Fort Wayne Rideshare and Taxi Accident Attorney

At Shaw Law, we understand how life-altering a rideshare or taxi accident can be. With over 30 years serving the Fort Wayne community, our team guides injured Hoosiers through the confusion of layered corporate insurance so they can focus on healing. Whether you were a passenger, a driver, another motorist, or a pedestrian, we handle the corporate insurance teams on your behalf.

Call (260) 777-7777 for a free case evaluation or connect with our attorneys through our online form.

Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare drivers often work extended hours, navigate unfamiliar roads, and rely heavily on digital maps while driving through heavy traffic areas around downtown Fort Wayne and along major state highways. Common factors in these collisions include distracted driving from app notifications and ride requests, driver fatigue during late-night or weekend surge-pricing shifts, and sudden lane changes, abrupt stopping, or failing to yield in crowded pickup zones.

How Rideshare Insurance Coverage Works

A standard car accident usually involves two drivers and two personal auto insurance policies. Rideshare accidents are more complicated, because companies like Uber and Lyft operate under layered commercial insurance systems, and the coverage available changes depending on exactly what the driver was doing at the moment of the collision.

The App Is Off

If the rideshare driver was logged out of the platform, the accident is generally handled like a normal passenger vehicle crash, through the driver's personal auto insurance policy.

The App Is On, Waiting for a Ride Request

Uber and Lyft provide contingent liability coverage during this phase, which typically applies only after the driver's personal policy is exhausted.

The App Is On, En Route or Carrying a Passenger

Indiana law requires rideshare companies to provide up to $1 million in liability coverage while a driver is actively engaged in a ride. If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, Uber and Lyft generally provide up to $1 million in uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage for active passengers as well.

Traditional Taxi Accidents

Taxi accidents work differently from rideshare claims. Most taxi drivers are classified as employees of the cab company rather than independent contractors, which generally makes it easier to hold the company directly responsible for a driver's negligence. Taxi vehicles are also typically covered by a single commercial insurance policy carried by the cab company itself, rather than the layered, phase-dependent coverage that applies to rideshare platforms.

That does not make a taxi claim simple. Licensed cab companies still fight liability the same way any commercial defendant does, and identifying every available policy, the company's commercial coverage, the driver's own policy, and any applicable uninsured motorist coverage, still takes a thorough investigation.

Why Choose Shaw Law for a Rideshare or Taxi Claim

Our team is led by Jeff "JJ" Shaw, known for his record in personal injury trials across Indiana. Clients stay informed through our "EZ Case" smartphone app, which provides real-time updates so you always know where your claim stands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Uber or Lyft Pay My Medical Bills Directly?

No. In Indiana, medical bills are not automatically sent to Uber or Lyft for direct payment. Your own health insurance or medical payments coverage typically handles initial treatment, and the at-fault driver's insurance compensates you as part of your final settlement or verdict.

What if Another Driver Hit My Rideshare Vehicle?

That driver's insurance is typically the primary source of compensation. If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, the rideshare company's UM/UIM coverage may apply if you were an active passenger.

Is a Taxi Company Liable the Same Way a Rideshare Company Is?

Often more directly. Because most taxi drivers are employees rather than independent contractors, the company can typically be held responsible for the driver's negligence without the phase-based coverage analysis that rideshare claims require.

How Does Payment Work if I Hire Your Firm?

We work on a contingency fee basis. You do not pay upfront legal fees, and our firm is only paid if you recover compensation. Contact us for a free consultation.

Don't navigate this process alone. Call Shaw Law at (260) 777-7777 or fill out our online form for a free, completely confidential case evaluation.

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