Sometimes. But in most Indiana rideshare accident cases, you don’t sue Uber/Lyft first. You usually pursue compensation through the driver’s insurance and/or Uber/Lyft’s insurance coverage. And you sue the at-fault driver or another negligent party if a lawsuit is needed.

Here’s how it typically breaks down:

1. If the rideshare driver was offline (app off): Uber/Lyft generally isn’t involved. The claim is usually against the driver’s personal auto policy.
2. If the driver was available (app on, waiting for a ride): Uber/Lyft provides primary liability coverage that applies if the driver’s personal insurance limits are insufficient or do not cover the incident.
3. If the driver was “on a trip” (accepted a ride or had a passenger): Uber/Lyft generally provides higher third-party liability coverage that can apply to people injured in the crash.

You may be able to bring a claim directly against Uber or Lyft in limited situations. This mostly happens when there’s evidence of the company’s own wrongdoing, such as negligent hiring/retention or other independent acts. But rideshare companies usually argue that drivers are independent contractors, which can make direct company liability harder to prove.

Bottom line: you can potentially sue Uber or Lyft, but the best path depends on the driver’s app status, the available insurance layers, and who actually caused the crash.

Call an Indiana rideshare accident attorney to learn more about your options.

After a rideshare injury, the claim usually moves through a few steps:

1. Medical care and documentation. Get evaluated and follow your treatment plan. Your medical records link the crash to your injuries and help prove damages.
2. Investigation. Pieces of evidence, such as police reports, photos and videos, witness information, vehicle damage, and rideshare trip details (including the driver’s status in the app), are gathered.
3. Insurance review. Rideshare crashes often involve multiple policies (the driver’s personal auto insurance plus Uber/Lyft coverage, depending on whether the driver was offline, waiting for a ride, or actively on a trip).
4. Call an Indiana rideshare accident attorney. A demand is submitted, and negotiations begin. If an insurer disputes fault or undervalues the claim, the case can be escalated.
5. File a personal injury lawsuit if needed. If a fair resolution isn’t offered during negotiations, a lawsuit may be necessary to win your case.

Your next step is to protect the record early. This means getting medical care, saving trip screenshots and receipts, and avoiding detailed recorded statements to insurers until you’ve discussed with your lawyer which coverage applies and what your claim is worth.

Call Powless Law Firm for your free consultation.

Indiana sets baseline “rideshare driver” standards through its Transportation Network Company (TNC). In plain terms, Uber/Lyft must ensure their drivers meet requirements in four key areas:

1. Eligibility + screening. Before a driver can use the app to take rides, the TNC must collect an application (including identity and age), a copy of the driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of financial responsibility. It must also run a local/national criminal background check, plus a national sex offender registry search, and obtain the driver’s Indiana driving record. The law also bars the TNC from knowingly allowing drivers with certain recent driving violations, certain criminal convictions within the prior seven years, a sex offender registry match, or drivers under 19.
2. Drug/alcohol policy. The TNC must enforce a zero-tolerance drug and alcohol policy while the driver is on a trip or even just logged into the app, including investigation and suspension procedures, and a way for riders to report violations.
3. Vehicle equipment compliance. The vehicle used for rides must comply with applicable vehicle equipment laws and regulations.
4. Insurance requirements while on the app. Indiana requires primary insurance that recognizes rideshare use and provides minimum coverage levels depending on whether the driver is logged in but not on a trip, including updated property-damage minimums. Drivers must also carry proof of coverage and disclose whether they were logged in or on a trip if there’s an accident.

Powless Law Firm’s personal injury attorneys can help you with your rideshare accident claim. Call 877-769-5377 for a free case consultation.

Yes. The right path depends on who caused the crash, your app status, and which insurance policies apply. Here are the most common options:

1. Claim against the at-fault driver (third party). If another driver caused the crash, you can usually pursue a bodily injury claim against that driver’s liability insurance and any other responsible party.
2. Rideshare-related insurance coverage. When you’re logged into the app or actively on a trip, different coverage layers may apply. These policies are often geared toward liability and can be complicated to coordinate with other coverage.
3. Your own coverage, if available. Depending on your policy, you may have medical payments coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, or other benefits. However, some personal policies have exclusions while you’re driving for a rideshare company.
4. Optional driver injury coverage. Some platforms offer optional injury protection or similar benefits that may help with medical bills and lost income, depending on what you elected and when the crash happened.
5. Workers’ compensation (case-specific). Many rideshare drivers are treated as independent contractors, so workers’ comp usually isn’t automatic. But eligibility can be fact-dependent.

Call Powless Law Firm to clarify your compensation options.

You may still be able to recover compensation in Indiana even if you share some blame. Indiana follows a modified comparative fault system. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you’re more than 50% at fault, you’re barred from recovering damages. In other words, if your fault is greater than the combined fault of everyone else who contributed to the accident, you generally can’t recover.

Call Powless Law Firm at 877-769-5377 to evaluate your case.

In Indiana, medical bills are usually paid up front by your own coverage, typically your health insurance and any optional auto coverages, if you carry it. In the bigger picture, Indiana is an at-fault state, so the goal is to recover those medical expenses from the at-fault party’s liability insurance. In a rideshare crash, this may include Uber/Lyft-required coverage depending on whether the driver was logged into the app or on an active trip.

If your health insurer or another payer covers treatment first, they may assert reimbursement/subrogation rights from any settlement. Indiana has specific rules governing those claims.

Call Powless Law Firm at 877-769-5377 to discuss your claim.

Rideshare accident claims can be complex, as they involve corporate policies, app data, dashcam video, layered insurance coverage, and other nuanced details. Powless Law Firm’s experienced Indiana rideshare accident attorneys know how to secure critical information, address legal hurdles, and build a clear, well-supported case on your behalf. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.