Rideshare accidents happen more often than most people realize. When you’re a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, you expect the ride to be safe, but if an accident occurs, you may find yourself dealing with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and uncertainty about who pays for your losses.
Big Joe Law helps rideshare accident victims protect their rights and recover the compensation they deserve. With recent awards of $2,750,000, $2,250,000, and $250,000 for personal injury clients, we know how to handle complex insurance claims and fight for maximum recovery while you focus on healing.
How Rideshare Insurance Coverage Works
Uber and Lyft provide different levels of insurance coverage depending on what the driver was doing at the time of the accident. This three-tier system determines which insurance policy applies to your claim.
When a driver is offline and not using the app, their personal auto insurance covers any accidents. The rideshare company’s insurance does not apply at this stage. Once a driver turns on the app and waits for a ride request, Uber and Lyft provide limited liability coverage of $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. This coverage only applies if the driver’s personal insurance denies the claim.
The highest level of coverage kicks in when a driver accepts a ride request or has a passenger in the vehicle. At this stage, Uber and Lyft provide $1 million in liability coverage for injuries to passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians. This policy also includes $1 million in uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to protect passengers if the at-fault driver has inadequate insurance. However, this has changed in California due to the passage of Senate Bill 371, which reduces the UIM coverage for passenger trips to $60,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, effective January 1, 2026.
What Rideshare Insurance Covers for Passengers
As a passenger, you may be entitled to compensation for several types of damages after a rideshare accident. Medical expenses include emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, prescription medications, and any ongoing medical treatment your injuries require. If your injuries prevent you from working, you can recover lost wages for the time you miss and loss of earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work in the future.
Pain and suffering compensation addresses the physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, and diminished quality of life you experience because of your injuries. Property damage coverage applies if your personal belongings were damaged or destroyed in the accident, such as your phone, laptop, or other valuables.
Common Challenges with Rideshare Insurance Claims
Insurance companies use various tactics to minimize what they pay accident victims. They may argue about which insurance policy applies based on the driver’s app status at the time of the crash. Companies often try to shift blame to the passenger or claim you contributed to your own injuries. They may also pressure you to accept a quick settlement that does not cover your actual losses or dispute the severity of your injuries by claiming they existed before the accident.
Rideshare companies and their insurers employ teams of lawyers whose job is protecting the company’s bottom line, not looking out for your best interests. Without experienced legal representation, you risk accepting far less than your claim is worth.
Steps to Take After a Rideshare Accident
Your actions immediately following an accident can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation. Seek medical attention right away, even if you do not think your injuries are serious. Some injuries, like internal bleeding or traumatic brain injuries, may not show symptoms immediately but can become life-threatening without treatment. Medical records also create documentation linking your injuries to the accident.
Document everything you can about the accident. Take photos of the vehicles, your injuries, and the accident scene. Get the driver’s name, license plate number, and insurance information. Collect contact information from witnesses who saw what happened. Save the trip details from your Uber or Lyft app, including the driver’s name, route, and time of the accident.
Report the accident to the rideshare company through their app, but be careful about what you say. Stick to basic facts without admitting fault or downplaying your injuries. Rideshare companies may use your statements against you later when evaluating your claim.
Never give a recorded statement to an insurance company or sign any documents without consulting an attorney first. Insurance adjusters may ask questions designed to get you to say something they can use to deny or reduce your claim.
Why You Need an Attorney for Rideshare Accident Claims
Rideshare accident cases involve complex insurance issues that are difficult to handle without legal experience. Determining which insurance policy applies, dealing with multiple insurance companies, and proving the full extent of your damages requires someone who understands California personal injury law and has experience with rideshare cases.
An attorney protects you from insurance company tactics and ensures you do not accept a settlement that fails to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and future needs. We handle all communication with insurance companies, gather evidence to strengthen your claim, calculate the true value of your losses, and negotiate aggressively for maximum compensation.
If the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, we prepare your case for trial and present compelling evidence to a judge or jury who can award you what you deserve.
How Big Joe Law Helps Rideshare Accident Victims
Big Joe understands what rideshare accident victims face because he has experienced the frustration of dealing with insurance companies firsthand. When his own home suffered earthquake damage, his insurer tried to deny the claim with baseless excuses. This real-world experience drives his commitment to fighting for clients who deserve fair treatment.
We investigate your accident thoroughly to determine all available sources of compensation. This includes identifying the at-fault driver, examining the rideshare driver’s employment status, and reviewing insurance policies to ensure you receive every dollar you are entitled to recover. We handle the entire claims process so you can focus on your recovery while we deal with insurance companies, negotiate settlements, and prepare for trial if necessary.
Big Joe operates on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. This no-fee guarantee removes financial barriers that prevent accident victims from getting the legal help they need.
Contact Big Joe Law Today
Rideshare accidents can turn your life upside down in an instant. You deserve compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering, but insurance companies will not simply hand over what you deserve. You need someone who will fight for your rights and hold all responsible parties accountable.
Big Joe Law has the experience and dedication to handle your rideshare accident claim and secure the compensation you need to move forward. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can start building your case and protecting your rights. Contact us today to discuss your rideshare accident and learn how we can help you recover what you deserve.
