Understanding Personal Injury Claims in California

Rideshare accidents involve some of the most complex insurance scenarios in personal injury law. Whether you're a passenger, driver, or another motorist, understanding how coverage works can mean the difference between full compensation and being left with medical bills. The Three Phases of Rideshare Coverage - Phase 1: App On, No Ride Accepted - When a driver has the app on but hasn't accepted a ride, they're covered by limited liability insurance from Uber/Lyft. Phase 2: Ride Accepted, En Route to Passenger - Once a driver accepts a ride and is heading to pick up the passenger, higher coverage kicks in. Uber and Lyft provide $1 million in liability coverage during this phase. Phase 3: Passenger in Vehicle - From pickup to drop-off, passengers are covered by the rideshare company's $1 million liability policy plus additional coverage for uninsured/underinsured motorists. Common Insurance Company Tactics include claiming the driver wasn't on duty at the time of accident, arguing the driver's personal insurance should pay instead, offering quick settlements before you understand the full extent of your injuries, and requesting recorded statements to use against you later. At ZIPI Lawyers, we've successfully handled numerous rideshare accident cases and understand how these companies operate.