Rideshare Accident Claims in Louisiana: What Uber and Lyft Passengers Need to Know

Rideshare Accident Claims in Louisiana: What Uber and Lyft Passengers Need to Know

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have become a daily part of life in Shreveport, but when a ride ends in a crash, injured passengers often discover that getting compensated is far more complicated than they expected. Multiple insurance policies, questions about who was at fault, and corporate legal teams all come into play. If you were hurt in a rideshare accident, understanding how these claims work under Louisiana law can help you protect your rights from day one.

How Rideshare Insurance Works: The Three Phases

Rideshare insurance coverage depends entirely on what the driver was doing at the moment of the crash. Louisiana law, including the Transportation Network Company regulations found in La. R.S. 45:201.1 and following, sets specific insurance requirements for each phase:

• Phase 1: App off. If the driver's app was off, the driver is treated like any other motorist. Only the driver's personal auto insurance applies, and Uber or Lyft's coverage plays no role.
• Phase 2: App on, waiting for a ride request. When the driver is logged in but has not yet accepted a ride, Louisiana law requires contingent liability coverage of at least $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. This coverage typically applies only if the driver's personal policy denies the claim.
• Phase 3: En route to a pickup or passenger in the car. Once a driver accepts a ride request, and for the entire time a passenger is in the vehicle, Uber and Lyft must provide at least $1 million in liability coverage, along with uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.

For injured passengers, Phase 3 is where most claims fall, and it is generally good news: there is substantial coverage available. The challenge is figuring out which policy applies and who should pay.

When the Rideshare Driver Is at Fault

If your Uber or Lyft driver caused the crash, your claim is typically made against the rideshare company's $1 million liability policy. This can cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. However, the rideshare company's insurer is not on your side. Adjusters may contact you quickly with a low settlement offer or ask for recorded statements that can later be used to minimize your claim.

When a Third Party Is at Fault

If another driver caused the collision, your primary claim is against that driver's liability insurance. Louisiana's minimum liability limits are relatively low, so if your injuries are serious and the at-fault driver's policy is insufficient, you may be able to turn to the rideshare company's uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage for additional compensation. Coordinating these claims correctly matters, because mistakes can cost you access to coverage you were entitled to.

Louisiana's Comparative Fault Rules

Louisiana follows a comparative fault system under Civil Code Article 2323. In plain terms, if you are found partially responsible for your own injuries, your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault. Passengers are rarely assigned fault in a crash, but insurers sometimes argue that a passenger contributed to their injuries, for example by not wearing a seat belt. Louisiana also recently amended its comparative fault rules for claims arising on or after January 1, 2026, shifting from a pure comparative system to one that can bar recovery when a claimant is found 51 percent or more at fault. Because fault allocation directly affects what you can recover, having accurate legal guidance on the rules that apply to your specific accident date is important.

Why Rideshare Claims Are More Complex Than Standard Crashes

A typical two-car accident usually involves two drivers and two insurance policies. A rideshare accident can involve the rideshare driver's personal policy, the rideshare company's commercial policy, a third-party driver's policy, and uninsured motorist coverage, all at once. On top of that, Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors, which the companies use to distance themselves from direct liability. Determining the driver's app status at the time of the crash often requires obtaining electronic records, and insurers may dispute which phase applied. These layers make rideshare claims slower, more contested, and easier to mishandle without experienced help.

Documentation That Helps From the Start

The steps you take in the hours and days after a rideshare accident can make or break your claim. If you are able, gather the following:

• Screenshots of your ride receipt, trip details, and the driver's name and license plate in the app
• Photos of the vehicles, the crash scene, visible injuries, and road conditions
• The police report number and responding agency
• Names and contact information for witnesses and all drivers involved
• Medical records from your first evaluation and all follow-up treatment
• A journal of your symptoms, missed work, and how the injuries affect daily life

Seek medical attention even if you feel fine. Some injuries, including concussions and soft tissue damage, take days to fully appear, and gaps in treatment give insurers an excuse to argue you were not really hurt.

When to Involve a Personal Injury Attorney

You should strongly consider speaking with an attorney if you suffered any injury requiring medical treatment, if fault is disputed, if multiple vehicles were involved, or if an insurer has already contacted you with a settlement offer. Louisiana has a two-year prescriptive period for most personal injury claims arising on or after July 1, 2024, but waiting hurts your case. Evidence disappears, app data becomes harder to obtain, and witnesses forget details. An attorney can identify every available insurance policy, handle communications with adjusters, and build the documentation needed to pursue full compensation.

At Todd M. Johnson, LLC, we represent injured rideshare passengers throughout the Shreveport area. If you or a loved one was hurt in an Uber or Lyft accident, call us today at (318) 222-4444 or visit toddmjohnson.com for a consultation. Our office is located at 400 Travis St, Shreveport, LA 71101, and we are ready to help you understand your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

This article is for general information and does not constitute legal advice. Contact our office to discuss the specific facts of your case.