What to Do After a Rideshare Accident in Los Angeles (Attorney Article)

Q: What is California's rideshare insurance law?

[California Public Utilities Code § 5431](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=5431.&lawCode=PUC), enforced by the CPUC, requires rideshare companies to carry $1 million in primary liability coverage during an active trip and $200,000 in contingent coverage when the app is on with no passenger. California was the first state to enact TNC insurance laws and sets the highest coverage requirements in the US.

Original source: Our Legal Team — Los Angeles Rideshare Accident Lawyers

💡 Quick Answer

If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Los Angeles, your compensation depends on which coverage phase was active at the time of the crash.

Phase 3 (active trip): Uber and Lyft each carry $1M liability coverage under California PUC § 5431
Phase 2 (app on, no passenger): $200K contingent coverage applies under CPUC Decision D.13-09-045
Screenshot the app immediately to document which phase was active
Report in-app before closing the trip — this preserves the coverage record
Do not give any recorded statement to any insurer before speaking with an attorney

California law gives you 2 years to file under CCP § 335.1. Coverage phase is the single most important fact in your case — it determines which policy pays and how much is available.

Contact a rideshare accident attorney before your first insurer call.

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Step 1 — Select accident type

What type of accident were you in?

California MVA Claims Process — 6-step guide from documenting the scene to settlement, reviewed by Yosi Yahoudai, J.D., CA Bar #250679. — California MVA Claims Process · Reviewed by Yosi Yahoudai, J.D., CA Bar #250679 · CaseCompass.ai

Key Takeaways

1.Screenshot the Uber or Lyft app showing your active trip immediately — this is proof of which coverage phase applies. If the app closes or the trip is cancelled, the coverage phase becomes disputed.
2.Photograph both vehicles, all visible injuries, the accident scene, road conditions, and any traffic signals. Take a photo of the rideshare driver's vehicle plate and the app screen showing driver name and vehicle.
3.Report the accident through the Uber or Lyft in-app safety feature. This timestamps the incident and triggers the platform's insurance review within their system.

2. What We Do the Moment You Retain Us

When a client retains us after a rideshare crash, we immediately do three things: pull the CPUC trip record to confirm coverage phase, send a platform data preservation demand to lock in GPS and app activity logs, and open a parallel claim against the rideshare insurer before they build their denial narrative. We do not wait. The rideshare insurance team already has a 24-hour head start — they know the trip status and have the driver's statement. Every recorded statement a victim gives without counsel is a gift to the insurer. We have seen clear $150,000 cases reduced to $22,000 settlements because the victim described their pain as 'minor' before the full extent of their injuries was known.

3. The Myth California Insurers Actively Promote

A myth the insurance industry promotes: 'Uber and Lyft always cover their drivers.' They do not. The coverage ladder under California Public Utilities Code § 5431 is engineered to minimize payouts at every stage below Phase 3. What we actually see in practice: Phase 1 (app off) pays the driver's personal minimum — often just $30,000 — and that policy commonly carries a rideshare exclusion that voids coverage entirely. Phase 2 (app on, no passenger) pays $200,000, but only as contingent coverage after the driver's policy denies first. Phase 3 (active trip) triggers $1 million primary. Insurers fight hard to push crashes into Phase 1 or Phase 2. We counter this with platform GPS data and timestamped trip records.

4. Two Steps the Generic Guides Always Miss

The standard advice — 'call 911, exchange information, see a doctor' — is correct but dangerously incomplete. In our experience handling hundreds of LAPD and CHP rideshare crash reports, two steps are almost always missed. First: screenshot the rideshare app before anything else — before you exit the vehicle. That screenshot is your coverage phase proof. Once the app closes or the trip is cancelled, Uber and Lyft's systems may not preserve Phase 3 confirmation in a format your attorney can use in court. Second: do not rely on the in-app accident report alone. We have seen Uber's in-app tool generate reports that frame serious crashes as 'minor contact.' File independently through law enforcement and your own insurer.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who pays if I'm injured as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft in Los Angeles?

If your trip was active (Phase 3), Uber and Lyft are each required by California law to carry $1 million in primary liability coverage. As a passenger, your fault is typically zero. You file directly against the rideshare company's insurer — not the driver personally. An attorney confirms coverage and files the correct claim.

What is California's rideshare insurance law?

California Public Utilities Code § 5431, enforced by the CPUC, requires rideshare companies to carry $1 million in primary liability coverage during an active trip and $200,000 in contingent coverage when the app is on with no passenger. California was the first state to enact TNC insurance laws and sets the highest coverage requirements in the US.

How long do I have to file a rideshare accident claim in California?

California's statute of limitations for personal injury is 2 years from the accident date under CCP § 335.1. However, rideshare companies preserve trip data for a limited window. Contact an attorney within 30 days to ensure GPS records, driver logs, and in-app safety reports are preserved before they are deleted.

What if the Uber driver was off-duty and caused the accident?

If the app was completely off (Phase 1), only the driver's personal auto insurance applies — not Uber's or Lyft's policy. California now requires a minimum of $30,000/$60,000 in bodily injury liability coverage under AB 1107. If your damages exceed those limits, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage may apply.

Can I sue Uber or Lyft directly in California?

You can pursue a claim against the platform's insurer directly. Suing Uber or Lyft as a corporate entity is more complex — California courts treat TNC drivers as independent contractors, limiting direct corporate liability. If the platform failed to screen a negligent driver, additional claims may be viable. An attorney evaluates this per case.

Sources and Citations

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