After a rideshare accident, you may be dealing with injuries, medical bills, and pressure from insurance companies evaluating your claim. These cases are different because insurance coverage depends on what the driver was doing at the time of the crash. The rideshare company’s insurer and the driver’s personal auto insurer may dispute liability, putting your claim at risk.
In North Carolina, this situation becomes more serious because of the state’s contributory negligence rule. If you are found even 1% at fault, you may be barred from recovering compensation entirely.
At Auger & Auger Accident and Injury Lawyers, our rideshare accident lawyer in Gastonia identifies which insurance policies apply, builds clear evidence of fault, and pushes back against insurer attempts to deny your claim.
Our Gastonia personal injury lawyers have the experience to challenge liability disputes and protect your right to recover compensation. Call today for a free consultation. With our A&A Zero Fee Guarantee™, you pay nothing upfront.
Why Choose Our Gastonia Rideshare Accident Attorneys?
Our Gastonia rideshare collision attorneys bring three decades of experience handling these types of cases, which often involve disputed fault, layered insurance coverage, and strict contributory negligence rules that can affect your ability to recover compensation.
Our Recovered Verdicts and Settlements
We achieved a $1.4 million rideshare settlement for a client who was injured in a rideshare collision. This accomplishment demonstrates our ability to negotiate with rideshare companies, their legal teams, and insurers to pursue fair compensation.
In addition to that settlement, our attorneys have recovered over $100 million for clients across North Carolina, including results in cases involving disputed fault and complex insurance claims.
Three Decades of Experience
Since opening our doors in 1995, we have built a reputation for serving accident victims with a 99% success rate. With an average of 19 years of personal injury experience per attorney, our team knows how to tackle even the challenging aspects of a rideshare accident case.
Our rideshare crash attorneys in Gastonia understand North Carolina laws, including contributory negligence, and are prepared to build strong, evidence-backed cases to protect your right to recovery.
Personalized, Client-Centered Representation
As a small, family-owned law firm, we are dedicated to putting the needs of our clients first. Our attorneys take the time to listen to your story, understand the full impact of the accident on your life, and craft a legal strategy tailored to your unique circumstances.
The A&A Zero Fee Guarantee™
With our A&A Zero Fee Guarantee™, you don’t pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Our rideshare accident lawyers advance the costs of your case and recover them from any settlement or verdict we win for you.
Why It’s Important to Have a Rideshare Accident Lawyer
Rideshare accident claims present unique challenges in North Carolina, where a pure contributory negligence rule applies to personal injury cases. Insurance companies use this rule to shift blame and deny otherwise valid claims, which can directly affect whether you recover compensation.
Rideshare accident claims are also complicated by the involvement of multiple parties, including:
- The rideshare driver
- A third-party motorist
- The rideshare company itself (such as Uber or Lyft)
- Other entities, like municipalities responsible for road safety
Our Gastonia rideshare accident lawyer can negotiate with transportation network companies (TNCs) and their insurers to pursue fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
Exceptions to Contributory Negligence in North Carolina
While North Carolina’s contributory negligence law can be a significant barrier to recovery, there are limited exceptions where a plaintiff may still recover damages.
For example:
- Gross negligence or willful and wanton conduct: If the at-fault driver acted with a reckless disregard for the safety of others, such as driving under the influence or engaging in reckless speeding, the victim may still be eligible for compensation despite contributory negligence.
- The “last clear chance” doctrine: If the at-fault party had the last opportunity to avoid the accident but failed to take reasonable action, the victim’s recovery may still be permitted, even if they were negligent to a degree.
An experienced rideshare accident lawyer from Auger & Auger can evaluate whether these exceptions apply and use them to challenge fault arguments that could otherwise prevent your recovery.
Applicable Insurance Policies in Rideshare Accident Claims
In rideshare accident claims, coverage depends on whether the driver was offline, waiting for a request, en route to pick up a passenger, or actively transporting a passenger.
Most rideshare companies, such as Uber and Lyft, provide liability insurance for their drivers, but the coverage varies based on the driver’s activity at the time of the accident.
Rideshare Drivers Not Logged Into Apps
If the rideshare driver is not logged into the app when the accident occurs, the rideshare company’s insurance does not apply. The rideshare driver’s personal auto insurance is typically the only active policy available during this period.
Under Session Law 2024‑29, Senate Bill 319, as of July 1, 2025, personal policies issued or renewed in NC must carry at least $50,000 per person for bodily injury and $100,000 total per accident in liability limits, and $50,000 for property damage.
Rideshare Drivers Logged Into Apps but Waiting for Ride Requests
When the driver is logged into the app and is available to accept ride requests but has not yet been matched with a rider, limited coverage is provided.
N.C.G.S. § 20‑280.4 requires primary liability of at least $50,000 per person for bodily injury and $100,000 total per accident, as well as $25,000 for property damage, plus combined UM/UIM that complies with N.C.G.S. § 20‑279.21.
Policies must include uninsured motorist coverage at least equal to the statutory minimum liability limits and, if the policy’s bodily‑injury limits exceed those minimums, underinsured motorist coverage.
Driver En Route to Meet a Passenger or While Transporting a Passenger
Once the driver has accepted a ride request or is actively transporting a passenger, the rideshare company provides higher insurance limits:
- $1 million liability insurance: Coverage for bodily injury and property damage caused by the driver.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: This covers a passenger if the at-fault party lacks adequate insurance. N.C.G.S. § 20‑279.21 currently sets these limits at 50/100/50 for policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2025.
- Contingent collision and comprehensive coverage: Coverage for the rideshare driver’s vehicle damage if they have personal collision coverage on their auto policy. However, a deductible (typically $2,500) will apply.
We identify the applicable insurance coverage, build the case around fault and liability, and address insurer tactics that could reduce or deny your claim.
Call Us for Help After a Rideshare Accident
After a rideshare accident, Auger & Auger is here to protect your rights. Our experienced attorneys will handle the legal details, from communicating with insurers to pursuing the compensation you deserve, so you don’t have to.
Call us today to discuss your case during a free initial consultation.
