Does Uber or Lyft Cover Accidents, and What to Do After a Rideshare Accident
- Feb 18, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 30
As ride-share services like Uber grow, so do Uber-related car accidents, which raise unique legal questions. If you’re involved in an Uber accident, understanding who is responsible can be confusing.
In Florida, rideshare accidents are governed by Florida Statute § 627.748, enacted in 2017 to create a statewide framework for Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft. These rules determine which insurance applies, at what limits, and who bears liability - and they differ significantly from a standard car accident.
If you were injured as a passenger, another driver, cyclist, or pedestrian in a collision involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle, understanding this framework is the first step to protecting your rights.
Who is Liable in an Uber or Lyft Accident?
In any rideshare accident, liability can fall on multiple parties: the Uber or Lyft driver, the TNC itself, another driver, or a third party such as a vehicle manufacturer. Identifying the right defendant and which insurance policy covers them is one of the most critical steps in a rideshare claim. Florida Statute § 627.748 creates a specific framework for this.
How Uber’s Insurance Works in Florida: The Three Phases
Florida law divides a rideshare driver’s activity into three phases, each with different insurance requirements:
Phase 0 - App off: No Uber coverage. Only the driver’s personal auto insurance applies.
Phase 1 - App on, no ride accepted yet: Uber provides limited liability coverage of $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident / $25,000 property damage, plus PIP and uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage at Florida minimums.
Phase 2 & 3 - Ride accepted through drop-off: $1 million in primary liability coverage for death, bodily injury, and property damage. This $1 million coverage begins the moment the driver accepts the trip, not when the passenger gets in the car. If you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, you are always in Phase 2 or 3 and the $1 million policy applies.
What If the Uber Driver Was Off the App?
If the app was off at the time of the accident, Uber and Lyft provide zero coverage. Only the driver’s personal auto insurance applies. Note that many personal auto policies exclude commercial driving activity, which can complicate these claims further - another reason to work with an experienced rideshare accident attorney.
Does Uber Cover Accidents Caused by Other Drivers?
Yes, in some circumstances. Uber’s policy includes UM/UIM coverage during Phases 2 and 3. If the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage, Uber’s policy may still compensate injured passengers. Florida has a high rate of uninsured drivers, making this protection particularly valuable for rideshare passengers.
Rideshare Accident Liability by Claimant Type
Your position in the accident affects how your claim works. As a passenger in an Uber during a prearranged ride, you are covered by the $1 million policy and are generally in the strongest position to recover. As another driver, pedestrian, or cyclist hit by an Uber vehicle in Phase 2 or 3, Uber’s TNC policy applies. As an Uber or Lyft driver injured by another party, recovery depends on your own PIP, whether the other driver is insured, and whether Uber’s UM/UIM coverage applies.
What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Car Accident
If you’re in an Uber or Lyft accident:
Seek medical attention, even if injuries seem minor.
Document the scene by taking photos and gathering witness information.
Report the accident through the Uber app.
Contact an attorney to help navigate the claims process and protect your rights.
Additional Steps Specific to Rideshare Accidents
Screenshot the Uber or Lyft app immediately before closing it - this captures trip details, driver information, and the app status at the time of the crash, which determines which insurance phase applies and therefore which coverage is available to you. Report the accident through the app but do NOT make any formal statements; ask your attorney to review these first.
Do not accept any early settlement offer from Uber’s insurer without speaking to a lawyer.
How Long Do You Have to File? Florida’s Statute of Limitations for Rideshare Accidents
Florida’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident (Florida Statute § 95.11), following a 2023 change from the previous four-year limit.
Acting quickly also preserves critical evidence - Uber and Lyft retain trip data, GPS logs, and driver records, but this information may not be kept indefinitely.
How The G Law Group Can Help
At The G Law Group, we specialize in handling rideshare accident cases. Whether you’re a
passenger, driver, or pedestrian, we can:
Investigate the accident and determine liability.
Negotiate with insurance companies to maximize your compensation.
Take your case to court if needed.
Rideshare cases involve multiple overlapping insurance policies, app log data, TNC-specific statutes, and corporate legal teams whose job is to minimise your payout. An experienced rideshare accident attorney understands Florida Statute § 627.748, can subpoena Uber’s trip records, and will not be pressured into accepting a low settlement.
The G Law Group handles Uber and Lyft accident cases on a contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win.
Contact Us Today
If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, contact The G Law Group for a free consultation.
We’re here to ensure you receive the compensation and justice you deserve.
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