You got in the car expecting a normal ride. Instead, you’re dealing with an ER bill, a claims adjuster who won’t call you back, and a company that insists the accident isn’t really “on them.” Rideshare cases are some of the most tangled in personal injury law — multiple insurance policies, a driver who’s technically an independent contractor, and two giant corporations that would rather you go away quietly.
At Injury Attorneys by Amin Law, we’ve handled Uber and Lyft accident injury claims for passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians all over California, from Los Angeles freeways to Bay Area surface streets. We know how to pull the trip data, figure out which insurance policy actually applies, and push back when the rideshare carrier tries to lowball a serious injury. Call us at 415-851-4300 for a free consultation.
Why Rideshare Accident Claims Are Different
A regular car accident claim usually involves one at-fault driver and one insurance policy. A rideshare accident claim can involve up to three: the rideshare driver’s personal policy, Uber or Lyft’s commercial policy, and — if you were hit by an Uber or Lyft driver while you were the one not in the car — your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Which policy applies, and at what limit, depends entirely on what the driver’s app status was at the moment of the crash:
- App off: the driver is treated as a private motorist, and only their personal auto policy applies.
- App on, waiting for a ride request: a limited contingent liability policy applies (currently $50,000/$100,000/$25,000 in California).
- En route to pick up a passenger, or a passenger is in the car: the rideshare company’s full commercial policy applies.
Figuring out which period was active, and getting the rideshare company to acknowledge it, is often the first fight in any Uber or Lyft accident case.
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A Recent Change Every California Rideshare Passenger Should Know About
For years, Uber and Lyft were required to carry $1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage for the period between when a passenger got in the car and got out. That changed on January 1, 2026: under California Senate Bill 371, the state cut that requirement from $1 million per person to just $60,000 per person and $300,000 per incident — a roughly 94% reduction. The rideshare company, rather than the individual driver, is now responsible for maintaining that lower level of coverage.
Practically, this means that if you’re a passenger in an Uber or Lyft and you’re hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver, the rideshare company’s UM/UIM policy may run out well before it covers a serious injury. A single surgery or hospital stay can exceed $60,000 on its own. This makes your own personal UM/UIM coverage — see our Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Claims page — more important than ever if you regularly ride with Uber or Lyft. It’s also one more reason to talk to an attorney early: figuring out every available source of coverage takes real digging.
Who We Represent in Rideshare Accident Cases
We handle claims for anyone injured because of a negligent Uber or Lyft driver, including:
- Rideshare passengers injured in a crash while riding in an Uber or Lyft
- Occupants of other vehicles struck by a rideshare driver
- Pedestrians and cyclists hit by a rideshare driver, including while the driver was distracted looking at the app
- Rideshare drivers themselves, when another motorist caused the crash
Common Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents
Rideshare drivers face pressures that ordinary drivers don’t, and it shows up in how these crashes happen:
- Distracted driving caused by constantly checking the app for the next fare or navigation instructions
- Fatigue from driving long hours, often as a second or third job
- Unfamiliarity with an area, leading to sudden lane changes, missed turns, and last-second stops
- Speeding to complete more trips per hour
- Unsafe or illegal pickups and drop-offs — double-parking, stopping in a travel lane, or picking up in a bike lane
- Distracted or impaired driving during late-night rides, particularly on weekend nights
- Inadequate driver vetting or a driver with a history of unsafe driving
Common Injuries in Rideshare Accidents
Our clients have suffered a wide range of injuries in Uber and Lyft crashes, including:
- Cervical disc herniation and other spine injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions, even in crashes with limited vehicle damage
- Pelvic fractures requiring surgical repair
- Shoulder tears and other injuries requiring surgery
- Lumbar spine and disc injuries
- Fractured wrists and other broken bones
- Soft tissue and nerve injuries
How Common Are Rideshare Accidents in California?
Rideshare crashes are not rare, and the data California does have is significant:
- Statewide annual reports submitted to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) — the agency that regulates Uber, Lyft, and other transportation network companies (TNCs) — have shown Uber reporting roughly 14,800 collisions statewide and Lyft roughly 11,200, based on SFCTA’s analysis of CPUC annual report data. That same analysis found Lyft’s reported collision rate was roughly double Uber’s per 100,000 trips.
- On a national level, Uber’s own U.S. Safety Report data shows a fatality rate that rose from 0.62 to 0.87 per 100 million miles traveled between the 2019–2020 and 2021–2022 reporting periods, according to Insurify’s analysis of company safety data.
- Rideshare vehicles are involved in an estimated 1,000 accidents a day nationwide, according to industry data compiled by personal injury researchers tracking Uber and Lyft crash trends.
- A 2024 University of Chicago study estimated that the growth of rideshare services has contributed to a 2–3% increase in overall U.S. traffic fatalities.
Los Angeles and the Bay Area are two of the busiest rideshare markets in the country, and that concentration of trips translates directly into a higher volume of crashes on the freeways, arterial roads, and city streets our clients travel every day.
California-Specific Rideshare Accident Scenarios We Handle
- Freeway rear-end and multi-vehicle collisions — common on I-80, US-101, I-405, and I-5, where rideshare drivers navigate stop-and-go traffic while also monitoring the app
- Intersection and left-turn crashes in Los Angeles and San Francisco — dense urban grids create constant conflict points between rideshare vehicles, other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians
- Unsafe pickups and drop-offs near airports, nightlife districts, and event venues in cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, and Sacramento
- Rideshare driver assaults or intentional acts, which may create liability separate from a standard negligence claim
- Hit-and-run and uninsured-driver crashes involving a rideshare vehicle, where UM/UIM coverage becomes central to the case
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Rideshare Accident?
- The rideshare driver, for ordinary negligent driving
- Uber or Lyft, for negligent hiring or screening, or in limited circumstances involving direct corporate negligence
- The other driver, if a third-party motorist caused the crash while you were riding in or near an Uber or Lyft
- A vehicle manufacturer, if a defective part contributed to the crash
Because of Proposition 22, rideshare drivers in California are classified as independent contractors rather than employees, which limits — but does not eliminate — the rideshare company’s liability for a driver’s negligence. Identifying every available insurance policy and every liable party is one of the most important things an experienced rideshare accident attorney does for you.
Case Results: How We've Helped Rideshare Accident Victims
Below are a few examples from the rideshare cases we’ve handled for clients across California. You can see more on our Rideshare Accident Injury Case Results page.
Uber Rear-End Collision on I-80 in Emeryville — Our client was a passenger in an Uber rear-ended in stop-and-go traffic, resulting in a cervical disc herniation confirmed by MRI. The rideshare carrier tried to treat it as a minor soft-tissue claim based on limited vehicle damage. We built the case around objective imaging and physician causation opinions, and it resolved in the mid-to-high six figures.
Lyft Left-Turn Collision in Los Angeles — An oncoming driver made an unsafe left turn into our client’s Lyft, causing a displaced pelvic fracture that required surgery. Lyft’s commercial carrier tried to narrow the scope of future care. With operative reports, orthopedic evaluations, and a life care plan, the case resolved in the high six-figure range.
Uber Rear-End Collision in San Francisco — Our client, a passenger rear-ended at a stoplight, developed symptoms consistent with a mild traumatic brain injury. The insurer disputed the injury based on minimal property damage — a common tactic in TBI cases. With neurological specialists and formal cognitive testing, the case resolved in the high six-figure range.
Disclaimer: Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is unique and must be evaluated on its own facts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rideshare Accident Claims
I was a passenger in an Uber that crashed. Who do I sue — the driver or Uber?
You typically don’t need to decide that upfront. Your attorney will identify every applicable insurance policy, which usually includes the rideshare company’s commercial policy if the driver had a passenger in the car or was en route to a pickup. In most cases, the claim is directed at the appropriate insurance carrier rather than the driver personally.
What if the Uber or Lyft driver didn’t have the app on?
If the app was off at the time of the crash, the driver is generally treated as a private motorist, and only their personal auto insurance applies — not Uber’s or Lyft’s commercial coverage. This is one reason obtaining the driver’s trip and app data quickly after a crash matters.
I was hit by an Uber driver while I was walking or riding my bike. Do I have a claim?
Yes. Pedestrians and cyclists struck by a rideshare driver can pursue a claim against the driver’s applicable insurance policy — which policy applies depends on the driver’s app status at the time of the crash, just as with a rideshare passenger’s claim.
Does SB 371 mean I can’t recover as much if I’m hit by an uninsured driver while riding in an Uber?
It could. The rideshare company’s UM/UIM coverage during a ride dropped from $1 million to $60,000 per person as of January 1, 2026. If your injuries exceed that limit, your own personal UM/UIM coverage — if you have it — may be able to fill the gap. This is worth discussing with an attorney, since there may be other sources of coverage to pursue as well.
How long do I have to file a rideshare accident claim in California?
Generally, two years from the date of the accident, the same as most personal injury claims in California. Deadlines can be shorter in some circumstances, so it’s best not to wait.
What if I was partly at fault for the accident?
California follows a pure comparative fault rule. You can still recover compensation even if you were partly responsible — your award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault.
Do rideshare companies fight these claims harder than regular insurance companies?
Often, yes. Uber and Lyft’s insurance carriers handle enormous volumes of claims and have specific strategies for minimizing payouts — including disputing which coverage period applies and challenging injuries with limited vehicle damage. Having an attorney who understands the layered insurance structure levels the playing field.
Contact Our Rideshare Accident Injury Team Today
If you’ve been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident anywhere in California — as a passenger, another driver, a pedestrian, or a cyclist — don’t wait to get answers. Contact Injury Attorneys by Amin Law today by filling out the online form or calling us at 415-851-4300. We’ll schedule a free consultation to review your case at no cost and no obligation.
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