San Francisco Rideshare Accident Lawyers

An Uber or Lyft accident can involve more than a typical car insurance claim. The rideshare driver’s app status, whether a ride had been accepted, and who was in the vehicle can all affect which insurance coverage may apply.

Our San Francisco rideshare accident lawyers represent passengers, drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and occupants of other vehicles injured in Uber and Lyft crashes throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area. We can investigate how the crash happened, preserve rideshare trip information, identify potentially responsible parties, and determine which insurance policies may apply.

Call (800) 800-0000 or contact us online for a free case evaluation. Your consultation is free, and there are no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Why Choose The Barnes Firm for a San Francisco Rideshare Accident?

Rideshare accident claims can involve changing insurance coverage, electronic trip records, multiple drivers, and large insurance companies. Our attorneys can handle those issues while keeping you informed throughout the claim.

When you work with us, you have access to:

• Local attorneys serving San Francisco and the Bay Area
• Attorneys who can travel throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area to meet with clients when needed
• More than 40 attorneys nationwide
• 500+ years of combined legal experience
• More than 150,000 accident and injury cases handled
• Over $2.5 billion recovered in verdicts and settlements for clients
• Experience handling rideshare and other motor vehicle accident claims
• Free case evaluations

How Uber and Lyft Insurance Works After a San Francisco Accident

Rideshare insurance coverage can depend on what the driver was doing in the app when the collision occurred. California regulates transportation network company insurance based on different stages of a rideshare trip.

When the Driver Is Waiting for a Ride Request

When a rideshare driver is logged into the app but has not yet accepted a ride, California requires primary coverage of at least:

• $50,000 for bodily injury or death per person
• $100,000 for bodily injury or death per incident
• $30,000 for property damage

Additional excess coverage is also required during this period.

After the Driver Accepts a Ride

Once a ride has been accepted and the driver is traveling to pick up the passenger, California requires at least $1 million in primary commercial insurance coverage. The same primary coverage requirement applies while a passenger is in the vehicle through the end of the trip.

California also requires $1 million in uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage while the passenger is in the rideshare vehicle. Because the available coverage may change during a single shift, determining the driver’s exact app status can be an important part of a rideshare accident claim.

Who Can File a San Francisco Rideshare Accident Claim?

You do not have to be an Uber or Lyft passenger to have a rideshare accident claim.

We may represent people who were injured while:

• Riding as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft
• Driving or riding in another vehicle struck by a rideshare driver
• Walking when struck by an Uber or Lyft vehicle
• Riding a bicycle or motorcycle when hit by a rideshare driver
• Driving for Uber or Lyft and injured because another motorist caused the collision

The applicable insurance and potentially responsible parties will depend on how the crash occurred.

Who May Be Responsible for an Uber or Lyft Accident?

A rideshare crash can involve more than one driver or insurance company. We investigate the facts before determining who may be legally responsible.

Depending on the collision, potential responsibility may involve:

• The Uber or Lyft driver
• Another negligent motorist
• The owner of another vehicle
• A commercial driver or employer
• A vehicle or parts manufacturer
• Other parties whose conduct contributed to the accident

The fact that Uber or Lyft insurance may be available does not automatically mean the rideshare company caused the crash. Liability and insurance coverage are separate questions, and both may need to be investigated.

San Francisco Rideshare Accidents

Uber and Lyft vehicles operate throughout San Francisco, including Downtown, SoMa, the Mission, Union Square, residential neighborhoods, and routes connecting the city with San Francisco International Airport. Rideshare crashes may also occur along heavily traveled corridors such as US-101 and I-280 or during frequent pickups and drop-offs in dense parts of the city.

The location of the crash can matter when gathering evidence. Nearby businesses, hotels, apartment buildings, parking facilities, or traffic cameras may have footage or other information relevant to what happened. Our Bay Area attorneys serve clients throughout San Francisco, and we can travel to meet with clients at their home, office, hospital, or another convenient location when needed. Our Oakland-Bay Area office is located at 555 12th Street, Suite #1470, Oakland, CA 94607.

Compensation After a San Francisco Rideshare Accident

The compensation available after an Uber or Lyft accident depends on the injuries, financial losses, liability, and available insurance coverage.

A claim may include compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Rehabilitation and future care supported by medical evidence
• Lost wages
• Reduced future earning ability
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Other documented accident-related losses

If a rideshare crash results in a fatality, eligible family members may also have a wrongful death claim.

How Long Do You Have to File a Rideshare Accident Claim in California?

California generally gives an injured person two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Different deadlines can apply in some circumstances, particularly when a government entity is involved.

Waiting can also make rideshare evidence more difficult to preserve. Trip records, video footage, witness information, and other evidence may become harder to obtain over time. We can review the date and circumstances of your accident and determine which deadlines may apply.

Contact a San Francisco Rideshare Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in San Francisco, we can help determine what happened, which insurance policies may apply, and who may be responsible.

Our San Francisco rideshare accident lawyers can gather trip-related evidence, investigate the driver’s rideshare status, communicate with insurers, and help you pursue compensation supported by your injuries and losses.

Call (800) 800-0000 or contact us online for a free case evaluation. Your consultation is free, and there are no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.