Passengers, drivers and others hurt in rideshare crashes.
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UBER & LYFT ACCIDENTS —
Rideshare is everywhere in New Orleans, from airport runs to Saints games to a night out on Frenchmen Street. When an Uber or Lyft trip ends in a crash, the first question is often the hardest: whose insurance pays?
The answer depends on what the rideshare driver was doing at the moment of the crash. Stephen J. Hecker helps passengers, other drivers, pedestrians and rideshare drivers themselves figure out which policies apply and pursue every one of them.
Louisiana law sets minimum coverage for transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft based on the driver’s status:
If the driver’s own coverage lapses or falls short, the rideshare company’s coverage must step in. Getting the trip records that show the driver’s status is one of the first things we do.
Louisiana changed its fault rule on January 1, 2026. For accidents on or after that date, if you are found 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing. If you are less than 51% at fault, your recovery is reduced by your share. Insurance companies know this, so expect them to try to push more of the blame onto you.
In Louisiana, most injury claims from accidents on or after July 1, 2024 must be filed within two years. Injuries before that date generally had only one year. Evidence also disappears fast, so don’t wait.
Talk to Stephen J. Hecker today. The consultation is free.
FAQ —
Rideshare companies generally treat drivers as independent contractors, so the claim usually runs through the insurance the company is required to provide. Whether there’s a claim against the company itself depends on the facts.
If the driver had accepted your ride, Louisiana law requires at least $1,000,000 in coverage for the trip. If another driver caused the crash, their insurance may pay too.
If the app was on and the driver was waiting for a request, lower minimum limits apply: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for injuries, plus $25,000 for property damage.
For most crashes on or after July 1, 2024, you have two years to file suit in Louisiana.
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