Madisonville Rideshare Accident Lawyers

Injured in an Uber or Lyft Crash? We Help You Navigate a Complicated System

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have transformed how Kentuckians get around. Whether catching a ride to the airport, heading home after a night out, or commuting across town, rideshare apps offer convenience at the tap of a screen. But when a rideshare vehicle is involved in a crash, things can get complicated—fast.

Who’s responsible for the accident? Does Uber or Lyft provide insurance coverage? What happens if the rideshare driver wasn’t at fault? If you’re injured as a rideshare passenger, hit by a rideshare vehicle, or driving for a rideshare service yourself, you may find yourself facing confusing insurance questions and companies that don’t want to pay.

At Whitfield Crosby & Flynn, our Madisonville rideshare accident lawyers understand the unique legal issues surrounding rideshare accidents. We help victims pursue full compensation for their injuries, no matter how complex the circumstances. Our team takes a strategic, thorough approach to investigating the crash, identifying all available sources of insurance, and holding every responsible party accountable.

Who Is Covered in a Rideshare Accident?

Rideshare accidents can injure a wide range of people—not just passengers. Victims may include, for example, passengers riding in an Uber or Lyft, drivers of other vehicles struck by a rideshare car, pedestrians or bicyclists hit by a rideshare driver, or rideshare drivers injured in a crash caused by someone else.

The type of claim you can bring—and the insurance coverage that applies—depends on the driver’s status within the rideshare app at the time of the crash.

Kentucky Rideshare Insurance Coverage Explained

Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors, not employees. This means they don’t assume full legal responsibility for their drivers’ conduct—but they do provide liability insurance that kicks in under certain circumstances. The amount and availability of coverage depends on what the driver was doing at the time of the accident:

1. App Off – If the driver was not logged into the app at the time of the crash, Uber/Lyft insurance does not apply. The driver’s personal auto insurance is the only coverage available. This includes $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection, as well as a minimum of 25/50/10 liability insurance.
2. App On, No Ride Accepted – When the driver is logged in and waiting for a ride request, Uber and Lyft provide contingent liability coverage amounting to $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage.
3. En Route or Ride in Progress – Once the driver accepts a ride request and is en route to pick up or is already transporting a passenger, Uber and Lyft provide up to $1 million in third-party liability coverage. Injured rideshare drivers can also access uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage as well as contingent comprehensive and collision coverage that supplements their own coverage.

This tiered structure can be confusing for crash victims—and that’s exactly how the rideshare companies prefer it. They often use these layers to deny or delay claims, insisting that other insurers should pay instead. That’s where we come in.

Our Role in Rideshare Accident Claims in Madisonville

At Whitfield Crosby & Flynn, we know how to untangle the web of insurance issues in Uber and Lyft crashes. We start by determining the driver’s status at the exact time of the accident and then identifying every possible source of coverage. This may include the driver’s personal policy, Uber/Lyft’s corporate policy, and even your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if applicable.

Our team takes a comprehensive approach to building your case. We investigate the crash scene, gather evidence from the rideshare app, request phone and driving records, and consult with accident reconstruction specialists when needed. In cases involving serious injury, we work closely with medical professionals to document the full impact of the crash on your health, ability to work, and quality of life.

We are experienced negotiators who won’t settle for a lowball offer. And if the rideshare company or insurer won’t deal fairly, our experienced and successful courtroom litigators are fully prepared to take your case to trial.

Common Causes of Rideshare Crashes

Rideshare drivers are often under pressure to accept rides quickly and complete trips as fast as possible. They may be distracted by the app itself or unfamiliar with the area. Some of the most common causes of rideshare-related accidents include:

• Distracted driving (looking at GPS or the rideshare app)
• Fatigue from long shifts or performing multiple jobs
• Speeding to meet demand and boost income
• Inexperience or lack of proper training
• Driving under the influence
• Unsafe drop-off or pick-up locations

Regardless of the cause, rideshare passengers and others injured by negligent drivers have the right to pursue compensation. Our job is to make sure that right is protected and enforced.

What If the Rideshare Driver Was Not At Fault?

If you were injured while riding in an Uber or Lyft, and another driver caused the crash, you may be able to file a claim against the at-fault driver. However, if that driver is uninsured or underinsured, Uber or Lyft’s uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may apply.

Kentucky law requires rideshare companies to maintain this additional coverage while you are riding in the vehicle. This can be a valuable source of compensation when the other driver doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your injuries.

Kentucky’s No-Fault Law and Rideshare Claims

Kentucky is a “choice no-fault” state for auto insurance. That means most car accident claims start with your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits, regardless of who was at fault. PIP covers up to $10,000 in medical expenses, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket costs.

However, rideshare accident claims often fall outside the no-fault system. If you suffer a serious injury—such as a broken bone, permanent disfigurement, or death—you can step outside the no-fault system and bring a fault-based personal injury claim. This allows you to recover compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other damages not covered by PIP.

Our attorneys can help determine whether your injuries meet the threshold and whether to pursue a traditional negligence claim.

Why You Need a Lawyer for a Rideshare Accident

Uber and Lyft are billion-dollar companies with teams of lawyers and insurers whose goal is to pay out as little as possible. You should never try to handle a rideshare accident claim alone.

At Whitfield Crosby & Flynn, we know how these companies operate—and we won’t be intimidated. We’ve helped clients recover substantial compensation after rideshare crashes, even when the other side denied responsibility or tried to point fingers elsewhere.

We offer free consultations and work on a contingency basis. That means you pay nothing unless we win your case. Let us put our experience, resources, and determination to work for you.

Injured in a Rideshare Crash in Madisonville? Call Whitfield Crosby & Flynn Today

Whether you were a passenger, pedestrian, or another driver, if you were injured in a crash involving an Uber or Lyft, you deserve answers—and accountability. We’ll guide you through every step of the legal process and fight to recover the compensation you need to heal and move forward.

Call today for a free consultation. Let us deal with the insurance companies while you focus on your recovery.