Board-Certified Advocacy for Injured Uber and Lyft Riders in Galveston County
When a rideshare trip ends in a collision, you may not know whose insurance applies or who is responsible for your medical bills. Bill T. Wells is a Board-Certified personal injury trial lawyer who helps injured Uber and Lyft passengers, drivers, and other motorists across Galveston County hold the right parties accountable. As of counsel to The Payne Law Group, Bill personally handles every motor vehicle accident claim and works to recover the full compensation you need, with no fees unless we win.
Why Injured Riders Choose Bill T. Wells
When you are hurt and unsure what comes next, having an experienced trial lawyer in your corner makes a real difference. Bill brings decades of courtroom results and a personal, hands-on approach to every rideshare claim we take. This combination of specialization, local insight, and personal service helps our clients pursue the maximum compensation the law allows.
- Board-Certified Trial Experience: Bill has been Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1990, a distinction held by less than two percent of Texas lawyers.
- Deep Local Knowledge: With more than 500 appearances in Galveston County courts, Bill knows the local judges, procedures, and insurance defense tactics.
- Personal Attention: Bill handles your case personally from start to finish, so you are never handed off to junior staff. Learn more about his background and credentials.
- No Fees Unless You Win: We work on a contingency basis, and our attorney fee on motor vehicle accident claims is 25 percent of your recovery..
- Bilingual Service: Our office assists English and Spanish-speaking clients throughout the Galveston County area. Se Habla Español.
- Trusted Firm Support: As Of Counsel to The Payne Law Group in Bryan, Bill pairs individual attention with the resources of an established Texas firm.
A rideshare crash can leave you facing serious injuries, lost income, and a confusing web of insurance policies from Uber, Lyft, individual drivers, and other motorists. These cases are rarely as simple as a standard car wreck, because the coverage that applies depends on what the rideshare driver was doing at the moment of the crash. We know how to push back when an insurer tries to delay, undervalue, or deny what you are owed.
How Rideshare Insurance Coverage Works in Texas
One of the most important questions after a rideshare crash is which insurance policy pays for your injuries. Texas law sets specific coverage requirements for transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft, and the amount available depends on the driver’s status in the app at the time of the collision.
Under the insurance coverage Texas requires for rideshare drivers, coverage generally falls into three phases:
Rideshare App Is Off
When the driver is not logged in to the app, only the driver’s personal auto insurance applies. Many personal policies exclude crashes that happen while driving for a rideshare company. When the driver is not logged in to the app, only the driver’s personal auto insurance applies. Keep in mind that many personal auto policies contain exclusions that limit or deny coverage once a driver logs on to a rideshare app, which is why the company’s coverage becomes important in the next two phases.
Rideshare App Is On and Waiting for a Ride
When the driver is logged in but has not yet accepted a ride, the policy must provide at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per incident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage.
Rideshare Driver Is On the Way to Pickup or Is Carrying a Passenger
Once the driver accepts a ride and until the last passenger is dropped off, coverage of at least $1 million applies for death, bodily injury, and property damage.
Because coverage can shift dramatically from one phase to the next, identifying exactly what the driver was doing is often the difference between a modest offer and a full recovery. We gather app records, trip data, and other evidence to establish which policy applies to your claim.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Rideshare Crash
Liability after a rideshare collision is not always obvious. Depending on how the crash happened, more than one party may share responsibility for your injuries. Potentially responsible parties in a Galveston County rideshare case can include:
- The Rideshare Driver: If the Uber or Lyft driver caused the crash through speeding, distraction, or another negligent act.
- Another Motorist: If a third-party driver struck the rideshare vehicle, that driver’s insurance may be the primary source of recovery.
- The Rideshare Company’s Coverage: When the driver’s personal policy does not apply, the company’s coverage may respond, depending on the driver’s status in the app.
- Your Own Coverage: If an at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage may help fill the gap.
We investigate every potential source of compensation so that no available coverage is left on the table, because fault decides which insurer pays and how much your claim is worth.
Common Injuries and Damages in Rideshare Accidents
Rideshare passengers have no control over how the vehicle is driven, and a serious crash can cause lasting harm. Like any car accident claim, the value of your case depends on your injuries and the losses they cause. Injured riders and drivers we represent frequently pursue compensation for losses such as:
- Medical Expenses: Emergency care, hospital stays, surgery, and ongoing rehabilitation.
- Lost Income: Wages lost during recovery and reduced earning capacity for long-term injuries.
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
- Future Care Needs: Continued treatment for serious injuries such as spinal cord or head trauma.
We work with medical providers and other professionals to document the full extent of your damages and present a clear picture of how the crash has affected your life.
Act Quickly to Protect Your Rideshare Claim
Evidence disappears fast after a rideshare crash. App records can be overwritten, vehicles are repaired, and witnesses become harder to locate. Texas also imposes a strict two-year deadline to file most injury lawsuits, and missing it can bar your recovery entirely.
The sooner you involve us, the sooner we can preserve trip data, secure evidence from the scene, and deal with the insurance companies on your behalf. Early action puts your claim in the strongest possible position.
Talk to a Galveston County Rideshare Accident Attorney Today
If you were hurt in an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare crash in Galveston County, you do not have to face the insurance companies alone. Bill T. Wells and The Payne Law Group offer free consultations. Contact our office today to get started. You pay no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you. Se Habla Español.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Uber or Lyft’s insurance always cover my injuries?
Not automatically. The coverage that applies depends on what the driver was doing in the app at the time of the crash, and the rideshare company’s insurer will often argue for the lowest possible coverage. We gather the evidence needed to establish which policy applies and pursue the full amount available to you.
What should I do after a rideshare accident in Galveston County?
Seek medical attention, report the crash through the app, and take photos of the scene, the vehicles, and your injuries if you are able. Collect the names and insurance information of every driver involved, and avoid giving a recorded statement to any insurer before speaking with an attorney.
How much does it cost to hire Bill T. Wells for a rideshare case?
Nothing upfront. We handle rideshare and other motor vehicle claims on a contingency fee basis, and our attorney fee is capped at 25 percent of your total recovery, including trial. If we do not recover compensation for you, you owe no attorney fee.