Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have revolutionized transportation, offering convenience to millions of passengers. However, with the increase in rideshare usage, there has also been a rise in accidents involving Uber and Lyft vehicles. If you or someone you love has been injured in a rideshare accident in Virginia Beach or the surrounding communities, an Uber accident lawyer or Lyft crash attorney can help protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
As rideshare accident lawyers, we help both passengers and drivers injured in Uber and Lyft rideshare crashes. Call us today for a free consultation and case evaluation with an experienced Virginia Beach Uber accident lawyer or Lyft crash attorney at (833) 997-1774.
We represent clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning that we only receive a fee if compensation is recovered. Thus it does not cost anything to get a case started, and there is never a risk of paying legal fees if money is not obtained.
As a full-service injury law firm, we also advance all costs and expenses of litigation while a case is ongoing (normally costs and expenses are repaid from the proceeds of a settlement or verdict).
What Should I Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Virginia Beach?
Taking the right steps immediately after a rideshare accident can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation. Here’s what you should do:
- Call 911: Report the accident to local law enforcement, even if it seems minor. A police report will serve as valuable evidence.
- Seek Medical Attention: Prioritize your health and get evaluated by a medical professional, even if you feel fine initially. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal injuries, may not show symptoms immediately.
- Document the Scene: If possible, take photos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
- Exchange Information: Collect the contact and insurance information of all involved parties, including the rideshare driver and other drivers.
- Report the Accident to the Rideshare Company: Both Uber and Lyft have in-app features to report accidents. This step is essential for initiating a claim.
- Contact a Lyft Accident Lawyer or Uber Crash Attorney: Before speaking with insurance adjusters, consult with a rideshare accident lawyer who can guide you on your rights and options.
How Do Uber and Lyft Accidents Differ from Other Vehicle Accidents?
One of the primary differences between crashes involving Uber and Lyft drivers and non-commercial drivers is the amount of insurance typically available to injury victims.
As of 2025, Virginia only requires drivers to have $50,000 of insurance for bodily injury and $100,000 of insurance per accident. In severe injury cases, these limits are wholly inadequate to compensate those injured, as damages will often include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. As people liable for accident causation often lack significant financial resources from which a judgement or settlement can be paid, many crash victims do not receive the full compensation to which they are entitled.
Compared to non-commercial vehicle crashes, higher levels of insurance are often available in accidents involving Uber and Lyft drivers. This increased level of insurance means that in general it is more likely that a crash victim will receive full compensation for their injuries compared to a non-rideshare crash.
How Much Insurance Coverage do Uber and Lyft Drivers Have?
Uber and Lyft both provide tiered insurance for driver liability based upon the activity of the driver at the time of the accident. This insurance is in addition to the driver’s personal auto insurance. Under Uber and Lyft policies, when the app is off, only the driver’s personal insurance applies. When the app is on, however, Uber and Lyft offer varying levels of coverage depending on the circumstances:
- Waiting for a Ride Request: Uber and Lyft provide liability coverage of up to $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
- En Route to Pick Up a Passenger or Transporting a Passenger: Both companies currently offer a $1 million liability policy, which covers injuries and damages resulting from crashes occurring during these activities. Additionally, Uber and Lyft provide a $1 million uninsured or underinsured motorist policy that may apply if another driver is at fault and lacks sufficient insurance.
It’s crucial to understand these distinctions, as the type of insurance coverage available can significantly impact a crash victim’s ability to recover full compensation after an accident.
Who is Liable for an Uber, Lyft, or other Rideshare Accident Company?
Like other accidents, liability will be determined based upon the specific circumstances of the crash. As Uber crash attorneys and Lyft accident lawyers, we are meticulous in making the case of our clients for full compensation.
What Types of Compensation Can I Recover After a Rideshare Accident?
Victims of Uber and Lyft accidents in Virginia Beach may be eligible for compensation including:
§ Medical Expenses: Injury victims are entitled to recover all expenses for emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, medications, and medical treatment for their injuries. If future medical treatment is likely, an injury victim is also entitled to the expected cost for such care.
§ Lost Wages: Injury victims are also entitled to compensation for income lost during their recovery and for any future lost wages if they need to miss work for future medical treatment.
§ Reduced Earning Capacity: In some cases, injuries can limit the future earning capacity of a victim if they are no longer able to continue in their current profession or job. If this is the case, injury victims are entitled to the difference in the income that they would have earned compared to their new earning capacity for the remainder of their expected career.
§ Pain and Suffering and Loss of Quality of Life: These are intangible damages meant to compensate victims for the physical pain and suffering endured at the time of the injury, as well as ongoing pain and suffering and future pain and suffering resulting from their condition (including pain and suffering for future surgery and medical treatment). Loss of quality of life damages are meant to compensate injury victims if they can no longer enjoy or engage in activities that they previously participated in, such as sporting activities or physical activities with family members.
§ Property Damage: Property damage includes reimbursement for repair or replacement of vehicles and other personal property.
§ Wrongful Death Damages: In cases of fatal accidents, surviving family members may pursue compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and emotional suffering.
What Are the Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents in Virginia Beach?
According to Drive Smart Virginia, there were 920 fatalities from vehicle crashes in 2024.[1] With the growing popularity of rideshare services, these numbers highlight the risks passengers and other road users face.
Rideshare accidents can occur for many reasons, often involving driver error or negligence. Common causes include:
- Distracted driving (e.g., texting, using the rideshare app while driving).
- Speeding or reckless driving.
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Fatigue, particularly from long hours behind the wheel.
- Failure to obey traffic laws or road signs.
- Inadequate vehicle maintenance.
How Long Do I Have to File an Uber Accident or Lyft Crash Lawsuit in Virginia?
In Virginia, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit, including claims arising from Uber and Lyft accidents, is generally two years from the date of the accident. This means you must file your lawsuit within two years or you risk losing your right to pursue compensation.
There are a few exceptions to this time period:
Claims for Minors
If the injured person is under 18 years old, the two-year statute of limitations typically does not begin until the person reaches the age of 18. This means they may have until their 20th birthday to file a claim.
Wrongful Death Cases
If a rideshare accident results in a fatality, the two-year statute of limitations begins on the date of the victim’s death—not the date of the accident.
Discovery Rule
In some cases, an injury may not become apparent immediately after the accident. Under Virginia’s “discovery rule,” the statute of limitations may be extended to two years from the date the injury was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered.
Government-Related Claims
If the rideshare accident involves a government-owned vehicle or occurs on government property, you may need to file a claim against a government entity. If the state or federal government is involved (such as if a government employee caused the crash while driving a government-owned vehicle), the deadline to file a claim may be significantly shorter, sometimes as short as six months from the date of the accident. As a result, it is always important to consult with an Uber accident lawyer or Lyft crash attorney as soon as possible after a crash.
Why Acting Quickly is Crucial
In addition to complying with the statute of limitations, acting promptly is essential for several other reasons:
- Preservation of Evidence: Evidence such as crash scene photos, vehicle damage, and witness statements can degrade or disappear over time. It is important to note that in many cases the insurance companies for the at-fault drivers will want to have crash vehicles destroyed as soon as possible because nearly all vehicles now contain event recorders (sometimes referred to as “black boxes”). These even recorders can be crucial for documenting matters such as the speed at the time of a crash, and whether the brakes were applied.
- Changes to a crash scene. After a crash skid marks may disappear as the result of rain, and repairs may be made to stop light poles, fences, and the surrounding areas. It will be helpful to document the crash scene as soon as possible, as matters such as skid marks can help to establish fault.
- Witness Availability: Witnesses’ memories fade, and they may become harder to locate as time passes.
- Insurance Deadlines: Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft require accidents to be reported to their insurance carriers promptly to ensure coverage. Delays could jeopardize your claim.
- Building a Strong Case: Early involvement of an attorney allows time to conduct a thorough investigation, identify liable parties, and negotiate with insurance companies.
How Can a Virginia Beach Rideshare Accident Lawyer Help My Case?
Navigating a rideshare accident claim involves complex legal and insurance issues. A rideshare accident attorney can:
- Investigate the Accident: Gather evidence, such as witness statements, police reports, and surveillance footage.
- Determine Liability: Identify all at-fault parties and applicable insurance policies.
- Negotiate with Insurance Companies: Handle communication with insurance adjusters to ensure you receive fair compensation.
- File a Lawsuit if Necessary: Prepare your case for court if a fair settlement cannot be reached.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Virginia Beach Rideshare Accident Lawyer?
We handle Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means:
- No upfront costs: You pay nothing out of pocket to retain our services. In addition, we also advance all costs of litigation while a case is ongoing (these expenses are usually repaid through a settlement or trial award).
- No legal fees unless we win: We only collect fees if we successfully recover compensation for you.
This arrangement allows victims to pursue justice without added financial stress.
Can I Sue Uber or Lyft Directly for an Accident?
Maybe.
While Uber and Lyft provide insurance coverage for accidents involving their drivers, suing the companies directly can be challenging. Both companies classify their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, which limits their liability in certain situations. Their classification of their drivers as independent drivers in itself is not determinative; what ultimately matters is a court’s position as to whether the drivers are independent contractors or employees.
In general, courts have sided with Uber and Lyft on their position that drivers are independent contractors. Thus those injured normally can’t sue the rideshare company on the basis of vicarious liability (meaning that a company is responsible for the actions or negligence of its employees). However, if the rideshare company’s policies or actions contributed to the accident, there may be grounds for a claim directly against them.
As an example, Uber and Lyft could be sued directly if they accepted drivers who had poor driving histories or those who did not have a valid driver’s license. By contracting with Uber or Lyft for a ride, there is an implicit promise being made that the rideshare company has carefully screened drivers, that they only accept drivers without significant driving infractions, and that all drivers have valid driver’s licenses. If a rideshare company accepts a driver with significant driving infractions (such as drunk driving), it may be liable for the actions of that driver in causing a crash.
Once we know more about the circumstances of your crash we can advise as to whether there is a valid basis for also holding the rideshare company accountable. As experienced Virginia Beach Uber crash attorneys and Lyft accident lawyers, we can evaluate your case and determine the best course of action.
Contact a Virginia Beach Rideshare Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare service in Virginia Beach, we invite you to call us to learn how we can help and your opportunities for pursuing compensation. As a rideshare accident law firm with decades of injury experience, we are committed to helping crash victims secure the compensation they deserve.
Call us today at (833) 997-1774 for a free consultation or fill out our online contact form. Let us fight for you while you focus on healing and recovery.
Free Consultation – No Fee Unless You Recover Compensation
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