Rideshare services are everywhere in Massachusetts, from Boston nightlife to airport runs and suburban commutes. When a crash involves an Uber or Lyft — whether you were a passenger, another driver, a pedestrian, or a cyclist — the insurance picture is more complicated than an ordinary collision.
How Rideshare Insurance Works in Massachusetts
Uber and Lyft carry large insurance policies, but coverage depends on what the driver was doing at the moment of the crash. When the app is off, only the driver's personal auto insurance applies. When the app is on and the driver is waiting for a ride request, the rideshare company provides limited liability coverage. When the driver is en route to pick up a passenger or has a passenger in the car, the company's policy provides up to 1 million dollars in coverage.
Determining which 'period' applied at the time of the crash is essential to knowing which policy covers your injuries. Rideshare companies and their insurers often dispute coverage, which is why careful investigation matters.
Who Can Recover After a Rideshare Crash
Anyone injured in a rideshare crash may have a claim — the Uber or Lyft passenger, the rideshare driver, occupants of another vehicle, pedestrians, and cyclists. The at-fault party may be the rideshare driver, another motorist, or both. Sorting out liability and the applicable insurance layers requires experience with these specific cases.
Protecting Your Rideshare Injury Claim
Seek medical care promptly and document everything: screenshots of your ride in the app, the driver's information, photos of the scene, and witness contacts. Massachusetts' no-fault PIP coverage and comparative negligence rules apply just as they do in other auto crashes. The three-year statute of limitations generally governs. Because rideshare insurers fight hard to limit payouts, having an attorney who understands these claims is valuable.
Frequently Asked Questions
As an injured passenger, you may be covered by up to 1 million dollars in rideshare liability insurance, since the app was active with a passenger aboard. You can pursue compensation regardless of which driver was at fault.
Then only the driver's personal auto insurance generally applies. Determining the driver's status at the time of the crash is critical.
Generally three years from the date of the crash under Massachusetts law.
Nothing upfront. Our network attorneys work on contingency — no fee unless they recover compensation for you.
Injured in Massachusetts? Your free case review is one call away. Reach us at 973-566-5599 — available 24/7, no fee unless you win.