The short answer
- Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Safety first, exactly as in any crash.
- Document the scene and the vehicles. Photos, plates, and the rideshare driver's name and insurance details.
- Note what the driver was doing. Were they waiting for a request, on the way to a pickup, or on a trip? It affects which insurance applies.
- Report it in the app. Both Uber and Lyft have in-app accident reporting; use it, and keep a record.
- See a doctor, and note your role. Passenger, other driver, or pedestrian — your role shapes how a claim works.
In this guide
Rideshare accidents follow the same first principles as any crash — safety, documentation, medical care — but the insurance picture is different, because it depends on what the app showed at the moment of the collision. This builds on what to do after a car accident.
The single thing that decides which insurance applies is what the driver's app was doing at the moment of the crash.
Why rideshare is different: the "periods"
Cover generally depends on which stage the driver was in:
- App off: the driver's personal auto insurance applies, as for any private driver.
- App on, waiting for a request: the rideshare company typically provides limited liability cover.
- On the way to a pickup, or on a trip: Uber and Lyft generally carry substantial liability cover (commonly up to $1 million) during this period.
The exact figures and terms are set by the companies and by state law, and can change, so treat the above as the general shape rather than a fixed rule.
Your role matters
How a claim works also depends on whether you were:
- A passenger in the rideshare vehicle — you are generally covered by the trip-period policy regardless of which driver was at fault.
- Another driver hit by a rideshare vehicle — which policy responds depends on the period above.
- A pedestrian or cyclist — similar period rules apply to the rideshare driver’s cover.
At the scene and afterwards
Beyond the usual photos and details, capture the rideshare driver’s name and the company, and take a screenshot of your trip in the app if you were a passenger. Report the accident through the app, and keep your own record of everything. Then, as with any crash, see a doctor if there is any chance you were hurt.
When it's worth talking to someone
Rideshare claims can involve more than one insurer, which is exactly the kind of complication where a free, no-obligation conversation helps — especially if you were injured or it is unclear which policy should respond.
- Which insurance applies depends on what the app was doing at impact.
- App off, waiting, or on a trip each trigger different cover.
- On a trip, Uber and Lyft generally carry substantial liability cover.
- Your role — passenger, driver, pedestrian — shapes the claim.
- Report in the app, screenshot your trip, and keep your own record.
What are the deadlines?
Each state sets its own deadlines after a rideshare accident, and some are much shorter than others. Choose your state for each deadline with its statute and the date we last checked it.
Answer a few questions for your next steps and your state's deadlines. It's free.
Get a free case assessmentCommon questions
Whose insurance pays after an Uber or Lyft accident?
It depends on what the driver was doing: personal insurance when the app is off, limited company cover while waiting for a request, and substantial cover (commonly up to $1 million) while on the way to a pickup or on a trip.
I was a passenger — am I covered?
Generally yes. During a trip the rideshare company's policy typically covers passengers regardless of which driver was at fault, though the details depend on the company and your state.
Should I report the accident in the app?
Yes. Both Uber and Lyft provide in-app accident reporting. Use it, take a screenshot of your trip, and keep your own record alongside the usual scene photos.
Do I need a lawyer for a rideshare accident?
Not always, but because several insurers can be involved, these claims more often benefit from advice — particularly if you were injured or it is unclear which policy applies.
Sources
Written by The Accident Advisory editorial team from the sources below. Every change is logged in the editorial changelog.
- Insurance Information Institute (III) — ride-hailing and insurance. iii.org. Accessed
- Uber and Lyft — published information on insurance during the app periods. Accessed
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — what to do after a crash. nhtsa.gov. Accessed
The Accident Advisory provides free, general information and is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This guide is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice from a qualified attorney about your situation. Insurance rules and liability differ by state and by policy, and change over time.