Rideshare Accidents

Common Rideshare Services in Fresno

While Uber and Lyft dominate the rideshare market in California, several other services operate in the area. Whether you’re using a well-known app or a newer service, the same complex insurance and liability issues apply:

• Uber – The largest rideshare company with the most drivers on Fresno roads. Uber offers standard rideshare service (UberX), premium options (Uber Black, Uber Comfort), and shared rides.
• Lyft – The second-largest rideshare provider, operating with similar insurance coverage structures and service tiers including standard Lyft rides, Lyft XL for larger groups, and Lyft Lux for premium vehicles.
• Alto – A rideshare service that employs drivers as W-2 employees (rather than independent contractors) and provides company-owned vehicles, which can affect liability in accidents.
• Via – Focuses on shared rides and operates in some California markets with a carpool-style model.
• Wingz – Specializes in pre-scheduled airport rides and uses professional drivers.

Regardless of which rideshare app you were using when the accident occurred, the fundamental legal principles remain the same. All rideshare companies must carry substantial insurance coverage, and all try to minimize their liability when accidents happen.

Why Rideshare Accidents Are More Complex

A regular car accident usually involves two drivers and their insurance companies. Rideshare accidents can involve the rideshare driver’s personal insurance, the rideshare company’s commercial insurance, another driver’s insurance, and questions about who was at fault and when the accident occurred relative to the ride.

The laws surrounding rideshare accidents in California are still evolving. While rideshare companies have become commonplace, the legal framework is complicated and insurance companies exploit every ambiguity to avoid paying claims. You might think Uber or Lyft will take care of you if you’re injured—but these companies prioritize their bottom line, not your recovery.

Without experienced legal representation, you could end up with far less compensation than you deserve, or worse, have your claim denied entirely while you’re left with mounting medical expenses.

How Rideshare Insurance Coverage Works

Understanding rideshare insurance is critical because coverage depends entirely on what the driver was doing at the moment of the accident. Rideshare companies divide coverage into three distinct periods:

• Period 1: App on, waiting for a ride request – The driver has opened the app and is available but hasn’t received a ride request yet. During this period, the rideshare company provides only limited liability coverage (typically $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage). The driver’s personal insurance is primary, but many personal policies exclude coverage during any commercial activity. This creates a dangerous gap where you may have minimal coverage.
• Period 2: Ride accepted, en route to pick up passenger – The driver has accepted a ride request and is driving to pick up the passenger. During this period, Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies provide up to $1 million in liability coverage, plus uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. However, the rideshare company may still try to deny claims by arguing the driver wasn’t actually en route to the pickup or that the app was off.
• Period 3: Passenger in the vehicle – The passenger is in the car from pickup through drop-off. This period has the most comprehensive coverage—up to $1 million in liability insurance and uninsured/underinsured motorist protection. Claims during this period are generally more straightforward because there’s a clear record of an active ride.

The problem is that insurance companies will fight over which period applies, each trying to shift responsibility to another policy. They’ll look for any reason to claim lower coverage applies or that no coverage exists at all.

Who Can Be Injured in Rideshare Accidents

• Passengers – If you were riding in an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare vehicle when the accident occurred, you’re entitled to compensation regardless of who caused the crash. Whether your driver was at fault, another driver was at fault, or both drivers share responsibility, you should be covered by the rideshare company’s insurance during Periods 2 and 3. However, insurance adjusters may still try to minimize your injuries or rush you into a low settlement.
• Rideshare drivers – If you drive for Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare service and were injured in an accident, your coverage depends on which period you were in and who caused the crash. If another driver was at fault, you can file a claim against their insurance as well as potentially against the rideshare company’s policy. If you were at fault, your options are more limited and may depend on your personal insurance coverage.
• Other drivers and passengers – If you were hit by a rideshare vehicle, you can file a claim against the rideshare driver and potentially against Uber, Lyft, or the rideshare company’s insurance, depending on which period the driver was in. The rideshare company will likely argue their driver was off-duty or not logged into the app to avoid liability.
• Pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists – If you were struck by a rideshare vehicle while walking, biking, or riding a motorcycle, the same coverage rules apply. However, these victims often suffer more severe injuries and face even more aggressive pushback from insurance companies.

Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents

• Distracted driving – Rideshare drivers frequently look at their phones to accept rides, check navigation, and communicate with passengers. This distraction takes their eyes off the road and causes accidents.
• Fatigue – Many rideshare drivers work long hours or drive late at night to maximize earnings. Drowsy driving impairs reaction time and judgment as much as alcohol.
• Inexperience with the area – Rideshare drivers often rely heavily on GPS and may not know local roads well, leading to sudden lane changes, missed turns, and erratic driving.
• Pressure to accept rides quickly – Drivers feel pressure to accept ride requests within seconds or risk being penalized by the app, leading to hasty decisions and distracted driving.
• Poor vehicle maintenance – Unlike taxi companies with regular vehicle inspections, rideshare drivers are responsible for their own vehicle maintenance. Brake failures, tire blowouts, and other mechanical issues can cause serious accidents.
• Other drivers’ negligence – Rideshare vehicles can be hit by drunk drivers, distracted drivers, speeders, and other negligent motorists just like any other vehicle on the road.

Proving Fault and Liability

One of the biggest challenges in rideshare accident cases is proving who was at fault and which insurance policies apply. Insurance companies will look for any opportunity to deny or minimize your claim.

You need solid evidence including police reports documenting the scene and officer’s assessment of fault, photographs of vehicle damage, the accident scene, road conditions, and injuries, witness statements from passengers or bystanders who saw what happened, rideshare app data showing the driver’s status at the time of the accident, the driver’s history and safety record, medical records documenting the extent and cause of your injuries, and in complex cases, accident reconstruction expert analysis.

Rideshare companies keep detailed data about every trip, but they won’t voluntarily hand it over. An experienced attorney knows how to obtain this critical evidence through legal channels and use it to prove your case.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, you may be entitled to substantial compensation for all losses caused by the crash:

• Economic damages – Medical expenses including emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, doctor visits, physical therapy, prescription medications, and future medical care, lost wages from time you couldn’t work, loss of future earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your job, property damage to your vehicle or personal belongings, and transportation costs for medical appointments and getting around while injured.
• Non-economic damages – Physical pain and suffering, emotional distress and trauma from the accident, loss of enjoyment of life and activities you can no longer do, permanent scarring or disfigurement, and loss of consortium (impact on your relationship with your spouse).

Rideshare insurance policies carry up to $1 million in coverage during Periods 2 and 3, which means serious injury cases can result in substantial settlements or verdicts. However, getting the insurance company to pay what you deserve requires aggressive legal advocacy.

How Insurance Companies Fight Rideshare Claims

Don’t expect Uber, Lyft, or their insurance carriers to make this easy. Here are common tactics they use:

• Denying the driver was logged in – They’ll claim the accident happened during Period 1 or when the app was off entirely to avoid their $1 million policy.
• Rushing you to settle – Adjusters may offer a quick settlement before you understand the full extent of your injuries, hoping you’ll accept far less than your claim is worth.
• Blaming you for the accident – Even as a passenger, they may try to argue you distracted the driver or contributed to the crash.
• Downplaying your injuries – They’ll argue your injuries aren’t as serious as claimed or that pre-existing conditions are responsible for your pain.
• Delaying tactics – They may drag out the claims process hoping you’ll get desperate and accept a lowball offer.
• Forcing arbitration – The terms of service you agreed to when using the app may require arbitration instead of going to court, limiting your legal options.

You need an attorney who knows these tactics and how to counter them effectively.