Most Californians don’t realize that Uber and Lyft accidents often pay significantly higher settlements than standard car crashes. That’s because rideshare companies are required to carry up to $1 million in liability coverage — but insurance adjusters rarely volunteer that information.
If you were injured in a rideshare accident, here’s what you need to know before accepting a settlement.
Why Rideshare Accidents Are Different From Regular Car Crashes
Uber and Lyft drivers operate under a unique insurance structure regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
Unlike normal drivers, rideshare drivers trigger three different insurance tiers depending on what they were doing at the time of the crash.
California’s Three‑Tier Rideshare Insurance System
Tier 1 — App On, No Passenger (Low Coverage)
If the driver is logged in but hasn’t accepted a ride:
- $50,000 per person
- $100,000 per accident
- $30,000 property damage
Tier 2 — Ride Accepted, En Route to Passenger (High Coverage)
Once the driver accepts a ride request:
- $1,000,000 in liability coverage
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Tier 3 — Passenger in the Vehicle (Maximum Coverage)
During the actual trip:
- $1,000,000 minimum coverage
- Additional medical and UM/UIM coverage
This is why rideshare cases often settle for more — the policy limits are dramatically higher.
Why Rideshare Settlements Are Often Higher
Uber and Lyft accidents frequently involve:
- higher policy limits
- corporate insurance adjusters
- multiple liable parties
- complex coverage disputes
- severe injuries due to rear‑seat positioning
Because of this, victims often qualify for compensation far beyond what they’d receive in a standard car accident.
What Uber and Lyft Won’t Tell You
Rideshare companies and their insurers often try to:
- downplay injuries
- blame the other driver
- argue the driver was “offline”
- delay claims until evidence disappears
- push lowball settlements early
They know most victims don’t understand the tiered insurance system — and that ignorance saves them money.
Evidence That Strengthens a Rideshare Claim
The strongest evidence includes:
- app screenshots showing ride status
- trip receipts
- dash‑cam footage
- witness statements
- police reports
- medical documentation
- vehicle damage photos
Uber and Lyft keep detailed digital logs — but they don’t hand them over without pressure.
Who Can File a Rideshare Accident Claim?
You may have a claim if you were:
- a rideshare passenger
- another driver hit by an Uber/Lyft
- a pedestrian or cyclist
- a rideshare driver injured by someone else
California law allows all of these victims to pursue compensation.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
California’s statute of limitations for rideshare accidents is:
- 2 years for personal injury
- 3 years for property damage
If a government vehicle was involved, you may have only 6 months.
What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident
- Call 911
- Screenshot the ride status
- Save your trip receipt
- Photograph the scene
- Get witness information
- Seek medical care
- Contact a rideshare accident lawyer before speaking to insurance
How Infinity Law Group Maximizes Rideshare Settlements
Our team:
- determines which insurance tier applies
- obtains Uber/Lyft digital logs
- identifies all liable parties
- negotiates with corporate adjusters
- documents long‑term medical needs
- prepares every case for litigation
This approach consistently leads to higher settlements for rideshare victims.
📞 Injured in an Uber or Lyft Accident?
You may be entitled to far more than you think.
We’ll review your case, explain your rights, and ensure you don’t get pressured into a low settlement.
