Rideshare crashes run on a coverage system built from app states: the driver’s personal policy when the app is off, contingent coverage when it’s on and waiting, and commercial-level coverage — commonly a million dollars — once a ride is accepted or a passenger aboard. The entire claim can turn on a timestamp, which is why rideshare cases begin with preserving the app data.
How Rideshare Claims Actually Work
- The period system. Pennsylvania’s transportation-network-company framework ties required coverage to app status — off / available / engaged — with the highest tier protecting passengers and third parties during rides.
- Passengers are covered claimants. Injured riders claim under the engaged-period coverage regardless of which driver caused the crash — the cleanest position in these cases.
- Third parties too. Struck pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers claim against whichever period applied at impact — the disputed zone where app-data preservation decides outcomes.
- The companies defend by classification. ‘Independent contractor’ arguments and period disputes are standard; the data and Pennsylvania’s TNC insurance mandates are the answers. Taxi crashes run a different structure — see our taxi practice; NHTSA frames the underlying crash patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
My Uber driver caused the crash. Do I sue the driver or Uber?
As a passenger you claim primarily against the engaged-period coverage — the practical target — while the formal defendants get mapped by the facts. Your job is medical care and the trip receipt; the corporate architecture is ours.
The rideshare driver hit me while ‘waiting for a ping.’ They say personal insurance only — which is minimal.
The available-period contingent coverage exists for exactly this gap, and app records prove the status. This is the most-disputed scenario in rideshare law and the reason preservation demands go out immediately.
Does it matter that I ordered the ride for someone else, or shared the ride?
Not to coverage during an engaged ride — occupants are protected. Keep the trip details in the app; screenshots today beat subpoenas later.
How long do I have to file?
Generally two years under Pennsylvania law — with a six-month written-notice requirement for claims against government entities and special rules for minors and late-discovered injuries.
What does hiring you cost?
No attorney’s fee unless we recover for you; the contingency percentage and case-cost handling are in the written fee agreement you review before signing. Consultations are free.
Ready to talk about your case? Call (215) 464-4600 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation — contingency fee, no attorney’s fee unless we recover, costs explained in the written fee agreement.