California Rideshare Law • 2026
Injured in a
Rideshare
Accident?
Know your rights.
Clear, practical guidance for passengers, Uber & Lyft drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists hurt in rideshare crashes. Backed by The Herman Firm.
Rideshare Accidents in CA — 2024
0
Prop 22 doesn't shield companies from liability.
Learn why01 — The Problem
Rideshare accidents leave riders, drivers, and bystanders navigating a maze of insurance policies, corporate loopholes, and legal grey areas.
When an Uber or Lyft is involved in a crash, multiple insurance policies may apply — the driver's personal policy, the rideshare company's commercial coverage, and the victim's own health or auto insurance. Each carrier points at the others.
Meanwhile, victims are dealing with injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and the stress of not knowing if they will be compensated fairly. The system is designed to delay and deny.
That is why we built this resource. To cut through the noise and give you the facts you need to protect yourself and your family.
0
Rideshare accidents in CA
2024 reported incidents
0%
Increase since 2019
Percent growth
0B+
Rideshare industry size
Annual revenue, billions
0%
Cases with insurance disputes
Require legal help
Every day, thousands of Californians navigate this system alone.
Rideshare accidents in California (thousands)
In 5 years, California rideshare accidents increased by 371% — driven by expanded gig economy and inadequate insurance oversight.
Source: California Highway Patrol, DMV, NHTSA — 2024 data
02 — Who Are You?
Your situation determines your rights.
For Passengers
Passengers
Injured while riding in an Uber or Lyft. Know your coverage and next steps.
- What to do immediately
- Insurance you're entitled to
- When you can sue
- Common injuries
- How compensation works
For Drivers
Drivers
Injured while driving for Uber or Lyft. Understand your rights, gaps, and options.
- Your rights as an independent contractor
- Insurance gaps explained
- Prop 22 impact
- Company liability
- Recovery process
For Pedestrians & Cyclists
Pedestrians & Cyclists
Hit by a rideshare driver. Multi-party liability and how to claim.
- Identifying the responsible party
- Insurance claim process
- Multi-party liability
- Filing deadlines
- Compensation types
03 — Spotlight: Prop 22
The Prop 22 loophole
companies don't want you to know.
Prop 22 classified rideshare drivers as independent contractors, limiting their benefits. But here's what the companies won't tell you: Prop 22 does NOT shield Uber or Lyft from liability claims when their drivers cause accidents.
You still have the right to hold them accountable.
Employee Benefits
Prop 22 blocks this classification
Liability Claims
Prop 22 does NOT block this
Passed 2020
Ballot measure
$200M campaign
04 — Insurance Coverage
Three periods. Massive differences.
Understanding when you're covered — and when there's a gap.
Period 1
App Off
Personal insurance only
Driver policy
Period 2
App On, No Ride
$50k / $100k / $30k
Contingent liability
Period 3
En Route or Active
$1,000,000 liability
Full company coverage
THE GAP
Personal insurance often denies rideshare claims.
Company policies have exclusions. Both can leave you exposed.
The Gap
Personal insurance often denies rideshare claims. Company insurance has exclusions. Both may leave you exposed.
05 — Latest
Insights, updates, and
stories from the front lines.
The 2025 Rideshare Insurance Ruling Everyone Missed
A California appellate decision tightened the rules on when rideshare companies can deny coverage. Here is what it means for injured passengers.
5 Things Every Uber Passenger Should Know Before Their Next Ride
5 min
How Prop 22 Is Being Challenged in 2026
6 min
The Insurance Gap That Nearly Cost Me Everything — A Driver's Story
7 min
What Period 2 Coverage Actually Means
4 min
When Uber Settled for $15 Million
9 min
Night Rides and Higher Risk
5 min
After a Crash, Do Not Talk to the Rideshare App
6 min
Autonomous Rideshares and Liability
7 min
Uninsured Motorist Coverage in CA
5 min
06 — Backed By
MICHAEL D. HERMAN
Founder, The Herman Firm
Michael D. Herman is a California personal injury attorney with more than two decades of experience representing victims of car, truck, and rideshare accidents. He built The Herman Firm to help ordinary people stand up to powerful insurance companies.
0M+
Recovered for clients
0+
Cases handled
0%
Win rate on rideshare cases
0+
Years experience
“Michael and his team made the entire process feel manageable. They handled the insurance companies so I could focus on healing.”
Sarah K.
Passenger injury
WALNUT CREEK, CA
The Herman Firm
07 — Your Path Forward
From accident to compensation.
Every step, mapped.
Immediate action
Seek medical care, document the scene, and gather driver and witness information within the first 24 hours.
Medical documentation
Keep every record, receipt, and diagnosis. Medical evidence is the foundation of your claim.
Free consultation
Talk to The Herman Firm. We review your case, identify coverage, and explain your options at no cost.
Investigation
We pull rideshare logs, police reports, insurance policies, and witness statements to build liability.
Negotiation or litigation
We negotiate with insurers. If they refuse fair value, we file a lawsuit and take them to court.
Settlement or verdict
Most cases resolve through settlement. If necessary, we present your case to a jury for a verdict.
TIMELINE
08 — Questions
Answers to what people actually ask.
READY?
Get your case evaluated.
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Or call directly: (925) 532-1977