If you’ve been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in California, the insurance that may apply depends on what the driver was doing in the app when the crash occurred. Seek medical attention, report the accident to police and through the rideshare app, preserve your trip records, and understand the coverage available before accepting any settlement.
Rideshare claims can differ from ordinary car accident claims because several insurance policies may be involved, and which one responds may turn on the driver’s app status at the time of the collision.
Key takeaways
- Uber and Lyft insurance requirements differ depending on the driver’s status in the app.
- If you were a rideshare passenger, the applicable insurance may include the higher liability coverage available while a ride is in progress, depending on the circumstances of the crash.
- California reduced the uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage transportation network companies must carry, effective 1 January 2026, under Senate Bill 371.
- The $1,000,000 liability requirement that applies once a ride request is accepted remains in the statute.
- Medical treatment should be a priority, even if injuries seem minor.
- Preserve trip screenshots, photographs, witness details and medical records.
- California generally allows two years to file a personal injury lawsuit under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1.
How Uber and Lyft insurance works in California
California sets transportation network company insurance requirements in Public Utilities Code § 5433. The requirements differ depending on what the driver was doing in the app.
| Driver status | Coverage required under § 5433 |
|---|---|
| App off | Not covered by the TNC requirements. The driver’s personal auto policy applies |
| App on, waiting for a ride request | At least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per incident for death and personal injury, and $30,000 property damage, plus at least $200,000 per occurrence in excess coverage |
| Ride request accepted, through completion of the ride | $1,000,000 primary coverage for death, personal injury and property damage |
| Passenger in the vehicle | The $1,000,000 above, plus uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage at the current statutory limits, from the moment the passenger enters until they exit |
What you can actually recover depends on how the accident happened, who was at fault, the terms of the applicable policies, and the facts of your case. The statute sets minimum requirements; it does not determine the outcome of any particular claim.
What changed on 1 January 2026
Senate Bill 371 was approved by the Governor on 3 October 2025 and became operative on 1 January 2026. It amended Public Utilities Code § 5433.
| Coverage | Before | From 1 January 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| TNC uninsured/underinsured motorist, passenger onboard | $1,000,000 | $60,000 per person / $300,000 per incident |
| TNC liability, ride accepted through completion | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 — unchanged |
Three points about the change:
It affects uninsured motorist coverage, not liability coverage. If the rideshare driver is found responsible for your injuries, the $1,000,000 liability requirement still applies. The reduction affects claims where an uninsured or underinsured third party caused the crash.
The company now carries it. Under the amended § 5433(b)(2), this coverage is the sole obligation of the transportation network company rather than something a driver can be required to maintain.
It is primary over your own coverage. The statute provides that this policy is primary over any other applicable uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, so it responds before the uninsured motorist coverage on your own auto policy.
Much of the rideshare guidance still published online reflects the earlier $1,000,000 figure. Because insurance requirements can change and their application depends on the facts, an attorney can help determine which coverage may apply to your situation.
What to do after an Uber or Lyft accident
1. Get medical attention
Seek medical care as soon as reasonably possible, even if you feel uninjured. Some injuries, including concussions, internal injuries and soft-tissue neck injuries, may not produce symptoms for hours or days.
Prompt evaluation also helps document the timing and nature of your injuries, although it does not eliminate every dispute about causation.
2. Call the police
Report the accident and request a police report.
California separately requires the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident to file a Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California (SR-1) with the DMV within 10 days when the accident results in injury, death, or property damage exceeding the applicable statutory threshold. The requirement applies regardless of fault, and exceptions exist. If you were a passenger, this filing obligation generally falls on the drivers involved rather than on you.
The California DMV publishes the current SR-1 requirements and the form itself.
3. Report the accident through the Uber or Lyft app
Use the in-app reporting feature as soon as you are able. Reporting the crash through the app also preserves a record of the trip and gives the rideshare company notice of the accident.
4. Preserve evidence
Before leaving the scene, if it is safe to do so, collect as much as you can.
| Photograph | Screenshot from the app |
|---|---|
| Vehicle damage, all vehicles involved | Your trip receipt |
| The overall accident scene | Driver profile and vehicle details |
| Road conditions and traffic signals | Pickup and drop-off locations |
| Any visible injuries | The trip route |
| Driver’s licence, insurance card, licence plates | Trip timestamps |
Trip records can be particularly useful in rideshare claims because they can document the trip, driver, vehicle, route and timing of the ride. Capture them before you close the app.
Also collect witness names and phone numbers. Independent witnesses may provide useful evidence when the circumstances of the collision are disputed.
5. Exchange information
If another vehicle was involved, exchange contact and insurance information with every driver.
6. Be careful with insurance adjusters
Insurers may contact you soon after the crash asking for a recorded statement or offering an early settlement. You are generally not obliged to give a recorded statement to another party’s insurer.
An early offer arrives before anyone knows the full extent of your injuries, and what a personal injury claim is ultimately worth depends heavily on documentation you may not have gathered yet. A signed release generally closes the claim.
7. Keep all records
Medical bills, prescriptions, treatment records, repair estimates, lost wage documentation, transportation costs, and correspondence with insurers. Organised records make documenting your losses considerably easier.
Common mistakes to avoid
| Mistake | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Delaying medical treatment | Gaps in treatment may be used to dispute causation |
| Accepting an early offer | Made before the full extent of injuries is known |
| Giving a recorded statement without advice | Casual remarks may be used to argue your injuries had resolved |
| Deleting trip history or failing to screenshot | App records can document the trip, driver, route and timing |
| Posting about the accident online | Insurers may review public social media posts during the claims process |
| Waiting to seek legal guidance | Surveillance footage and witness recollection can degrade over time |
Can you sue Uber or Lyft?
It depends on the circumstances. In many cases, injured passengers recover through the rideshare company’s insurance policy rather than by suing Uber or Lyft directly.
If negligence by the company contributed to the accident, or if there are disputes over coverage or liability, additional claims may be available. Public Utilities Code § 5433(f) provides that the statute does not limit a transportation network company’s liability above the required insurance coverage.
If another driver’s negligence caused the crash, you may also have a claim against that driver’s insurance.
What if your own conduct contributed to the accident?
If your own conduct contributed to your injuries, your recovery may be reduced according to your percentage of fault under California’s pure comparative negligence rule.
An insurance adjuster’s assessment of fault is a position rather than a determination, and it can be contested with evidence.
How long do you have to file a claim?
California generally allows two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Missing an applicable statute of limitations can prevent you from pursuing a lawsuit.
Exceptions apply. Claims involving a government entity carry separate claim-presentation requirements with shorter deadlines. If a public transit vehicle or a public road condition may be involved, seek advice early.
There are practical reasons to act promptly as well. Surveillance footage, witness recollection and some records can become harder to obtain over time.
When should you contact an attorney?
Not every rideshare accident requires legal action. Speaking with an attorney may help if:
- You suffered serious injuries
- Liability is disputed
- Multiple insurance companies are involved
- Your claim has been denied or delayed
- You were offered a settlement that does not cover your losses
- You are unsure which policy applies, particularly given the 2026 coverage change
An experienced rideshare accident attorney can investigate the crash and preserve evidence, identify the coverage that may be available, handle communication with insurers, assess the value of your damages, and negotiate or litigate as appropriate.
RA & Associates handles Uber accident claims in Los Angeles and Lyft accident claims across California, Nevada and Arizona.
Frequently asked questions
Does Uber or Lyft insurance cover passengers?
Generally yes. If you were a passenger during a trip, transportation network company insurance requirements include liability coverage that may apply to injuries caused by an at-fault driver. The coverage available depends on the driver’s status in the app and the facts of the accident.
How much rideshare insurance coverage is required in California?
Under Public Utilities Code § 5433, $1,000,000 in primary coverage from the moment a ride request is accepted until the ride is complete. Since 1 January 2026, required uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage while a passenger is in the vehicle is $60,000 per person and $300,000 per incident.
What did Senate Bill 371 change?
SB 371 amended Public Utilities Code § 5433, reducing the required uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage for transportation network companies from $1,000,000 to $60,000 per person and $300,000 per incident, and making that coverage the company’s obligation. It became operative on 1 January 2026.
What if another driver caused the accident?
You may have a claim against that driver’s insurance. Depending on the circumstances, rideshare uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may also apply, at the limits currently required.
Do I need to report the accident to Uber or Lyft?
Reporting through the app is advisable. It preserves a record of the trip and gives the rideshare company notice of the accident.
Does a passenger have to file an SR-1 with the California DMV?
The SR-1 reporting requirement generally applies to the drivers involved in an accident rather than to passengers. Exceptions apply, and the requirement is triggered by injury, death, or property damage exceeding the applicable statutory threshold.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim?
Generally, two years from the date of the accident under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Exceptions apply, including shorter deadlines where a government entity is involved.
Do I need a lawyer after an Uber or Lyft accident?
Not every accident requires one. Legal guidance may be valuable if you have suffered injuries, liability is disputed, or multiple policies are involved.
Injured in an Uber or Lyft accident? We’re here to help
If you were injured while riding in an Uber or Lyft, or in a collision with a rideshare vehicle, RA & Associates can review your case, explain your options, and help you pursue the compensation available under California law.
We represent injured passengers, drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and motorists on a contingency fee basis — no attorney fees unless we recover for you.
Call 888-417-1080 or request a free case evaluation.
This page is general information about California law and is not legal advice for any specific situation. Insurance requirements change, statutory application depends on the facts, and outcomes vary from case to case.
Romel Ambarchyan
Romel Ambarchyan is the Founding Partner and Managing Attorney at RA & Associates. With more than 10 years of experience in personal injury law, he reviews legal content to help ensure it is accurate, up to date, and aligned with current legal standards.