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Getting hurt in an Uber in Plano, Texas is more complicated than a regular car accident. You are not dealing with just one driver and one insurance policy. You are dealing with a rideshare company, layered insurance coverage rules, and a legal framework built specifically for Transportation Network Companies, which are companies like Uber that connect passengers with drivers through a digital app. If you were injured in a Plano Uber accident, the personal injury lawyers at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys in Denton, Texas are ready to help you understand your options and fight for the compensation you deserve. Our office is located at 110 N. Woodrow Ln, Ste 120, Denton, TX 76205, and we serve injured clients throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including Plano and surrounding communities.
Table of Contents
- How Texas Law Governs Uber Accidents in Plano
- Uber Insurance Coverage Periods and What They Mean for Your Claim
- Who Can Be Held Liable After a Plano Uber Accident
- Steps to Take After an Uber Accident in Plano, Texas
- The Deadline to File a Plano Uber Accident Lawsuit in Texas
- FAQs About Plano Uber Accident Attorney
How Texas Law Governs Uber Accidents in Plano
Texas regulates Uber and other rideshare companies under a specific legal framework. Uber is classified as a Transportation Network Company, or TNC, under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2402. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, known as TDLR, is the state agency charged with implementing the state TNC regulations. This means Uber must hold a state permit to operate anywhere in Texas, including Plano.
The rules covering driver conduct are also detailed in state law. Texas Occupations Code Section 2402.102 requires a transportation network company to adopt and implement a policy prohibiting drivers from using or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol when the driver is logged on to the company’s digital network, regardless of whether the driver is providing a ride prearranged through the network. When an Uber driver violates that policy and causes a crash, that violation is relevant to your injury claim.
Driver eligibility is also regulated. Section 2402.101 sets forth requirements for a transportation network company before the company allows an individual to act as a driver on the company’s digital network, and it prohibits a transportation network company from permitting an individual to act as a driver who has been convicted of certain offenses or who meets certain disqualifying criteria. If Uber failed to screen a driver properly and that driver hurt you, the company itself may share responsibility for your injuries.
Crashes near busy Plano corridors like US-75 (Central Expressway), the Dallas North Tollway, or the Legacy West development happen regularly. When those crashes involve an Uber vehicle, the legal picture is far more detailed than a standard two-car collision. Knowing what law applies, and how it applies, is the first step toward recovering what you are owed.
Uber Insurance Coverage Periods and What They Mean for Your Claim
The single most important fact in any Uber accident claim is what the driver was doing in the app at the moment of the crash. Texas Insurance Code Chapter 1954 divides Uber driving into distinct coverage periods, and each one carries different insurance requirements.
Texas law requires ride-sharing companies, such as Uber, to have insurance that covers people or property the driver injures if the driver does not have insurance. But the amount of that coverage depends entirely on the driver’s app status at the time of the accident.
When the Uber app is off, the driver’s personal auto insurance applies. The situation changes when the Uber app is turned on and the driver is available to accept ride requests. During this period, sometimes called Period 1, Texas Insurance Code Section 1954.052 requires higher minimum coverage levels. Uber drivers must have at least $50,000 in coverage for injury to one person, $100,000 for injuries per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
Once a driver accepts a ride request, the coverage increases dramatically. Under Texas Insurance Code Section 1954.053, as amended by HB 3520, effective September 1, 2025, this period now triggers Uber’s full commercial coverage: $1,000,000 aggregate liability coverage per incident for death, bodily injury, and property damage. This applies from the moment the driver accepts the ride through passenger drop-off.
Insurance companies often fight over which period applies. The driver’s personal insurer often denies coverage, citing a “livery exclusion” that excludes commercial driving activity. Uber’s commercial insurer often denies coverage, arguing the driver hadn’t yet accepted a ride. Victims get caught in the middle of a coverage fight neither insurer wants to lose. An attorney can pull the app data, GPS records, and ride history needed to establish the driver’s status and force the right insurer to pay.
Who Can Be Held Liable After a Plano Uber Accident
Liability in a Plano Uber accident is rarely limited to just the driver. Depending on how the crash happened, multiple parties may share responsibility for your injuries.
The Uber driver is the most obvious potential defendant. Texas negligence law requires every driver to operate their vehicle with reasonable care. When a driver speeds, runs a red light near Plano’s Legacy Drive corridor, or drives distracted while waiting for a ride request, they breach that duty. That breach, if it causes your injury, creates a personal injury claim against the driver.
Uber itself can also face liability in certain situations. Under Texas Occupations Code Section 2402.114, a TNC driver is considered an independent contractor if the company does not prescribe the hours the driver is required to be logged into the digital network or impose restrictions on the driver’s ability to use other transportation network companies’ digital networks. Uber classifies its drivers as independent contractors, which limits direct employer liability. However, if Uber failed to run proper background checks, retained a driver with a disqualifying history, or violated its own safety policies, the company may still face a negligent hiring or negligent retention claim.
Other drivers on the road can also be at fault. If a third-party driver caused the crash and the Uber driver was carrying you as a passenger, you may have a claim against that third-party driver. You may also have access to Uber’s uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if the at-fault driver lacked adequate insurance. Uber and Lyft also provide $1 million of uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage per accident.
Catastrophic outcomes, including traumatic brain injuries or injuries requiring long-term care, may also involve product liability claims if a vehicle defect contributed to the crash. Identifying every responsible party is critical to maximizing your recovery, and that process starts with a thorough investigation.
Steps to Take After an Uber Accident in Plano, Texas
What you do in the hours and days after a Plano Uber accident directly affects the strength of your injury claim. Evidence disappears fast, and insurance companies move quickly to protect their own interests.
Call 911 immediately. A police report documents the crash, identifies witnesses, and creates an official record of what happened. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 550.065, you have the right to obtain a copy of the crash report, known as the CR-3 form, once it is filed with the Texas Department of Transportation. Your ride-sharing company is required to tell you about the insurance policy, including the types of coverage and the limits for the policy. Request that information in writing.
Take photos of the crash scene, all vehicles involved, your injuries, and any road conditions that may have contributed to the accident. If you are near a landmark like the Shops at Willow Bend or the Plano Event Center, note the exact location. Specific location details help reconstruct the crash later.
Seek medical treatment right away, even if you feel fine. Some injuries, including concussions and soft tissue damage, do not produce obvious symptoms immediately. A medical record created the day of the crash carries significant weight in a personal injury claim.
Do not give a recorded statement to Uber’s insurer or any other insurance adjuster without speaking to an attorney first. Adjusters are trained to ask questions that can reduce or eliminate your compensation. Preserve screenshots of your Uber trip record, including the driver’s name, the route, and the time of the ride. TNCs are required to keep all individual ride records for five years and driver records for at least five years after the date the driver ceases to be authorized as a driver for the TNC. That data can be subpoenaed if needed.
Call Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500. We can guide you through the process, communicate with insurers on your behalf, and build the strongest possible case for your recovery.
The Deadline to File a Plano Uber Accident Lawsuit in Texas
Texas law sets a firm deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit after an Uber accident. Missing that deadline almost always means losing your right to compensation, regardless of how strong your case is.
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003 requires an injured person to bring suit no later than two years after the day the cause of action accrues. For most Uber accident victims, the clock starts on the day of the crash. A statute of limitations is simply a legal deadline: once it passes, you generally lose the right to file a lawsuit and recover compensation. Texas courts apply this deadline strictly, and genuine exceptions are limited.
Some exceptions can pause the clock. Texas tolls the statute of limitations for two categories of individuals: those under 18 years old and people who are mentally incapacitated or “of unsound mind” when the cause of action accrues, under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.001. If the at-fault driver leaves Texas after the crash, that absence period may not count toward the deadline under Section 16.063.
Two years can pass faster than you expect. Medical treatment, physical therapy, and the stress of recovery take priority, and legal deadlines can slip. Evidence also degrades over time. Witnesses forget details, surveillance footage gets overwritten, and Uber’s internal records become harder to obtain. Starting the legal process early protects your claim.
If your Uber accident resulted in a death, wrongful death claims are also governed by a two-year deadline under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003(b), with the clock starting on the date of death. Families dealing with that kind of loss deserve experienced legal support from the very beginning.
Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handles Uber accident cases throughout the Plano area and across the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Call us at (940) 800-2500 to schedule a free consultation. Past results in any case do not guarantee the same outcome in another matter, as every case involves different facts and law.
FAQs About Plano Uber Accident Attorney
Can I sue Uber directly if their driver caused my accident in Plano?
You can potentially bring a claim against Uber, but it depends on the specific facts of your case. Uber classifies its drivers as independent contractors under Texas Occupations Code Section 2402.114, which limits direct employer liability. However, if Uber failed to conduct proper background checks, retained an unfit driver, or violated its own safety policies, a negligent hiring or negligent retention claim against the company may be possible. An attorney can review the facts of your crash and identify every party that may share responsibility.
What if the Uber driver’s app was off when the crash happened?
If the Uber app was off at the time of the crash, Uber’s commercial insurance does not apply. The driver’s personal auto insurance policy would be the primary source of coverage. Texas requires all drivers to carry minimum liability coverage of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury. If the driver’s personal coverage is insufficient to cover your injuries, other avenues, such as your own underinsured motorist coverage, may be available. Determining exactly what the driver was doing in the app at the moment of impact is one of the first things an attorney will investigate.
How long does it take to resolve a Plano Uber accident claim?
The timeline varies depending on the severity of your injuries, the number of parties involved, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Claims involving serious injuries, disputed liability, or multiple insurance companies tend to take longer. Most personal injury claims resolve through negotiated settlements, but some require litigation. What matters most is that you do not rush to settle before you fully understand the extent of your injuries and long-term medical needs. An attorney can help you evaluate any settlement offer against the full value of your claim.
What damages can I recover after an Uber accident in Texas?
Texas law allows injured Uber accident victims to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, physical pain, emotional distress, and property damage. In cases involving catastrophic injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord damage, future medical costs and long-term care expenses are also recoverable. If the at-fault driver acted with gross negligence, such as driving drunk, exemplary damages may also be available under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 41.003. The specific damages available in your case depend on the facts and the severity of your injuries.
Do I need a lawyer if Uber’s insurance company offers me a quick settlement?
A quick settlement offer from an insurance company is rarely in your best interest. Insurers typically make early offers before you have a clear picture of your total medical costs, lost income, and long-term recovery needs. Accepting a settlement generally means releasing all future claims, even if your injuries turn out to be more serious than initially thought. Before you sign anything, speak with an attorney. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys offers free consultations and can review any offer you have received. Call us at (940) 800-2500 to talk through your options with no obligation.
Content prepared by Chandler Ross, Injury Attorneys, 110 N. Woodrow Ln, Ste 120, Denton, TX 76205. Attorney responsible for this content: Chandler Ross. Chandler Ross is licensed to practice law in Texas. This content is attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and depends on its own facts and applicable law.
