Lyft & Uber Accident Attorney in Austin
Injured in an Austin Rideshare Accident?
When a ride with Uber or Lyft ends in a crash, you aren't just dealing with an individual driver—you're up against a multi-billion-dollar corporation and its aggressive insurance companies. At Smith & Vinson Law Firm, our Austin rideshare accident attorneys understand their playbook, and we are not intimidated.
These companies have teams of lawyers dedicated to paying you as little as possible. You need award-winning trial attorneys who will fight back. We cut through the confusion, protect your rights under Texas law, and demand the maximum compensation you deserve.
If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft, stop talking to insurance adjusters. Talk to us. Call (512) 359-3743 for a free, confidential consultation.
Why Choose Smith & Vinson Law Firm to Fight for You?
Not all personal injury firms are created equal. Insurance companies know which lawyers will accept a low offer and which lawyers will take them to court. We build every case for trial, and our reputation for fighting—and winning—is our greatest asset.
- We Are Trial Lawyers, Not a Settlement Mill: Our firm is led by aggressive, trial-tested attorneys. We prepare every case as if it's going to a jury, giving us the leverage to demand a full and fair settlement. If they refuse to pay what you deserve, we will not hesitate to take them to court.
- We Have a Record of High-Value Results: We have successfully recovered millions of dollars for our clients, including a $2.5 million personal injury settlement. We know what your case is worth and have the track record to prove we can win it.
- We Know How to Beat Powerful Opponents: Our attorneys have decades of experience taking on powerful adversaries. We bring that same fearless energy to every personal injury claim, holding massive corporations like Uber and Lyft accountable.
- You Pay Nothing Unless We Win: We handle all personal injury cases on a contingency-fee-basis. This means you pay no upfront costs, and we only collect a fee if we win your case.
Connect with an Austin Rideshare Accident Attorney Today
Don't let Uber, Lyft, or their insurance carriers decide your future. You deserve an aggressive advocate who will fight for your full recovery.
Call Smith & Vinson Law Firm at (512) 359-3743 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We are ready to listen, and we are ready to fight. You pay us nothing unless we win your case.
If you've been hurt due to someone else's negligence—whether in a car accident, slip and fall, or workplace incident—you may have a right to compensation.
Understanding Texas Rideshare Insurance (Uber & Lyft)
Rideshare cases are complex because the insurance coverage is tiered. Which policy pays for your injuries depends entirely on the driver's "status" in the app at the exact moment of the crash.
Texas law, under Chapter 1954 of the Insurance Code, sets these specific requirements:
- Phase 1: App Off (Driver is Offline)
- The driver is on their own time, and only their personal auto insurance applies. These policies often have low limits and may even deny the claim if they find out the driver was working for Uber or Lyft.
- Phase 2: App On, Waiting for a Request
- The driver is available but has not accepted a ride. In this phase, the rideshare company's contingent liability policy applies:
- $50,000 for bodily injury per person
- $100,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 for property damage per accident
- The driver is available but has not accepted a ride. In this phase, the rideshare company's contingent liability policy applies:
- Phase 3: App On (En Route to Passenger or During a Ride)
- This is the period from when the driver accepts the ride until you are dropped off. The full commercial policy is active:
- $1,000,000 in third-party liability coverage
- Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage
- This is the period from when the driver accepts the ride until you are dropped off. The full commercial policy is active:
Our team moves immediately to secure app logs, accident reports, and other digital evidence to prove which policy applies and ensure the multi-million dollar corporation is held responsible, not just the driver.
Austin’s Unique Rideshare Dangers
Austin’s streets create unique hazards. Festival traffic (like SXSW or ACL), scooters in bike lanes, and dense downtown entertainment districts lead to complex accidents. Insurance companies will try to use this chaos to blame you, the scooter rider, or another driver.
We understand these local tactics. Our deep knowledge of Travis County courts and Austin-specific traffic patterns allows us to build a case that anticipates and defeats these arguments, maximizing your recovery.
How Our Austin Rideshare Accident Lawyers Work for You
- Free Initial Consultation: We will listen to your story, review the facts of the crash, and explain your rights in plain English. We'll give you an honest assessment of your claim and how we can help.
- Aggressive Investigation: We immediately get to work, gathering police reports, medical records, and digital evidence from Uber or Lyft. We identify all liable parties—the driver, the company, or even a third driver—to maximize your claim.
- Demand & Negotiation: We compile a comprehensive demand package detailing your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We handle all communications with the insurance adjusters, protecting you from their lowball tactics.
- Litigation & Trial: If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, our trial-ready attorneys will file a lawsuit and fight for you in court.
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$180k Car Accident
Full Policy Limits Recovered for Injured Child - Our firm recently represented a young girl who suffered significant injuries when a reckless, uninsured driver slammed into her head-on. The at-fault driver carried no insurance, but we refused to let that leave our client without justice.
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$2.5M Personal Injury
Williamson County Live PD Raid: Our firm represented a family in a civil rights and personal injury case after Williamson County deputies staged a raid on their home for the reality show Live PD. The raid caused serious psychological and emotional injuries, leaving the family traumatized by an event that never should have happened.
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$75k Rear-End Collision
At our firm, we are proud to fight for clients who are injured through no fault of their own. In this case, our client was hit from behind when another driver recklessly smashed into her vehicle. She was left with painful injuries and faced mounting medical bills, missed work, and the stress that comes with being hurt in a crash.
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$810k Wrongful Death
Our client experienced every parent’s worst nightmare when an intruder entered the family’s home and attacked their young child. Hearing the struggle in the bedroom, the parent rushed in to fight off the attacker, but the child had already suffered catastrophic injuries. Despite being rushed to the hospital, the child later passed away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays for my injuries after a rideshare accident? Our job is to find all responsible parties. This could be the rideshare company's $1 million policy, the driver's personal or commercial insurance, or another at-fault motorist's policy. We pursue every available dollar.
Do I need to report my accident to Uber or Lyft? Yes. You should report the accident through the app and to your own insurer. However, do not give a recorded statement or accept a quick-cash offer from their adjuster until you have spoken to an attorney.
What if another driver (not the Uber/Lyft) caused the accident? If a third party hit your rideshare, their insurance is the primary target. If they are uninsured or underinsured, Uber/Lyft's Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may apply.
How soon should I seek legal advice? Immediately. The statute of limitations in Texas for personal injury claims is two years, but evidence disappears quickly. Contacting an attorney right away allows us to preserve crucial app data and witness statements.
Can I recover compensation for missed work and medical bills? Yes. You are entitled to seek compensation for all economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, future earning capacity) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, disfigurement, mental anguish).
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