Legally Reviewed by Phillip Younglove, Esq. on October 13, 2026
Huntington Beach Rideshare Accident Lawyer
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have become a routine part of getting around Huntington Beach, but a crash involving one of these vehicles triggers an insurance structure far more complex than a typical car accident, and a recent change in California law has made that structure even more important to understand.
At Younglove Law Group, our Huntington Beach personal injury attorneys have recovered over $60 million for injured clients throughout California, bringing more than 20 years of combined legal experience to rideshare accident claims. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win.
⚠ Time-Sensitive — California Law Limits Your Window to File
California’s statute of limitations for rideshare accident claims is generally two years from the date of the accident.
Younglove Law Group has recovered over $60 million for injured Californians over more than 20 years of combined legal experience. We handle rideshare accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win.
Call (949) 691-3660 for a Free Consultation
How Rideshare Insurance Coverage Works in California
The insurance that applies to a rideshare accident depends entirely on the driver’s app status at the moment of the crash. When the app is off, only the driver’s personal auto policy applies, and many personal policies exclude commercial rideshare activity entirely. When the driver has the app on but has not yet matched with a ride, Uber and Lyft provide contingent liability coverage of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $30,000 for property damage. Once a driver accepts a ride request or has a passenger in the vehicle, the rideshare company’s primary liability coverage rises to $1 million, covering injuries the driver causes to passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists.
A Recent Change Every Rideshare Passenger Should Know
Senate Bill 371, effective January 1, 2026, significantly reduced a separate layer of coverage that applies when a different, underinsured or uninsured driver causes your accident while you are riding in an Uber or Lyft. Previously, rideshare companies were required to carry $1 million in uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage for passengers during an active trip. That protection has been reduced to $60,000 per person and $300,000 per accident. The $1 million primary liability policy that applies when your own rideshare driver is at fault has not changed. This reduction specifically affects situations where someone else, not your rideshare driver, causes the crash and does not carry adequate insurance of their own, making it more important than ever to identify every other available source of recovery, including your own personal auto policy’s uninsured motorist coverage if you have it.
Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents
Rideshare drivers face pressures that can contribute to accidents, including distracted driving while checking the app for ride requests and navigation, fatigue from working long hours across multiple platforms, speeding and aggressive driving to complete rides quickly, and inadequate vehicle maintenance.
Types of Injuries in Rideshare Accidents
The force of impact in a rideshare accident can cause injuries ranging from minor to catastrophic, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and soft tissue injuries such as whiplash.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Rideshare Accident
Depending on the circumstances, liability can extend to your rideshare driver, another at-fault driver, the rideshare company’s insurance coverage, or in cases involving a vehicle defect, the manufacturer. Our attorneys investigate every applicable insurance layer and liable party to maximize your recovery.
What to Do After a Rideshare Accident in Huntington Beach
- Seek medical attention immediately. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, and prompt documentation strengthens your claim.
- Report the accident. Notify law enforcement, and if you were a passenger, report the accident through the Uber or Lyft app as well.
- Document the scene. Photograph the vehicles, your injuries, road conditions, and collect witness information.
- Preserve evidence specific to your ride. Save your ride receipt, app screenshots, and any communications with the driver or rideshare company.
- Avoid giving recorded statements. Do not speak with insurance adjusters or sign anything before consulting an attorney.
- Contact Younglove Law Group promptly. Identifying which of the multiple potential insurance layers applies to your accident requires prompt investigation.
Statute of Limitations for Huntington Beach Rideshare Accident Claims
Under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, most rideshare accident claims must be filed within two years of the date of the accident. Missing this deadline typically bars your claim permanently.
Contact Younglove Law Group as soon as possible after your accident to protect your rights.
Frequently Asked Questions About Huntington Beach Rideshare Accidents
How much insurance coverage applies to my rideshare accident?
It depends on the driver’s app status at the time of the crash. Coverage ranges from the driver’s personal policy when offline, to $50,000 per person when waiting for a ride match, up to $1 million in primary liability coverage once a ride is accepted or a passenger is in the vehicle. Our attorneys determine exactly which coverage applies to your situation.
I heard rideshare passengers have $1 million in coverage. Is that still true?
The $1 million primary liability policy still applies when your rideshare driver causes the accident. However, a separate uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage layer, which applies when a different, inadequately insured driver causes your accident, was reduced to $60,000 per person as of January 1, 2026 under Senate Bill 371.
What if an uninsured driver hit the rideshare vehicle I was in?
You may be able to recover through the rideshare company’s reduced uninsured motorist coverage, your own personal auto policy’s uninsured motorist coverage if you have one, or other available sources. Our attorneys investigate every potential avenue of recovery given this coverage reduction.
Does it matter whether I was a passenger or a pedestrian struck by a rideshare vehicle?
Both passengers and third parties, including pedestrians and other motorists, can pursue claims against the applicable rideshare insurance coverage. The specific coverage available depends on the driver’s app status at the time of the crash rather than your role in the accident.
How long do I have to file a rideshare accident claim in California?
Most rideshare accident claims must be filed within two years of the date of the accident under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. Missing this deadline typically bars your claim permanently.
How much does it cost to hire a Huntington Beach rideshare accident lawyer?
Younglove Law Group handles all rideshare accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you, and we advance all costs of investigating and litigating your claim. If your case does not resolve in your favor, you owe us nothing.
Call (949) 691-3660 for a Free Consultation
We are available 24/7. We care about your situation and want you to understand your legal options.
Younglove Law Group also handles Huntington Beach car accident claims, traumatic brain injury claims, and spinal cord injury claims throughout the city.
- Client satisfaction is our top priority.
- We pride ourselves on responsiveness and always get back to you the same day you contact us.
- We are a real law firm, not a referral service.
- Your case will be handled by experienced legal professionals.
- Your case will not be passed around with repeated changes to your primary contact.
Contact Younglove Law Group’s Huntington Beach Rideshare Accident Attorneys
Attorney Phillip Younglove earned his J.D. from USC Gould School of Law and his B.A. in History from UCLA. Before founding Younglove Law Group, he was a senior attorney at one of the largest personal injury firms in California, where he built a reputation excelling in bad faith insurance claims that most firms consider too complex, directly relevant experience when a rideshare company’s insurer disputes a claim. That background, combined with over $60 million recovered for injured clients and recognition from Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, means your claim is handled by attorneys who understand exactly how the other side builds its defense.
If you or a family member was injured in a rideshare accident anywhere in Huntington Beach, contact Younglove Law Group for a free consultation. Our attorneys will evaluate your case, explain your options, and begin building the strongest possible claim on your behalf.
