Irving Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Rideshare Accident Lawyer Irving, TX

Rideshare accidents create legal complications that most motor vehicle crashes do not. Uber and Lyft maintain layered insurance policies with coverage that shifts depending on what the driver was doing at the moment of impact. The rideshare companies employ in-house legal teams dedicated to limiting their liability and reducing victim compensation. Without an attorney who understands how these claims work, injured passengers and other motorists often receive far less than their injuries warrant.

Our Irving, TX rideshare accident lawyer has represented injury victims throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth region for 13 years. Founding Attorney Rhiannon Kelso has tried more than 25 cases to jury verdict and secured over $20 million in recoveries during her career. We handle Uber and Lyft accident claims on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we obtain compensation on your behalf.

Contact our firm to schedule a free consultation. We will review the circumstances of your crash, explain your legal options, and provide an honest assessment of your claim.

Why Choose Kelso Law for Rideshare Accidents in Irving, TX?

An Attorney Who Understands Rideshare Insurance Structures

Rideshare claims are not standard car accident cases. The insurance coverage available depends entirely on the driver’s status within the Uber or Lyft application at the time of the collision. Rhiannon Kelso has handled these claims for 13 years and understands how to identify which policies apply, how to navigate the claims process with multiple insurers, and how to counter the tactics rideshare companies use to minimize payouts.

Attorney Kelso founded this firm to represent individuals injured through the negligence of others. She holds bar admissions in Texas and the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas, enabling her to handle matters in both state and federal court.

She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where she received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award for academic achievement. Her undergraduate education was completed at the University of Arizona, where she earned dual degrees in Political Science and Near Eastern Studies. She served as Secretary General of Arizona Model United Nations during her time there.

Attorney Kelso maintains membership in the Dallas Bar Association, the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, and the Dallas Trial Lawyers Association. She speaks fluent English and Spanish, enabling direct communication with clients in their preferred language throughout the legal process.

If you need a personal injury lawyer in Irving, TX, our firm handles rideshare collisions alongside other serious injury matters throughout the region.

Results That Demonstrate Our Commitment

Attorney Kelso has secured millions of dollars for injured clients over the course of her career. Her results include an $8 million jury verdict obtained in Dallas County and multiple seven-figure recoveries in premises liability matters. She has tried more than 25 cases to jury verdict.

That trial record matters in rideshare cases. Uber and Lyft work with insurance companies that have substantial resources and experienced adjusters. These carriers know which attorneys will litigate and which will accept lowball offers. When they see counsel with substantial verdict experience, settlement negotiations proceed differently from the first demand letter forward.

No Upfront Fees

We represent rideshare accident victims on a contingency fee basis. There is no retainer. There is no hourly billing. Our fee comes exclusively from the compensation we recover for you. If your case does not result in a recovery, you owe nothing for attorney fees.

This arrangement allows injured passengers, drivers, and bystanders to pursue claims against well-funded insurance companies without worrying about legal costs while they manage medical treatment and lost income.

Client Testimonials

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“I had the best experience with this law firm. They worked very hard to get my settlement for a car wreck that I was involved in. They really dedicate their time to really get what is needed and more. Thank you so much for representing me and fighting these horrible insurance companies that don’t like to pay.” — Barbara Clark

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Types of Rideshare Accident Cases We Handle in Irving

Irving sees substantial rideshare activity. The Las Colinas business district generates demand from corporate travelers and employees. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport sits minutes away, creating constant pickup and dropoff traffic. Entertainment venues, hotels, and restaurants throughout the city rely on Uber and Lyft to transport patrons. This volume of rideshare activity means collisions occur regularly on Irving’s roads.

We represent clients in the following types of rideshare accident cases:

• Passenger injuries. Riders injured while traveling in an Uber or Lyft vehicle may have claims against the rideshare driver, another motorist, or both. When the rideshare driver is at fault, the company’s commercial insurance policy typically provides coverage up to $1 million. When another driver causes the crash, that driver’s liability insurance applies first, with the rideshare company’s uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage potentially available if needed.
• Collisions with other vehicles. Drivers and passengers in other cars struck by rideshare vehicles face claims that differ from standard accidents. Determining which insurance policy applies requires establishing what the rideshare driver was doing at the moment of impact. Uber and Lyft drivers spend significant time on the road, and statistics indicate they are involved in collisions at higher rates than average motorists.
• Pedestrian and cyclist injuries. Pedestrians and cyclists struck by rideshare vehicles often sustain severe injuries. Drivers distracted by the application or unfamiliar with routes pose particular dangers to those on foot or on bikes. These victims may pursue claims under the rideshare company’s liability coverage.
• Accidents involving other negligent drivers. When Uber accidents involve other drivers, the claims process becomes more complex. Passengers may have claims against both drivers. Determining fault percentages and identifying all available insurance coverage requires thorough investigation.
• Driver injuries. Rideshare drivers injured by other motorists may have claims against the at-fault driver’s insurance and potentially against their own policies. Many gig drivers do not carry adequate commercial underinsured motorist coverage, leaving gaps when the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance. We help drivers understand all available sources of recovery.
• Accidents during different app statuses. Coverage varies dramatically based on app status. When the app is off, only the driver’s personal insurance applies. When the app is on but no ride is accepted, limited contingent coverage exists. When en route to pick up a passenger or during a trip, full commercial coverage applies. Understanding these distinctions is essential to pursuing maximum compensation.
• Claims denied by rideshare companies. Uber and Lyft sometimes deny accident claims or dispute coverage based on app status arguments. Their in-house teams work to minimize liability at every turn. We challenge wrongful denials and fight for the coverage victims deserve.

Some injuries from rideshare collisions do not present symptoms immediately. Soft tissue damage, concussions, and internal injuries may take days to manifest. Seeking medical attention promptly after any collision protects both your health and your legal claim.

Texas Legal Requirements for Rideshare Accidents

Texas regulates rideshare companies through Chapter 2402 of the Texas Occupations Code, which establishes insurance requirements for transportation network companies. Under this statute, rideshare companies must maintain specific coverage levels depending on driver status.

When a driver is logged into the application but has not accepted a ride, the company must provide contingent liability coverage of at least $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. This coverage applies only if the driver’s personal insurance does not cover the accident or has been exhausted.

Once a driver accepts a ride request and until the passenger exits the vehicle, coverage increases substantially. Companies must provide at least $1 million in primary liability coverage. This policy covers injuries to passengers, occupants of other vehicles, pedestrians, and anyone else harmed by the rideshare driver’s negligence during an active trip.

The statute of limitations for rideshare accident claims follows standard Texas personal injury rules. Under Section 16.003 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code, injured parties must file suit within two years of the accident. Courts dismiss cases filed after this deadline in nearly all circumstances.

Texas comparative fault rules also apply. Pursuant to Section 33.001, injured parties may recover only if their responsibility for the accident does not exceed 50 percent. Insurance adjusters will look for any evidence suggesting the victim contributed to the crash or their injuries. Passengers who were not wearing seatbelts, pedestrians crossing outside crosswalks, and similar arguments all serve to reduce compensation.

We advise clients to avoid speaking with insurance adjusters before consulting counsel. Rideshare companies and their insurers have experienced claims handlers whose job is to minimize payouts. Everything you say becomes part of their file. Statements that seem innocuous can be used to reduce the value of your claim or deny it entirely.

What Damages Are Recoverable in Irving Rideshare Accident Cases?

Rideshare collisions produce the same range of injuries as other motor vehicle accidents. Whiplash, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and internal organ injuries all occur in these crashes. The severity depends on factors including speed at impact, whether occupants were wearing seatbelts, and the angle of collision.

Texas law permits rideshare accident victims to pursue compensation across several damage categories.

Economic damages compensate for financial losses that can be documented and calculated. Medical expenses typically constitute the largest component. Emergency room treatment, hospitalization, surgery, diagnostic imaging, physical therapy, prescription medications, and ongoing care all generate costs that victims should not bear themselves. The lifetime costs associated with spinal cord injuries alone can exceed several million dollars when accounting for necessary accommodations, medical equipment, and attendant care.

Lost wages cover income missed during recovery periods. Many accident victims cannot work for weeks or months following serious collisions. Diminished earning capacity applies when permanent injuries prevent victims from returning to their previous occupations or working at pre-injury levels. A construction worker who can no longer perform physical labor or a professional who suffers cognitive impairment from a brain injury may face lifetime earning reductions.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of injury deaths in the United States. The Texas Department of Transportation documents hundreds of thousands of crashes annually across the state. Rideshare vehicles contribute to these statistics, particularly in urban areas with high rideshare demand.

Non-economic damages address harm that cannot be assigned a specific dollar value. Pain and suffering during the accident and throughout recovery, mental anguish, physical impairment, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life represent common non-economic claims. Accident victims who can no longer participate in activities they previously enjoyed, who suffer chronic pain, or who experience anxiety about traveling in vehicles have sustained real harm that deserves compensation. Texas does not impose caps on non-economic damages in most motor vehicle accident cases.

Punitive damages may be available when the defendant’s conduct demonstrates gross negligence or intentional misconduct. A rideshare driver who was intoxicated, using their phone, or engaged in reckless driving may face punitive damages designed to punish egregious conduct and deter similar behavior.

Understanding how insurance companies calculate claim values helps rideshare accident victims recognize when settlement offers fall short of fair compensation. Insurers use formulas designed to minimize payouts. We build cases that reflect the actual losses our clients have sustained and will continue to face.

Contact Kelso Law

If you have sustained injuries in a rideshare accident in Irving, TX, our firm is prepared to evaluate your case and explain your legal options. Attorney Rhiannon Kelso has spent 13 years representing injured Texans and has recovered millions of dollars for her clients. We handle Uber and Lyft accident claims on contingency, which means you assume no financial risk in pursuing your claim.

Consultations are provided at no charge. We will review the facts surrounding your collision, determine which insurance policies apply, identify all responsible parties, and provide a straightforward assessment of your case and its potential value.

Contact us to schedule your free case evaluation. Uber and Lyft have legal teams protecting their interests. You deserve an attorney protecting yours.