Indianapolis Rideshare Accident Attorney

How Rideshare Accidents Are Different from Standard Car Crashes

Rideshare accidents are not like ordinary car accident cases. Transportation network companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft operate under stricter regulations. Indiana’s TNC statute imposes licensing, background check, and insurance requirements that don't apply to private drivers.

Rideshare companies’ internal policies also affect how victims seek compensation after a crash. Understanding these policies can be the difference between a fair settlement and a denied claim. Our attorneys handle this analysis and pursue the right insurer from day one.

Different insurance coverage applies depending on what the driver was doing at the time of the crash.

Period 1

When the app is on but the driver has not accepted a ride, the driver's personal auto insurance is primary. If that policy doesn’t fully cover a claimant’s losses, the rideshare company provides limited contingent liability coverage of $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage under Indiana minimum TNC standards.

Period 2

In Period 2, the driver has accepted a ride and is en route to pick up a passenger. The rideshare company's commercial policy applies if the driver causes a crash, with up to $1,000,000 in combined liability and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Period 3

If a passenger is in the vehicle, the rideshare service’s $1,000,000 policy remains in full effect, covering any injuries to the passenger or other road users.

Who Can File a Rideshare Accident Claim?

Anyone involved in a rideshare accident may have the right to pursue compensation for their injuries. However, where you were and what you were doing during the accident will affect your legal options.

Rideshare Passengers

Injured rideshare passengers generally have the most straightforward path to compensation since they are unlikely to be at fault. They typically bring claims against the rideshare company's commercial policy or against the at-fault party’s policy if another driver caused the accident.

Occupants of Other Vehicles

Drivers and passengers in vehicles struck by a rideshare driver can pursue a claim through either the driver’s or the rideshare company’s insurer, depending on the driver’s status at the time of the accident. The rideshare insurance structure adds complexity to these claims, but it also provides coverage limits that often exceed those in standard crashes.

Pedestrians and Cyclists

Pedestrians and cyclists hit by rideshare drivers often sustain serious injuries due to the absence of any protective barrier. Depending on the driver's status at the time of impact, these victims may file claims against the driver, the rideshare company's insurer, or both.

Rideshare Drivers

A rideshare driver is not always at fault for crashes that happen while they are working. When another driver's negligence caused an accident, the driver or passenger can pursue a claim through the at-fault driver’s insurer. If that driver’s policy isn’t large enough to cover their losses, the rideshare company’s policy may kick in.

Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents in Indianapolis

The rideshare business model creates pressure on drivers that contributes directly to unsafe behavior on the road.

Drivers are paid per completed trip, which incentivizes them to rush, and they often stay behind the wheel longer than is safe. Many people drive for Uber and Lyft as a second or third job, which means they are often fatigued even before they get behind the wheel.

Common causes of rideshare accidents in Indianapolis include:

• Distracted driving: Monitoring the app, accepting new requests, or checking the GPS while operating a vehicle.
• Driver fatigue: Long hours behind the wheel without adequate rest.
• Speeding: Rushing between pickups to maximize earnings.
• Inexperience: Unfamiliarity with certain neighborhoods, highway interchanges, or high-traffic zones around downtown Indianapolis.
• Impaired driving: Alcohol or drug use, sometimes after the rideshare company fails to investigate passenger complaints.
• Dangerous pickup and drop-off maneuvers: Stopping abruptly in traffic, pulling into bike lanes, or blocking intersections.

Our investigation team determines what caused your accident and which parties bear responsibility. This allows us to build a strong foundation for your claim from the start.

Injuries Common in Rideshare Collisions

The injuries that follow a rideshare crash can range from temporarily painful to permanently life-altering. Common injuries in these cases include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Caused by head contact with vehicle interiors or from the force of sudden deceleration.
• Spinal cord injuries: Herniated discs, vertebral fractures, and in severe cases, partial or complete paralysis.
• Whiplash and soft tissue injuries: Capable of producing long-term pain and restricting movement.
• Broken bones: Fractures or crushing injuries to arms, legs, ribs, and collarbones.
• Internal organ damage: Blunt force trauma from contact with the vehicle interior.
• Lacerations and scarring: From shattered glass or sharp vehicle components.
• Psychological trauma: PTSD, anxiety, and fear of riding in vehicles after a serious crash.

If you suffered any serious harm in a rideshare accident, CohenMalad, LLP is ready to pursue the full value of your claim.

Compensation Available After a Rideshare Accident

Victims of rideshare accidents in Indiana may be entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are measurable financial losses tied directly to the accident:

• Medical expenses: Emergency medical care, hospitalization, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and all future care related to your injuries.
• Lost wages: Income you were unable to earn during your recovery period.
• Diminished earning capacity: Compensation for reduced income if your injuries affect your long-term employment prospects.
• Property damage: Repair or replacement of personal belongings damaged in the accident.

Many injured people underestimate the amount of economic damages they can seek. That’s why we work with medical professionals and economic analysts to account for every current and future loss.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages go beyond any receipt or pay stub to reflect the human cost of an injury:

• Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain and discomfort caused by your injuries, both past and ongoing.
• Emotional distress: Damages for anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other lasting psychological effects of the crash.
• Loss of enjoyment of life: Recognition that your injuries have limited your ability to participate in activities and relationships you once valued.

If a loved one died in a rideshare crash, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim for funeral costs, lost financial support, and loss of companionship.

Indiana Laws and Regulations Governing Rideshare Accident Claims

Rideshare accident claims in Indiana are shaped by state statutes, including TNC-specific regulations. Knowing how these provisions apply is essential to building a successful claim.

Indiana's TNC Regulations

Under Indiana's TNC statutes, rideshare companies must obtain state permits, investigate reports of alcohol or drug use, and maintain insurance coverage thresholds that vary based on the driver's status at the time of a crash.

These requirements establish a higher accountability standard that can support negligence claims against both the driver and the company when violations occur.

Indiana's Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims

Most Indiana car accident claims must be filed within two years of the accident date. Missing this deadline may permanently bar recovery, no matter how strong the case may be.

Certain exceptions shorten this window considerably. For example, claims involving government entities may require action within 180 days. This makes it important to consult an attorney promptly.

Indiana's Modified Comparative Fault Rule

Indiana follows a modified comparative fault system under which you can still recover compensation as long as you are found 50% or less responsible for the accident. However, your compensation will be lower, depending on your percentage of fault.

Insurance companies frequently attempt to inflate how responsible a claimant was for an accident during negotiations. An experienced legal advocate can challenge those assertions.

Steps to Take After a Rideshare Accident in Indianapolis

The actions you take after a rideshare crash can affect the strength of your claim. If possible, take the following steps:

1. Call 911: Request help from first responders since a police report creates an official record of what happened.
2. Seek medical attention promptly: Some serious injuries do not produce immediate symptoms, so a thorough evaluation protects both your health and your legal claim.
3. Document the scene: Photograph the vehicles, the road conditions, any visible injuries, and anything else that reflects how the crash occurred.
4. Get driver information: Record the names, vehicle details, and license plate numbers of anyone involved in the crash.
5. Screenshot the app: Capture the trip details from the app before the session closes or the status updates.
6. Report the accident through the app: Both Uber and Lyft have in-app reporting tools that create an official record; report the facts, but don’t speculate.
7. Gather witness contact information: Names and phone numbers of bystanders or other passengers can prove valuable in liability disputes.
8. Avoid social media posts: Insurance adjusters monitor claimants' accounts for photos or statements that they can use to try to undercut your credibility.

Taking these steps puts you in a stronger position from the start. After we take on your case, our team handles all communications with insurers while you focus on your recovery.