Texas has implemented regulations to govern rideshare services. The vehicle and driver requirements for Uber and Lyft in Texas intend to bolster the safety of both drivers and passengers while maintaining a standard level of service across the state.
If you were involved in a wreck with a rideshare, your path to recovery depends on navigating a system of complex rules. A personal injury lawyer can explain the rules and help you file a claim to recover compensation.
The Foundation of a Claim: Texas Rideshare Company Rules
Under Texas law, companies like Uber and Lyft are known as Transportation Network Companies (TNCs). They are technology platforms that connect paying passengers with independent drivers using their own vehicles. This business model is central to how they handle safety and liability.
This classification allows rideshare giants to position themselves as intermediaries, not employers. The distinction influences who is held responsible after a crash.
Driver Requirements for Rideshares in Texas
Before a driver can accept even one ride in Texas, they must pass a set of baseline requirements mandated by law. These rules are in place to create a minimum safety standard for all TNCs. A failure to enforce these standards exposes the company to liability.
Age and Licensing Mandates
Every rideshare driver in Texas must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid driver’s license. The license cannot be expired or suspended. This is a basic check on a driver’s legal ability to operate a vehicle.
The companies are required to verify this information before allowing a driver onto their platform. It’s a simple but fundamental requirement.
Background Checks
Texas law mandates that Uber and Lyft conduct a comprehensive background check on every potential driver. This process is not optional. The company must search local, state, and national databases for a person’s complete driving history and criminal record.
The annual background check looks for specific disqualifying offenses. These include convictions for serious driving violations like DUIs, reckless driving, or a history of moving violations. It also flags violent crimes, rideshare sexual offenses, and other felonies that demonstrate a risk to public safety.
Vehicle Requirements for Uber and Lyft in Texas
The car itself is just as important as the person behind the wheel. Uber and Lyft have detailed vehicle requirements that a driver must meet. These standards go beyond the basic Texas inspection and are designed to provide riders a safe, consistent experience.
Basic Vehicle Standards
All rideshare vehicles in Texas must have four doors that open and close properly from the inside and outside. The car must have working seatbelts for the driver and every passenger. Major cosmetic damage may disqualify a vehicle from being used on the platform.
These rules aim to provide a minimum level of safety and functionality. A car with only two doors or broken seatbelts would fail to meet the required standards. The vehicle is expected to be in good working order.
Vehicle Age and Mileage Limits
Rideshare companies set a maximum age for vehicles used on their platform. In most Texas markets, a car cannot be older than 15 years. The companies often have lists of approved makes and models.
These requirements change over time, and Uber and Lyft may have slightly different rules. A driver using an older, unapproved vehicle may violate their agreement with the company.
Registration and Inspection
Every vehicle must have a valid Texas registration and carry proof of that registration inside the car. The driver must also provide proof that the vehicle has passed the annual Texas safety inspection, which checks brakes, tires, lights, and other essential systems.
Failing to maintain proper registration or a valid inspection violates state law and company policy.
Rideshare Insurance Explained
Insurance coverage is the most complex part of a Texas rideshare accident claim. The amount of available coverage changes based on the driver’s activity in the app at the moment of the crash.
Rideshare insurance operates in three separate periods. An accident in one period has a completely different set of applicable insurance policies than an accident in another. Insurance companies often fight the battle to define which period the crash occurred in.
The phases are:
- App Is Off: If the driver isn’t logged into the Uber or Lyft app, then they’re using their car for personal reasons. In this situation, only the driver’s personal auto insurance policy applies to an accident.
- App Is On, Waiting for a Ride Request: The second phase of insurance kicks in when the driver is logged in and available but hasn’t yet accepted a ride. The driver’s personal policy is the primary insurance, but rideshare companies must provide additional liability coverage if the personal policy denies the claim or is insufficient.
- Accepting a Ride or During the Trip: Phase three begins when the driver accepts a ride request and is on the way to pick up the passenger or is already transporting them. The TNC’s full commercial insurance policy is active, which includes at least $1 million in liability coverage.
Independent Contractor vs. Employee
Rideshare drivers are classified as independent contractors, not employees. This deliberate legal distinction allows Uber and Lyft to distance themselves from their drivers’ conduct and try to avoid direct responsibility for accidents they cause.
This classification is a central part of their defense strategy. TNCs often argue that since the driver is an independent business owner, the company isn’t liable for their negligence.
However, state law still imposes responsibilities on them, such as providing the required insurance coverage and screening their drivers properly.
What Happens When a Driver Breaks the Rules?
A driver who fails to meet the established vehicle and driver requirements for Uber and Lyft in Texas demonstrates negligence. If the company allowed that driver onto the platform, the company may also be found negligent.
For example, if a background check missed a driver’s history of DUIs, the rideshare company may be liable for hiring them. If a crash happens because of faulty brakes on a vehicle that never should have passed inspection, both the driver and the company face scrutiny.
Actions To Protect Your Rights After a San Antonio Rideshare Wreck
Your actions immediately after a rideshare wreck set the stage for your injury claim. If you were injured in a rideshare crash, take these four steps:
- Document Everything: Gather the evidence you collected at the scene. Organize every photo and video you took of the damaged vehicles, your injuries, and the accident location. Find all the physical documents related to the crash, including the driver exchange information slip, the investigating police officer’s card, and the accident report number.
- Report the Accident: Notify the police (if they didn’t show up to the scene) and insist on a formal accident report. In the Uber or Lyft app, use the help function to report the crash. Avoid giving detailed statements or accepting blame when speaking to a company representative.
- Preserve Evidence: Take screenshots of your ride receipt in the app. This shows the driver’s name, vehicle information, and the trip route. Keep every medical bill, receipt, and communication related to the accident in a dedicated folder.
- Contact a Lawyer: Seek legal advice from a qualified attorney as soon as possible. They can help you understand your rights, navigate the claims process, and ensure you receive fair compensation.
How a Lawyer Helps With Your Texas Rideshare Accident Claim
Investigating the Crash and Proving Negligence
A lawyer begins by conducting a full investigation into the crash. They obtain the official police report, witness statements, and photos from the scene.
Your attorney will file legal requests to preserve crucial evidence from the rideshare company, such as the driver’s trip data, driving history, and background check results. This work establishes exactly how the driver was negligent and why their actions caused you harm.
Managing Communication With Insurance Companies
Once you hire an attorney, all communication with insurance adjusters stops for you. Your lawyer takes over all phone calls, emails, and paperwork.
You no longer have to field calls from adjusters to get a recorded statement or pressure you into a quick settlement. This allows you to focus entirely on your medical recovery.
Calculating the Full Value of Your Claim
Determining the true value of your claim goes far beyond adding up current bills. A skilled personal injury attorney assesses every aspect of your losses to calculate a full and fair demand for compensation.
This detailed calculation includes a variety of damages:
- Medical Costs: An attorney gathers all records of your past and present medical treatment, from the initial ambulance ride and emergency room visit to ongoing physical therapy or specialist appointments. They may work with medical experts to project the cost of any future surgeries, medications, or long-term care you may need.
- Lost Income: Your lawyer documents any wages you lost if you couldn’t work due to your injuries. If your injuries permanently affect your ability to do your job or require you to take a lower-paying position, they calculate this loss of future earning capacity over your lifetime.
- Pain and Suffering: This compensation is for the physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life caused by the accident.
Negotiating a Fair Settlement
Armed with a thorough investigation and a detailed calculation of your damages, your lawyer enters into negotiations with the insurance company. They present a demand package that lays out the evidence of liability and the justification for the compensation you are seeking.
Your attorney can counter lowball offers and fight back against the tactics adjusters use to devalue your claim.
Taking Your Case to Court if Necessary
Most personal injury cases are resolved through a settlement. However, if the insurance company refuses to be reasonable and negotiate in good faith, your lawyer can take the next step and file a lawsuit.
FAQ for Understanding Vehicle and Driver Requirements for Uber and Lyft in Texas
What Are the Main Differences Between Uber and Lyft’s Driver Requirements?
Uber and Lyft’s core driver requirements in Texas are very similar, covering age, licensing, vehicle safety, and background checks. Small differences may exist in specific areas, like the exact model year requirement for vehicles.
Of course, these differences sometimes change from city to city. These policies can also change, so verifying the rules in place at the time of your accident is part of a thorough investigation.
If I was Injured in a Rideshare Wreck, Do I Sue the Driver or the Rideshare Company?
After a rideshare accident, you file an insurance claim against all parties who may be responsible. This almost always includes the at-fault driver’s applicable insurance and the TNC’s insurance policy. A lawyer will identify every potential source of compensation to pursue on your behalf.
What if the Rideshare Driver Was Uninsured or Fled the Scene?
Both Uber and Lyft’s corporate insurance policies include coverage for Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists (UM/UIM). This applies if their on-duty driver is at fault but has no insurance or not enough to cover your damages. This coverage also protects passengers and other motorists in a hit-and-run involving an active rideshare driver.
How Do I Get a Copy of the Accident Report?
You can order your official Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (form CR-3) online. For wrecks handled by local police, you can also request a copy directly from the precinct’s records office. An attorney handles this process for their clients.
How Are the Vehicle and Driver Requirements for Uber and Lyft in Texas Relevant to My Accident Case?
The vehicle and driver requirements for Uber and Lyft in Texas are relevant because violations are robust evidence of negligence. If a company allowed an unqualified driver or an unsafe vehicle on its platform, your attorney can argue that this failure contributed to your injuries.
Violations of these requirements can show a pattern of neglect beyond the single mistake that caused the crash, strengthening your case for compensation.
Take Back the Wheel
The path from injury to justice is paved with facts, evidence, and resolve. When you’re ready to move forward, we’re ready to listen. Contact Ryan Orsatti Law at (210) 525-1200 for a confidential consultation. Let’s talk about your case.