Rideshare crashes are more complicated than ordinary car accidents because the insurance coverage that applies depends entirely on what the driver was doing in the app at the moment of impact. Uber and Lyft carry large policies — but those policies only kick in during specific phases of a trip.
Period 0: app is off
If the driver wasn't logged into the app at the time of the crash, they were operating as a private driver. Only their personal auto insurance applies. The rideshare company's coverage has no involvement.
Period 1: app on, waiting for a request
Once a driver logs in and is waiting for a ride, Uber and Lyft provide limited contingent liability coverage — typically $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for injuries, plus $25,000 for property damage. This coverage sits behind the driver's personal policy; if the personal insurer denies the claim, the TNC coverage steps in.
Periods 2 and 3: en route to pickup or carrying a passenger
From the moment a driver accepts a ride until the passenger is dropped off, both Uber and Lyft carry a $1 million third-party liability policy. Arizona's TNC statutes (A.R.S. §§ 28-9551 through 28-9561) require this coverage to be primary during Periods 2 and 3 — meaning the rideshare company's insurer steps up first, not the driver's personal carrier. UM/UIM coverage is also included. This policy covers passengers, other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians hurt by the rideshare driver during an active trip.
Why these claims get complicated
Multiple insurers are often involved — the TNC's, the driver's personal insurer, and possibly a third driver's policy. Each has an incentive to point at the others. Disputes arise over which period the driver was actually in, whether the personal policy excludes commercial activity, and who was at fault. Uber app data — showing when the driver went online, when they accepted a ride — is often the key to resolving that dispute, and it's easier to preserve early.
What to do after a rideshare crash
Screenshot the trip details in your app immediately — that record establishes which period the driver was in. Photograph the scene and all vehicles, get the driver's information and any witnesses' contact details, and seek medical care the same day. Don't give a recorded statement to any insurer before speaking with an attorney.
The filing deadline
Most rideshare injury claims must be filed within two years of the accident date (A.R.S. § 12-542). Uber app data and dashcam footage don't last forever. See our post on the Arizona personal injury statute of limitations for exceptions.
Our rideshare accident attorneys handle claims throughout Phoenix and Scottsdale on a contingency fee basis. No fee unless we win. Call (480) 418-SHER (7437) or reach out online.