To file an injury claim after an Uber or Lyft accident, get medical care, make sure police document the crash, gather evidence including a screenshot of your trip, report the incident in the app, and be careful with the several insurers who may contact you. Which insurance applies depends on what the rideshare driver was doing at the time, and California generally gives you two years to file a lawsuit.

Rideshare crashes are common in Los Angeles, and they raise issues that ordinary car accidents don't; we cover the reasons in what makes rideshare accident cases so complex. Whether you were a passenger, the driver of another car, a cyclist, or a pedestrian hit by a rideshare vehicle, these steps help protect your claim.

Step 1: Get Medical Care Right Away

Your health comes first. Get checked out promptly even if you feel okay. Medical records connect your injuries to the crash, and a delay in treatment gives insurers room to argue your injuries were minor or caused by something else.

Step 2: Report the Crash to Police

Call the police and make sure a report is filed. Be accurate and specific, but don't guess about things you're unsure of or admit fault. If you were a passenger, make sure the report reflects that you were riding in a rideshare vehicle.

Step 3: Gather Evidence at the Scene

If you're able to, collect as much as you can:

  • Photos of all vehicles, the damage, and your visible injuries
  • Names and contact information for every driver and witness
  • A screenshot of your ride receipt or trip details in the app
  • The time, location, and road and weather conditions

Our car accident evidence guide explains what else can help.

Step 4: Report the Incident to Uber or Lyft

Both companies have in-app tools for reporting crashes. Filing a report documents the incident and starts their insurance process. Keep in mind that the rideshare company and its insurer are not looking out for your interests. Their goal is to manage their own exposure.

Step 5: Be Careful With Insurance Adjusters

After a rideshare crash, you may hear from several insurers: the rideshare company's carrier, the driver's personal insurer, and the insurers of any other drivers involved. Each has an incentive to minimize what it pays and, often, to shift responsibility to someone else. Our founding attorney, Shawn Rokni, previously worked as a senior insurance defense attorney and in-house counsel for a major auto insurer, and he knows how early statements can be used to weaken a claim. Before giving a recorded statement or signing anything, get advice from a lawyer who handles rideshare claims.

Step 6: Understand Why Coverage Is Complicated

Rideshare insurance depends on what the driver was doing when the crash happened: whether the app was off, whether they were logged in and waiting for a request, driving to pick someone up, or transporting a passenger. Each phase can involve different coverage, and insurers sometimes dispute which phase applies. Identifying every liable party and every available policy takes investigation. We explain more in how Uber's commercial insurance works after a crash and who you can sue if you're hit by an Uber.

A rideshare injury claim can include medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses, depending on the facts.

California's statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. Miss it, and you may lose your right to compensation. The sooner you get help, the more time there is to preserve evidence and build a strong claim.

Hurt in an Uber or Lyft Crash?

You don't have to take on a rideshare company and its insurers by yourself. Learn more about our rideshare accident practice or contact Insider Accident Lawyers for a free case review. You pay no attorney's fee unless we recover compensation for you.