This page was written and reviewed by Michael J. Cefali, Esq. Attorney Cefali is a founding partner of Cefali & Cefali, APC, based in San Juan Capistrano, CA. He holds a Juris Doctor from Chapman University Fowler School of Law and a B.A. in Global Studies & Maritime Affairs from the California Maritime Academy. Widely recognized for his advocacy in personal injury law, he has secured multi-hundred-thousand-dollar settlements in motorcycle accidents, hit-and-runs, and red-light collision cases. He maintains a perfect 10.0 “Superb” rating on Avvo.
Beyond his legal practice, Mr. Cefali actively supports his community through the Rotary Club of San Juan Capistrano, contributes to housing and meal programs for those in need, and enjoys fishing and spending time with his rescue dogs.
The date below reflects when this page was last reviewed for accuracy. Please see our Editorial Guidelines.
Rideshare crashes are harder to resolve than ordinary car accidents because which insurance policy pays depends on what the Uber or Lyft driver was doing at the moment of the crash. If you were injured in a rideshare accident in Riverside, whether as a passenger, another driver, or a pedestrian, you can recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The Riverside rideshare accident attorneys at Cefali & Cefali know how to identify the right policy and pursue it. Call (949) 325-7790 for a free consultation, available 24/7. No fee unless we win.
California ties rideshare coverage to the driver's app status at the time of the crash. Uber and Lyft are Transportation Network Companies (TNCs), and their insurance applies in tiered periods, so the available coverage can range from the driver's personal policy to a $1 million commercial policy.
Period 0, app off: the driver's personal auto insurance is the only coverage.
Period 1, app on and waiting for a ride: the TNC provides contingent liability coverage of at least $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident, and $30,000 for property damage, plus $200,000 in excess coverage.
Period 2, en route to pick up a passenger: the TNC's $1 million commercial liability policy applies.
Period 3, passenger in the vehicle: the same $1 million policy applies.
Establishing which period the driver was in is often the central fight in a rideshare claim, because it decides how much coverage exists. Note that as of October 1, 2025, the TNC uninsured/underinsured motorist requirement was reduced to $60,000 per person, so carrying your own UM/UIM coverage matters more than ever. An attorney can pull the trip data that fixes the driver's app status.
Who is at fault in a rideshare accident?
Fault depends on who caused the crash: the rideshare driver, another motorist, or a third party. If the rideshare driver was negligent, you typically recover through the applicable TNC or personal policy for that period, not by suing the driver personally. If another driver caused it, their insurance is the primary target.
An important point people get wrong: because Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors under Proposition 22, the companies are generally not automatically responsible for a driver's negligence the way an employer would be. Instead, you recover through the insurance policy that applies to the driver's app period. Uber or Lyft can be directly liable in narrower situations, such as negligent hiring or retention, but the usual path to recovery is the driver's negligence plus the correct insurance policy. Sorting this out is exactly where an experienced attorney matters.
What causes rideshare accidents?
Rideshare crashes are caused by the same driver negligence as any collision, sometimes made worse by the pressure to complete rides quickly. Common causes include distracted driving (checking the app), speeding, impaired driving, fatigue from long hours, and running lights or stop signs.
Distracted driving, especially checking the rideshare app or GPS
Speeding to complete more rides
Impaired driving
Driver fatigue from long hours on the app
Running red lights or stop signs and other traffic violations
Hit-and-run, where uninsured motorist coverage may apply
What should you do after a rideshare accident?
Get medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine. Then, if you can, screenshot the ride in the app (it shows the driver and trip status), photograph the scene and vehicles, get the police report, collect witness information, and speak with a lawyer before giving any statement to an insurer.
The in-app trip record is uniquely important in rideshare cases because it documents the driver's period, and therefore which policy applies. Preserve it early, before it becomes hard to access.
Common Rideshare Accident Injuries
Rideshare crashes cause the same range of injuries as other collisions, from minor to catastrophic. The most serious, traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries, often require long-term care and drive the value of a claim. Common injuries include:
Whiplash and soft-tissue injuries
Broken bones and fractures
Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
Spinal cord injuries, which can cause paralysis
Internal injuries, which may not be immediately obvious
Cuts, lacerations, and burns
Because some injuries surface hours or days later, prompt medical care protects both your health and the medical record that links your injuries to the crash.
Compensation After a Riverside Uber or Lyft Accident
An injured rideshare passenger, driver, or third party can recover economic damages (current and future medical bills, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and property damage) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life). California places no cap on general damages such as pain and suffering in an ordinary injury case. If a rideshare crash is fatal, surviving family members can pursue a wrongful death claim under Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60.
California follows pure comparative negligence, so you can recover even if you were partly at fault, with your award reduced by your percentage of fault. As a rideshare passenger, you are almost never at fault, which usually makes your right to recover straightforward once the correct policy is identified.
How long do I have to file a rideshare accident claim in California?
Under California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a government vehicle (such as a city bus) was involved, you may have as little as six months to file a claim. Because trip data and other evidence can be difficult to obtain later, it is best to act early.
How a Riverside Rideshare Accident Lawyer Helps
Rideshare claims turn on details other firms miss: the driver's exact app period, the layered TNC and personal policies, and the trip data that proves it. We obtain that evidence, identify every applicable policy, handle all communication with Uber's, Lyft's, and the personal insurers, and pursue the full value of your claim. If the insurers refuse a fair offer, we are prepared to take your case to trial. We represent injured people throughout Riverside and Riverside County, including from our Hemet office, on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no fees unless we win.
If you or a loved one was injured in a rideshare accident in Riverside, call (949) 325-7790 or contact us for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win.
Michael Cefali is a dedicated accident attorney based in San Juan Capistrano, California, committed to securing justice and fair compensation for accident victims.
A graduate of Newport Harbor High School, he went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Global Studies and Maritime Affairs from the California Maritime Academy, followed by his Juris Doctor from Chapman University School of Law.
Deeply invested in his community, Michael is an active member of the Rotary Club of San Juan Capistrano, contributing to efforts that provide meals, housing, and support to those in need. Outside of his legal work and volunteer service, he enjoys fishing in Dana Point and spending time with his three rescue dogs—a Chihuahua, a Spaniel mix, and a Shepherd mix.
Driven by his strong belief in justice and fairness, Michael remains steadfast in advocating for individuals harmed by the negligence or inaction of others.
