Uber or Lyft Accident in San Antonio: Insurance, Fault, and Your Rights

Call 911 and request police and EMS if anyone is injured. A police report is essential in rideshare accidents because it documents the crash details, the driver's identity, and whether the driver was operating as a rideshare driver at the time. Tell the responding officer that the driver was working for Uber or Lyft — this should be noted in the report.

If you were a passenger in the rideshare vehicle, do not leave the scene until you have exchanged information with the rideshare driver and any other drivers involved. Get the rideshare driver's name, phone number, license plate, and insurance information. Also note the vehicle make, model, and color, and take a screenshot of your ride details in the Uber or Lyft app showing the driver, vehicle, and ride status.

Photograph the scene thoroughly: all vehicle damage, the rideshare vehicle's trade dress (Uber/Lyft stickers or placards), road conditions, and any visible injuries. The rideshare company's stickers or decals on the vehicle help confirm the driver's rideshare status at the time of the crash.

Tier 1 — App off: When the rideshare driver's app is off, they are driving as a private citizen. Only their personal auto insurance applies. Texas requires minimum 30/60/25 coverage (Tex. Trans. Code 601.072). Many personal auto policies exclude commercial rideshare activity, which means there may be a coverage gap if the driver's personal insurer denies the claim.

Tier 2 — App on, waiting for a ride request: When the driver has the app on but has not accepted a ride, Uber and Lyft provide contingent liability coverage. Under Tex. Occ. Code Chapter 2402, the minimum coverage in this tier is $50,000 per person bodily injury, $100,000 per accident bodily injury, and $25,000 property damage. This contingent coverage applies only if the driver's personal insurance does not cover the loss.

Tier 3 — En route to pickup or transporting a passenger: This is the highest coverage tier. Uber and Lyft both carry $1 million in combined single-limit liability coverage, plus $1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and contingent comprehensive and collision coverage for the rideshare vehicle. If you were a passenger in the rideshare vehicle or were hit by a rideshare vehicle during an active ride, this $1 million policy is likely the primary coverage source.

If you were a rideshare passenger injured in a crash, you have the strongest position. The rideshare company's $1 million Tier 3 coverage applies. You can file a claim against the rideshare driver's Tier 3 policy (through Uber or Lyft's insurance), the other driver's liability insurance (if another driver caused the crash), or both. You were not driving, so you bear no fault for the crash.

If you were in another vehicle and hit by a rideshare driver, the applicable insurance tier depends on the rideshare driver's app status. If they were transporting a passenger or en route to a pickup (Tier 3), the $1 million policy applies. If they had the app on but no ride (Tier 2), the lower contingent policy applies. If the app was off, their personal insurance applies.

If you were the rideshare driver and were injured by another driver's negligence, you file a claim against the other driver's liability insurance. You may also have coverage under the rideshare company's uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured. Your personal auto insurance may also contribute — check your policy for rideshare endorsements.

The driver's app status at the moment of the crash determines which insurance tier applies. This makes the app data — ride requests, acceptance times, pickup and dropoff timestamps, GPS routes — critical evidence. If you were a passenger, take a screenshot of your ride details in the app immediately. Save the ride receipt email.

Request your complete ride history from Uber or Lyft through the app or their website. This creates a record of the ride, including the exact time the driver accepted the ride, arrived at the pickup, and when the crash occurred. If you were not a passenger, your attorney can subpoena the driver's app records from the rideshare company.

Uber and Lyft both have in-app crash reporting features. Use them — but do not rely on them exclusively. File a separate police report and document the crash independently. The rideshare company's crash report process protects their interests, not yours.

See a doctor within 24 hours of the crash. Rideshare passengers are often in the back seat without the same structural protection as front-seat occupants — rear-seat injuries in side impacts can be severe. Common rideshare crash injuries include whiplash, concussions, back and neck injuries, and broken bones.

University Hospital is San Antonio's Level I trauma center for serious injuries. For less severe injuries, urgent care or your primary physician can begin the documentation trail. Keep every medical record, bill, and receipt. If you miss work, get documentation from your employer showing lost wages.

The rideshare company's $1 million Tier 3 coverage is substantial, but you still need to prove and document your damages. Medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages must be supported by evidence. Do not assume a large policy means an easy claim — rideshare insurance companies fight claims aggressively.

For Tier 3 claims (active ride), both Uber and Lyft have dedicated claims processes. You will typically be directed to the rideshare company's commercial insurer — for Uber, this has historically been Progressive or James River Insurance; for Lyft, it has been various carriers. The claims adjuster works for the insurance company, not for you — their goal is to minimize the payout.

If another driver caused the crash while you were a rideshare passenger, you may have claims against both the other driver's insurer and the rideshare company's insurer. The at-fault driver's liability insurance is the primary source, and the rideshare company's UM/UIM coverage can supplement if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured.

Rideshare claims are more complex than standard auto insurance claims because multiple policies may overlap. Do not accept a quick settlement from any insurer before you understand all available coverage and the full extent of your injuries. Consulting with an attorney experienced in rideshare claims can help you navigate the multiple policies and maximize your recovery.

Texas has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 16.003). This applies to claims against the rideshare driver, the rideshare company's insurer, and any other at-fault driver. The clock starts on the date of the crash.

Do not wait for the insurance companies to resolve coverage disputes among themselves before pursuing your claim. Insurance coverage disputes between the rideshare company, the driver's personal insurer, and the other driver's insurer can drag on for months. Your statute of limitations runs regardless of these disputes.

Preserve evidence immediately: take screenshots of your ride details, download your ride history, save the ride receipt, and get a copy of the police report. App data and ride records are digital and can be altered or deleted — document them before they change.

Were you injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in San Antonio? Take our free 2-minute assessment at /assessment/. We will help you identify which insurance tier applies, understand your coverage options, and determine whether connecting with a San Antonio personal injury attorney makes sense.

Rideshare accidents involve layered insurance policies that standard car accident claims do not. The difference between Tier 2 ($50K/$100K) and Tier 3 ($1 million) coverage can be enormous. Start with the assessment — it is free, confidential, and can help you understand your situation.