fbpixel

Rideshare Periods and Safety in Los Angeles

November 9, 2022

Rideshare Periods and Safety in Los Angeles

It’s undeniable that rideshare services have changed the way Los Angeles residents get from the South Bay to the Valley or Santa Monica to Pasadena. The doors have been opened for tons of new vehicles on the road.  It’s important to remember that these drivers aren’t invincible, and crashes are bound to happen. If you’re in an accident while in an Uber or Lyft, it’s crucial to understand both companies’ rideshare periods.

First, if you are in an accident, everyone’s safety is most important.  Please call 911 right away, and you can report to a rideshare app after help has arrived.

If the driver is not logged into the Uber or Lyft app at the time of the accident, then they are considered “offline”. Any accident may be covered only by their personal auto insurance. 

Otherwise, there are three rideshare periods related to accidents. 

  1. The application is open, and the rider is waiting for the next ride.
  2. The driver has accepted a ride request, and is on their way to pick up a passenger.
  3. The driver has accepted a ride request, and a passenger is in the vehicle with them.

Both Uber and Lyft have varying insurance policies based on the driver’s status at the time of the accident. 

  1. If the application is open, and the driver is waiting for the next ride (first rideshare period) – 
Uber: 

For a driver logged into the app at the time of the accident, waiting for a ride request, the insurance below applies:

Third-party liability if your personal auto insurance doesn’t apply

  • $50,000 in bodily injury per person
  • $100,000 in bodily injury per accident
  • $25,000 in property damage per accident
Lyft:

For a driver logged into the app at the time of the accident, waiting for a ride request, the insurance below applies:

Third-party liability insurance for covered accidents if your personal insurance does not apply.

  • $50,000/person for bodily injury
  • $100,000/accident for bodily injury
  • $25,000/accident for property damage
  1. If the driver has accepted the rider request and is on the way, or the passenger is in the vehicle (second and third rideshare period) –
Uber:

If the driver was logged into the app at the time of the accident, and was picking up or dropping off a passenger, then the insurance below applies:

  • Your liability to a third party (at least $1 million)
  • Collision and comprehensive coverage
    • If your personal insurance already includes this coverage, the insurance that Uber maintains will take its place for damage to your vehicle (subject to a $2,500 deductible effective 3/1/2021)
    • Certain vehicles offered through the Vehicle Marketplace are subject to a $1,000 deductible
Lyft:

If the driver was logged into the app at the time of the accident, and was either picking up or dropping off a passenger, then the insurance below applies:

  • At least $1,000,000 third-party auto liability coverage
  • First-party coverages, which may include uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage, PIP, MedPay, and/or Occupational Accident coverage.
  • If a driver obtains comprehensive and collision coverage on their personal auto policy, Lyft then maintains contingent comprehensive & collision coverage up to the actual cash value of the car ($2,500 deductible).

You can always contact the experienced Los Angeles Uber accident lawyers at C&B Law Group. Our attorneys have decades of experience. You can get in touch with us here for a free consultation.

Get Started Now

Schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced lawyers today by filling out the form below, or call us at (866) 747-7333

    or call us at

    (866) 747-7333

    Hablamos Español

    • img
    • img
    • img
    • img
    • img
    • img
    • img
    • img
    • img

    Recent Blog Posts

    view all blog posts