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If you were hurt in an Uber or Lyft crash, you need a Phoenix Uber accident lawyer who understands rideshare insurance and is ready to push back when insurers won't pay. This page is for rideshare passengers, people hit by an Uber or Lyft driver, and rideshare drivers hurt by someone else. It covers what to do after the crash, how the insurance fits together, what evidence matters, and what you may be able to recover. For car crashes in general, see our Phoenix car accident lawyer page. Call Kent Law today at (480) 359-KENT for a free case review.
What to do after an Uber or Lyft crash in Phoenix
- Get safe and call 911. Move out of traffic if you can. Call 911 to report the crash and any injuries.
- Get medical care the same day. Go to an ER, urgent care, or your doctor, even if you feel okay. Some injuries don't show up right away. A same-day visit also ties your injuries to the crash.
- Screenshot the trip in the app. Save the driver's name, the car, the plate number, the trip time and route, the receipt, and any in-app messages. If you weren't the rider, write down the driver's name and plate, and ask whether they were driving for Uber or Lyft. If you were the one driving for Uber or Lyft, screenshot your app status and ride activity at the time of the crash.
- Photograph the scene. Get the vehicles, the damage, the plates, traffic signals, the road, and your injuries.
- Find witnesses. Get names and phone numbers from anyone who saw the crash.
- Get the police report. Phoenix Police generally handles crashes on city streets. Arizona DPS generally handles state highways and freeways. Write down the officer's name and the report number.
- Report the crash in the app. Use the Uber or Lyft app to report what happened. Screenshot the confirmation and any replies.
- Talk to us before you give any insurer a recorded statement. Adjusters for the rideshare company's insurer or the other driver may call soon. Their job is to pay as little as possible. Before you give a recorded statement to any insurer, including your own, call us at (480) 359-KENT.
Arizona laws that affect your claim
Why rideshare insurance is complicated
In most crashes, you deal with one driver's insurance. Rideshare crashes are different. Which policy applies can depend on what the driver was doing in the app when the crash happened:
- App off. The driver's personal auto policy is usually the starting point.
- App on, waiting for a ride request. The rideshare company's insurance may come into play.
- Ride accepted, on the way to pick someone up. Coverage is generally higher once a ride has been accepted.
- On a trip with a passenger. Coverage is generally higher while a passenger is in the car.
That makes the driver's app status at the time of the crash a key fact. Proving it can take the company's own records, which is one reason we move fast.
More than one policy may apply
A rideshare crash can involve several policies at once: the rideshare driver's personal policy, the rideshare company's insurance, the other driver's insurance, and your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. Arizona insurers must offer UM and UIM coverage in writing, but drivers can decline it (A.R.S. § 20-259.01). If you have it, it may help when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough. See our UM/UIM and insurance disputes page to learn more. Insurers may point at each other, each saying someone else should pay. We sort out which policies apply and press every one of them.
Rideshare drivers and independent contractor status
Uber and Lyft drivers are generally treated as independent contractors, not employees. That can affect whose insurance applies. It can also affect whether workers' compensation is available to a driver who gets hurt while driving. If you drive for Uber or Lyft and were injured, talk with us about which coverage may apply to you.
Filing deadlines
Most injury lawsuits in Arizona must generally be filed within 2 years (A.R.S. § 12-542). If a city, county, or state vehicle or employee was involved, such as a city bus, the deadlines are much shorter. A notice of claim is generally required within 180 days (A.R.S. § 12-821.01), and the lawsuit generally must be filed within 1 year (A.R.S. § 12-821). Evidence can also fade as time passes, so don't wait to call.
Shared fault
Arizona uses pure comparative fault. If you were partly at fault, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. In most cases, your claim is not barred (A.R.S. § 12-2505). Insurers may try to push more blame onto you so they can pay less. We push back with the evidence. There are exceptions, such as A.R.S. § 12-711 for some alcohol- or drug-related situations, so talk to us about your facts.
Common types of Uber and Lyft accident cases
Uber and Lyft drivers work Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler, and the East Valley every day. They carry riders to and from Sky Harbor, Arizona State University, downtown Phoenix, and event venues. Rideshare cars share the same busy streets as everyone else. Across Arizona in 2024, there were 121,107 crashes, 1,228 people killed, and 54,426 people injured (ADOT, 2024 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, Table 1-1). Maricopa County had 72.74% of all crashes in the state and 50.13% of fatal crashes (ADOT, 2024 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, p. 13). Those numbers cover all crashes, not only rideshare crashes. Most of our crash cases happen on city streets and at intersections, not on the interstates.
Here are common ways people get hurt in Uber and Lyft crashes.
You were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft
If your rideshare driver or another driver caused the crash, you may have a claim. Depending on the facts, that claim may run against the rideshare driver, the other driver, or both.
Your car was hit by an Uber or Lyft driver
Drivers and passengers in another vehicle may have a claim when a rideshare driver causes the crash. The driver's app status can decide which insurance applies.
You were walking or biking and hit by a rideshare driver
Pedestrians and cyclists have little protection in a crash, and injuries can be serious. You may have a claim against the driver and the insurance that covered them at the time.
You drive for Uber or Lyft and another driver hit you
Rideshare drivers get hurt by careless drivers too. You may have a claim against the at-fault driver, and your own coverage may also apply.
The driver who caused the crash drove off
If a rideshare driver or another driver fled the scene, your UM coverage may help. Our hit-and-run accident page explains more.
Evidence and damages
Evidence we gather
Rideshare cases often turn on data held by Uber or Lyft. We work to gather:
- Trip records for the ride
- GPS data showing the car's location
- The driver's app status at the time of the crash
- In-app messages between the rider and the driver
- The police report, photos, witness statements, and medical records
We move to preserve app and company records early, before they can be lost. When a case needs them, we hire crash reconstruction experts and other expert witnesses to explain how the crash happened.
Damages you may be able to recover
Depending on your case, you may be able to recover:
- Medical bills for your care so far
- Future care you may need
- Lost wages from missed work
- Lost earning capacity if your injuries limit the work you can do
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage to your vehicle or belongings
What you may recover depends on your injuries, the facts, and the insurance available.
How Kent Law handles Uber and Lyft accident cases
Insurance companies have adjusters and lawyers working to pay you as little as possible. We fight just as hard for you, for every penny of compensation you deserve. We don't let them lowball you, and we're ready to take your case to trial if that's what it takes.
Kent Law recovers millions of dollars for injured clients every year. We have handled thousands of injury cases. We handle negotiated settlements, mediation, arbitration and trial. We take on denied and stalled claims, including cases already at the litigation stage. Some insurance adjusters and defense attorneys have hired Kent Law for their own injury cases. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Founding Partner Adam C. Kent has practiced in Arizona since 2006. He started his career as a prosecutor with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office and founded Kent Law in 2011. Managing Attorney Jonathan Henry brings extensive trial experience to cases that head toward a courtroom.
Where your case is filed depends on court rules and the facts, such as where the crash happened and where the parties live. Phoenix-area and East Valley cases are usually filed in Maricopa County Superior Court. We regularly file in Pima and Pinal counties too.
We have one office, in the Ahwatukee area of Phoenix. From there we serve Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and the rest of the East Valley. Learn more on our Tempe personal injury and Chandler personal injury pages. We usually meet at our office. If you can't get here, we can come to you at the hospital or at home, or meet by phone or video.
What it costs
We handle Uber and Lyft accident cases on a contingency fee. No fee unless we win. Your case review is free. Before you sign, we explain the written fee agreement and answer your questions.
Talk with a Phoenix Uber and Lyft accident lawyer
Kent Law is not affiliated with Uber or Lyft. We represent injured people. If you were hurt in an Uber or Lyft crash in Phoenix or the East Valley, call (480) 359-KENT. Free case review. No fee unless we win.
Se habla español. Interpretation is always available.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays if I'm hurt in an Uber or Lyft crash in Phoenix?
It depends on the facts. Which policy applies can turn on what the rideshare driver was doing in the app when the crash happened: app off, waiting for a request, on the way to a pickup, or on a trip. The other driver's insurance and your own UM/UIM coverage may also apply. Insurers may point at each other. We sort out which policies apply and pursue each one.
Do I need a lawyer for an Uber or Lyft accident?
You don't have to hire one, but rideshare claims can involve several insurers, company records, and questions about the driver's app status. The insurers have adjusters and lawyers working to pay as little as possible. We move early to preserve app data, deal with the insurers for you, and push back on lowball offers. The case review is free, so you can get answers before you decide.
How much does it cost to hire Kent Law for a rideshare accident case?
We handle Uber and Lyft accident cases on a contingency fee. No fee unless we win. Your case review is free. Before you sign anything, we explain the written fee agreement in plain terms and answer your questions. Call Kent Law at (480) 359-KENT to get started.
How long do I have to file a claim after an Uber or Lyft crash in Arizona?
In Arizona, most injury lawsuits must generally be filed within 2 years (A.R.S. § 12-542). If a city, county, or state vehicle or employee was involved, the deadlines are much shorter: a notice of claim is generally required within 180 days (A.R.S. § 12-821.01), and the lawsuit generally must be filed within 1 year (A.R.S. § 12-821). Evidence from the app and the scene can also get harder to obtain as time goes by. Call us early so we can protect your claim.
Can I still recover if I was partly at fault?
You may. Arizona uses pure comparative fault. If you were partly at fault, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, but in most cases your claim is not barred (A.R.S. § 12-2505). Insurers may try to put more of the blame on you so they can pay less. We push back with the evidence: app data, photos, witnesses, the police report, and crash reconstruction when a case needs it.
I drive for Uber or Lyft. Can I make a claim if another driver hit me?
You may have a claim against the at-fault driver. Rideshare drivers are generally treated as independent contractors, not employees. That can affect whose insurance applies and whether workers' compensation is available to you. Your own policy, the rideshare company's coverage, the other driver's insurance, and your UM/UIM coverage may all be part of the picture. We sort out which policies apply.
Do you handle Uber and Lyft cases in Tempe and Chandler?
Yes. We serve Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, and Mesa from our Phoenix office in the Ahwatukee area. We don't have offices in those cities. We usually meet at our office. If you can't get here, we can come to you at the hospital or at home, or meet by phone or video. East Valley cases are usually filed in Maricopa County Superior Court.
Sources
This page is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different.