Lancaster Rideshare Accident Attorney

Over 75 Years of Combined Experience. Over $1 Billion Recovered for Antelope Valley Clients.

Rideshare accidents in Lancaster, California, are more legally complex than standard car crashes. When an Uber or Lyft is involved, multiple insurance policies may apply, liability can shift depending on what the driver was doing at the moment of impact, and the rideshare company’s own procedures add another layer to navigate. Our attorneys at Accident Attorneys have over 75 years of combined personal injury experience and have recovered more than $1 billion for clients throughout the Antelope Valley. Clients work directly with a licensed attorney from the first call to resolution.

We offer free case reviews, work on a contingency fee basis so there’s no upfront cost, and are available 24/7, including home or hospital visits for clients who can’t come to us. We also serve Spanish-speaking clients. If you or someone you love was hurt in a rideshare crash near Lancaster or Palmdale, we’re ready to help.

Contact our Lancaster rideshare accident attorneys or call (661) 261-4929 for a free case review today.

California’s Rideshare Insurance Rules Have Changed

California classifies Uber and Lyft as Transportation Network Companies under the California Public Utilities Code, which means their insurance obligations are governed by state law rather than standard auto policy rules. Every rideshare trip is divided into three coverage periods that determine which policy applies when a crash happens.

The Three TNC Coverage Periods

The three TNC coverage periods are:

• Period 1: App on, no ride accepted: Under California law, the TNC must provide primary liability coverage of at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per incident for death and personal injury, plus $30,000 for property damage, regardless of whether the driver’s personal insurer covers the claim. Personal auto policies don’t cover this period.
• Period 2: Driver en route to pick up a passenger: The TNC’s full $1 million liability policy becomes active.
• Period 3: Passenger in the vehicle: The $1 million liability policy remains in effect if the rideshare driver is at fault.

How SB 371 Changed UM/UIM Coverage for Rideshare Passengers

California SB 371, signed October 3, 2025, and effective January 1, 2026, changed the uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage that Uber and Lyft must carry during Period 3. UM/UIM coverage applies when a third-party driver who caused the crash has no insurance or not enough insurance to cover your losses. Under the new law, that coverage dropped from $1 million per person to $60,000 per person and $300,000 per incident. The $1 million liability policy for crashes where the rideshare driver is at fault was not changed.

For Lancaster rideshare accident victims, this shift matters: if an uninsured or underinsured driver caused your crash while you were a passenger, the mandatory UM/UIM coverage now covers significantly less. Your own personal UM/UIM policy and any other available coverage can become more important sources of recovery. Identifying every applicable policy and the correct coverage period requires moving quickly. App data and trip logs held by Uber and Lyft are time-sensitive.

How We Handle Rideshare Accident Claims in Lancaster

At Accident Attorneys, clients work directly with their attorney throughout the entire case: no paralegals, no assistants handling your calls. When a question comes up about your medical bills, the coverage period that applied to your crash, or what an adjuster’s offer actually represents, you get an answer from the attorney who knows your file.

Rideshare claims require early action. The driver’s app status at the moment of impact determines which insurance tier applies, and Uber and Lyft insurers routinely dispute coverage period status to limit what they pay out. We work to preserve app data, trip logs, and driver records early in the process. Our attorneys investigate the full picture: the rideshare driver’s history, the actions of any third-party drivers, the applicable policy tier, and every available coverage source.

Our firm has recovered more than $1 billion in settlements and jury verdicts for clients across the Antelope Valley. We bring that same attention to detail and determination to every rideshare case, regardless of which company was involved or how many insurers are at the table.

Steps to Take After a Rideshare Accident in Lancaster

What you do in the hours after an Uber or Lyft accident can directly affect your claim. These steps protect both your health and your legal options.

After a rideshare accident, take these steps:

• Call 911 and get medical attention: A police report creates an official record of the crash, and prompt medical care documents your injuries from the start.
• Document the scene: Photograph vehicle damage, visible injuries, road conditions, traffic signals, and the surrounding area before anything changes.
• Gather all contact information: Collect names, phone numbers, and insurance details from every driver, passenger, and witness present.
• Screenshot the active trip in the app: This creates a time-stamped record of the driver’s status at the time of the crash. It is central to establishing which coverage period applies.
• Report through the rideshare app: Filing an incident report through Uber or Lyft creates an official record without requiring a recorded statement to an adjuster.
• Avoid recorded statements to insurance adjusters: Adjusters may use statements to limit or deny your claim. Speak with a rideshare accident attorney before giving any recorded account.
• Contact our office promptly: App data and rideshare records can disappear quickly. Reaching out to Accident Attorneys early can help preserve the evidence your case depends on.
• Save all documentation: Keep every medical record, bill, and communication with Uber or Lyft. These records are the foundation of your claim.

Compensation Available After a Lancaster Rideshare Accident

The damages available after a rideshare crash depend on the severity of your injuries, the applicable insurance period, and the specific facts of your case. Passengers, pedestrians, other motorists, and even rideshare drivers may have claims depending on who was at fault.

Recoverable damages may include:

• Medical expenses: Past and future costs, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, and ongoing treatment
• Lost wages: Income you were unable to earn while recovering from your injuries
• Reduced earning capacity: Compensation for long-term limitations on your ability to work if your injuries are permanent
• Pain and suffering: Non-economic damages for the physical pain and emotional toll of the crash
• Emotional distress: Anxiety, depression, and psychological harm resulting from the accident
• Loss of enjoyment of life: Compensation for activities and experiences you can no longer participate in
• Wrongful death damages: Surviving family members may pursue compensation for funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship if a loved one was killed in a rideshare crash

California follows a pure comparative negligence standard, meaning your recovery may be reduced by any percentage of fault attributed to you. Passengers in rideshare vehicles are rarely found at fault, but the specific facts of every crash matter.

Get a Free Case Review from Our Rideshare Accident Attorneys

Rideshare accident claims in Lancaster have more moving parts than a standard car accident: TNC insurance tiers, the updated UM/UIM landscape under SB 371, and company procedures that can slow down or complicate your recovery. You don’t have to sort through it alone. Our attorneys at Accident Attorneys serve Lancaster, Palmdale, and the surrounding Antelope Valley with direct attorney representation, no upfront fees, and a track record that speaks for itself. We’re available 24/7, offer home or hospital visits when needed, and provide service in Spanish.

Call (661) 261-4929 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.