JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers | July 10, 2025 | Car Accidents
Whether you’re behind the wheel as an Uber or Lyft driver or riding as a passenger, understanding who’s responsible when accidents happen isn’t always straightforward.
California has specific regulations that determine insurance coverage, liability, and compensation after rideshare accidents. These laws affect everything from which insurance company pays your medical bills to how much compensation you can recover.
Knowing your rights under California’s rideshare regulations can mean the difference between getting full compensation and being left with mounting bills during your personal injury case.
California Uber and Lyft Laws and Regulations Every Driver and Passenger Should Know
California Public Utilities Code Article 7 applies to transportation network companies (TNCs), including Lyft and Uber. TNCs are companies that connect drivers and passengers for paid transportation services using an online application or platform. Several of the key provisions of the law include:
Local and National Criminal Background Checks
California law requires rideshare companies to conduct thorough background checks for all drivers. Annual background checks must also be performed while a person is utilizing the company’s app to connect with passengers.
Drivers with any of the following criminal records cannot pick up riders:
- Convictions for human trafficking or false imprisonment
- Registered sex offenders
- Convictions for misdemeanor assault or battery within the past seven years
- Convictions for violent felonies
- Convictions in the past seven years for domestic violence
- Any convictions for terrorism
- Convictions in the past seven years for driving under the influence
- Any convictions involving weapons of mass destruction
Background checks are intended to prevent violent and dangerous individuals from becoming rideshare drivers. It is intended for the safety of passengers. Unfortunately, rideshare drivers do not have the same level of protection.
Riders are not screened before being picked up. Therefore, some rideshare drivers have installed dashcams to protect themselves in case of a dispute or accident.
Insurance Requirements for Rideshare Drivers in Tarzana, CA
Uber and Lyft drivers are independent contractors. When rideshare companies first began, passengers and other parties injured in rideshare accidents had very little recourse for seeking compensation for damages. Uber and Lyft argued that the drivers were independent contractors, so the company was not liable for a rideshare driver’s negligence.
However, insurance companies for rideshare drivers denied car accident claims. The policies did not cover accidents that occurred when the driver was transporting a passenger for compensation.
California law now requires rideshare companies to provide insurance coverage. Uber and Lyft must provide the following insurance coverage for accidents:
- Driver is offline. The driver’s personal insurance applies.
- Driver is available for rides. Liability insurance of at least $50,000 ($100,000 per accident) for death and personal injury. Property damage coverage of at least $30,000. A policy that provides excess coverage of at least $200,000 to cover liability that exceeds the above limits.
- En route to pick up a passenger or a passenger is in the vehicle. Liability insurance of $1 million for death, personal injury, and property damage. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage of $1 million when a passenger is in the vehicle.
Ensuring rideshare drivers have adequate insurance coverage protects both the drivers and passengers, as well as other parties injured in a rideshare accident. However, accident victims must prove the rideshare driver caused the accident before receiving compensation under the insurance coverage.
Driver and Vehicle Requirements
Uber and Lyft must comply with the law regarding driver and vehicle requirements. The companies may have additional requirements, provided the basic requirements meet or exceed California requirements.
For example, California requires rideshare drivers to be at least 25 years old. Drivers are required to have their vehicles inspected by a licensed mechanic to ensure the vehicle is safe and roadworthy. Vehicles must be inspected annually or every 50,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Zero Tolerance Policy for Rideshare Drivers
California has a zero-tolerance policy for driving under the influence. Rideshare drivers cannot have any alcohol or drugs in their system. Passengers can report suspected cases of impaired driving to the rideshare company through the app.
Legal Options for Injured Victims of Rideshare Accidents in California
If you are injured in a rideshare accident in Tarzana, you may have one or more legal options for recovering compensation for economic and non-economic damages. The party responsible for an accident victim’s damages depends on the cause of the accident. Any party that contributed to the cause of the crash could be liable for damages.
Parties who could be legally responsible for damages caused by a rideshare accident include:
- The rideshare driver
- Passengers
- Other motorists
- Trucking companies
- Government entities
- Bicyclists and pedestrians
- Automobile manufacturers
- Repair and maintenance facilities
A Tarzana rideshare accident lawyer can help investigate the cause of the crash to identify the liable parties.
Contact the Tarzana Car Accident Lawyers of JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
Rideshare accident claims can be incredibly complex, and insurance companies often dispute them. Working with an experienced Tarzana accident attorney can increase your chances of receiving a fair settlement for your claim.
Please contact an experienced car accident lawyer at JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers for a free initial consultation today at (833) 852-3600.
Our main office is in Encino, CA, but we serve all through Los Angeles County.
JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers
16633 Ventura Blvd suite 1011,
Encino, CA 91436
