Setareh Law
March 17, 2025
Many people today use rideshare apps, with Uber and Lyft being two of the most popular choices. Unfortunately, rideshare drivers can get involved in car accidents like any other driver. Whether or not rideshare drivers fall under the rideshare companies’ insurance policies will depend on how the driver interacted with the app when the accident occurred. Rideshare companies have different insurance coverage requirements depending on whether the driver was logged into the app, had accepted a ride, had a passenger in the car, or was logged out of the app.
If you have been involved in a rideshare accident, you should contact a lawyer who has experience dealing with rideshare accident claims. At Setareh Law, we understand how difficult it can be to recover from a car accident, and we know that going up against a rideshare company can be intimidating. You should not have to accept a low settlement from a rideshare company after your accident. Our skilled rideshare accident lawyers can investigate your case and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
How Working Phases Impact Rideshare Accident Claims
Working phases are the different phases in which rideshare drivers interact with the apps for which they work. These phases are critical because they determine the amount of insurance coverage that a rideshare company must pay when one of its rideshare drivers is involved in an accident. There are generally three different working phases, each with a different amount of coverage:
Available Driver
Rideshare companies provide limited liability coverage when a driver is logged into the app but has not accepted any ride requests. The coverage consists of $50,000 for bodily injury (per person), $100,000 for total bodily injury (per accident), and $25,000 for total property damage (per accident).
Driver Has Passengers or Is on the Way to Passengers
When a rideshare driver has accepted a ride request and is on the way to passengers, or actively has passengers in the car, the rideshare company will have higher insurance coverage. The coverage for this working phase is up to $1 million in third-party liability coverage.
Unavailable Driver
When a rideshare driver is logged out of the app and unavailable, the driver is not covered by the rideshare company’s insurance policy. Anyone who is involved in a car accident with an offline rideshare driver will only be able to recover from the driver’s personal insurance policy.
Unlike traditional employers, rideshare companies are not liable for the acts of their drivers because their drivers are only classified as independent contractors. A traditional employer will be subject to the legal theory of respondeat superior, which states that all employers are liable for their employees’ actions on the job. However, independent contractors are not subject to this theory. As a result, victims of rideshare accidents must prove the working phase of the rideshare driver to recover any compensation from the rideshare company’s insurance policy.
What to Do After a Rideshare Accident
If you are involved in an accident with a rideshare driver, there are certain steps to take. First, you should seek prompt medical attention for any injuries. If you can, you should report your accident and try to collect as much information as possible at the accident scene. Not only should you gather the contact and insurance information of the rideshare driver, but you should also make a note of the driver’s work phase at the time of the accident. Then, you should contact an experienced rideshare accident attorney to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
A skilled lawyer will investigate your case and communicate with the various insurance companies involved. You deserve to be compensated for your injuries and property damage. Going up against a big rideshare company can be overwhelming and stressful, but our lawyers know how to fight for you.
Contact Setareh Law’s Experienced Rideshare Accident Lawyers to Discuss Your Case Today
The amount of compensation you can recover from a rideshare company will heavily depend on the working phase of your rideshare driver at the time of the accident. An experienced lawyer can help you navigate your rideshare accident claim while pursuing the maximum amount of compensation possible. Our team of rideshare accident lawyers is ready to help you.
At Setareh Law, we care about helping victims recover from their car accidents. Let us represent you in your fight against the rideshare company. To schedule a consultation in English or Spanish, you can call (310) 659-1826 or fill out our contact form today.
