When A Ride-Share Vehicle Is Hit By A Semi-Truck: Who Is Liable?

Rideshare vehicles like Uber, Lyft, and others are now part of daily life across Florida and Georgia. But when a rideshare car is struck by a commercial truck, the aftermath can be far more complex than a typical car accident. Passengers often assume the rideshare company will automatically compensate them. Drivers often assume the trucking company’s insurer will step up. And insurers on both sides frequently point fingers at each other, leaving injured victims confused about who’s responsible.

Whether you were a rideshare passenger, a rideshare driver, or another motorist sharing the road, understanding liability in a rideshare-and-truck collision is crucial to protecting your rights.

Why these collisions are more complicated 

A typical car accident usually involves two drivers and two insurance policies. But when a rideshare vehicle and a commercial truck collide, there may be five or more potential sources of liability.

• The truck driver
• The trucking company
• The rideshare driver
• Uber or Lyft’s insurance policy
• A freight broker or shipper
• A maintenance contractor
• A vehicle manufacturer (in rare cases involving mechanical failure)

Each party may have different insurance limits, different legal responsibilities, and different reasons to deny fault. This is why victims often face delays or denials when trying to recover compensation on their own.

Who might be responsible for the accident? 

• The truck driver – Truck drivers may be liable for speeding, fatigue, improper lane changes, distraction, or failure to yield. Since trucks weigh up to 80,000 pounds, even minor errors can become catastrophic.

• Under federal law, trucking companies are usually responsible for their drivers. They may also be at fault for unsafe schedules that violate hours-of-service rules, allowing unqualified drivers on the road, poor truck maintenance, and failure to secure cargo.

• The rideshare driver – If the rideshare driver was distracted, speeding, or reckless, they may share responsibility. But passengers still receive coverage through rideshare insurance.

• Uber or Lyft’s insurance policy – When a rideshare driver is carrying a passenger, Uber and Lyft provide up to $1 million in liability coverage, but only if the driver is at fault. If the truck driver caused the crash, the rideshare insurer may still offer coverage to the passenger.

• Third parties – Some cases involve freight brokers, shippers, trailer owners, or companies that loaded the cargo improperly. These parties could also be liable.

Talk to a Jacksonville, FL, Truck Accident Lawyer Today 

Gillette Law represents the interests of injured passengers in rideshare accidents. Call our Jacksonville personal injury lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin discussing your next steps right away.