Roanoke Uber And Lyft Accident Lawyer

Last updated on October 3, 2026

After an Uber or Lyft crash, you may not know who is responsible or which insurance coverage applies. Rideshare claims can involve different insurance rules based on the driver’s status in the app, and another driver’s actions may also affect your claim. A rideshare accident lawyer in Roanoke, Virginia, can investigate what happened and help you understand your options.

Crandall & Katt, Attorneys at Law has represented Virginia residents since 1979. Our attorneys provide experienced, compassionate representation, with free consultations and evening and weekend appointments.

Why Uber And Lyft Crashes Can Lead To Complicated Claims

After a rideshare crash, you may need to sort through issues that do not come up in a typical car accident. For example:

• The driver’s app status: Insurance coverage may depend on whether the driver was waiting for a passenger, traveling to pick up a passenger or transporting one.
• How many insurance policies may be involved: The driver’s personal auto insurance and transportation network company (TNC) coverage may both come into play, depending on when the crash happened.
• How many parties may share responsibility: The rideshare driver, another motorist or someone else may have played a part in your crash.
• Important evidence that may come from the rideshare platform: Trip records, app activity and other information may show what the driver was doing when the crash happened.
• How other people may have claims from the same crash: If several people were hurt, their claims may affect the insurance available after the accident.

These issues can make it harder to find out who may be responsible for your injuries and which insurance coverage applies. An attorney can investigate the crash and examine the available evidence before you decide how to proceed with your case.

Who Could Be Responsible For Your Rideshare Accident?

The rideshare driver, another motorist or both may be responsible, depending on how the crash happened. In some cases, a vehicle defect or another person’s negligence may also play a role.

Lyft or Uber may provide insurance coverage for a driver’s work through the platform, but insurance coverage and legal responsibility are not always the same. Virginia law also does not limit a transportation network company’s possible responsibility for damages above the required insurance coverage. A Roanoke rideshare accident lawyer can investigate your crash and identify who may be responsible.

Virginia’s Contributory Negligence Rule

Virginia follows the contributory negligence rule. If your own negligence played a part in your injury, you generally cannot recover damages from another negligent party. In simple terms, the other side may argue that your own actions helped cause your injury.

Because this rule can affect your ability to recover, it is important to look at what happened before deciding what your claim may be worth. Crandall & Katt, Attorneys at Law can investigate the crash, assess how liability may affect your claim and work to pursue the compensation you may be entitled to for your injuries and losses.

How Does Uber And Lyft Insurance Coverage Work?

Virginia requires TNC insurance to cover certain periods of a driver’s work through a rideshare platform. The coverage can change based on the driver’s status:

• Logged in and waiting for a request: The policy must provide a minimum of $50,000 for each injured individual, up to $100,000 for injury per accident, plus at least $25,000 in property damage coverage.
• Accepted a ride or carrying a passenger: The required primary TNC policy provides $1 million in coverage for death, injury and property damage.
• Not using the rideshare platform: If the rideshare app was not in use, the driver’s personal auto insurance may be the coverage that applies, depending on the policy’s terms.

Virginia law also allows an injured person or an attorney to ask the TNC for information about the driver’s app status and the insurer providing primary coverage.

What Compensation Could You Seek?

If you were injured in a rideshare crash, you may seek compensation for losses such as:

• Medical expenses and future medical care: Treatment for broken bones, soft-tissue injuries and other accident-related conditions, along with rehab or future medical care
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity: Income you lose while recovering, as well as reduced ability to work if injuries such as traumatic brain injuries affect your focus, memory or other skills you need for your job
• Property damage: The cost to repair or replace your vehicle, bicycle or other belongings damaged in the crash
• Pain and suffering: Physical discomfort, emotional impact and disruption to your everyday life caused by your injuries
• Disability or disfigurement: Loss of physical function, lasting limits or visible scarring, including disabilities that may result from serious injuries such as spinal cord damage
• Other losses caused by the accident: Other costs or losses tied to your injuries and recovery

If you lost a loved one in a rideshare crash, you may also be able to pursue a wrongful death claim under Virginia law.

What Should You Do After An Uber Or Lyft Crash?

After a rideshare accident, taking a few practical steps can protect your health and preserve important evidence.

1. Get medical care: Seek treatment for your injuries and follow your provider’s instructions.
2. Report the crash: Contact law enforcement and get information about the accident report.
3. Document the scene: If you can do so safely, take photos of the vehicles, road conditions and visible injuries.
4. Collect information: Get contact information for the drivers, passengers and witnesses.
5. Save your trip information: Keep screenshots, receipts and other Lyft or Uber records.
6. Keep your records: Save medical bills, treatment records and proof of lost income.
7. Review settlement offers carefully: An early offer may not cover all of your losses.
8. Talk with an attorney: A lawyer can investigate your crash and review possible fault and insurance coverage.

Taking these steps can keep information that may be important when you pursue a claim for a rideshare accident.

Get Help With Your Roanoke Uber Or Lyft Accident Claim

An Uber or Lyft accident can leave you dealing with injuries while trying to sort out insurance policies and questions about who is responsible. You do not have to work through those issues on your own. Crandall & Katt, Attorneys at Law can investigate your crash, review the insurance coverage that may apply and pursue compensation for your injuries and losses.

Call us at 888.699.7611 or send us an email for a free consultation about your Roanoke Uber or Lyft accident.