Great Falls Rideshare Accident Attorney

Who is Liable for an Uber or Lyft Accident?

Liability in rideshare accidents depends on the status of the driver/app at the time of the crash. Montana courts distinguish among three key scenarios:

Driver Is Logged Off

If the Uber or Lyft driver’s app is turned off and they are functioning as a private motorist, liability generally attaches to the driver’s personal auto insurance policy. That means bodily injury and property damage must be resolved through standard liability coverage, not the company’s commercial insurance.

You or your attorney must pursue a claim directly against the driver and their insurer. Contesting low settlement offers early on and proving legal negligence (e.g. distraction, speed, or failure to yield) is critical.

Driver Logged On but Not Carrying Passengers/Before Request

When the app is on and the driver is simply waiting for ride requests, the rideshare company’s contingent liability insurance may kick in, typically covering:

• $50,000 per person for bodily injury
• $100,000 per accident bodily injury
• $25,000 for property damage

During this period, both the driver's personal insurance and the company’s policy could overlap. Our approach is to:

• Obtain app activity logs (timestamped “available” status).
• Determine which policy applies first.
• Pursue all available coverage up to policy limits.

Driver En Route or With Passengers

Once the driver has accepted a ride or is actively transporting passengers, Uber/Lyft’s $1 million commercial liability insurance becomes the primary coverage for:

• Injuries to riders and third parties
• Damage to other vehicles or property

This policy also typically includes uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. As your Great Falls rideshare accident lawyer, we:

• Access trip logs and records via subpoena
• Demand full policy documentation
• Guide you through negotiations or litigation to maximize recovery.