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October 2, 2025

Rideshare Accidents in Glendale: What Uber and Lyft Passengers Should Know

In recent years, rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have become a transportation staple throughout Glendale, offering convenience, affordability, and easy access to surrounding areas like Burbank, Pasadena, and Los Angeles. Whether you're heading to the Americana at Brand, commuting to work, or catching a ride after a night out, rideshare apps have transformed the way people move around Southern California.

As more rideshare vehicles fill Glendale’s streets—especially during rush hour and event nights—the chances of being involved in a rideshare-related accident rise, too. Unfortunately, when a crash happens, the legal process isn’t as straightforward as it is in a typical car accident between two private drivers.

Unlike standard collisions, rideshare accidents involve multiple parties, overlapping insurance policies, and complex liability questions. Was your Uber driver at fault, or was it another vehicle that hit you? Was the app active at the time of the crash? Which insurance policy applies—and who’s responsible for paying your medical bills?

For passengers injured in an Uber or Lyft, understanding your rights is crucial. You may be entitled to significant compensation, but getting it requires navigating a maze of corporate policies, insurance adjusters, and sometimes uncooperative rideshare companies. That’s why working with an attorney who understands the nuances of California rideshare laws can make all the difference.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Rideshare Accident?

Rideshare Driver

If the Uber or Lyft driver caused the accident due to negligence—such as speeding, texting while driving, or running a red light—they can be held personally liable for the crash. However, because they’re operating under a rideshare platform, Uber or Lyft’s insurance policy may also come into play, depending on whether the app was active and if a ride was in progress.

Another Driver

In some cases, the rideshare driver may not be at fault at all. If another vehicle hits your Uber or Lyft while you're a passenger—such as a reckless or distracted driver running a stop sign—then that driver (and their insurance company) may be responsible for your injuries.

Even in these situations, Uber and Lyft provide uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which may apply if the at-fault driver has inadequate or no insurance.

Uber or Lyft

Although rideshare companies typically argue that their drivers are “independent contractors,” not employees, they still provide up to $1 million in liability coverage for accidents that occur while a passenger is on a trip. This coverage applies:

  • When the ride has been accepted and the driver is en route to pick up the passenger
  • During the actual ride, from pick-up to drop-off

However, Uber or Lyft may dispute coverage, delay payments, or push back on claims, especially when driver fault is unclear or if the app was not active at the time of the crash.

Third Parties

Sometimes, the accident wasn’t the result of driver error at all. Other parties may share or bear full responsibility, such as:

  • A city or municipality, if unsafe road conditions, poor signage, or defective traffic signals contributed to the accident
  • Vehicle manufacturers, if a mechanical failure (e.g., faulty brakes or airbags) played a role
  • Construction companies or delivery services, if their vehicles or road obstructions caused the collision

These third-party liability cases are more complex but can result in additional avenues for compensation.

Understanding Rideshare Insurance Coverage

Uber and Lyft’s Tiered Insurance Model

Rideshare insurance coverage depends heavily on whether the driver was using the app and what stage of the ride they were in. Here's how it breaks down:

Offline or App Off – Personal Insurance Only

If the driver is not logged into the Uber or Lyft app, then the company provides no coverage at all. In this case, only the driver’s personal auto insurance applies. This is treated like any standard private vehicle accident.

App On, No Passenger Yet – Limited Liability Coverage

When the driver is logged into the app and waiting for a ride request, Uber and Lyft provide limited liability coverage, but only if the driver’s personal insurance won’t cover the accident.

Coverage typically includes:

  • $50,000 per person for bodily injury
  • $100,000 per accident for bodily injury
  • $25,000 for property damage

However, this is secondary coverage, meaning Uber or Lyft will only pay if the driver’s personal insurance denies the claim or is insufficient.

En Route to Pickup or During Trip – Full Coverage

Once the driver accepts a ride request and is on their way to pick up a passenger—or during the trip itself—Uber and Lyft provide their highest level of coverage, which includes:

  • $1 million in liability coverage
  • Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage
  • Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage (for vehicle damage, if the driver has personal coverage)

For injured passengers, this is the coverage most likely to apply—and the most helpful for securing full compensation.

How Insurance Applies to Passengers

If you're injured while riding as a passenger in an active Uber or Lyft trip, your claim is typically covered under the company's $1 million insurance policy. This applies whether the crash was caused by:

  • Your rideshare driver, or
  • Another driver who was at fault

If a third-party driver caused the crash and doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your damages, Uber or Lyft’s uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may kick in to bridge the gap.

In some cases, both insurance policies may be involved, especially when liability is disputed. This is why rideshare accident claims often require legal intervention to navigate the insurance maze and fight for a full payout.

Legal Rights of Injured Rideshare Passengers

Right to File a Personal Injury Claim Against the At-Fault Party

As an injured passenger, you have the right to file a personal injury claim against the driver who caused the crash—whether that’s the rideshare driver or another motorist. These claims are meant to compensate you for the harm you've suffered, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

The claims process often involves filing against the at-fault driver's insurance, but if the damages exceed their policy limits—or they are uninsured—Uber or Lyft’s $1 million policy may cover your losses if the ride was active.

Possibility of Multiple Claims (Rideshare Driver and Third-Party Driver)

In many Glendale rideshare accidents, more than one driver shares liability. For example:

  • Your Uber driver was speeding
  • Another driver ran a red light
  • Both contributed to the collision

In such cases, you may be able to file claims against both parties, and multiple insurance policies may be involved. An attorney can help determine the split in liability and coordinate claims to maximize your recovery.

No Need to Prove Employer-Employee Relationship

One common misconception is that you must prove Uber or Lyft "employed" the driver to hold the company accountable. That’s not necessary. Even though rideshare drivers are classified as independent contractors, the companies still provide insurance coverage during rides, so your rights as a passenger are protected through that structure.

This simplifies your case—you don’t need to prove Uber or Lyft was negligent as a company to recover compensation through their insurance policy.

Potential Claims You Can File

As a rideshare passenger injured in an accident, your personal injury claim may cover a range of damages, including:

  • Medical Expenses: ER visits, surgeries, physical therapy, medications, and ongoing treatment
  • Lost Wages: Income lost while recovering, or future earning capacity if your injury causes long-term issues
  • Pain and Suffering: Physical discomfort, chronic pain, or disability resulting from the crash
  • Emotional Distress: Psychological trauma, anxiety, PTSD, or diminished quality of life

The total value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries and how the accident has affected your life. That’s why it’s critical to have a lawyer evaluate your case—and ensure insurance companies don’t offer a lowball settlement.

Injured in an Uber or Lyft Accident? Protect Your Rights Today

Rideshare accidents can leave you with more than just physical injuries—they bring confusion, insurance headaches, and uncertainty about what to do next. Whether your Uber or Lyft driver was at fault or another reckless motorist caused the crash, you have legal rights as a passenger, and you may be entitled to significant compensation.

At Tim Wright Law, we understand the complexities of rideshare accident claims in Glendale and throughout Southern California. From dealing with multi-layered insurance policies to protecting your rights against corporate pushback, our legal team is here to help you recover physically, emotionally, and financially.

📞 Call Tim D. Wright Today for a Free Consultation
📍 Office: 1112 W. Burbank Blvd., Suite 302, Burbank, CA 91506
📱 (323) 379-9995 📧 firm@timwrightlaw.com 🌐 www.timwrightlaw.com

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