Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog
Getting into a crash as an Uber or Lyft passenger can feel uniquely frustrating because you did everything right. You buckled up, you were not driving, and you trusted a professional service to get you safely through Boston traffic. Then the unexpected happens: you are injured, your phone is full of alerts, and bills start arriving before you even know which insurance company is supposed to pay.
If you are hurt in a rideshare crash, you may have multiple layers of coverage available, including Massachusetts no-fault benefits and rideshare insurance that can be much larger than a typical personal policy. The key is knowing how the system works and how to protect your claim while you focus on healing, and when it makes sense to speak with a personal injury lawyer who handles Uber and Lyft accident cases.
Rideshare Crashes Are Still Car Crashes, But Insurance Can Be More Complicated
Uber and Lyft are “transportation network companies” under Massachusetts law, and special insurance rules apply when a driver is logged into the app and providing rideshare services. Massachusetts law requires different minimum coverage amounts depending on what the driver was doing in the app at the time.
That detail matters because it affects the amount of coverage available and which insurer is primarily responsible.
Coverage usually depends on the driver’s status in the app
Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 175, Section 228:
- Driver logged into the app, available, but not on a trip yet: minimum liability coverage is $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $30,000 for property damage, plus required uninsured motorist coverage and Personal Injury Protection benefits.
- Driver engaged in a pre-arranged ride, en route to pick you up, or transporting you: minimum liability coverage is at least $1,000,000 per occurrence, plus required uninsured motorist coverage and Personal Injury Protection benefits.
As a passenger, you are typically in the most protected category because you are in a pre-arranged ride.
Step One: After a Boston Rideshare Crash: Know How PIP Can Pay Medical Bills and Lost Wages
Massachusetts is a “no-fault” state for many car accident expenses, meaning certain benefits can be paid regardless of who caused the crash. Personal Injury Protection, commonly called PIP, is often the first source of payment for medical bills and some lost wages.
PIP generally covers up to $8,000 per person for accident-related expenses, and it can also pay 75 percent of lost wages up to the available benefit amount.
Important practical point: PIP can help you avoid going into collections while the larger injury claim is being investigated and negotiated.
What PIP can cover
PIP may help pay for:
- Ambulance and emergency room care
- Follow-up visits and diagnostic testing
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Some replacement services you need because you are injured
- A portion of lost wages, commonly calculated at 75 percent, is subject to limits
Because PIP rules and coordination with health insurance can get technical, it helps to have guidance early, especially if treatment is ongoing or your ability to work is affected.
What Insurance Should Pay Beyond PIP: The Bodily Injury Claim
PIP is usually only the beginning. If you were injured because someone was negligent, you may have a bodily injury claim that seeks full compensation for the harm the crash caused. Common damages that rideshare passengers can seek.
A strong claim often includes:
- Medical expenses, including future treatment and therapy
- Full lost wages, not just the portion PIP may pay
- Loss of future earning capacity, if your injuries change your ability to work
- Out-of-pocket costs, like prescriptions, medical devices, and transportation to appointments
- Pain and suffering, the human impact of the injury on daily life
- Permanent impairment or scarring, when applicable
- Which insurance policy pays depends on who caused the crash and what coverage applies.
Who Pays in a Typical Uber or Lyft Passenger Accident?
Here are the most common scenarios we see in Lyft or Uber injury claims in Boston.
- The rideshare driver caused the crash. If your Uber or Lyft driver was at fault while you were on a trip, the rideshare liability coverage required during a pre-arranged ride can apply, including the requirement of at least $1,000,000 in coverage.
- Another driver caused the crash. If a different driver caused the crash, that driver’s insurance should be primary. If that driver is uninsured, underinsured, or flees the scene, uninsured motorist coverage required under the rideshare framework may become critical. Massachusetts law ties rideshare coverage requirements to uninsured motorist and PIP requirements.
- Multiple vehicles share fault. Boston crashes often involve complicated merges, sudden stops, delivery vehicles, or rideshare drivers navigating unfamiliar streets. When various parties share responsibility, claims may be made against more than one insurer, complicating settlement negotiations.
Massachusetts follows a modified comparative negligence rule. In general, an injured person can recover damages as long as they are not more than 50 percent at fault, and their percentage of fault can reduce any recovery. As a passenger, you are rarely the cause of the collision, but insurers sometimes look for arguments to minimize payouts, so documentation matters.
How Coverage Questions Come Up
Rear-end crash on the Mass Pike.
You are in the back seat of a Lyft heading toward Logan Airport, and the rideshare driver is rear-ended in heavy traffic. Your medical bills exceed PIP quickly, and you miss two weeks of work. The at-fault driver’s insurer should pay, but if that driver has low limits, you may need to pursue additional coverage, including uninsured or underinsured motorist protections that apply through the rideshare coverage structure.
Left-turn crash in Back Bay, disputed fault.
Your Uber driver turns left near an intersection, another vehicle claims they had the right of way, and both drivers blame each other. When a fault is disputed, insurers may delay, minimize injuries, or push for quick settlements. An attorney can help collect video, witness statements, app data, and vehicle information to clarify responsibility.
What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Crash in Boston
The steps you take in the first hours and days can protect your health and your claim.
- Get medical care immediately, and follow up; gaps in treatment can be used against you.
- Call 911 and make sure a police report is created, if possible
- Report the crash in the Uber or Lyft app, and take screenshots of trip details
- Photograph the scene, vehicles, plates, injuries, and road conditions if you can do so safely
- Get names and contact information for witnesses and all drivers involved
- Keep every bill and receipt, including pharmacy costs and rides to appointments
- Track missed work, lost hours, and doctor restrictions in writing
- Be cautious with recorded statements, especially before you understand the coverage and scope of your injuries
When Should You Hire a Boston Rideshare Accident Lawyer?
Some claims can be handled with minimal help, but many rideshare cases benefit from legal representation early, especially when injuries are severe or when insurers dispute responsibility.
Consider speaking with an attorney if:
- You went to the ER, need ongoing treatment, or may require surgery
- You missed work, or your job duties are limited
- The insurer is delaying, denying, or blaming someone else
- There were multiple vehicles, or a hit-and-run
- You are being pushed to settle quickly
- You are not sure which policy applies, or you are juggling numerous adjusters
How an Attorney Helps Uber and Lyft Passengers Recover Full Compensation
A rideshare injury claim is not only about proving the crash happened, but it is also about proving the full impact on your life and identifying every available source of insurance coverage.
A Boston personal injury attorney can help by:
- Investigating the fault, including locating witnesses and preserving video evidence
- Confirming app status and coverage, including whether the trip was a pre-arranged ride under Massachusetts law
- Coordinating PIP and medical billing to reduce financial pressure while the claim develops
- Calculating damages realistically, including future care and lost earning capacity
- Negotiating with insurers and pushing back on low offers
- Filing suit when needed, and preparing the case for trial if that is what it takes
Do Not Wait Too Long: Massachusetts Deadlines Can Bar Your Case. In Massachusetts, most personal injury actions must be started within three years from when the claim accrues. Even when three years sounds like a long time, evidence can disappear quickly, and early legal work often makes a meaningful difference.
Talk With Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers About Your Rideshare Passenger Injury Claim
If you were injured as an Uber or Lyft passenger in Boston, you deserve clear answers about your rights, your medical bills, your lost wages, and what insurance should pay. At Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers, our team can help you understand your options, deal with the insurance companies, and pursue the full compensation you are owed.
Contact Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation. We will listen to what happened, explain the following steps, and help you move forward with confidence.