Injured in an Uber or Lyft?

Economic damages: medical bills, rehab, income loss
Non-economic damages: pain, trauma, loss of enjoyment
Future damages: disability, therapy, or long-term care

Injured in an Uber or Lyft in California? What Passengers Need to Know About Their Rights

When you step into a rideshare, you expect a safe trip. If an accident happens, knowing your rights as a passenger is the first step toward recovery.

Uber and Lyft have changed how we get around California, but they haven’t eliminated the risk of accidents. Whether it’s a distracted driver or a collision caused by someone else, rideshare accidents happen every day. If you’re injured as a passenger, you might feel like you’re caught in a maze of insurance policies and corporate legal teams. The good news? California law provides strong protections for rideshare passengers.

Who Is Responsible for Your Injuries?

As a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, you are almost never at fault for a collision. Depending on who caused the accident, your claim will typically be covered by:

The Rideshare Company’s Insurance: Both Uber and Lyft carry $1 million in liability coverage that applies when a passenger is in the vehicle.
The Other Driver’s Insurance: If another motorist caused the crash, their insurance is primary.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage: If the at-fault driver has no insurance, Uber and Lyft’s $1 million UM/UIM policy protects you.

What to Do Immediately After the Accident

Taking the right steps at the scene can protect your health and your legal claim:

Check for injuries and call 911: Safety is the priority.
Report the accident in the app: Both Uber and Lyft have tools to report crashes immediately.
Document the scene: Take photos of the vehicles, the driver’s ID, and the location.
Get witness info: Witnesses are crucial for proving what happened.
Seek medical care: See a doctor even if you feel fine, as some injuries take time to appear.