What to Do After a Rideshare Accident in the Lehigh Valley

What to Do After a Rideshare Accident in the Lehigh Valley

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have become part of daily life in the Lehigh Valley. Whether you’re heading home from a night out in downtown Bethlehem, catching a ride from Lehigh Valley International Airport, or getting to and from events at the PPL Center in Allentown, chances are you’ve used a rideshare app.

But what happens when a rideshare trip ends in a crash? The answer isn’t as simple as a typical car accident. Rideshare accidents involve layered insurance policies, multiple potentially liable parties, and companies that have teams of lawyers working to limit their exposure. If you don’t understand how these cases work, you’re at a serious disadvantage.

At Leeson & Leeson, we handle rideshare accident cases across the Lehigh Valley. We understand the insurance structure, the legal complexities, and the aggressive tactics these companies use. Here’s what you need to know.

Uber and Lyft Insurance Coverage Tiers in Pennsylvania

Rideshare insurance in Pennsylvania operates on a three-tier system. The level of coverage available to you depends entirely on what the driver was doing at the moment of the crash. Understanding these tiers is critical because the wrong assumption about coverage can cost you thousands of dollars or more.

Tier 1: App Off (Personal Insurance Only)

When the rideshare driver’s app is turned off and they’re driving for personal reasons, only their personal auto insurance applies. Pennsylvania’s minimum liability requirements for personal vehicles are just $15,000 per person and $30,000 per occurrence for bodily injury. That’s often not enough to cover serious injuries.

Tier 2: App On, Waiting for a Ride Request

Once the driver turns on the Uber or Lyft app and is waiting for a ride request, the rideshare company’s contingent liability coverage kicks in. This coverage provides backup if the driver’s personal insurance denies the claim, which it often does because most personal auto policies exclude commercial activity. Coverage during this phase is more limited than during an active ride.

Tier 3: Ride Accepted Through Dropoff

This is where the coverage gets substantial. Under Pennsylvania law (53 Pa.C.S. § 57A07 and 66 Pa.C.S. § 2603.1), rideshare drivers engaged in a prearranged ride must carry at least $500,000 in liability coverage for death, bodily injury, and property damage, plus $25,000 in first-party medical benefits for passengers and pedestrians.

In practice, both Uber and Lyft exceed these statutory minimums. They each provide up to $1 million in liability coverage during active rides, along with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and comprehensive/collision coverage. This is significantly higher than standard personal auto policies.

Rideshare accident cases across the Lehigh Valley often overlap with the same liability issues found in other rideshare accident claims in Allentown and throughout the region.

Who Is Liable in a Lehigh Valley Rideshare Accident?

Determining liability in a rideshare accident is more complicated than in a standard car crash. Multiple parties may share responsibility, and identifying the right targets early is essential to maximizing your recovery.

• The rideshare driver. If the Uber or Lyft driver was negligent, speeding, distracted, impaired, or violated traffic laws, they bear primary liability. Their negligence triggers the rideshare company’s insurance coverage during active rides.
• A third-party driver. If another motorist caused the crash, that driver’s insurance is the primary source of compensation. You may also have claims under the rideshare company’s uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance.
• Uber or Lyft (the company). Both companies classify drivers as independent contractors, which limits direct corporate liability. However, the company’s commercial insurance policy covers claims during active rides, and in some cases, claims related to negligent hiring or vetting practices may apply.
• Government entities. If a road defect, missing signage, or faulty traffic signal contributed to the crash, the municipality or PennDOT may bear partial responsibility. These claims have strict notice requirements and shorter filing deadlines.
• Vehicle or parts manufacturers. If a defective vehicle component, such as faulty brakes or a tire blowout, contributed to the accident, a product liability claim against the manufacturer may be viable.

Steps to Take After a Rideshare Accident in the Lehigh Valley

The actions you take immediately after a rideshare accident can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation. Here’s what you should do:

1. Call 911 and get medical attention. Even if injuries seem minor, call the police and request emergency medical services. A police report is a critical piece of evidence. Head injuries, internal bleeding, and whiplash often don’t produce immediate symptoms.
2. Document the scene. If you’re able, take photos of the vehicles, the road, traffic signals, your injuries, and any visible damage. Get the rideshare driver’s name, license plate, and insurance information. Record the names and contact details of any witnesses.
3. Screenshot your rideshare app. Your trip details, the driver’s name, the route, and the timestamp of the ride are all stored in the app. Screenshot this information before it becomes difficult to access. This data proves you were a passenger during an active trip, which determines the insurance tier that applies.
4. Don’t give recorded statements. The rideshare company’s insurer and the other driver’s insurer will both contact you. Don’t give recorded statements to either without consulting an attorney. Anything you say can be used to minimize your claim.
5. Report the accident through the app. Both Uber and Lyft have in-app accident reporting features. File the report promptly, but keep your description brief and factual. Don’t admit fault or speculate about what happened.
6. Contact a rideshare accident attorney. These cases involve multiple insurance layers and potentially conflicting interests. An experienced attorney can identify all available insurance coverage, preserve evidence, and protect you from the tactics insurers use to limit payouts.

Common Injuries in Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare passengers are particularly vulnerable in a crash. You’re often seated in the back seat without the benefit of a steering wheel or dashboard to brace against, and rideshare vehicles don’t always have the same safety features as newer personal vehicles.

• Whiplash and neck injuries. Sudden impacts cause the head and neck to snap forward and back, straining muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Symptoms may not appear for hours or days.
• Traumatic brain injuries. Head strikes against windows, headrests, or the back of the front seat can cause concussions or more severe brain injuries with lasting cognitive and emotional effects.
• Spinal cord injuries. High-impact rear-end or side-impact collisions can damage the spinal cord, potentially causing partial or complete paralysis.
• Broken bones and fractures. Arms, legs, ribs, and collarbones are all vulnerable, especially in T-bone or rollover crashes.
• Soft tissue injuries. Torn ligaments, herniated discs, and deep bruising may not be visible on initial imaging but can cause chronic pain and long-term disability.
• Psychological injuries. PTSD, anxiety, and a fear of riding in vehicles are common after rideshare accidents, particularly for passengers who had no control over the situation.

For more on how Leeson & Leeson serves the broader Lehigh Valley region, visit our regional hub page.

Why Rideshare Accident Cases Are More Complex Than Standard Car Crashes

If you’ve ever filed a car insurance claim, you know it can be frustrating. Rideshare accident claims take that frustration and multiply it. Here’s why:

• Multiple insurance policies. A single rideshare accident can involve the driver’s personal auto policy, the rideshare company’s commercial policy, the other driver’s insurance, and your own UM/UIM coverage. Determining which policy applies and in what order requires legal expertise.
• Independent contractor defense. Uber and Lyft aggressively argue that drivers are independent contractors, not employees. This creates a barrier to direct corporate liability and complicates the claims process.
• Disappearing evidence. Trip data, driver ratings, driver logs, and app activity records are controlled by the rideshare company. Without a legal hold or subpoena, this evidence can be deleted or become inaccessible.
• Coverage disputes between insurers. The driver’s personal insurer and the rideshare company’s insurer often point fingers at each other, each arguing the other’s policy should cover the claim. This back-and-forth delays your compensation and can leave you in limbo.
• Lowball settlement offers. Rideshare company insurers are experienced in handling these claims and know exactly how to minimize payouts. They’ll offer a quick, low settlement before you understand the full extent of your injuries.

How Leeson & Leeson Handles Rideshare Accident Cases

At Leeson & Leeson, we don’t let rideshare companies hide behind insurance tiers and corporate legal structures. We dig into the details, identify every available source of coverage, and fight aggressively for the full value of your claim.

• $1.8 million jury verdict secured. We don’t just settle. When a case demands it, we take it to a jury and win.
• Million Dollar Trial Lawyers member, recognizing our track record of achieving seven-figure results.
• Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch 2025 & 2026. Joseph Leeson has been recognized among the best up-and-coming attorneys in personal injury litigation.

• Attorney-CPA advantage. Joseph F. Leeson, III, Esq., combines legal expertise with a CPA background (Inactive) to calculate the full economic impact of your injuries, including future medical costs and lost earning capacity, with precision.
• No upfront fees. We handle rideshare accident cases on a contingency basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

Whether your accident happened near the PPL Center, on Route 22, at Lehigh Valley International Airport, or anywhere else in the region, we’re ready to fight for you.

Frequently Asked Questions