Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are now a daily part of life in Tennessee. Millions of rides happen every year, and accidents are an unfortunate reality. Knowing how Tennessee law values rideshare injuries helps you understand what your claim is worth.
How Tennessee holds rideshare companies accountable
Tennessee does not treat rideshare companies like regular vehicle owners. The state classifies them as Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) and holds them to specific legal standards. One key requirement under this law is that TNCs must have insurance in place that protects passengers and other people on the road.
Understanding insurance coverage in rideshare accidents
One important factor in rideshare accidents is the phase of the ride at the time of the crash. Tennessee law divides rideshare driving into three periods:
- Period 1: Bodily injury coverage reaches up to $50,000 for a single person and $100,000 when multiple people are injured. Property damage coverage is set at $30,000
- Period 2: The driver has accepted a ride and is on the way to pick up the passenger. The available coverage may reach $1 million
- Period 3: The passenger is in the vehicle. Coverage remains at $1 million
The phase active at the time of your accident directly affects the compensation available to you.
The types of damages Tennessee law recognizes
After a rideshare accident, Tennessee law allows injured people to pursue two main types of damages. Economic damages cover measurable losses like medical bills, lost wages and future medical costs. Non-economic damages address personal harm, such as pain, suffering and emotional distress. Together, both types of damages reflect the full impact the accident has had on your life.
How fault affects compensation
Tennessee law measures each party’s share of responsibility through a modified comparative fault system. The amount of compensation you receive decreases based on how much fault is assigned to you. However, recovery is only possible if your assigned fault is less than 50%. If your fault reaches 50% or more, you lose the right to any compensation.
Filing your claim before the deadline
Tennessee law sets a one-year deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit, starting from the date of the injury. Certain exceptions, such as legal incapacity or minority, may extend this deadline. Beyond the deadline itself, waiting too long can also cause important evidence to disappear. Witness memories fade, records become harder to obtain and accident details become less clear over time.
Know your rights before accepting a settlement
Insurance companies have teams dedicated to minimizing payouts. Without an understanding of Tennessee’s rideshare laws, it can be difficult to recognize when a settlement offer falls short. Knowing how damages are calculated and how fault is determined puts you in a better position to assess what you are truly owed.