Rideshare accidents involving Uber, Lyft, and similar transportation network companies (TNCs) raise legal questions that don’t come up in a typical car accident claim — chiefly, which insurance policy actually covers you depends on what the driver’s app was doing at the moment of the crash. Texas regulates this directly through the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 2402 (Transportation Network Companies).
This page explains how TNC insurance coverage generally works in Texas, who can be liable in a rideshare crash, and what to do if you’re injured as a passenger, rideshare driver, or third party.
How Rideshare Accidents Differ From Regular Car Accidents
In an ordinary two-vehicle crash, liability typically runs through each driver’s personal auto insurance. Rideshare accidents add a third layer: the TNC’s own commercial insurance policy, which applies differently depending on the driver’s status in the app at the time of the crash. Texas law recognizes distinct phases of a rideshare trip, each carrying different insurance obligations for the company:
- App off — the driver is using their personal vehicle for personal reasons; only their personal auto policy applies.
- App on, waiting for a ride request — the driver is logged into the platform but hasn’t accepted a trip.
- En route to pick up a rider or during an active trip — the driver has accepted a ride and is either heading to the pickup or actively transporting a passenger.
Chapter 2402 requires TNCs operating in Texas to carry primary insurance coverage during the app-on periods, with materially higher coverage requirements once a trip is accepted than during the waiting period. The exact current dollar coverage minimums should be verified directly against Chapter 2402 or with the TNC’s current insurance disclosures before this is published, since these figures can be amended by the Texas Legislature and were not confirmed from a live source for this draft.
Who Can Be Liable in a Dallas Rideshare Accident
Depending on the facts, potentially liable parties in a rideshare crash include:
- The rideshare driver, if their own negligence caused the crash
- The TNC’s insurance policy, applicable per the phase-of-trip rules above
- A third-party driver, if another vehicle caused the collision
- A vehicle manufacturer, in the rare case of a defect contributing to the crash
Because multiple insurance policies can potentially apply, rideshare claims are frequently more complex to resolve than a standard two-party crash — insurers on different sides may dispute which policy is primary for a given phase of the trip.
What To Do After a Rideshare Accident in Dallas
- Call 911 and seek medical attention, regardless of how minor injuries seem at first.
- Screenshot the rideshare app trip details before they’re no longer accessible — the trip status (before pickup, during trip, etc.) directly affects which insurance coverage applies.
- Get the names and contact information of the driver, any other drivers involved, and witnesses.
- Report the crash through the rideshare app’s incident-reporting feature, in addition to a standard police report.
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to any insurance company — including the TNC’s insurer — before understanding which policy applies to your situation.
- Consult a Texas attorney promptly, since Texas’s two-year statute of limitations under Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003 applies to rideshare injury claims the same as any other personal injury case.
Common Injuries in Rideshare Accidents
Injuries in rideshare crashes mirror those in other motor vehicle collisions, including whiplash and neck injuries, back injuries, broken bones, traumatic brain injury, and soft tissue damage — the personal injury overview page covers the general categories of compensation typically at issue in these claims.
Related Personal Injury Topics
- Car Accidents in Dallas — general Texas car accident law, including comparative negligence and uninsured motorist coverage
- Truck Accidents in Dallas — commercial vehicle liability, a useful comparison for how multi-party insurance claims work
- Wrongful Death Claims in Texas — relevant if a rideshare accident results in a fatality
- Full overview: Personal Injury in Dallas
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I covered if I’m injured as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft in Texas?
Generally yes — Texas law requires TNCs to carry primary insurance coverage during an active trip, which is the phase that applies when a passenger is in the vehicle. The specific claims process depends on who caused the crash and the driver’s app status at the time.
What if the rideshare driver wasn’t logged into the app when the crash happened?
If the app was off, the TNC’s commercial coverage generally does not apply, and the driver’s personal auto insurance is the relevant policy — the same as any ordinary car accident.
Can I sue Uber or Lyft directly after an accident?
TNCs typically classify drivers as independent contractors, which affects direct liability theories against the company itself. Coverage generally runs through the required insurance policy rather than a direct negligence claim against the TNC, though this can vary by the specific facts.
How long do I have to file a claim after a rideshare accident in Texas?
The general two-year statute of limitations under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003 applies to rideshare injury claims, the same as other personal injury cases.
What if I was hit by a rideshare vehicle as a pedestrian or in another car, not as a passenger?
Third parties injured by a rideshare driver during an active trip are also generally covered by the TNC’s required insurance, subject to the same phase-of-trip distinctions described above.
The content on this page is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this material. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time — consult a licensed Texas attorney for advice specific to your situation.