Connecticut Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer: Protecting Your Rights After a Rideshare Crash
Last updated on February 25, 2025
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have changed how we get around Connecticut. But when an accident happens, the legal process can be a little more complicated than typical car crashes. The reason for this is that Uber and Lyft accidents can involve multiple insurance policies, such as the company’s and the driver’s, and there can also be other, corporate liability questions. If you or a loved one was injured in a rideshare accident, you deserve to understand your rights and options.
At Tremont Sheldon P.C., we represent people — not corporations. We help anyone injured in a rideshare accident, such as passengers in the rideshare vehicle, drivers and passengers who have been hit by a rideshare vehicle, as well as pedestrians. We know how rideshare companies and their insurers handle claims, and we have the experience to maximize the compensation you receive, while you focus on your recovery.
Who Is Responsible for an Uber or Lyft Accident in Connecticut?
Liability in rideshare accidents isn’t always clear. Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors, which allows them to avoid direct responsibility in many cases. That doesn’t mean you’re out of options, it just means you need an attorney who understands how the insurance and liability laws work in these cases.
In a rideshare accident, multiple parties could be responsible, including:
- The Uber or Lyft driver – if the driver was at fault, their insurance or the rideshare company’s policy may provide coverage.
- Uber or Lyft’s insurance – depending on when the accident happened, Uber or Lyft may be required to provide additional insurance coverage.
- Another driver – if another vehicle caused the crash, their insurance would typically be responsible for damages.
- A third party – some crashes involve vehicle defects, poor road conditions, or other factors that create liability beyond the drivers involved.
Determining fault requires a detailed investigation. Our team reviews crash reports, rideshare app data, witness statements, and insurance policies to hold the right parties accountable.
Understanding Uber & Lyft Insurance Coverage in Connecticut
Uber and Lyft provide insurance coverage, but the amount and applicability usually depends on what the driver was doing at the time of the accident. These are the general rules, although there can be exceptions:
- Driver is offline or the app is off – only the driver’s personal insurance applies.
- Driver is online but hasn’t accepted a ride – limited rideshare company coverage applies if the driver’s own insurance won’t pay.
- Driver has accepted a ride or has a passenger – Uber and Lyft provide up to $1 million in liability coverage.
While this may sound straightforward, insurance companies often try to deny claims or shift responsibility. Many rideshare accident victims don’t realize they may be entitled to more than one source of compensation. We identify every available insurance policy and pursue financial recovery for you while you focus on your physical and mental recovery.
Common Injuries in Connecticut Rideshare Accidents
Uber and Lyft accidents can cause serious, life-altering injuries. Many victims require weeks, months, or even years of medical care. Some never fully recover. We have represented clients suffering from:
- Head and brain injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Neck and back injuries, including spinal cord damage
- Broken bones and fractures
- Internal organ damage
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
- Lacerations and permanent scarring
- Wrongful death cases for families who have lost a loved one
Even if your injuries seem minor at first, it’s important to get checked by a doctor. Some conditions take time to show symptoms, and insurance companies will use any delay in treatment as an excuse to deny your claim.
How Long Do You Have to File an Uber or Lyft Accident Claim in Connecticut?
Connecticut law limits the time you have to take legal action after a rideshare accident. In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. In some cases, this can be shorter or longer. In almost all cases, however, waiting too long can weaken your case.
Insurance companies start working immediately after a crash. They may delay your claim, offer a low settlement, or dispute who was at fault. The sooner you have legal representation, the stronger your case will be.
What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Connecticut
If you were involved in a rideshare accident, taking the right steps can make a significant difference in your claim. Here’s what to do:
- Seek medical attention – your health comes first. Even if you don’t feel injured right away, get checked by a doctor. Head injuries and internal injuries aren’t always apparent immediately after an accident.
- Report the accident – call 911 to have the police document the crash. Request a copy of the police report later.
- Document everything – take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any vehicle damage. Save screenshots of your Uber or Lyft ride details.
- Get witness information – if anyone saw the crash, get their contact information in case their statement is needed later.
- Don’t talk to insurance companies alone – insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. Before making any statements, talk to a car accident attorney.
We help rideshare accident victims gather the evidence they need and protect them from insurance tactics designed to limit compensation.
How Our Connecticut Rideshare Accident Lawyers Help You
We know that dealing with a legal case after an accident is overwhelming. That’s why we handle every detail for you, including:
- Investigating the crash and determining who is liable
- Engaging expert witnesses, when necessary, including accident reconstruction experts and medical professionals
- Handling all communications with insurance companies
- Calculating the full value of your claim, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering
- Negotiating for the best settlement possible
- Taking your case to court if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair amount
At Tremont Sheldon P.C., we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. This approach increases settlement values because insurance companies know we won’t back down.
Compensation Available After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Connecticut
If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation for:
- Medical expenses – emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment
- Lost income – wages lost due to time away from work and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering – physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage – repair or replacement of your vehicle
- Wrongful death damages – if you lost a loved one, we help families recover for funeral costs, loss of financial support, and other damages
Every case is different, but one thing remains the same – we always aim for the maximum recovery possible for our clients.
What If the Uber or Lyft Driver Wasn’t at Fault?
In some cases, the rideshare driver is not responsible for the accident. If another driver caused the crash, the claim would typically go through that driver’s insurance. However, these cases can still be complex, especially if the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured (which means they don’t have enough insurance to cover the claims in the case).
Uber and Lyft provide uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage for passengers in their vehicles, but this coverage may not extend to other drivers or pedestrians. If you were involved in a rideshare accident caused by a third party, we will explore every available option to make sure you receive full compensation for your injuries.
What If You Were a Pedestrian or Cyclist Hit by an Uber or Lyft?
Not all rideshare accidents involve vehicles. Pedestrians and cyclists can also be struck by Uber or Lyft drivers, leading to serious injuries. In these cases, insurance coverage depends on whether the driver was actively using the rideshare app at the time of the accident. Some combination of the driver’s insurance and Uber/Lyft’s insurance may cover claims in this case.
If you were a pedestrian or cyclist hit by an Uber or Lyft driver, you may need to file multiple claims to receive full compensation. Our attorneys handle this process for you, making sure all available insurance policies are pursued.
What If the Rideshare Driver Was Distracted at the Time of the Crash?
Uber and Lyft drivers rely on their smartphones for navigation, ride requests, and passenger communication, which means they often interact with their devices while driving. Unfortunately, this can lead to distracted driving accidents.
Distracted driving can involve:
- Looking at the app instead of the road
- Entering an address into GPS while driving
- Responding to passenger messages
- Searching for a rider in a busy area
If a rideshare driver caused an accident because they were distracted by their phone, they can be held responsible for the damages. Our attorneys will work to prove driver distraction through app activity logs, phone records, and witness testimony.
Deactivated Driver Accounts
After an accident, Uber or Lyft may deactivate the driver involved, but this does not mean they are accepting liability. Deactivation is often a precautionary measure, and it does not impact your right to seek compensation. However, if a driver is removed from the platform, it may make it harder to contact them or obtain their insurance information.
Our legal team can take steps to secure critical evidence before it is lost. We can obtain the driver’s trip history and status at the time of the accident, preserve app-based evidence such as ride confirmations and GPS tracking, and communicate with Uber or Lyft to confirm insurance coverage.
Call a Connecticut Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer Today
Rideshare accident claims are complicated, but you don’t have to handle this alone. If you or a loved one was injured in a rideshare accident, Tremont Sheldon P.C. is here to help. Our team has extensive experience handling complex personal injury cases, including Uber and Lyft accident claims. We understand the challenges these cases present, and we will guide you through every step of the process.
We offer free consultations, and we work on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront costs and no fees unless we win your case.
To speak with an experienced Connecticut Uber and Lyft accident lawyer, call 203-212-9075 or fill out our online contact form today. Let us handle the insurance companies while you focus on your recovery.
Common Questions About Rideshare Accidents
What If the Uber or Lyft Vehicle Was Unsafe?
Uber and Lyft require drivers to maintain their vehicles, but the companies do not directly inspect them. This means that some rideshare vehicles may be operating with serious mechanical problems, such as faulty brakes, worn out tires, broken headlights, and engine or transmission failure.
If an accident was caused by a mechanical issue that the driver neglected to repair, they could be held liable for failing to maintain their vehicle. Additionally, if the defect was due to a manufacturer’s error, a claim may be possible against the vehicle manufacturer. We will investigate whether improper maintenance or a vehicle defect contributed to your crash.
What If the Rideshare Driver Was Fatigued?
Uber and Lyft drivers often work long hours, and some drive for multiple rideshare companies or hold additional jobs. Fatigue can have the same effect as driving under the influence, slowing reaction times and impairing judgment.
While Uber and Lyft limit the number of consecutive hours a driver can be logged into the app, some drivers bypass these rules by switching between multiple platforms. If a rideshare driver was overly fatigued at the time of the crash, we can use ride history records, driving logs, and witness testimony to support your claim.
What If the Rideshare Driver Was Intoxicated?
Rideshare drivers are held to the same legal standards as any other driver when it comes to impaired driving. If an Uber or Lyft driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident, they can be held responsible for any injuries or damages they cause.
Drunk or impaired rideshare drivers may also be subject to criminal charges, but this does not automatically result in compensation for victims. If you were injured in an accident involving a rideshare driver who was intoxicated, we can pursue compensation through their insurance and, in some cases, Uber or Lyft’s policies.
What If an Uber or Lyft Driver Assaults a Passenger?
While most Uber and Lyft rides are safe, there have been incidents in which rideshare drivers have assaulted passengers. These cases are extremely serious and can involve physical assault, harassment, or other misconduct.
Uber and Lyft have faced lawsuits for failing to properly screen or monitor their drivers in these situations. If you were harmed by a rideshare driver, you may have legal options against both the driver and the company. Our attorneys can help you understand your rights and pursue justice.
What If You Were in an Uber or Lyft Accident While Traveling to Connecticut?
Many people use Uber or Lyft while traveling, whether for work or vacation. If you were involved in a rideshare accident in Connecticut but live in another state, you can still pursue a claim.
Our firm represents both Connecticut residents and out-of-state visitors who were injured in Uber or Lyft accidents within the state. We handle the entire legal process on your behalf, ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve even if you are no longer in Connecticut.