Greenville Rideshare Accident Lawyers
Experienced Guidance and Support for Victims of Uber and Lyft Crashes in Greenville
Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft have become a normal part of daily life in Greenville. Whether people rely on them for transportation between downtown and the suburbs, commuting along Woodruff Road, or traveling late at night when other options are limited, rideshare vehicles are on the road at all hours. With this rise in usage comes an increase in traffic accidents involving rideshare drivers, rideshare passengers, and innocent motorists or pedestrians caught in the path of a negligent driver. At Davis & Snyder Injury Attorneys, our Greenville rideshare accident lawyers help victims of these accidents secure the compensation they need to recover physically, financially, and emotionally.
Our attorneys bring decades of combined plaintiff and defense experience to every rideshare accident case we handle. Because we have worked extensively for insurance companies and large institutions, we understand exactly how rideshare insurers evaluate and attempt to deny claims. That experience gives us an advantage when representing plaintiffs. We know the playbook, the strategies, and the arguments rideshare insurers use to limit liability. When victims come to us, we apply that knowledge to counter those tactics, protect their rights, and position their claim for the strongest outcome possible.
Rideshare Accidents in Greenville and the Upstate
Greenville’s growing population, expanding nightlife, and busy commercial corridors create conditions where rideshare vehicles play an increasingly important transportation role. Rideshare drivers operate in high-traffic areas such as downtown Greenville, Haywood Road, Pelham Road, Wade Hampton Boulevard, and the numerous interstates that intersect the Upstate. These are spaces where congestion, sudden stops, unclear navigation, and distracted driving can easily lead to collisions.
Rideshare accidents frequently involve unique challenges not seen in other car accidents. Determining liability, identifying which insurance policy applies, and dealing with the layered coverage requirements of Uber, Lyft, or other Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) can be complicated. South Carolina law has specific rules addressing these issues, and understanding those rules is critical to building a successful claim.
South Carolina’s Transportation Network Company Act (Section 58-23-1610)
South Carolina enacted the Transportation Network Company Act to regulate Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare services. Section 58-23-1610 outlines the insurance requirements that apply when a rideshare driver is logged into the app, waiting for a ride request, transporting a passenger, or completing a ride.
Under the Act, rideshare companies must provide liability coverage that activates at different levels depending on the driver’s status at the time of the accident. This law ensures that injured victims, whether they are passengers, other motorists, pedestrians, or cyclists, are protected even if the driver’s personal auto insurance would otherwise exclude coverage for commercial use of the vehicle.
The purpose of the Act is not only to establish mandatory insurance coverage but also to ensure that injured individuals have access to compensation when a rideshare driver causes a collision. Our team has a deep understanding of this law and uses it to strengthen our clients’ claims and combat insurance disputes.
The Three Tiers of Rideshare Insurance Coverage
One of the most important aspects of a rideshare accident claim is determining which tier of liability insurance applies. Rideshare coverage is not static. It changes depending on what the driver was doing at the moment the crash occurred.
Below are the three coverage tiers that generally apply to Uber and Lyft accidents in South Carolina:
- Driver Logged Out of the App
When the rideshare driver is not logged into the Uber or Lyft app, the accident is treated like any other private vehicle collision. The driver’s personal auto insurance is the primary source of coverage. Minimum coverage required in South Carolina includes $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per incident, plus $25,0000 in property damage liability. Rideshare insurance does not apply in this situation, even if the driver regularly works for a rideshare company. This tier is relevant when a driver is on the road but has not yet activated the app to accept ride requests. - Driver Logged Into the App but Not Transporting a Passenger
When the driver is logged in and available for a ride but has not accepted a ride request, the Transportation Network Company Act requires a specific level of liability coverage. In South Carolina, the minimum coverage for this tier includes $50,000 in bodily injury per person and $100,000 per incident, plus $50,000 in property damage liability. This is double the coverage for private drivers or rideshare drivers while they are logged out of the app. - Driver Transporting a Passenger
The highest tier of coverage applies when the driver is engaged in a prearranged ride, meaning the driver has accepted a ride request and is on the way to pick up the passenger, or already has a passenger in the car when the crash occurs. Within this timeframe, Uber and Lyft provide substantial liability coverage up to $1 million for bodily injury and property damage. This is the most protective level of insurance available in rideshare cases and is central to many of the claims we handle.
Both of the latter tiers also include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, protecting rideshare passengers even if another negligent driver causes the crash.
Understanding which tier applies is essential because it determines which insurer is responsible for the damages and the maximum compensation available. Insurance companies often attempt to argue that a driver was offline or between phases to avoid paying higher coverage amounts. Our attorneys know how to gather evidence, analyze app data, and challenge those arguments.
Who Can Recover Compensation After a Rideshare Accident?
Rideshare accidents affect more than just the passengers inside the vehicle. Various individuals may have valid claims depending on the circumstances of the crash. Our firm represents anyone injured by a negligent rideshare driver, other negligent motorists, or dangerous conditions that lead to a collision.
These categories include:
- Injured Rideshare Passengers
Passengers have strong legal protections under South Carolina law and the Transportation Network Company Act. Because they are almost never at fault for the collision, they are typically entitled to pursue compensation from the highest available tier of rideshare insurance. Injuries range from whiplash and fractures to traumatic brain injuries and long-term disabilities. We ensure that insurance companies do not minimize the severity of passenger injuries or undervalue the claim. - Drivers and Occupants of Other Vehicles
Motorists who are hit by an Uber or Lyft driver can seek compensation from whichever insurance tier applies at the time of the accident. These cases often require a detailed analysis of the driver’s app status, phone activity, and compliance with traffic laws. Our team understands the tactics insurers use to shift blame, and we counter those strategies with thorough investigations and strong evidence. - Pedestrians and Cyclists Struck by Rideshare Drivers
Pedestrians and cyclists are among the most vulnerable parties on Greenville’s roads. When a rideshare driver is distracted by GPS navigation or rushing to pick up a passenger, these individuals can suffer devastating or fatal injuries. Our lawyers work to maximize recovery for medical expenses, future care, lost wages, and the pain and suffering caused by a serious collision.
Rideshare accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, including concussions, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, internal trauma, and permanent impairments. Whether the victim is a passenger, driver, or pedestrian, we treat every case with the attention, care, and professionalism it deserves.
Insurance Company Approaches in Rideshare Cases
Rideshare insurance carriers often rely on the same strategies traditional insurers use, but the disputes can be even more complex due to the multiple policies and high coverage limits involved. It is common for insurers to blame the victim, dispute the driver’s app status, or argue that injuries are less severe than reported. They may attempt to offer quick settlements that do not reflect the true extent of the victim’s losses.
Our attorneys have extensive experience defending and prosecuting car accident claims in Greenville, which gives us a deep understanding of how insurers operate behind the scenes. We know how they interpret the Transportation Network Company Act, how they attempt to limit coverage, and how they respond to claims involving multiple injured parties. That knowledge allows us to build strong cases and secure meaningful compensation for our clients.
Compensation Available in a Rideshare Accident Case
Victims of rideshare accidents may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and future medical needs. In serious cases involving long-term disabilities or catastrophic injuries, the value of the claim can be significant. Part of our work is projecting future costs, consulting with medical experts, and documenting the full scope of the injury so that insurance companies cannot downplay the long-term consequences.
We prepare every case as though it will proceed to litigation. This approach signals to rideshare insurers that we are committed to obtaining a fair outcome, not a quick settlement. Because we understand how both sides think, we can anticipate obstacles and address them before they jeopardize the claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for paying compensation after a rideshare accident?
Responsibility depends on the driver’s app status at the time of the crash. Liability may fall on the driver’s personal insurance, Uber or Lyft’s insurance, or a combination of both.
What if the rideshare driver was not at fault?
You may still have a claim against another negligent driver. In some cases, rideshare uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage applies to protect passengers.
Do rideshare passengers have strong legal protections?
Yes. Passengers are rarely at fault and typically have access to the highest tier of coverage, including substantial liability and UM/UIM insurance.
Can I recover compensation if I was hit as a pedestrian?
Absolutely. Pedestrians and cyclists injured by a rideshare driver can pursue compensation from the applicable insurance tier based on the driver’s app status.
What should I do if the rideshare insurer denies my claim?
Contact us immediately. Insurance companies often deny or undervalue claims without a valid basis. We can challenge those decisions and pursue the compensation you are owed.
Contact Our Greenville Rideshare Accident Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one was injured in a rideshare accident in Greenville or the surrounding communities, our team is here to help. Contact Davis & Snyder Injury Attorneys today for a free consultation. We will review your case, explain your rights under South Carolina law, and provide the strong, experienced representation you need to move forward.
