Uber and Lyft have fundamentally changed Dallas transportation — and created a new category of personal injury cases with unique insurance rules. When an Uber or Lyft driver is involved in a Dallas crash while logged into the app, a commercial insurance policy with $1 million in liability coverage typically applies, providing dramatically more coverage than a driver’s personal auto policy. Accessing that coverage requires understanding the “period” framework that governs transportation network company (TNC) insurance under Texas Transportation Code Chapter 2402. A Dallas Uber & Lyft accident lawyer at McFarlane Law handles the full range of rideshare cases.
The TNC Insurance Period Framework
Texas Transportation Code Chapter 2402 divides rideshare driver activity into three periods. Period 0: driver not logged into the TNC app; only personal auto policy applies. Period 1: logged in and waiting for a ride request; TNC policies typically provide $50K/$100K/$25K in contingent liability coverage. Period 2: ride accepted, driver en route to pick up; full TNC commercial policy with $1 million in liability coverage applies. Period 3: passenger in the vehicle; same $1M coverage. Determining which period applied at the moment of a Dallas crash is central to the insurance analysis, and both Uber and Lyft will work aggressively to characterize incidents in Period 0 or 1 to minimize their exposure. McFarlane Law subpoenas TNC trip logs immediately to establish which period actually applied.
Who Is Liable When a Dallas Uber Crashes
When the TNC driver causes the Dallas crash, the commercial policy is primary during Periods 2 and 3. The TNC driver is personally liable. The driver’s personal auto carrier may have exposure depending on endorsements. If another driver caused the crash, that driver’s liability coverage plus your own UM/UIM coverage apply; you can also pursue the TNC policy’s UM/UIM protection during Period 2 or 3. If a commercial vehicle caused the crash, that third party’s policies also apply. McFarlane Law identifies every available coverage layer.
Evidence in Dallas TNC Cases
TNC cases have unique evidence needs. Trip receipts, driver app logs, ride-request history, GPS tracking, and in-app communications are retained by Uber and Lyft and must be subpoenaed promptly. Driver safety records (prior complaints, suspensions, crash history) become relevant in negligent-hiring and negligent-retention claims against the TNC itself. Dashcam footage is increasingly common among Dallas rideshare drivers. Passenger and driver cell phone records document ride communications. Dallas Police Department crash reports, traffic camera footage, and private surveillance at the rideshare pickup or drop-off location contribute. McFarlane Law issues litigation-hold letters to both TNCs and drivers within 48 hours.
TNC Corporate Negligence Claims
Beyond vicarious liability, Uber and Lyft face direct corporate-negligence claims in some Dallas cases. Theories include negligent driver screening, inadequate training, failure to respond to prior complaints, algorithm design that incentivizes unsafe driving (surge pricing pressure, rating pressure, long shifts), and inadequate safety features. Corporate negligence cases are difficult but can dramatically increase recovery beyond the $1M trip policy. McFarlane Law evaluates every serious Dallas rideshare case for these additional theories.
Related Practice Areas
Related Dallas subpages: Dallas car accident lawyer, Dallas hit and run accident lawyer, Dallas drunk driving accident lawyer. Hub: Dallas personal injury lawyer.
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Dallas Uber/Lyft cases involve specialized insurance layers. Call McFarlane Law to identify every coverage. (512) 222-4900 / (432) 803-5000. Free consult.
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Deep Experience in Dallas and Dallas County Courts
McFarlane Law has tried and settled cases across Dallas County, Collin County, Tarrant County, Denton County, and Rockwall County. Our attorneys know the Dallas Civil District Courts at the George L. Allen Sr. Courts Building, understand the DFW jury pools, and have worked with Dallas-area medical providers — Baylor Scott & White, UT Southwestern, Methodist Health System, Parkland — accident reconstructionists, and life-care planners on every case type covered in this silo. Dallas is the fastest-growing major metro in the country, with a distinctive mix of commercial trucking along I-35 and I-30, construction on billions of dollars in ongoing development, and high-volume everyday motor vehicle traffic on the LBJ Freeway, Central Expressway, and Dallas North Tollway. When we represent a Dallas client, we do it with the same preparation, resources, and courtroom depth we bring to every Texas personal injury case. Call (512) 222-4900 or (432) 803-5000 for a free consultation.
