Who Pays When You’re Hit by an Uber or Lyft Driver in California

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Which insurance policy pays after a crash involving an Uber or Lyft driver in California depends entirely on what the driver’s app status was at the moment of the collision. California divides rideshare driving into distinct periods, from the app being off entirely to a passenger being in the car, and each period carries a different insurance requirement and payer. A significant change took effect on January 1, 2026, when Senate Bill 371 sharply reduced the uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage available to passengers, which can meaningfully affect compensation when the at-fault party in a crash has little or no insurance of their own. Here is how liability and insurance coverage actually work in a California rideshare accident.

California’s Rideshare Insurance Periods

California regulates Uber, Lyft, and similar companies as transportation network companies, or TNCs, under a framework set out in California Public Utilities Code Section 5433. Rather than one continuous insurance policy, coverage changes based on what the driver’s app was doing at the time of the crash:

  • App off: The driver is using the vehicle for personal reasons, and the driver’s own personal auto policy applies, since most personal policies exclude commercial rideshare use once the app is active
  • Period 1, app on and waiting for a match: The TNC must provide primary liability coverage of at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $30,000 for property damage, along with at least $200,000 in additional excess coverage
  • Period 2, a ride has been accepted and the driver is en route to pick up the passenger: The TNC’s higher-limit coverage applies, generally up to $1 million in primary liability coverage
  • Period 3, a passenger is in the vehicle: The same $1 million primary liability coverage applies until the passenger exits the vehicle

Why the Driver’s App Status Matters So Much

Because coverage shifts significantly between these periods, the exact moment a crash occurred, and what the driver’s app showed at that moment, can dramatically affect how much money is available to compensate an injured person. A crash that happens while a driver is waiting for a ride request carries far lower mandatory coverage than one that happens while a passenger is actually in the car. This is one reason obtaining trip data and app records early in a rideshare accident investigation matters so much.

Important: Effective January 1, 2026, Senate Bill 371 reduced the uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage that Uber and Lyft must carry for passengers during an active trip from $1 million to $60,000 per person and $300,000 per incident, a reduction of roughly 94 percent. This change specifically affects claims where the at-fault driver in a crash involving a rideshare passenger has no insurance or insufficient insurance, meaning passengers in these situations now have significantly less protection than they did before 2026.

If You Were a Rideshare Passenger

A passenger injured while riding in an Uber or Lyft during Period 2 or Period 3 generally has access to the TNC’s $1 million primary liability policy if the rideshare driver caused the crash. If a separate, third-party driver caused the crash instead, a claim can generally be pursued against that driver’s own insurance first. If that driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage to fully compensate the injury, the rideshare company’s uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage may apply, subject to the reduced limits now in effect under Senate Bill 371.

If You Were Hit by a Rideshare Driver as a Third Party

A pedestrian, cyclist, or occupant of another vehicle struck by an Uber or Lyft driver is generally treated the same as any other injured third party, with the applicable insurance policy determined by the rideshare driver’s app status at the time of the crash. If the driver’s app was off, the claim proceeds against the driver’s personal auto policy like any other car accident. If the app was on, whether waiting for a match, en route to a pickup, or transporting a passenger, the corresponding TNC insurance coverage described above generally applies instead.

If You Were the Rideshare Driver

A rideshare driver injured by another driver’s negligence can generally pursue a claim against that driver’s insurance the same as anyone else. Complications can arise, however, when a driver’s own personal auto policy denies coverage because the vehicle was being used commercially at the time of the crash. This is why understanding which period applies, and confirming what coverage the TNC provides during that period, matters for drivers as well as passengers and third parties.

Establishing Fault in a Rideshare Accident

Beyond identifying which insurance policy applies, a rideshare accident claim still requires establishing fault under ordinary negligence principles. California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning an injured person can recover compensation even if they share some fault for the accident, with their recovery reduced by their own percentage of responsibility.

Evidence commonly used in these cases includes the police report, the rideshare app’s trip data and timestamps, witness statements, and vehicle damage documentation. Because rideshare companies and their insurers often have significant resources dedicated to minimizing claims, gathering this evidence promptly can be especially important.

Deadlines That Can Affect Your Claim

In California, a personal injury claim generally must be filed within two years of the date of the accident under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, while a property-damage-only claim generally must be filed within three years under Section 338. Because rideshare accident claims can involve multiple potential defendants and insurance policies, identifying every applicable deadline early in the process is particularly important.

Talk to a Pasadena Car Accident Attorney at KP Law

Rideshare accident claims involve layered insurance policies and, following recent changes to California law, reduced protection in some situations, so experienced legal guidance can make a meaningful difference. KP Law represents injured clients throughout the Los Angeles area in a full range of personal injury claims, including car accidents. Our attorneys can help identify which insurance policy applies to your crash and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us or call (866) 973-5691 today for a free consultation, available 24/7.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For legal guidance tailored to your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.