New York has more than 65,000 TLC-affiliated rideshare vehicles operating across the city at any given time. Long Island's roads carry thousands more. When one of those rides ends in a crash, injured passengers are left with a question no one prepares them for: whose insurance actually covers this?
The answer depends on factors most people don't know to look for. Dallas Law handles Uber and Lyft injury claims across
Long Island and
New York City — and we know exactly how to identify which coverage applies, who to pursue, and how to build a claim that accounts for all of it.
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Who Pays When You're Hurt in a Rideshare Accident?
This is the question that determines everything about your claim — and the answer isn't simple. Unlike a standard car accident claim, rideshare accidents involve multiple insurance sources, and which one applies depends on factors most people don't know to look for. Uber and Lyft structure their coverage in tiers based on what the driver was doing at the moment of the crash. Understanding those tiers is the first thing an experienced rideshare attorney does when evaluating your case.
Period 0 — App Off
If the driver's app was off at the time of the accident, they were operating as a private individual. Only their personal auto insurance applies. Uber and Lyft have no coverage obligation.
Period 1 — App On, No Ride Accepted
The driver is logged into the app and waiting for a request but hasn't accepted a ride. Uber and Lyft provide limited contingent liability coverage during this period — typically $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage — but only if the driver's personal policy doesn't apply first.
Period 2 — Ride Accepted, En Route to Pickup
Once the driver accepts a trip and is on the way to pick up a passenger, Uber and Lyft's full commercial policy activates. This provides up to $1 million in liability coverage and contingent comprehensive and collision coverage.
Period 3 — Passenger in the Vehicle
From the moment a passenger enters the vehicle through drop-off, Uber and Lyft maintain up to $1 million in commercial liability coverage. This is the most significant coverage tier — and the one that applies to most injured passenger claims.
As a passenger, you were almost certainly in Period 2 or 3 at the time of your accident. That means substantial commercial coverage was in place. The question is whether someone is fighting to access it for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rideshare Accidents in New York
If you’re asking, you’re not alone. Here are some of the questions we hear most often.
Serving Car Accident Victims Across Long Island and Beyond
Dallas Law, LLC is a personal injury firm headquartered in Melville, NY, with extensive experience handling Uber and Lyft accident claims across Long Island and
New York City. Robert Dallas holds a Super Lawyers designation and is a member of the National Trial Lawyers. Our team has recovered more than $21 million for injured clients and brings deep familiarity with New York's TLC regulations, no-fault system, and rideshare insurance structure. Learn more about our attorneys at our About Us page.