Most rideshare trips end exactly the way they should: you arrive safely and go about your day. But accidents do happen — California recorded roughly 84,732 reported rideshare-related accidents in 2024 alone — and a little preparation before you ever open the app can make a real difference if something goes wrong. Here’s what every Uber or Lyft passenger in California should know.
1. You’re covered by up to $1 million in liability insurance, but there’s a catch
From the moment your driver accepts your ride until you’re dropped off (Period 3, in industry terms), Uber and Lyft both provide up to $1,000,000 in third-party liability coverage. This applies automatically when your driver is at fault, regardless of who else is involved in the crash.
The catch is that this $1,000,000 figure is liability coverage — it only pays out when your driver caused the crash. If a different, uninsured or underinsured driver hits your rideshare vehicle, a separate coverage type applies: uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) protection. As of January 1, 2026, California reduced the mandatory UM/UIM coverage on rideshare trips from $1,000,000 to just $60,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, under Senate Bill 371. If you’re hit by an uninsured driver while riding in an Uber or Lyft, your available compensation from that specific coverage is now far smaller than it was a year ago. Our full insurance coverage breakdown walks through all three coverage periods and what changed.
2. Screenshot your trip details before you need them
Trip data can become harder to access once a ride ends. If you’re ever in an accident, screenshot your trip receipt, driver information, and route as soon as it’s safe to do so. This becomes valuable evidence if there’s ever a dispute about your driver’s app status or trip status at the time of the crash — a common point of contention in rideshare insurance claims.
3. Seek medical attention even if you feel fine
Adrenaline can mask injury symptoms for hours or even days. Whiplash, concussions, and soft-tissue injuries are notoriously slow to present. Getting evaluated promptly protects your health and creates a medical record connecting your injuries to the accident — a record that matters both for treatment and for any claim you later pursue.
4. California law protects you even if you were partly at fault
California follows a rule known as pure comparative negligence, established by the California Supreme Court in Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975). Under this rule, you can still recover compensation even if you share some fault for the accident — your recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of responsibility. As a passenger, this rarely applies directly to you, but it matters if fault is disputed among the drivers involved, since it affects how much each insurer ultimately has to pay toward your claim.
5. You have two years to file, but don’t wait that long
California’s statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident, under Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. Missing that deadline generally bars the claim permanently, regardless of its merit. In practice, evidence like app-status data and witness memories degrade well before that deadline arrives, so acting early significantly strengthens a claim rather than just preserving your right to file one.
6. What compensation actually covers
A rideshare accident claim isn’t limited to your emergency room bill. Depending on the severity of your injuries, compensation can include past and future medical expenses, lost wages if you missed work, reduced earning capacity for longer-term injuries, property damage (a broken phone, damaged personal items), and pain and suffering. Passengers often underestimate a claim’s value because they only tally the obvious costs; a full accounting usually looks further out than the initial hospital visit, especially for injuries like whiplash or spinal trauma that require ongoing treatment.
7. You don’t have to accept the first offer
Insurance adjusters are trained to resolve claims quickly and cheaply. An early settlement offer rarely reflects the full value of your claim, especially while injuries are still being treated. You’re allowed to decline an offer and get a second opinion before agreeing to anything, and doing so costs you nothing upfront.
8. A free consultation costs nothing to explore
You don’t need to already be certain you have a case to talk to an attorney. A free case evaluation can clarify what coverage applies to your situation — including how the 2026 UM/UIM changes may affect it — with no obligation and no upfront cost. For a deeper look at passenger-specific rights and next steps, see our full guide for rideshare passengers.