Rideshare crashes are more complicated than ordinary collisions for one reason: coverage depends on the driver's status in the app at the moment of impact. California sets those rules by statute, and the difference between periods can be enormous. This is general information, not legal advice.
The coverage periods
California regulates transportation network companies (TNCs) such as Uber and Lyft under Public Utilities Code section 5433, which sets minimum coverage tied to what the driver was doing.
App off — personal driving
The driver is not logged in. Only their personal auto policy applies; the TNC's statutory coverage is not implicated. Practically, this behaves like any ordinary car accident claim.
App on, waiting for a ride request
The driver is logged in and available but has not been matched. Section 5433 requires primary coverage of $50,000 per person for death and personal injury, $100,000 per incident, and $30,000 for property damage, plus $200,000 per occurrence in excess coverage.
This period is where disputes concentrate, because many personal auto policies exclude commercial activity — leaving the TNC coverage as the meaningful source.
En route to a passenger, or passenger on board
From acceptance of a ride through completion, section 5433 requires $1,000,000 in coverage for death, personal injury, and property damage. The statute also addresses uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage during this period.
Why the period matters so much
The same collision can be a $50,000-limit claim or a $1,000,000-limit claim depending on whether the driver accepted a ride seconds earlier. That is why establishing app status is one of the first things worth documenting.
If you were a passenger
Passengers are generally in the strongest position: you are almost never at fault, and the $1,000,000 tier typically applies because a ride is in progress. Screenshot your trip receipt and ride details immediately — they establish the period.
If you were hit by a rideshare driver
Note the company, capture the app status if visible, photograph any trade dress, and obtain the collision report. Expect the driver's personal insurer and the TNC's insurer each to examine whether the other is responsible — a dispute that can stall a claim.
When limits fall short
Serious injuries can exceed even substantial limits. Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage follows you and can matter here, as can California's low minimum limits on any personal policy in play.
Protecting the claim
- Screenshot the trip, receipt, and driver details before they disappear from your history
- Report through the app, but be careful about detailed statements before you understand the coverage picture
- Seek medical attention promptly and treat consistently
- Preserve dashcam footage and witness contacts
- Watch the filing deadline
Our rideshare accident attorneys can identify which policies apply and offer a free case review. Results depend on the facts of each case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whose insurance pays in an Uber or Lyft accident in California?
How much insurance does Uber carry in California?
What if I was a passenger in the rideshare vehicle?
Does my personal auto insurance cover rideshare driving?
Have a question about your situation?
Our California personal injury attorneys offer free, confidential consultations.
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