Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have transformed the way people travel across Orange County—from weekend rides to the beach, late-night pickups in Newport, to airport runs from John Wayne. But what happens when your convenient ride ends in a serious accident?
If you’re injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Orange County, your situation can quickly become complicated. Rideshare accidents don’t follow the same process as standard car collisions. Questions about who’s liable, which insurance policy applies, and how to file a claim often leave victims confused and overwhelmed.
At Khalil Law Group, we specialize in helping injury victims navigate these unique cases. Below, we’ll explain how liability works in rideshare crashes, what insurance coverage applies, and what steps you should take after the accident.
Rideshare accident cases vary depending on your role in the crash. You may be:
Each scenario affects the type of claim you file and who you can recover damages from.
California requires Uber and Lyft to carry commercial insurance coverage for their drivers. However, coverage varies based on the driver’s status at the time of the accident.
Here’s how it breaks down:
This coverage only kicks in if the driver’s personal insurance denies the claim.
If you were a paying passenger and injured during the ride, you’re covered by the $1 million commercial insurance policy provided by the rideshare company. That applies whether:
You may be entitled to compensation for:
Tip: Rideshare companies may try to minimize payouts or delay your claim. It’s wise to have an experienced personal injury attorney handle negotiations and paperwork on your behalf.
If you were driving your own vehicle and an Uber or Lyft driver caused the crash, their insurance coverage depends on what phase they were in during the ride.
In these cases, your lawyer will need to determine:
As with other scenarios, the key factor is whether the driver was “on the clock.”
If they were off-duty, you may need to pursue a claim through their personal insurance. If they were actively working, Uber or Lyft’s policy may apply, providing substantial compensation compared to most personal policies.
In most cases, no. Rideshare companies classify drivers as independent contractors, not employees. This shields Uber and Lyft from direct liability in most crashes.
However, you can still recover compensation through their insurance policies, and in certain circumstances—like negligent hiring or repeated violations—there may be grounds for direct claims against the company.
Rideshare accidents are complex—but we make them easier to navigate. At Khalil Law Group, we’ve helped injury victims across Orange County hold negligent drivers and companies accountable.
We will:
You focus on healing. We’ll take care of the rest.
Don’t try to take on Uber or Lyft’s insurance company alone. If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, let the experienced legal team at Khalil Law Group fight for the compensation you deserve.