Uber & Lyft Accident Attorneys in Reading, PA
Motor Vehicle Injury Representation Since 1959
Liever, Hyman & Potter has represented wrongful injury victims in Reading since 1959, making us the longest-established motor vehicle injury law firm in the area. Our four attorneys have devoted virtually all of their combined 115-plus years of practice to wrongful injury and wrongful death claims. No real estate closings, no business contracts. Rideshare accident claims fall squarely within that work, and we bring the same depth of focus to them that we bring to every motor vehicle injury case.
If you were hurt in an Uber or Lyft accident in the Reading area, contact us for a free consultation. There's no cost to talk with us about what happened and learn about your options. Call us at (610) 885-1991.
Why Rideshare Claims Are More Complex Than Standard Car Accidents
The biggest difference between a rideshare injury claim and a standard car accident claim is the insurance question. Which policy applies depends entirely on what the driver was doing at the moment of the crash, and three distinct coverage tiers determine the answer.
When the app is off, only the driver's personal auto insurance applies. When the app is on but no ride has been accepted, Uber and Lyft provide limited third-party liability coverage if the driver's personal policy doesn't apply. Once a ride is accepted or a passenger is in the vehicle, the rideshare company's policy provides up to $1 million in liability coverage. Pinning down which tier applied at the moment of your crash is one of the first and most important steps in any rideshare claim.
Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees and use that classification to argue they aren't responsible for a driver's negligence. Pennsylvania regulates transportation network companies under Title 66, Chapter 26 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, which sets the framework for when corporate insurance must apply. Both companies maintain legal and insurance teams whose job is to minimize payouts, and injured people without legal representation may receive inadequate settlements or face outright claim denials.
Victims can include passengers, other motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists. Each group faces a different path to compensation depending on fault allocation and the driver's app status at the time of the crash.
Pennsylvania Laws That Affect Your Recovery
Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence standard. You can recover damages as long as your share of fault is below 51%, though your award is reduced by whatever percentage of fault is assigned to you. If you were a passenger in the rideshare vehicle, fault is rarely attributed to you at all, which can give passengers a direct path to compensation.
Pennsylvania drivers also choose between limited tort and full tort coverage on their own auto policies. Limited tort restricts recovery for pain and suffering unless injuries meet a “serious injury” threshold. As a rideshare passenger, your own limited tort election generally doesn't block you from recovering pain and suffering damages through the rideshare company's commercial policy.
Uber and Lyft's policies also carry uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. If a third-party driver with no insurance or insufficient coverage caused the crash, that coverage may fill the gap. Pennsylvania's personal injury statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of the accident, though some cases carry different deadlines. Prompt consultation matters.
Why Hire Liever, Hyman & Potter?
Every attorney at our firm has devoted their career to wrongful injury and death law. No one here divides their attention across unrelated practice areas. That undivided focus, sustained since 1959, is what earned us recognition within the legal community as “The Lawyers' Lawyers.” It is a title that reflects the fact that a significant portion of our clients come to us through referrals from other law firms who know our record.
Our published motor vehicle results include a $3.5 million trucking crash settlement and a $3.265 million drunk driving wrongful death settlement. In a recent three-year period, our attorneys recovered more than 500 awards and settlements, including numerous million-dollar and multi-million-dollar results. Since our founding, we have won thousands of recoveries for injury victims and their families. That is more than any other firm located in the Berks and Schuylkill County area, based on our own records. These figures are published results, not promises about any future case.
Lead attorney John R. Badal has represented wrongful injury victims for his entire legal career. Admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 1978 and to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1991, he is a member of both the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. These memberships require documented results at those dollar thresholds. He has also served as Chairman of the Civil Litigation Section and the Workers' Compensation Section of the Berks County Bar Association. Every case we accept is reviewed and assigned to a civil trial attorney qualified to handle it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Report the Accident to Uber or Lyft Directly?
Yes. Reporting through the app creates an official record with the company's insurer. You should also call the police and get medical care, but notifying the rideshare company promptly can help protect your ability to access their insurance coverage.
What Evidence Should I Preserve After a Rideshare Crash?
Take screenshots of your trip status in the app, the driver's profile, and the route map before you close the app. This digital record confirms the ride was active at the time of the crash and helps establish which insurance tier applies to your claim.
Can I Recover Damages if I was Partly at Fault?
Under Pennsylvania's modified comparative negligence rule, yes. As long as your share of fault is below 51%, your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you were a passenger in the rideshare vehicle, fault is rarely attributed to you for the crash itself.
What if the Other Driver had No Insurance?
Uber and Lyft's policies include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage that can apply when a third-party driver with inadequate coverage caused the crash. Whether and how much of that coverage applies depends on the driver's app status at the time of the accident.
Talk to a Reading Rideshare Injury Attorney at No Cost
If you or someone you care about was injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in the Reading area, you can tell us about your situation at no charge. We review every case carefully before advising you on your options. If we take your case, we advance expenses on your behalf and collect no fees until we recover money for you.
Call (610) 885-1991 to schedule your free consultation with an attorney at Liever, Hyman & Potter.
What Our Clients Say
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Working with Liever, Hyman & Potter Law Firm was an excellent experience from start to finish.Christie
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Andrew Fick and his team helped me with everything I needed in pursuing a personal injury case.Carlos A.
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I would highly recommend Liever, Hyman & Potter.Vanessa S.
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Andy Fick and his Liever, Hyman & Potter team fought hard for me.David D.
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He is a well-spoken and passionate attorney who actually cares about his clients.jeffrey r.
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He has always been responsive and professional, taking the time to review my issues.Howard J.
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Not only are the attorneys at this firm dedicated in obtaining successful results, more importantly, they also care about the personal well-being and health of their clients.Kevin B.
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Attorney John Badal represented me and did an outstanding job. The firm is very honest and upfront and does not blow smoke.Roxanne M.
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John went above and beyond to help me.Sean B.
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Between Stacey (paralegal) and Mike, they kept me up to date with emails, phone calls, and in-person meetings; making the entire process seamless.Blayne H.
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Andy gets the job done; he went above and beyond, exceeding my expectations.Nancy K.
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Everyone was thorough, professional, and supportive.Wendy B.
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My friend was impressed by the firm's compassion and genuine concern for his son's well-being.SARA P.
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The professionals of Liever, Hyman & Potter have a robust team of professionals who vigorously and diligently advocate.Adam N.
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Contacted me back very quickly, very professional.P N.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What Kind of Lawyer Do I Need?
The legal world is a complicated environment with countless nuances to take into account. As a result, there is a wide range of specialized attorneys dedicated to specific legal areas, such as criminal lawyers who handle criminal defense. With so many fields, it can be difficult to determine which kind of lawyer is best suited for your circumstances. If you call Liever, Hyman & Potter, P.C. and offer an overview of your situation, then they can help narrow down what kind of personal injury lawyer is best suited to handle your case. Our law firm was founded in 1959 and is knowledgeable in numerous areas of personal injury law.
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Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
After sustaining a severe injury, you will need to pay medical bills for treatment, potentially miss time at work, and experience pain and suffering. With a qualified and skilled lawyer’s assistance, it is possible for you to receive fair and full compensation for these damages. A knowledgeable attorney will increase your chances of reaching an acceptable settlement agreement and receiving more compensation than you would on your own. Additionally, personal injury lawyers can help settle a liability dispute to determine who is responsible for an accident.
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How Will I Know I Have a Case?
No one has to make this important decision by themselves. Contact Liever, Hyman & Potter, P.C., and set up a free consultation to go over your situation in detail. Our attorneys will be able to identify who you can sue and what you can expect to gain based on the facts of the accident and the laws in Pennsylvania. In most scenarios, you’ll have a case if it can be proven that someone acted carelessly and caused injuries. Applying this standard is more complex than it may initially appear, which is why it is important to consult us.
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When to Call a Lawyer After a Car Accident?
If you’ve sustained severe injuries in a car accident, you should reach out to a lawyer shortly after the crash takes place. Not only will a professional car accident attorney help you gather vital evidence before it is lost to help your case, but they can also handle communications with your insurance company and deal with the careless driver’s insurance company.
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What Should I Do if an Attorney or Insurance Adjuster Calls Me?
You should never speak with insurance adjusters for someone else involved in the accident. While they may sound friendly and sympathetic to your case, they are almost certainly trying to get statements from you that would reduce or eliminate the liability of their insured. This is also true when an attorney for another person contacts you.
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How to File a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit?
As previously mentioned, filing a medical malpractice lawsuit starts with contacting a lawyer. However, it is crucial that we have sufficient information before filing the claim because malpractice claims can be significantly more complicated than other lawsuits. Our dedicated attorneys will collect all of your medical records and thoroughly review them.
Your medical malpractice attorney must determine whether the case warrants a lawsuit before they file with the court. If we do go forward, we will rely on highly qualified doctors who will be able to explain why you or your loved one were wrongfully harmed by medical treatment.