Boston Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Robert J. Hartigan is the founding attorney of Lionhart Injury Law, representing passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers injured in Uber and Lyft accidents throughout Boston and Massachusetts. Recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2021, 2022, and 2026 and holding an Avvo Rating of 10.0 (Superb), Robert has recovered $150,000 for a client who suffered multiple rib fractures and a sternum fracture in an Uber collision, and $125,000 in a rideshare head-on collision case. He understands the three-phase insurance framework under MGL chapter 159A 1/2 and knows how to counter the independent contractor defense that Uber and Lyft routinely raise. Call (617) 871-9093 for a free consultation.

Injured in an Uber or Lyft Accident in Boston?

An Uber or Lyft accident can look like an ordinary car crash until the insurance questions begin. Was the rideshare driver’s app on? Had the driver accepted a ride? Was a passenger already in the vehicle? Was another driver responsible for the collision? Which insurance policy applies, and how much coverage is available?

In Massachusetts, those details can change the insurance coverage available after a rideshare accident from an ordinary personal auto policy to commercial-style coverage of at least $1 million per occurrence during a pre-arranged ride.

My name is Robert J. Hartigan, founding attorney of Lionhart Injury Law. I represent Uber and Lyft passengers, drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other motorists injured in rideshare accidents throughout Boston and Massachusetts.

I have recovered $150,000 for a client who suffered multiple rib fractures and a fractured sternum in an Uber collision, and $125,000 in a rideshare head-on collision involving a drunk driver.

Rideshare cases require more than determining who caused the crash. I investigate the driver’s app status, trip records, available insurance, other potentially responsible drivers, and the electronic evidence that can establish exactly what the rideshare driver was doing when the collision occurred.

If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Boston, contact Lionhart Injury Law at 1-855-343-0997 for a free consultation. I will identify the applicable insurance coverage, preserve critical evidence, and pursue every available source of compensation.

Why Uber and Lyft Accident Claims Are Different

A traditional car accident usually begins with two questions: Who caused the crash, and what insurance coverage does that driver have? However, as a Boston rideshare accident lawyer, there are many additional questions to answer when an Uber or Lyft accident occurs.

The driver’s status on the Uber or Lyft app can determine which insurance requirements apply. A crash may involve multiple insurance policies. Digital trip information may be important evidence. Another motorist may be primarily responsible for the collision. And a claim against the rideshare driver is legally distinct from any potential claim based on Uber’s or Lyft’s own conduct.

A thorough investigation may need to determine:

• Whether the rideshare app was active
• Whether the driver was waiting for a request
• Whether a ride had already been accepted
• Whether the driver was traveling to pick up a passenger
• Whether a passenger was in the vehicle
• When the ride ended
• Who caused the collision
• Which insurance policies covered the accident
• Whether uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may apply
• Whether another person or company contributed to the crash

Those questions should be answered with evidence rather than assumptions.

Massachusetts Rideshare Insurance Law

Massachusetts regulates transportation network companies, or TNCs, through M.G.L. c. 159A½. The specific Massachusetts rideshare insurance requirements are established by M.G.L. c. 175, § 228.

The amount of required coverage changes depending on whether a driver is simply logged into the rideshare network and available for requests or is actually engaged in a pre-arranged ride.

When the Rideshare App Is Off

When a driver is not providing transportation network services, the special TNC insurance requirements do not apply merely because that person sometimes drives for Uber or Lyft. The driver’s ordinary automobile insurance and other potentially applicable coverage must instead be examined.

This is why I do not assume that Uber or Lyft insurance applies every time a person who happens to be a rideshare driver causes an accident.

App On, Waiting for a Ride Request

Under M.G.L. c. 175, § 228(c), when a transportation network driver is logged into the company’s digital network and available to receive transportation requests but has not yet become engaged in a pre-arranged ride, the required automobile liability coverage is at least:

• $50,000 per individual for bodily injury
• $100,000 total bodily injury coverage
• $30,000 for property damage

Massachusetts law also requires uninsured motorist coverage and Personal Injury Protection to the extent specified by the statutes referenced in § 228. The required insurance may be maintained by the driver, the transportation network company, or a combination of the two.

After the Driver Accepts a Ride

The coverage changes substantially once the driver becomes engaged in a pre-arranged ride. Massachusetts defines a pre-arranged ride in M.G.L. c. 159A½, § 1 as the period beginning when the transportation network driver accepts a requested ride through the digital network, continuing while the driver transports the rider, and ending when the rider departs from the vehicle.

Under M.G.L. c. 175, § 228(d), the driver must have automobile liability insurance providing at least $1 million per occurrence, per vehicle for death, bodily injury, and property damage while engaged in a pre-arranged ride.

This period therefore includes both:

• The driver’s trip to pick up an accepted passenger
• The period when the passenger is being transported

The statute also requires uninsured motorist coverage and PIP to the extent required by the Massachusetts statutes incorporated into § 228.

The $1 Million Policy Is a Per-Occurrence Limit

The distinction is important. Massachusetts requires at least $1 million per occurrence, per vehicle during a pre-arranged ride. It should not be described as automatically providing $1 million to every individual injured in the collision.

If several people suffer serious injuries in the same crash, claims may compete for the available per-occurrence coverage. For this reason, it is critical to investigate rideshare accidents immediately, helping to ensure the best possible outcome.

Does the Rideshare Driver’s Personal Insurance Have to Deny the Claim First?

Not necessarily.

Massachusetts law specifically provides that coverage under an automobile insurance policy maintained by the transportation network company cannot be conditioned on the personal automobile insurer first denying the claim, and a personal automobile insurer is not required to first deny the claim. See M.G.L. c. 175, § 228(f).

The statute also addresses situations in which insurance maintained by the rideshare driver to satisfy the statutory requirements lapses, denies the required coverage, or otherwise ceases to provide it. Under those circumstances, insurance maintained by the transportation network company must provide the statutorily required coverage beginning with the first dollar of the claim and has the duty to investigate and defend it.

The actual coverage analysis can therefore involve the rideshare driver’s policy, coverage maintained by the transportation network company, or a combination of policies.

Who Can Be Responsible for a Boston Uber or Lyft Accident?

The existence of rideshare insurance does not answer the separate question of who was negligent. Depending on the circumstances, a Boston Uber or Lyft accident may involve claims arising from the conduct of several parties.

The Uber or Lyft Driver

A rideshare driver can be responsible for negligent driving such as:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Following too closely
• Unsafe lane changes
• Running a red light or stop sign
• Failing to yield
• Driving while fatigued
• Driving while impaired
• Failing to watch for pedestrians or bicyclists

A rideshare driver may also become distracted by the very technology necessary to perform the job, including navigation, incoming ride information, pickup locations, and communications through the app.

Another Driver

Sometimes the Uber or Lyft driver did nothing wrong. Another motorist may rear-end the rideshare vehicle, cross the center line, run a red light, make an unsafe turn, or otherwise cause the collision.

In those cases, I pursue the responsible motorist while also determining whether any applicable rideshare-related insurance, uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage, PIP benefits, or other coverage may become relevant.

Uber or Lyft

The fact that a rideshare company’s insurance applies does not automatically mean Uber or Lyft itself was negligent or is vicariously liable for the driver’s conduct. A direct claim against a transportation network company requires an independent legal and factual basis.

Massachusetts law imposes specific requirements on transportation network companies. For example, M.G.L. c. 159A½, § 4 establishes driver certification and background-check requirements, including a two-part background-check process and specified driver qualifications.

When the facts suggest that conduct by the rideshare company itself contributed to an injury, I investigate whether a legally supportable direct claim exists rather than assuming the company’s involvement solely because its app was being used.

Injured as an Uber or Lyft Passenger

Passengers are in a particularly vulnerable position because they generally have no control over how the collision occurs. If you were riding in an Uber or Lyft when another vehicle struck you, you should not assume that you have no claim simply because your rideshare driver was not responsible.

The negligent third-party driver may be a primary source of recovery, while other available automobile coverage must also be investigated. If the rideshare driver caused the crash, the liability coverage required during the pre-arranged ride becomes particularly important.

As an experienced rideshare accident attorney, I investigate each collision and determine which claims and coverages apply, providing the best chances of securing maximum compensation for my clients.

Injured by an Uber or Lyft Driver While Walking or Biking

Rideshare accidents do not only injure passengers. A pedestrian or bicyclist can be struck by a rideshare driver who is:

• Looking at the app instead of the roadway
• Searching for a passenger
• Stopping unexpectedly for a pickup
• Pulling away from the curb
• Making a turn without checking a crosswalk or bike lane
• Driving through a congested intersection

The driver’s app status remains important because it can affect the insurance coverage required at the time of the collision.

If you were hit while walking, learn more about my Pedestrian Accident Lawyer practice.

Boston Rideshare Accidents Around Logan Airport

Boston Logan International Airport generates enormous rideshare activity involving arriving passengers, departing travelers, drivers navigating designated pickup areas, and vehicles entering and leaving airport roadways.

Massachusetts law specifically preserves the authority of the Massachusetts Port Authority in connection with transportation network company operations. M.G.L. c. 159A½, § 10 addresses the limits on local regulation while expressly treating the Massachusetts Port Authority differently.

An accident involving an airport pickup or drop-off may require investigation of:

• The exact roadway or pickup location
• Traffic patterns
• Driver navigation
• Surveillance footage
• Vehicle movements
• Witnesses
• Rideshare trip records
• Whether another commercial vehicle was involved

Rideshare Accidents Throughout Boston

Uber and Lyft traffic is also concentrated around locations where large numbers of people need transportation at the same time.

Crashes can occur around:

• South Station
• North Station
• Back Bay
• Downtown Boston
• The Seaport
• Fenway
• The South End
• Entertainment districts
• Hotels
• Hospitals
• Universities
• Sporting and concert venues

Congestion alone does not establish negligence. What matters is what each driver actually did and whether that conduct caused the collision.

Digital Evidence in an Uber or Lyft Accident

One of the biggest differences between an ordinary car accident and a rideshare accident is the amount of potentially relevant digital information.

Depending on the case and what information exists and is legally obtainable, evidence may include:

• Driver app status
• Ride acceptance time
• Pickup information
• Drop-off information
• Trip records
• Driver location information
• Passenger trip receipts
• Communications associated with the ride
• Driver account information
• Relevant electronic vehicle data
• Dashcam footage
• Nearby surveillance footage
• Photographs
• Police reports
• Witness statements

This information can help establish whether the driver was waiting for a request or engaged in a pre-arranged ride when the crash happened.

Preserve Your Uber or Lyft Trip Information

Passengers can also preserve evidence themselves. After a rideshare accident, save or screenshot:

• Your trip receipt
• Driver name and profile information
• Vehicle description
• License plate information
• Pickup and destination
• Route information displayed in the app
• Messages with the driver
• Notifications concerning the ride
• Any communications with Uber or Lyft after the accident

Do not delete the rideshare app or assume the information will always remain accessible in the same form. The trip itself creates a digital trail. Preserving it can help establish which insurance requirements applied when you were injured.

What Compensation Can I Recover After a Boston Rideshare Accident?

The compensation available depends on liability, insurance coverage, the nature of the injuries, and other circumstances.

A Massachusetts rideshare accident claim may include damages for:

• Medical expenses not otherwise covered
• Future medical treatment
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering when recoverable under Massachusetts law
• Permanent disability or impairment
• Scarring or disfigurement
• Other legally recoverable losses

Massachusetts automobile injury cases also involve the state’s no-fault insurance and PIP framework, and the interaction between PIP benefits and a bodily injury claim must be evaluated based on the circumstances.

For broader information about Massachusetts automobile claims, visit my Boston Car Accident Lawyer page.

Lionhart Injury Law: $150,000 Uber Accident Recovery

In one rideshare case, I recovered $150,000 for a client who suffered multiple rib fractures and a fractured sternum in an Uber collision.

In another rideshare case involving a head-on collision with a drunk driver, I recovered $125,000 for my client.

Every case depends on its own injuries, liability evidence, available insurance, and damages. Past results do not guarantee a particular result in another case.

What these cases demonstrate is the importance of investigating all drivers and all potentially applicable insurance coverage, rather than treating a rideshare collision like an ordinary two-car accident.

Boston and Atlanta Rideshare Accident Representation

Lionhart Injury Law represents people injured in Uber and Lyft accidents in both Massachusetts and Georgia. Because the insurance laws and underlying liability rules differ by state, each claim must be evaluated under the law where the accident occurred.

For a Georgia claim, visit my Atlanta Rideshare Accident Lawyer page.

Schedule A Free Consultation With a Georgia & Boston Rideshare Accident Lawyer

After a serious Uber or Lyft accident, you may be dealing with a rideshare company, one or more automobile insurers, another driver, medical providers, and potentially several different claims at the same time.

You should not have to determine the insurance structure on your own.

Contact Lionhart Injury Law today at 1-855-343-0997 for a free consultation with an experienced rideshare accident attorney. I will investigate who caused the crash, determine the rideshare driver’s status at the time of the collision, identify the insurance coverage that may apply, preserve important evidence, and pursue the compensation available under Massachusetts law.

Frequently Asked Questions About Boston Uber and Lyft Accidents

Who is liable for an Uber or Lyft accident in Boston?

It depends on who caused the collision. The rideshare driver may be responsible if their negligence caused the crash. Another motorist may be responsible if that driver caused it. In some cases, multiple parties may share fault.

The separate question of which insurance policy applies depends in part on the rideshare driver’s status when the accident occurred.

How much insurance is required when an Uber or Lyft driver has accepted a ride?

Massachusetts requires at least $1 million per occurrence, per vehicle for death, bodily injury, and property damage while a transportation network driver is engaged in a pre-arranged ride under M.G.L. c. 175, § 228(d).

A pre-arranged ride begins when the driver accepts the requested ride, continues while the passenger is transported, and ends when the passenger departs from the vehicle.

What insurance is required while an Uber or Lyft driver is waiting for a request?

When the driver is logged into the rideshare network and available for requests but has not accepted a ride, Massachusetts requires at least $50,000 per individual in bodily injury coverage, $100,000 total bodily injury coverage, and $30,000 in property damage coverage under M.G.L. c. 175, § 228(c).

The statute also requires specified uninsured motorist coverage and PIP.

Does the $1 million rideshare policy mean I can recover $1 million?

No. The $1 million figure is a minimum per-occurrence, per-vehicle liability coverage requirement during a pre-arranged ride. It is not a guaranteed settlement, and it does not mean every injured person receives $1 million.

Your recovery depends on factors including liability, damages, applicable coverage, the number of claims arising from the accident, and Massachusetts law.

Does it matter whether my Uber driver had accepted my ride?

Yes. Massachusetts defines a pre-arranged ride as beginning when the driver accepts the requested ride, not when the passenger physically enters the vehicle.

That means the higher insurance requirement can apply while the driver is traveling to pick up an accepted passenger.

What happens if the Uber or Lyft driver’s app was off?

The special insurance requirements for transportation network services generally do not apply simply because the person sometimes works as a rideshare driver. If the rideshare application was turned off, the driver’s ordinary automobile coverage and any other applicable insurance would need to be investigated.

I was an Uber passenger and another driver caused the crash. Can I still recover?

Potentially, yes.

Your claim may primarily be against the negligent third-party driver, but the entire insurance picture should be investigated. Depending on the facts, other automobile coverages may also become relevant.

Being an innocent rideshare passenger does not prevent you from pursuing compensation simply because your Uber or Lyft driver was not the person who caused the crash. If you were injured, you have a right to seek justice and compensation.

Can I make a claim if an Uber or Lyft driver hit me while I was walking or riding a bicycle?

Yes, if the driver’s negligence caused your injuries.

As in other types of Uber and Lyft crashes, the rideshare driver’s app status can affect which insurance requirements applied when the collision occurred, so trip and app information may become important evidence.

Can I sue Uber or Lyft directly?

Possibly, but the fact that Uber or Lyft insurance applies does not automatically establish direct liability against the company.

A direct claim against a rideshare company requires a legally supportable basis under the facts and applicable law. I investigate whether the company’s own conduct contributed to the injury rather than assuming direct liability in every rideshare accident.

What evidence should I save after an Uber or Lyft accident?

Save your trip receipt, driver information, vehicle information, license plate, route, pickup and destination, app screenshots, messages, photographs, witness information, and any communications with the rideshare company or insurers.

Digital evidence can be particularly important in establishing the driver’s status at the time of the collision.

How long do I have to file a rideshare accident lawsuit in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts personal injury actions are generally subject to a three-year statute of limitations under M.G.L. c. 260, § 2A.

Exceptions and additional deadlines can apply depending on the circumstances, so the three-year period should not be treated as a reason to delay. Instead, I encourage injury victims to reach out immediately to ensure that critical deadlines are not missed.

When should I contact a Boston rideshare accident attorney?

As soon as reasonably possible after receiving necessary medical attention.

Rideshare cases can involve digital trip records, app information, vehicle evidence, dashcam footage, surveillance video, and witnesses. Some evidence becomes more difficult to obtain as time passes.

If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Boston, contact Lionhart Injury Law at 1-855-343-0997 to schedule a free consultation. I will determine what happened, identify the insurance coverage available, and tenaciously fight to hold the responsible parties accountable.

Free Consultation | No Fee Unless We Win

Toll-Free: (855) 343-0997  |  Boston: (617) 871-9093  |  Atlanta: (404) 239-5245