Rideshare accidents involving Uber and Lyft are more complicated than a typical car accident claim because of how California insurance law treats transportation network companies (TNCs). Depending on what the driver was doing at the moment of the crash — waiting for a ride request, en route to pick up a passenger, or actively transporting one — a completely different insurance policy and coverage amount may apply.
California’s Rideshare Insurance Periods
California law breaks down rideshare driver activity into distinct periods, each with different insurance requirements:
- App off: Only the driver’s personal auto insurance applies.
- App on, waiting for a ride request: Uber and Lyft are required to provide at least $50,000 per person / $100,000 per incident in bodily injury coverage, plus $30,000 in property damage coverage.
- En route to pick up a passenger, or during a trip: Uber and Lyft are required to provide $1,000,000 in liability coverage.
Figuring out which period applied at the time of your crash — and which insurance policy actually responds — is often the single biggest factor in a rideshare accident claim.
Who Can Be Injured in a Rideshare Accident
- A passenger riding in the Uber or Lyft
- The driver of another vehicle struck by a rideshare driver
- A pedestrian or cyclist struck by a rideshare vehicle
- The rideshare driver themselves, if another party was at fault
Each of these situations can involve a different combination of insurance policies — the rideshare company’s policy, the at-fault driver’s personal policy, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was I injured as a passenger — who pays? If the Uber or Lyft driver was actively transporting you, the company’s $1,000,000 policy generally applies regardless of who caused the crash. What if another driver hit the rideshare vehicle I was in? You may have claims against both the at-fault driver’s insurance and, depending on the circumstances, the rideshare company’s policy. How long do I have to file a rideshare accident claim in California? Generally two years from the date of the accident under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. What does it cost to hire a rideshare accident lawyer? We work on contingency: no fee unless we win. If you or a loved one has been injured in an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare accident in Los Angeles or anywhere in California, contact The Law Office of Joshua P. Koshki for a free consultation. Free consultation. No fee unless we win.
Serving These California Communities
We help injury victims throughout the Los Angeles area and across California, including:
