Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have become a fixture of daily life in Los Angeles. Millions of rides happen every week across the city. And with that volume comes a growing number of accidents.
Being injured as a passenger, cyclist, or pedestrian in a rideshare accident is a uniquely complicated legal situation. Multiple insurance policies may apply. The platform will do everything in its power to distance itself from liability. And if you don’t know your rights, you could end up with a fraction of what your case is worth.
An Uber accident lawyer in Los Angeles understands exactly how these cases work, and how to fight for the compensation you deserve. At Ravan Law, we’ve helped victims cut through the confusion and recover what the system owes them.
Why Rideshare Accident Claims Are More Complex
In a standard car accident, you deal with two drivers and two insurance policies. In a rideshare accident, the picture is far more layered.
Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors, not employees. This classification is deliberate, it insulates the companies from direct employer liability. But it also creates a patchwork of insurance coverage that shifts depending on what the driver was doing at the exact moment of the crash.
Getting fair compensation requires knowing precisely which coverage applies, who to file against, and how to deal with the tactics these companies and their insurers use to deny or minimize claims.
Understanding Rideshare Insurance Coverage Phases
California law requires rideshare companies to maintain specific insurance coverage based on the driver’s status in the app. This is called the “phase” system, and it determines everything about your claim. The coverage requirements were significantly updated effective January 1, 2026 under SB 371 and AB 1340. If your accident occurred in 2026 or later, these updated rules apply to your case.
Phase 1: App Off
If the driver’s app was off and they were not working for Uber or Lyft at the time of the crash, their personal auto insurance policy applies. The rideshare company has no insurance obligation.
Phase 2: App On, No Ride Accepted
When the driver has the app open and is waiting for a ride request but hasn’t accepted one, Uber and Lyft are required to maintain $50,000 per person and $100,000 per incident for bodily injury, $30,000 for property damage, plus an additional $200,000 in excess liability coverage. These limits reflect California’s updated rideshare insurance requirements under SB 371 and AB 1340, which took effect January 1, 2026.
Phase 3: Ride Accepted or Passenger in Vehicle
From the moment a driver accepts a ride request through the completion of the trip, Uber and Lyft provide up to $1 million in third-party liability coverage when the rideshare driver is at fault. This is the phase with the most robust coverage and the phase under which most passenger injury claims fall.
Important update for 2026: Under SB 371, uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage during Phase 3 was reduced from $1 million per person to $60,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, effective January 1, 2026. This change directly affects passengers injured by an uninsured third-party driver and creates a significant gap between available coverage and the actual cost of serious injuries. Identifying every available source of coverage is now more important than ever.
Why Phase Matters
Insurance companies will investigate precisely what phase the driver was in at the time of your crash. They may argue the driver had just logged off or hadn’t yet accepted your request. Your attorney gathers app activity records, GPS data, and ride receipts to establish the timeline definitively.
Who Can Be Held Liable in an Uber Accident?
The Rideshare Driver
Driver negligence is the most direct source of liability. Distracted driving, speeding, running red lights, fatigued driving, these driver failures create personal liability.
Uber or Lyft (Corporate Liability)
While the independent contractor classification limits direct employer liability, there are circumstances where the platform can be held responsible. Negligent background checks, failure to address known dangerous driver behavior, and technological defects in the app can create corporate liability.
Third-Party Drivers
Many rideshare accidents are caused not by the Uber driver but by another vehicle. When a third-party driver is at fault, your claim may run against that driver’s insurance, with the rideshare company’s policy as a potential secondary source.
When a Public Entity May Share Responsibility
Rideshare crashes that involve city vehicles, dangerous road conditions, malfunctioning traffic signals, or hazards on state-maintained highways may give rise to a separate claim against a public entity. These claims fall under California’s Government Claims Act and require a formal government tort claim within six months under Government Code 911.2. This is a routine area of focus for Ravan Law and one of the most commonly missed deadlines in serious injury cases.
When Rideshare Crashes Cause Catastrophic Injuries
Serious rideshare collisions can produce traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal injuries, and long-term disability. In these cases, the gap between available insurance coverage and the actual lifetime cost of medical care, lost earning capacity, and ongoing support can be substantial, particularly given the recent reduction in UM/UIM limits under SB 371. At Ravan Law, catastrophic injury cases require detailed medical projections, life-care planning, and a strategy that pursues every available source of coverage, including the rideshare platform’s policy, the driver’s personal coverage, any third-party driver’s policy, and your own underinsured motorist protection.
Types of Rideshare Accident Victims We Represent
Uber accidents create victims in multiple roles, and all of them deserve full compensation.
Passengers
If you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft that was involved in an accident, whether the rideshare driver caused it or another vehicle did, you have a claim. Passengers are always considered free from fault in a rideshare accident.
Pedestrians and Cyclists
Rideshare drivers are constantly picking up and dropping off passengers in busy urban areas, creating high-risk interactions with pedestrians and cyclists. If you were struck by a rideshare vehicle, you have a valid claim.
Drivers of Other Vehicles
If your car was hit by an Uber or Lyft driver, you can pursue a claim through the driver’s personal insurance or the rideshare company’s coverage, depending on the driver’s phase at the time of impact.
Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents in Los Angeles
- Distracted driving from the Uber or Lyft app
- Sudden stops to pick up or drop off passengers
- Navigating unfamiliar routes in real time
- Speeding to complete more trips
- Fatigued driving from extended work sessions
- Illegal lane changes or turns
- Double-parking in unsafe locations
Common Injuries in Rideshare Accidents
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Broken bones and fractures
- Soft tissue damage
- Psychological trauma and PTSD
- Lacerations and scarring
What to Do After an Uber Accident in Los Angeles
Step 1: Call 911 and Request Medical Help
Your safety and health come first. Get police and emergency medical responders to the scene. A police report creates a crucial official record.
Step 2: Document the Driver’s Status
Take a screenshot of the Uber or Lyft app immediately, showing your ride was active. Get the driver’s name, vehicle information, and insurance details. Note the driver’s behavior and anything they say at the scene.
Step 3: Photograph Everything
Capture all vehicle damage, the scene layout, traffic signals, any injuries, and weather conditions. This documentation is your foundation.
Step 4: Collect Witness Information
Get names and phone numbers from anyone who witnessed the crash. Witness testimony can be the difference between a disputed and a clear-cut claim.
Step 5: Seek Medical Attention That Same Day
Do not wait. Get evaluated by a physician even if you feel uninjured. Many serious injuries become apparent in the hours and days following an accident. Your medical records are evidence.
Step 6: Report the Accident Through the App
Use the in-app reporting function to document the incident with Uber or Lyft. This creates a record. But do not give a detailed statement or accept any offers from the company before speaking with an attorney.
Step 7: Call an Uber Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles
The sooner we’re involved, the better we can protect your claim. We handle all communications with Uber’s insurer, the driver’s insurer, and any other parties, so you can focus on getting better. California’s two-year personal injury statute of limitations applies to most rideshare claims. Cases involving a public entity carry a much shorter six-month deadline under Government Code 911.2. The sooner an attorney is involved, the better your evidence, app data, and ride records can be preserved.
How Ravan Law Fights Rideshare Insurance Tactics
Uber and Lyft’s insurance partners are sophisticated and well-resourced. They will scrutinize every aspect of your claim, from the precise moment the accident occurred to the necessity of each treatment you receive.
At Ravan Law, we investigate app activity logs, GPS data, and ride receipts to establish exactly what phase the driver was in and what coverage applies. We document your injuries comprehensively. And we negotiate from a position of strength, backed by evidence and trial readiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I covered as an Uber passenger if the driver caused the accident?
Yes. If you were a passenger during an active Uber trip and the driver caused the accident, Uber’s $1 million liability policy is in play. You are never considered at fault as a passenger.
What if Uber’s insurance denies my claim?
Insurance denials are not the end of the road, they are often the beginning of the real legal fight. An attorney can challenge the denial, pursue bad faith insurance practices, and escalate your claim to litigation if necessary.
Can I sue Uber directly?
Direct lawsuits against Uber as a corporation face the independent contractor defense. However, there are specific circumstances, including corporate negligence in driver screening or app design, where direct claims against the platform are viable. Your attorney evaluates this on a case-by-case basis.
What if both the Uber driver and another driver were at fault?
California’s comparative fault system allows recovery from multiple parties. Both the rideshare driver and the third-party driver can be held proportionally liable. Your attorney pursues all available sources of compensation.
Does Lyft have the same insurance coverage as Uber?
The phase-based coverage structure is similar for both platforms. Lyft also provides up to $1 million in coverage during active trips under the updated 2026 requirements. The specific terms can vary, and your attorney reviews both policies where multiple platforms are involved.
Ready to Fight for What You Deserve?
At Ravan Law, we know what is at stake when someone has been seriously hurt. Ted H. Ravan handles every case personally, from the first call through resolution, because injured clients deserve an actual attorney in their corner, not a case manager.
Free consultation. No fees unless we win. Call us today at (424) 465-2500 or visit Ravan Law to get started.
Your rights are worth protecting. Let’s fight for them together.
