California Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer
TL;DR — Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers in California
Compass Law Group has recovered $2,250,000 on a single rideshare accident case and over $250 million total for California injury victims. Uber and Lyft carry $1,000,000 in liability coverage while a driver is on Period 2 or Period 3 of a trip — that is the policy that pays when you are injured as a passenger, another driver, or a pedestrian. Every California rideshare claim must be filed within two years under CCP § 335.1. Free 24/7 consultation in English, Spanish, Farsi, and Korean. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique.
California Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers Who Understand the Period Rules
Uber and Lyft reshaped California’s roadways. The state’s Public Utilities Commission classifies Uber, Lyft, and their peers as Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) and regulates them under Public Utilities Code § 5430 et seq. Because of that regulation, California TNC drivers are required to carry $1,000,000 in liability coverage while on an active trip — one of the highest minimum coverages of any vehicle type on the road. When you are injured as a rideshare passenger, as another driver hit by a rideshare, or as a pedestrian or cyclist struck by a rideshare, that $1M policy is often the most important coverage in play.
Compass Law Group, LLP handles California rideshare cases from seven offices — Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Francisco, Sacramento, Oakland, and Bell Gardens. Our firm has recovered $2,250,000 on a single rideshare case and more than $250,000,000 total for California injury victims. Managing partner Simon Esfandi, CA Bar #275307, handles rideshare injury litigation statewide.
The Three Periods That Decide Who Pays
Rideshare insurance coverage is split into three periods, and knowing which period was active at the moment of the crash is the single most important fact in the case:
- Period 0 — App OFF. The driver is on personal time. Only the driver’s personal auto policy applies. Uber/Lyft pay nothing.
- Period 1 — App ON, waiting for a ride request. Uber/Lyft provide $50,000/$100,000/$30,000 in contingent liability coverage that kicks in when the driver’s personal policy denies or falls short.
- Period 2 — En route to pick up a rider. Uber/Lyft provide the full $1,000,000 third-party liability policy plus contingent comprehensive/collision.
- Period 3 — Rider in the car. Same $1,000,000 policy applies. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage also kicks in when the at-fault driver is uninsured.
The CPUC TNC oversight program regulates rideshare companies in California, but in individual injury cases the rideshare company will always argue that the app was in a lower-period status at the time of the crash. Our job is to subpoena the trip logs, GPS pings, timestamps, and rider records from Uber or Lyft to prove exactly which period was active. That data exists — it just has to be demanded before it rolls off the platform’s retention window.
The three insurance periods that decide who pays in a rideshare crash
In a California Uber or Lyft crash, which insurance applies turns on what the app was doing at the moment of impact. Once the driver has accepted a ride or has a passenger, a $1 million commercial liability policy applies. This “period” analysis is the single most important fact in a rideshare case — see how California car-accident claims work.
| App period | Driver status | Coverage that applies |
|---|---|---|
| Period 0 | App off | Driver’s personal auto policy only |
| Period 1 | App on, waiting for a request | Limited contingent liability coverage |
| Period 2 | Request accepted, en route to rider | $1 million commercial liability |
| Period 3 | Passenger in the vehicle | $1 million commercial liability + uninsured-motorist coverage |
Who Pays When a Rideshare Crash Injures You
Depending on the period and your role, the source of recovery changes dramatically:
- Passenger in an Uber/Lyft hit by another driver: Uber/Lyft UM/UIM pays if the other driver is uninsured. Otherwise the other driver’s policy pays, with Uber/Lyft’s $1M available as excess.
- Passenger in an Uber/Lyft when the rideshare driver caused the crash: Uber/Lyft’s $1M third-party liability applies in Period 2/3.
- Another driver hit by an Uber/Lyft driver on an active trip: Uber/Lyft’s $1M third-party liability applies.
- Pedestrian or cyclist struck by a rideshare driver: Same — the $1M policy applies in Period 2/3.
- Off-app crash (Period 0): Rideshare company pays nothing. Recovery comes from the driver’s personal policy, your UM/UIM, and any third-party claims.
Common Rideshare Injuries We See in California
Rideshare cases follow the same injury patterns as other California traffic cases: traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, orthopedic fractures, internal organ damage, severe burn injuries in post-collision fires, and wrongful death. When the rideshare driver was impaired, we add punitive damages through our drunk driving accident attorneys. When a passenger is hit while exiting a rideshare car, the case also involves pedestrian accident law. When a rideshare driver is hit by a big rig, the truck accident framework governs the trucking defendants. And when a rideshare crash is simply an ordinary traffic case, all the usual rules of our car accident practice apply.
One surprise to many clients: rideshare drivers carry the same obligations to drive carefully as any other driver. California Vehicle Code § 22350 (the basic speed law) and the same distracted-driving and DUI rules apply to Uber and Lyft drivers. The existence of a trip app does not change the standard of care one inch.
How We Value a California Rideshare Accident Case
Rideshare cases often have significantly more coverage available than ordinary car crash cases, which raises the ceiling on what is achievable. What pushes a rideshare case toward the top of its range:
- Active Period 2 or Period 3 at the moment of the crash — unlocks the full $1M policy
- Clear liability — signed police report, dashcam, independent witnesses
- Documented serious injury — surgical intervention, imaging, ongoing treatment
- Provable economic losses — wage loss, future medical, life-care plan
- Egregious driver conduct — DUI, phone use, hours-of-service violations, known carrier problems
Our $2,250,000 rideshare accident settlement came from a case where we subpoenaed the trip data early, established the period status, and held the carrier accountable for the full $1M. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique.
California Deadlines You Cannot Miss
California gives rideshare injury victims two years from the crash date to file a personal injury lawsuit under CCP § 335.1. Wrongful death claims follow the same two-year rule under CCP § 377.60. Rideshare trip logs at Uber and Lyft are retained for a limited time and can be lost if a formal preservation letter is not sent within weeks of the crash. Missing either the statute of limitations or the trip-log preservation window can gut the case.
California filing deadlines at a glance
A rideshare-crash injury claim must be filed within two years.
| Type of claim | Deadline to act | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Personal injury | 2 years from the injury | CCP §335.1 |
| Property damage | 3 years | CCP §338(c) |
| Wrongful death | 2 years from date of death | CCP §335.1 / §377.60 |
| Claim against a government entity | 6 months to file the administrative claim | Gov Code §911.2 |
| Injured person is a minor | Clock generally tolled until the 18th birthday | CCP §352 |
California Cities Where Rideshare Crashes Concentrate
Rideshare density tracks urban density. In LA County, trips concentrate around LAX pickups and drop-offs, Downtown Los Angeles, the Sunset Strip and Beverly Hills, and the I-405 / I-710 corridors serving Long Beach and Bell Gardens. In the Bay Area, SoMa, the Financial District, the Mission, and the airport corridors generate the highest rideshare crash counts in San Francisco and Oakland. In the Central Valley, the Midtown and K-Street nightlife corridors in Sacramento produce the bulk of late-night impaired-driver rideshare cases.
First 48 Hours After a California Rideshare Crash
The instant the crash happens, take screenshots of the trip in the app — the route map, the driver’s name and photo, the pickup and drop-off points, the estimated fare, and the trip ID. That screenshot is gold later when the rideshare carrier tries to argue the trip was not active. Get medical care. Photograph the scene and vehicle. Collect the police report number and officer name. Do not post on social media. Do not give recorded statements to any insurance adjuster. Call a California rideshare accident attorney who will send preservation letters to Uber or Lyft, the driver’s personal carrier, and any other at-fault parties within days of the crash.
Meet the Attorneys Leading Your Case
Your case at Compass Law Group is led by one of our two managing partners. Together they bring decades of California personal injury trial experience, hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements, and a courtroom record that forces defense carriers to take the case seriously from day one.
Joseph Shirazi — Managing Partner, CA Bar #265403. A Loyola Law School graduate named to the National Top 100 Trial Lawyers and holder of an Avvo 10.0 “Superb” rating. His results include a $14,500,000 truck accident verdict and a $13,000,000 trial verdict. He is a member of Consumer Attorneys of California, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA), and the American Association for Justice. Read Joseph Shirazi’s full bio →
Simon Esfandi — Managing Partner, CA Bar #275307. A Southwestern Law School graduate recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star. He led the firm’s $9,870,000 motorcycle accident settlement and a $2,250,000 rideshare recovery, and focuses his practice on catastrophic personal injury trials. Read Simon Esfandi’s full bio →
Both partners are admitted to practice in every California state trial court and in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Compass Law Group was founded in 2015, maintains a 5.0/5.0 rating on Google across 193+ verified client reviews, and has recovered more than $250,000,000 for injury victims across the state. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique.
Why Compass Law Group
- $250,000,000+ recovered for California injury victims
- $2,250,000 single rideshare accident settlement — past results do not guarantee future outcomes
- 5.0 stars on Google, 193+ verified client reviews
- Seven California offices — Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Francisco, Sacramento, Oakland, Bell Gardens
- No win, no fee — we advance every cost and only get paid when you do
- Free consultations in English, Spanish, Farsi, and Korean — available 24/7 at (213) 320-1001
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is liable in an Uber or Lyft accident?
It depends on the period of the trip at the moment of the crash. In Period 2 or Period 3 (en route to pick up a rider or rider in car), Uber/Lyft provide $1,000,000 in third-party liability coverage. In Period 1 (app on, waiting), contingent coverage of $50,000/$100,000 applies. In Period 0 (app off), only the driver’s personal auto policy applies.
Does Uber’s insurance cover passengers in an accident?
Yes. When you are a passenger on an active Uber or Lyft trip (Period 2 or Period 3), the company’s $1,000,000 third-party liability policy covers your injuries whether the rideshare driver or another driver was at fault. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage also applies in Period 3 when the at-fault driver has no or insufficient insurance.
What is Uber’s insurance coverage amount?
$1,000,000 in third-party liability during Period 2 and Period 3 of an active trip. Lower contingent limits apply during Period 1. California Public Utilities Code § 5430 et seq. governs the minimums.
What should I do after a rideshare accident?
Screenshot the trip in the Uber or Lyft app immediately, get medical care, photograph the scene and vehicles, obtain a police report number, collect witness contact information, and call a rideshare accident attorney before giving any recorded statements.
Can I sue Uber if their driver caused my accident?
You can sue the at-fault driver and claim under Uber’s or Lyft’s third-party liability policy during an active trip. Direct suits against the rideshare company itself face the hurdle of California’s independent-contractor classification under AB 5 and Prop 22, but the insurance coverage is available regardless of the employment classification.
How much is an Uber accident settlement worth?
Compass Law Group has recovered $2,250,000 on a single rideshare accident case. Value depends on liability, injury severity, and whether a Period 2/3 trip was active to unlock the full $1M policy. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique.
Talk to a California Rideshare Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in an Uber or Lyft crash anywhere in California, call Compass Law Group, LLP at (213) 320-1001 or start a free case review online. Free consultations, no-win no-fee representation, 24/7 availability in English, Spanish, Farsi, and Korean.
Written & legally reviewed by Compass Law Group partners
Joseph Shirazi
Managing Partner, Compass Law Group, LLP
California State Bar #265403 · Loyola Law School, J.D.
Joseph Shirazi is the Managing Partner of Compass Law Group, LLP, leading the firm’s personal-injury, catastrophic-injury, and wrongful-death trial practice. He authored the analysis on this page.
Profiles: Avvo · Super Lawyers · Justia · LinkedIn · CA State Bar · Full Bio →
Simon Esfandi
Partner & Co-Founder, Compass Law Group, LLP
California State Bar #275307 · Loyola Law School, J.D.
Simon Esfandi is a Partner and Co-Founder of Compass Law Group, LLP. He reviewed this page for legal accuracy. Compass represents California injury and abuse survivors on a No Win, No Fee basis.
Profiles: Avvo · Super Lawyers · Justia · LinkedIn · CA State Bar · Full Bio →
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. This article is legal information, not legal advice.
Do I have a case?
Contact us today for a free consultation.
California's
Gold Standard
Injury Law Firm
With Joseph Shirazi and Simon Esfandi at the helm, our firm is a trusted name in accident law in California.
Meet Our Managing Partners
National Top 100 Trial Lawyers and Avvo 10.0 Superb. Loyola Law School graduate. Recognized for his $14,500,000 truck accident verdict and a $13,000,000 trial verdict.
Read Full Bio →
Super Lawyers Rising Star. Southwestern Law School graduate. Led the firm’s $9,870,000 motorcycle accident settlement and a $2,250,000 rideshare recovery.
Read Full Bio →- ★ National Top 100 Trial Lawyers
- ★ Super Lawyers Rising Star
- ★ Avvo 10.0 Superb Rating
- ★ Top 40 Under 40
- ★ Consumer Attorneys of California · CAALA · AAJ
Countless Real Client Reviews Verified by Google
Jerry
After 10 accidents and 9 attorneys, the client met Simon, who stood out for his honesty and clear communication. Years later, after another accident, the client called Simon and was impressed by his professionalism and follow-through. Simon explained everything, connected him with top doctors, and kept every promise. It was the first time the client felt truly supported—highly recommending Simon and Joseph for their integrity and dedication.
Jacob
Jacob was rear-ended by a big rig and left nearly paralyzed for a year. He found Compass Law Group, and Joseph and Simon personally helped him through the legal process. Over two years, they ensured he got the medical care and surgeries he needed, helped repair his car, and secured the compensation he deserved. He highly recommends them for truly fighting for their clients.
Blandine
During the early days of COVID, Blandine was hit by a car while biking to work. Alone and unsure of what to do, they found Compass Law Group. Joseph was the first to respond with care and clarity. Throughout the case, the team—Joseph, Simon, and Julie—provided support, regular check-ins, and made the client feel safe and cared for. They now consider the firm like family and highly recommend them for their compassion and competence.
Understanding Your Rights:
Frequently Asked
Questions
#1 Do I have a case?
Understanding whether a claim exists is one of the challenges of personal injury law. This is why we offer free initial consultations to help you make this determination and allow you an avenue to vindicate your rights.
We’re committed to fighting for the rights of accident victims throughout Southern California, and, unlike other California personal injury attorneys, we will take on any case if we can help, no matter how big or small.
#2 What is personal injury?
Personal injury involves harm to an individual’s body or property caused by someone else’s negligence. It can range from minor to significant injuries, often requiring legal action to recover damages. We specialize in representing and securing fair settlements for such victims.
#3 Why hire Compass Law Group?
Our client-focused approach ensures personalized attention, detailed case building, and compelling evidence presentation. We’re skilled in negotiating settlements and prepared for trial with aggressive strategies. Our firm maintains transparent communication, involves clients in the process, and utilizes a wide network of expert witnesses and resources to strengthen cases. Choosing us means trusting a team dedicated to your success and justice.
#4What if I didn't go to the hospital?
No matter the injury size, you have rights that need defending. Many injuries seem minor at first but can worsen over time. Ignoring treatment or legal advice risks your health and compensation. Seek immediate medical and legal help after any accident to ensure proper diagnosis and strengthen your compensation claim.