Rideshare companies classify drivers as independent contractors, which generally shields the company from direct liability for a driver’s negligence on the road.
That said, the company’s insurance policy is often still the source of compensation, and in some cases claims against the company itself may be possible depending on how the crash occurred — for example, if the company negligently failed to screen a driver with a dangerous history.
A Houston trial lawyer since 2009 — representing injured people and their families, and defending the accused in DWI and criminal cases. Jay is an ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist, a certified practitioner and instructor of Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, a certified Drug Recognition Expert, and trained in forensic chromatography. He is a member of the National College for DUI Defense, a founding member of the DUI Defense Lawyers Association, and an appointee to the Texas Indigent Defense Commission by Gov. Abbott in 2024.
Last reviewed July 2026 · This article is legal information, not legal advice. Read Jay’s full bio →