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Last Modified on Nov 13, 2026
Thousands of people throughout North Carolina use rideshare services like Uber and Lyft every day. If you use these services, it is important to know what to expect if you are involved in an accident and how Uber and Lyft insurance coverage works in North Carolina. You may be able to claim compensation from the at-fault driver’s policy, but you could also recover compensation from the rideshare company’s commercial policy.
How Uber and Lyft Insurance Coverage Works in North Carolina
Both Uber and Lyft are required to have insurance, and these companies require their drivers to have individual auto insurance policies that meet the state’s minimum coverage requirements. While Uber and Lyft drivers are independent contractors, not employees, it’s possible for a rideshare company to share liability for an accident involving one of their drivers.
It is important to remember that rideshare drivers are not trained professionals. They are ordinary people who work for rideshare companies to make a living, and they are not considered regular employees. These drivers are just as likely as anyone else to cause accidents. While rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft perform background checks and other eligibility screenings, you face the same risk in a rideshare driver’s vehicle as you would in any other.
When an accident occurs involving an Uber or Lyft driver, however, the legal proceedings that follow are often quite different from what an experienced Gastonia car accident lawyer sees after most other types of vehicle accidents. The timing and circumstances of the accident dictate how insurance coverage works:
When the driver is not logged into their Driver app and is using their vehicle for personal reasons, their own auto insurance policy would apply if they caused an accident. This case would essentially be like any other vehicle accident in North Carolina; fault would determine liability, and if someone was injured, they would claim compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance policy.
Once the driver logs into their Driver app, the first level of the rideshare company’s insurance comes into effect. Both Uber and Lyft have equivalent commercial policies that will apply as third-party coverage when their driver’s personal coverage does not apply. This coverage includes up to $50,000 for bodily injury to one person, up to $100,000 for injuries to multiple people in the same accident, and up to $25,000 in property damage liability coverage.
After a driver picks up a passenger, the second level of the rideshare company’s insurance applies until the driver delivers the passenger to their destination. This level of coverage includes up to $1 million in third-party liability coverage. Rideshare companies also have additional insurance to cover their drivers, even when their drivers are at fault for causing accidents, under certain conditions.
What to Do After a Rideshare Accident in North Carolina
If you or a family member is injured in an accident involving a rideshare driver in North Carolina, the first steps you take immediately following the accident are crucial. Just like after any other vehicle accident in North Carolina, proving fault will be an important first step in your case. If you were driving your own vehicle, then you must also be prepared to address any allegations of contributory negligence that could dismantle your claim for damages.
If you were riding as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, it is unlikely that you will be found liable for the accident in any way unless you intentionally interfered with the driver’s ability to control their vehicle. You should hire a dedicated rideshare accident lawyer as soon as possible to help you claim compensation for the damages you suffered. Also, even if you were clearly not at fault, you must be ready to prove who caused the accident and how they caused it.
Liability for the accident will dictate how to direct your recovery efforts. If your rideshare driver caused the accident, then the rideshare company’s higher tier of coverage applies since the driver was carrying a passenger. Your attorney can assist you with filing your claim, and their help will be invaluable if you encounter any complications with the rideshare company’s insurance carrier. You are more likely to receive a fair settlement offer if you have legal representation.
If the driver of another vehicle caused the accident, then the at-fault driver’s policy is your primary recovery option. You will need to file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy, but the rideshare company’s insurance could apply as third-party coverage under certain conditions. It is also possible to have grounds for multiple insurance claims if both your rideshare driver and the driver of another vehicle shared fault for the accident.
Why You Should Hire a Rideshare Accident Lawyer
Resolving the legal aftermath of an Uber or Lyft accident is very different from what you can expect after most other accidents in North Carolina. You still need to prove liability for the accident and accurately calculate your total damages, but determining which insurance applies to your accident and the optimal way to recover your losses could be more difficult than you expect.
When you hire a rideshare accident lawyer to represent you, dealing with insurance company representatives becomes much easier. Most insurance companies attempt to settle these claims for as little as possible, and some will even attempt to take advantage of injured claimants to avoid paying out settlements. However, insurance company representatives are more likely to treat you fairly if they see that you have legal representation.
If you have grounds to file a claim against a rideshare company’s insurance, your attorney is your most valuable asset when it comes to securing as much compensation as possible for the damages you suffered. Your attorney may also determine that you have grounds for alternative legal recourse that may yield additional compensation. For example, a rideshare company is liable for negligent hiring that allowed your accident to happen.
Ultimately, any rideshare accident is just as dangerous as any other vehicle accident, but the legal aftermath is often far more difficult to navigate. If you believe another party is liable for your recent Uber or Lyft accident in North Carolina, it is crucial to hire a rideshare accident lawyer you can trust as soon as possible. The Roberts Law Firm, P.A. is ready to assist you, so reach out to our firm at your first opportunity to learn more about the legal services we offer.
FAQs
Q: How Do You Prove Fault for a Rideshare Accident in North Carolina?
A: Proving fault for a rideshare accident in North Carolina may require evidence like police reports, witness statements, vehicle computer data, cell phone records, and documentation from the rideshare company. You may also need physical evidence from the scene of the crash. Record as much as you can from the accident while you wait for first responders, and your attorney will know how to obtain the other evidence you need to prove liability.
Q: Do Rideshare Drivers Need Special Insurance in North Carolina?
A: In North Carolina, rideshare drivers need to have auto insurance that meets the state’s minimum coverage requirements. While they are not required to buy specific policies, they do need to notify their insurance carriers that they work as rideshare drivers. The North Carolina Department of Insurance requires rideshare drivers to disclose these activities to their insurance carriers to prevent claim denials.
Q: How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Rideshare Accident?
A: The total amount of compensation you can claim for a rideshare accident depends on several factors, primarily the nature and severity of the injuries you suffered. A North Carolina rideshare accident attorney can calculate your medical expenses, lost income, and other economic losses, and they can also help you recover a suitable amount of compensation for your pain and suffering.
Q: What Does Contributory Negligence Mean in a North Carolina Rideshare Accident Claim?
A: In a North Carolina rideshare accident claim, contributory negligence could negate a plaintiff’s ability to claim compensation from a defendant. If a plaintiff is found even slightly at fault for causing their accident, this will bar them from claiming any compensation for their damages. If you are concerned that you bear partial fault for an accident, consult an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
Q: Why Should I Hire a Rideshare Accident Lawyer?
A: You should hire a rideshare accident lawyer to have a better chance of securing appropriate compensation for your damages. The right attorney can help you prove liability for the accident, assess your total losses, and determine the optimal way to recover compensation. Dealing with a driver’s insurance carrier and/or a rideshare company’s insurance carrier in North Carolina will be much easier with an experienced attorney’s help.
The aftermath of an Uber or Lyft accident in North Carolina can be confusing and traumatic. The first steps you take in this situation can dramatically affect the outcome of any recovery efforts you attempt, and it’s vital to know where to turn for help in this situation. If you don’t know how Uber and Lyft insurance coverage works in North Carolina, contact Roberts Law Firm, P.A. today to schedule a free consultation with our team.
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