Bensalem PA Uber Accident Lawyer

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Bensalem Township sits in Bucks County, right along the I-95 corridor, and Uber drivers are everywhere on its roads. From Street Road and Route 1 to the parking lots near Neshaminy Mall and Parx Casino, rideshare vehicles move through this community constantly. When one of those rides ends in a crash, victims often find themselves dealing with a web of insurance policies, corporate defenses, and Pennsylvania-specific laws that can feel overwhelming. If you were hurt in a Bensalem Uber accident, a Philadelphia 人身伤害律师 MyPhillyLawyer 可以帮助您了解自己的权利并争取应得的赔偿。.

How Pennsylvania Law Governs Uber Accidents in Bensalem
Who Can Be Held Liable After a Bensalem Uber Crash
Pennsylvania’s Tort System and What It Means for Your Uber Claim
Steps to Take After an Uber Accident in Bensalem
What Damages Can You Recover in a Bensalem Uber Accident Claim
FAQs About Bensalem PA Uber Accident Lawyer

How Pennsylvania Law Governs Uber Accidents in Bensalem

Pennsylvania regulates Uber and other rideshare companies as Transportation Network Companies, or TNCs, under Act 164 of 2016, codified at 66 Pa.C.S. §§ 2601–2610. This law applies to rides throughout Pennsylvania, including Bensalem, and it sets specific insurance requirements that change depending on what the driver’s app was doing at the exact moment of the crash.

The law divides every rideshare trip into distinct coverage periods. When the app is completely off, only the driver’s personal auto insurance applies. Pennsylvania’s minimum personal liability limits are just $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident, which is rarely enough to cover serious injuries.

Once the driver logs into the app but has not yet accepted a ride, Act 164 requires primary liability coverage of at least $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. First-party medical benefits are also required during this period, including $25,000 for pedestrians and $5,000 for the driver under 66 Pa.C.S. § 2603.1(a)(2).

The coverage jumps significantly once a ride is accepted. From the moment the driver taps “accept” through the passenger’s drop-off, Pennsylvania requires primary liability coverage of at least $500,000 for bodily injury, death, and property damage, along with first-party medical benefits of $25,000 for passengers and pedestrians. Both Uber and Lyft typically carry commercial policies that exceed these state minimums during active rides, often reaching $1 million in total liability coverage.

One detail matters for Bensalem specifically. Trips that originate outside Philadelphia and travel through or into the city are governed by the statewide framework under Act 164. Rides that begin in Philadelphia fall under a separate regulatory structure administered by the Philadelphia Parking Authority. Knowing where your trip started can affect which rules apply to your claim.

Who Can Be Held Liable After a Bensalem Uber Crash

Liability in an Uber accident rarely falls on just one party. Multiple defendants may share responsibility, and identifying all of them is essential to recovering full compensation.

The Uber driver is the most obvious potential defendant. If the driver was speeding on Route 1, running a red light near the Neshaminy Mall intersection, or distracted by the app itself, their negligence caused the crash. Distracted driving is a serious problem in Bucks County. According to data from the Pennsylvania Courts, over 9,000 distracted driving offenses were reported statewide between 2021 and 2025, with people in their 20s and 30s being the most common offenders — a demographic that overlaps heavily with rideshare drivers.

Uber Technologies, Inc. also carries financial responsibility through its commercial insurance policy. While Uber classifies its drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, that classification does not eliminate the company’s insurance obligations. Under Act 164, Pennsylvania mandates that TNCs provide tiered insurance coverage regardless of the employment classification debate. The company’s commercial policy is primary during active rides and must respond from the first dollar, even if the driver’s personal policy has lapsed.

A third driver who caused or contributed to the crash can also be held liable. If another motorist ran a stop sign and hit your Uber on Bristol Pike, you can pursue a claim against that driver’s insurance. If that driver is uninsured or underinsured, Uber’s own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage may fill the gap. Under 66 Pa.C.S. § 2603.1(a)(5), the rideshare company’s coverage is primary and cannot wait for another insurer to deny the claim first.

In some cases, a vehicle defect, a poorly maintained road, or a negligent property owner near the scene of the crash may also share responsibility. Bensalem’s busy commercial corridors, including the area around Parx Casino and the I-95 on-ramps, see heavy traffic and road conditions that can contribute to serious accidents.

Pennsylvania’s Tort System and What It Means for Your Uber Claim

Pennsylvania uses a “choice no-fault” system under the Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law, 75 Pa.C.S. Chapter 17. When you purchased your auto insurance, you chose either full tort or limited tort coverage. That choice affects your ability to sue for pain and suffering, even when you are a passenger in someone else’s vehicle.

Under full tort coverage, you can seek compensation for pain and suffering regardless of how severe your injuries are. Under limited tort coverage, you can only recover non-economic damages if your injuries qualify as a “serious injury,” which Pennsylvania defines to include serious impairment of body function or permanent serious disfigurement.

However, being a passenger in an Uber may give you stronger rights than your tort election suggests. Under 75 Pa.C.S. § 1705(d)(3), a person injured while riding in a vehicle “other than a private passenger motor vehicle” retains full tort rights. A rideshare vehicle actively transporting a paying passenger is a strong candidate for this exception. This means even if you selected limited tort on your own policy, you may still be able to pursue pain and suffering damages from your Uber accident.

Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence rule under 42 Pa.C.S. § 7102 also applies. This statute allows you to recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the crash, as long as your share of fault does not exceed 50%. Your total compensation is reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you can still recover $80,000. This rule makes it important not to assume you have no claim just because you played some role in the accident.

Under 75 Pa.C.S. § 1711, Pennsylvania requires all drivers to carry a minimum of $5,000 in first-party medical benefits. As a passenger in an Uber, your own auto policy’s medical benefits may also apply, depending on the priority of coverage rules set out in 75 Pa.C.S. § 1713. An attorney can help you identify every available source of coverage so you are not leaving money on the table.

Steps to Take After an Uber Accident in Bensalem

What you do in the hours and days after a Bensalem Uber crash can significantly affect your claim. Acting quickly and deliberately protects both your health and your legal rights.

Call 911 immediately. A police report creates an official record of the crash, documents the scene, and establishes the driver’s app status at the time of impact. Under Act 164, the rideshare driver is required to disclose whether they were logged into the app and to provide proof of the applicable insurance coverage to all parties and the responding officer. Get that information at the scene if you can.

Take photos of the vehicles, the road, any visible injuries, and the surrounding area. If you are near a recognizable landmark like the Neshaminy Creek bridge on Street Road or a commercial property on Route 1, photograph it. Location details help reconstruct the crash later. Collect contact information from witnesses.

Keep a copy of your Uber receipt from the app. That receipt confirms your trip was active, which establishes that the higher Phase 2 or Phase 3 coverage applies. Trip records, GPS data, driver ratings, and communication logs from the Uber platform are all potentially useful evidence. This digital data can be overwritten quickly, so preserving it matters.

Seek medical attention right away, even if you feel fine. Injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and soft tissue injuries often do not produce obvious symptoms immediately after a crash. A delay in treatment can also give an insurance company grounds to argue your injuries were not caused by the accident.

Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the crash, under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524. Missing that deadline generally means losing your right to sue. Contact MyPhillyLawyer at (215) 227-2727 as soon as possible so we can begin preserving evidence and building your case.

What Damages Can You Recover in a Bensalem Uber Accident Claim

Victims of Uber accidents in Bensalem can pursue a wide range of damages, depending on the severity of their injuries and the circumstances of the crash. Pennsylvania law allows recovery for both economic and non-economic losses.

Economic damages include all out-of-pocket financial losses tied to the accident. Medical expenses are typically the largest category, covering emergency room treatment, surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, prescription medications, and any future care you will need because of your injuries. Lost wages cover the income you missed while recovering. If your injuries affect your ability to work long-term, you can also claim loss of future earning capacity.

Non-economic damages compensate for losses that do not have a price tag but are very real. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium for a spouse are all recoverable, subject to Pennsylvania’s tort election rules discussed above. Serious injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, burn injuries, and amputations often produce the largest non-economic damage awards because of their lasting impact on quality of life.

If a loved one was killed in a Bensalem Uber accident, Pennsylvania’s Wrongful Death Act, 42 Pa.C.S. § 8301, allows eligible family members to recover damages for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and related losses. If no eligible survivor exists, the personal representative of the deceased may bring the action to recover hospital, nursing, medical, and funeral expenses under subsection (d) of that statute.

Uber’s commercial insurance policy provides substantial coverage during active rides, but insurance companies are not on your side. They will investigate the crash, scrutinize your medical records, and look for reasons to minimize or deny your claim. Having an attorney who understands Pennsylvania rideshare law levels the playing field and helps ensure you are not pressured into accepting a settlement that falls short of what you actually need.

MyPhillyLawyer handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Call us at (215) 227-2727 or Toll Free: 866-352-4572 to discuss your case. Our principal office is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

FAQs About Bensalem PA Uber Accident Lawyer

How long do I have to file an Uber accident lawsuit in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the crash, under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524. If you wait too long, you lose your right to sue. Rideshare trip data and driver records can also be overwritten quickly, so contacting an attorney as soon as possible after the accident gives your case the best foundation.

Does it matter if I chose limited tort coverage on my own auto policy?

Your tort election matters, but it may not bar your pain and suffering claim entirely. Under 75 Pa.C.S. § 1705(d)(3), a person injured in a vehicle “other than a private passenger motor vehicle” may retain full tort rights regardless of their personal policy election. A rideshare vehicle actively transporting a fare is a strong candidate for this exception. An attorney can evaluate whether this provision applies to your specific situation.

What if the Uber driver was not at fault and another driver caused the crash?

You can still pursue a claim against the driver who caused the crash. If that driver is uninsured or underinsured, Uber’s own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage may apply. Your own UM/UIM coverage also generally follows you as a passenger in any vehicle. Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence statute, 42 Pa.C.S. § 7102, allows claims against multiple parties when more than one person shares fault for the accident.

Can I file a claim against Uber directly, or only against the driver?

You can pursue a claim against Uber’s commercial insurance policy directly. Pennsylvania’s Act 164 of 2016 requires Uber to maintain primary liability coverage during active rides, and that coverage responds from the first dollar without waiting for the driver’s personal policy to act first. Uber classifies its drivers as independent contractors, which limits direct corporate liability, but the mandatory insurance obligation under state law ensures substantial coverage is available to injured passengers.

What if I was a pedestrian or cyclist hit by an Uber in Bensalem?

Pedestrians and cyclists struck by an Uber during an active ride are entitled to first-party medical benefits of $25,000 under 66 Pa.C.S. § 2603.1, in addition to any liability claim against the driver and Uber’s commercial policy. If the Uber driver was at fault, you can pursue a personal injury claim for all economic and non-economic losses. Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence rules apply, so even if you were partially at fault, you may still recover damages as long as your share of fault does not exceed 50%.