Rideshare Accident Guide
If you were hurt in an Uber or Lyft crash in California, this guide explains which insurance applies based on the driver's app status, what to do after the crash, and what evidence to save.
By Geller Legal. Law current as of 2026. Source: Public Utilities Code §5433, as amended by SB 371 (Stats. 2025, Ch. 314), effective January 1, 2026.
What insurance covers an Uber or Lyft crash in California?
It depends on the driver's app status at the moment of the crash. California law sets minimum coverage for each stage.
| Driver's app status | Minimum coverage required | Law |
|---|---|---|
| App off | Section 5433 does not set rideshare coverage. The driver's own auto policy is the usual starting point. | §5433(b), (c) |
| Logged in, waiting for a ride request | Primary: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per incident for death and injury, and $30,000 for property damage. Plus at least $200,000 per occurrence in excess coverage above those limits. | §5433(c)(1), (c)(2) |
| Ride accepted, through the end of the trip | Primary: $1,000,000 for death, personal injury, and property damage. | §5433(b)(1) |
| Passenger in the car, hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver | $60,000 per person and $300,000 per incident in uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, primary and paid by the rideshare company. | §5433(b)(2) |
- The rideshare policy does not have to wait for a personal auto insurer to deny the claim: §5433(d).
- If the driver's own rideshare policy lapsed, the company must provide the required coverage from the first dollar: §5433(e).
- These are minimums. The law does not cap the company's liability above them: §5433(f).
Before 2026, passenger uninsured and underinsured coverage was much higher. Read Uber and Lyft accident claims in California: what you need to know in 2026, and see how underinsured motorist coverage works in California.
What should I do right after a rideshare crash?
- Call 911 if anyone is hurt and get medical care.
- Take screenshots of the trip in the app: driver name, car, plate, trip status, and times.
- Get the other drivers' names, insurance, and plates, and contact details for witnesses.
- Report the crash in the Uber or Lyft app. Be careful about giving a recorded statement to any insurer before you know your rights. See dealing with insurance adjusters.
- If someone was hurt, a written report to CHP or the city police is due within 24 hours: Vehicle Code §20008.
What evidence matters in a rideshare claim?
App records
Trip receipt, timestamps, and screenshots showing whether the driver was logged in, had accepted a ride, or had a passenger. App status decides which coverage applies.
Crash scene
Photos of all vehicles, plates, road conditions, and injuries, plus any dashcam or nearby video.
Reports
The police or CHP report. If it gets the facts wrong, read what to do when a collision report blames you.
Medical records
Every visit, bill, and record. See why treatment gaps hurt your claim.
Do I need to report the crash to the DMV?
Yes, if anyone was hurt or killed, even slightly, or property damage was over $1,000. Each driver must file form SR-1 with the DMV within 10 days.
- Law: Vehicle Code §16000.
What should I do next after a rideshare crash?
- Step by step: what to do after a car accident in California.
- Deadlines: how long you have to file a personal injury claim.
- Our practice page: California rideshare accident claims.
- Forms you may need: California injury forms.
- By city: see all California accident guides.
Coverage and next steps depend on facts this page can't see. You can talk with Geller Legal about your options in a free consultation. Call 213-770-4870. No fee unless we recover.*
Contact Geller LegalFree Case Evaluation*Under our written contingency fee agreement, if there is no recovery you owe no attorney fees and do not have to repay the case costs we advanced. Medical bills and other non-litigation expenses remain your responsibility. Offices in Los Angeles and Oakland.