Rideshare Coverage Changes With Every Phase

A collision involving an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare vehicle raises an insurance question that an ordinary car accident does not: which policy applies? The answer depends on what the driver was doing at the moment of the crash, and getting it wrong can cost an injured person dearly.

  • App off (driver not working): the driver’s personal auto policy responds.
  • App on, waiting for a request: a limited layer of rideshare/contingent coverage typically applies.
  • Trip accepted or passenger aboard: the rideshare company’s commercial liability coverage — often a substantial policy — is engaged.

We determine the precise phase using app records, trip logs, and the driver’s status, then pursue the correct policy or combination of policies.

Who Can Claim After a Rideshare Crash

We act for everyone injured in these collisions:

  • Passengers in the rideshare vehicle — who are almost never at fault and have strong claims.
  • Rideshare drivers injured while working.
  • Occupants of other vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists struck by a rideshare vehicle.

Your Accident Benefits Still Apply

Regardless of which liability policy applies, an injured person in Ontario can access no-fault accident benefits (SABS) for medical care, rehabilitation, attendant care, and income replacement. As a passenger, you may claim through your own policy, a family member’s policy, or the policy covering the vehicle you were in. You must notify the insurer within 7 days, so prompt advice is essential.

The July 1, 2026 auto-insurance reforms change which benefits are mandatory and who is eligible for certain optional benefits. Whether they affect your rideshare claim depends on your accident date and the policies involved — see our July 2026 AB Changes page and call us to confirm.

The Tort Claim

Beyond accident benefits, you can sue the at-fault party — whether the rideshare driver or another motorist — for pain and suffering and uncovered losses, subject to the statutory threshold and deductible.

Frequently Asked Questions

I was a passenger in an Uber that crashed — who pays?
As a passenger you are almost never at fault, so you have a strong claim. Liability coverage typically comes from the rideshare company’s commercial policy because the trip was active, while your no-fault accident benefits provide medical, rehabilitation, and income support. We identify and pursue every applicable policy.
Does it matter whether the driver had a passenger or was just logged in?
Yes — it determines which policy responds. With the app off, the personal policy applies; while logged in and waiting, a limited rideshare layer applies; once a trip is accepted or a passenger is aboard, the company’s larger commercial coverage is engaged. We establish the phase from trip and app records.
I drive for a rideshare and was injured on the job. Can I claim?
Yes. You can claim accident benefits and, if another party was at fault, pursue a tort claim against them. The applicable liability coverage again depends on your trip status at the time of the collision.
How soon do I need to act?
Quickly. The 7-day notice to the accident-benefits insurer and the preservation of app and trip data make early legal advice important. Contact us as soon as possible after the collision.
What will it cost me?
Nothing up front. We act on contingency and are paid only out of a successful recovery, advancing disbursements ourselves.