyft classify drivers as independent contractors, complicating claims against the company itself
- Rapid evidence loss: Trip records, GPS data, and driver communications must be preserved quickly before they are overwritten
South Carolina Law and Rideshare Accidents
South Carolina’s Transportation Network Company (TNC) Act requires rideshare companies to maintain the insurance coverages described above. You have 3 years to file a claim (S.C. Code § 15-3-530). The comparative fault rule allows recovery if you are less than 51% at fault.
Free Consultation
Roden Law handles Uber and Lyft accident cases on contingency. Call (843) 612-6561 for a free case evaluation. We will determine which insurance coverage applies and pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.
