If you were injured in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft driver, the claims process is more complicated than a standard car accident. Rideshare companies have large insurance policies but also experienced legal teams who know how to limit what they pay out. Mendez & Sanchez APC has recovered over $1 billion for injury victims, including passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers hurt in rideshare accidents. Consultations are free, in English and Spanish, and you pay nothing unless we win.
How Uber and Lyft Insurance Actually Works
The amount of coverage available after a rideshare accident depends entirely on what the driver was doing at the time of the crash. There are three distinct coverage periods:
Period 0 (App off): The driver is not working. Their personal auto insurance applies. Neither Uber nor Lyft has any obligation to cover the accident.
Period 1 (App on, no trip accepted): The driver is logged in and waiting for a request. Uber and Lyft provide limited contingent liability coverage: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $30,000 for property damage. This only applies if the driver's personal insurance denies the claim first.
Period 2 (Trip accepted, en route to pickup): Once the driver accepts a ride, the rideshare company's full $1 million commercial liability policy activates. This covers the driver, the prospective passenger, and third parties injured during this phase.
Period 3 (Passenger in vehicle): The $1 million policy remains active. Note that California SB 371, effective January 1, 2026, reduced certain uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage requirements for rideshare companies, which may limit recovery for some injured passengers. An attorney familiar with the current law is important for claims after this date.
Who Can File a Rideshare Accident Claim?
- Passengers injured while riding in a rideshare vehicle
- Pedestrians or cyclists struck by a rideshare driver
- Other drivers hit by a rideshare vehicle
- Rideshare drivers injured by another vehicle while on an active trip
What to Do After a Rideshare Accident
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel okay.
- Do not close the Uber or Lyft app. The app records confirm the trip was active and determine which insurance period applies to your claim.
- Screenshot the app to preserve the trip details, driver information, and timestamp.
- Get the driver's personal auto insurance information as well, not just the rideshare company information.
- Report the accident through the rideshare app, but do not give a detailed recorded statement until you have spoken with an attorney.
- Photograph everything: both vehicles, the scene, your injuries, and any visible damage.
- Contact a rideshare accident attorney quickly. Trip records and digital evidence do not get preserved indefinitely.
Can You Sue Uber or Lyft Directly?
In most cases, rideshare companies classify their drivers as independent contractors, which they use to argue they are not directly liable for driver negligence. However, when the driver was on an active trip (Period 2 or 3), the company's $1 million commercial policy is available to compensate you regardless of the contractor argument. In some situations, the company itself may also face direct liability if there is evidence it was aware of a driver's dangerous history.
What About California SB 371?
California Senate Bill 371, which took effect January 1, 2026, changed the uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage requirements for rideshare companies during active trips. Under the new law, rideshare companies can provide reduced UM/UIM coverage for passengers, which may affect your ability to recover if another uninsured driver caused your accident during a ride. An attorney current on the law can advise you specifically on how SB 371 affects your claim.
How Long Do You Have to File a Rideshare Accident Claim?
In California and Nevada, you have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. However, rideshare companies have aggressive legal teams and digital evidence does not last indefinitely. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after the accident.
