Santa Clarita Rideshare Accident Attorneys

App Status Shapes Coverage. Work Directly With Your Attorney.

After an Uber or Lyft crash, it may be unclear who is responsible, which insurer should pay, or how serious the injuries are. Coverage isn’t determined by the rideshare company’s name alone. The driver’s app activity, whether a ride had been accepted, and whether a passenger was in the vehicle can affect which policy applies.

Passengers, rideshare drivers, other motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists may all have claims after a collision. Injuries can also become more noticeable after the initial shock subsides, so limited symptoms at the scene don’t necessarily reflect the full medical impact.

Who Can Bring an Uber or Lyft Accident Claim

A claim can differ based on the injured person’s role and the conduct that caused the collision. Responsibility may rest with the rideshare driver, another motorist, a vehicle owner, or another party connected to dangerous conditions or a vehicle defect.

People who may pursue a claim include:

• Uber or Lyft passengers injured during a trip
• Rideshare drivers struck by another negligent motorist
• Drivers and passengers in other vehicles involved in the crash
• Pedestrians and cyclists hit by a rideshare vehicle
• Surviving family members pursuing a wrongful death claim

How California Rideshare Insurance Periods Affect Coverage

California regulates app-based rideshare companies as transportation network companies. State rules divide insurance coverage into three periods based on the driver’s activity in the app and the status of the trip.

The periods and minimum coverage requirements are:

• Period 1, waiting for a request: When the app is open but no ride has been accepted, primary coverage is at least $50,000 per person, $100,000 per incident, and $30,000 for property damage. California also requires at least $200,000 in excess coverage per occurrence.
• Period 2, traveling to a pickup: Once the driver accepts a ride and begins traveling to the passenger, primary commercial insurance of at least $1 million applies.
• Period 3, carrying a passenger: Primary commercial insurance of at least $1 million applies while the passenger is in the vehicle. California also requires an additional $1 million in uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage during this period.

App records, trip timestamps, passenger status, and evidence of fault can identify the relevant period and potential sources of coverage. The available policies may also depend on whether the rideshare driver, another motorist, or multiple parties caused the crash.

Direct Attorney Attention Backed by Over 75 Years of Combined Experience

Our clients work with an attorney rather than being passed to a paralegal or assistant. We bring that personal approach to personal injury matters, taking time to understand the medical care, missed work, recreational limitations, and changes to daily life caused by an injury.

Those details matter when losses extend beyond immediate bills. We use medical records, employment documents, and other evidence to present the collision’s impact and address disputes involving fault, coverage, and damages.

What Compensation May Cover After a Rideshare Crash

Potential damages may include medical expenses, lost income, reduced future earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. The value and legal path of an Uber accident claim or Lyft accident claim depend on the severity of the injuries, documented losses, available insurance, evidence of responsibility, and the applicable coverage period.

When a collision causes a death, eligible family members may have a wrongful death claim involving funeral-related losses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship.

Protect Your Health and Evidence After the Crash

Seek medical care after a collision, even if your symptoms initially seem limited. Before giving a recorded statement or accepting a settlement, consider whether unresolved injuries or disputed insurance coverage could affect your claim.

Useful steps after the crash include:

• Seek medical attention and follow your medical providers’ recommendations.
• Report the collision to the appropriate authorities and through the rideshare platform.
• Save app screenshots, trip receipts, driver information, photographs, and witness details.
• Keep medical records, invoices, wage-loss information, and vehicle damage documents.
• Avoid signing a release before you understand your injuries and the available coverage.