Rafi Law Group Rafi Law Group

Rideshare Accidents

Phoenix Rideshare Accident Attorney

Fighting For Uber & Lyft Accident Victims in Arizona

You opened the app, requested a ride, and trusted a stranger to get you there safely. Now you're hurt, and nobody from Uber or Lyft is returning your calls.

That's not an accident. That's a strategy. 

Rideshare companies are billion-dollar corporations with legal teams designed to delay, minimize, and deny your claim before you even know what you're owed. At Rafi Law Group, our Phoenix rideshare accident attorneys know exactly how that playbook works, and how to dismantle it.

We represent passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers injured in Uber and Lyft accidents throughout the Phoenix metro area. Whether you were in the back seat of a rideshare or hit by one on the I-10, we'll investigate every layer of insurance coverage, identify every liable party, and fight to recover every dollar you're entitled to under Arizona law. No upfront cost. No fee unless we win. Available 24/7.

Call today to speak with our Phoenix rideshare accident attorneys to get your case moving in the right direction.

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Is Uber or Lyft Liable for Your Damages?

When an employee causes someone to suffer an injury during the scope of their employment, the company employing them can be held partially or fully accountable for their mistakes. Does that mean that Uber or Lyft can be liable for your damages after being in a rideshare accident? Not necessarily.

A few circumstances to consider in a rideshare accident:

  • Independent contractors: Rideshare drivers who use an app like Uber or Lyft are not technically employees. They are considered independent contractors, and Uber has fought repeatedly to ensure the law sees them as such. Companies are legally distant from any harm caused by independent contractors, so they do not assume liability automatically just for “employing” your driver. In other words, Uber, Lyft, and other similar rideshare companies might not owe you any compensation after a crash is caused by a driver using their apps.
  • Bodily injury insurance coverage: Some rideshare companies have taken steps to set passenger worries at ease, though. Most notably, Uber has promised to cover all rides with a $1,000,000 bodily injury insurance policy. Under this policy, the hospital and medical bills incurred by an injured passenger will be covered by Uber, up to the $1,000,000 cap. Although, the policy only applies when the rideshare driver has a passenger in their vehicle and is taking them to their destination. Accidents caused by an Uber driver with no passenger are likely to receive no coverage at all from the rideshare company.
  • Other insurance options: In any rideshare accident, you might have to consider filing an injury claim against your own rideshare driver and/or other motorists involved in the crash. This process will be similar to what you would do in any other auto accident, but it can become inherently more complex due to the additional parties tangled up in the legal processes. It is likely that you will also need to manage multiple claims at the same time.

Does Uber or Lyft Offer Insurance Coverage for Crashes?

As mentioned, Uber and Lyft have $1,000,000 insurance policies for rideshare accidents. Getting access to that massive amount of insurance coverage is not guaranteed, though. There are actually varying tiers of coverage, so your accident with a rideshare driver might not be covered at all if you weren’t their passenger.

Uber uses the following policy breakdown:

  • Tier 0: When an Uber driver is not using the app or has it marked as Offline, Uber provides no insurance coverage at all and takes no responsibility for the actions of that driver. Any coverage would need to be provided by the driver’s personally owned policy or your own.
  • Tier 1: When an Uber driver is looking for a ride or is marked as Available, Uber can provide some insurance coverage, but only if the driver’s personally owned auto insurance policy will not apply to the situation. In this tier, Uber can provide a 50/100/25 plan, which means it might pay up to $50,000 in bodily injury per person, $100,000 in bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 in property damage per accident.
  • Tier 2: When an Uber driver is marked as picking up a rider or already has a rider in their vehicle, Uber will provide the most auto insurance coverage in case of most accidents. Tier 2 coverage includes up to $1,000,000 for third-party liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage, and a contingent comprehensive and collision clause that can pay up to the actual cash value of a car with a $2,500 deductible. Lyft’s main difference with its own insurance policy occurs here in Tier 2, where a different deductible amount might apply.

As your chosen Phoenix rideshare accident attorneys, we will do all we can to ensure you get as much compensation as possible, whether you were another driver or a passenger. We can interpret Uber’s or Lyft’s insurance policies to see how much coverage applies to your situation. Just because you are eligible for coverage does not mean a rideshare company will gladly hand it over without a challenge or legal contest.

Get the Rideshare Driver’s Information

We also want to stress the importance of getting as much information as you can about the parties involved in your rideshare accident. While you might know to get the usual information like driver’s license and insurance information, you should keep in mind that there could be more information available from the rideshare app. Drivers and rides can be assigned a number, which you might need to contact the rideshare company’s service desk to obtain. Specific information like this can be used to better understand the at-fault party’s driving history and other sources of liability.

Common Injuries in Rideshare Accidents

Common injuries may include:

Whiplash and Neck Injuries

Sudden stops or rear-end collisions can cause the head and neck to snap back and forth, leading to pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. Symptoms may not appear right away.

Head and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

Passengers can suffer concussions or more severe brain injuries if their head strikes a window, seat, or airbag. Even mild TBIs can cause long-term cognitive or emotional issues.

Back and Spinal Cord Injuries

Herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, or spinal cord damage can occur, potentially resulting in chronic pain, nerve damage, or paralysis.

Broken Bones and Fractures

Arms, legs, ribs, wrists, and facial bones are commonly fractured in rideshare crashes, especially during side-impact or high-speed collisions.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons—such as sprains, strains, and deep bruising—can be painful and limit movement for weeks or months.

Internal Injuries

Blunt force trauma could cause internal bleeding or harm to organs like the liver, kidneys, or lungs, which can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

Cuts, Lacerations, and Burns

Broken glass, metal, or airbag deployment can cause deep cuts, scarring, or burns that may require stitches or surgery.

Psychological Injuries

Many victims experience anxiety, PTSD, depression, or fear of riding in vehicles after a serious accident—injuries that are just as real as physical ones

Where Phoenix Rideshare Accidents Most Commonly Happen

Based on Phoenix traffic patterns and typical rideshare demand, some of the highest-risk times for rideshare accidents occur during weekday commute periods, Friday afternoons and evenings, and other high-traffic periods. These risks aren't merely anecdotal. The Arizona Department of Transportation's annual Crash Facts report shows that Phoenix experiences tens of thousands of crashes each year, with collisions peaking during the morning commute (approximately 7–9 AM) and again in the afternoon and evening commute window (roughly 4–7 PM). 

Because rideshare demand also tends to increase during commute periods, nightlife hours, and severe monsoon weather, passengers and drivers may face heightened crash risk when traffic volumes and hazardous driving conditions overlap.

Sky Harbor International Airport

Phoenix Sky Harbor is one of the busiest rideshare pickup and drop-off environments in the state. Designated rideshare zones on the ground transportation level create pressure-cooker conditions — drivers rushing pickups, passengers darting between vehicles, and heavy traffic flow around the clock. Distracted driving incidents and door-zone accidents are common here, and because Sky Harbor sits at a major interchange of the I-10, Sky Harbor Boulevard, and 24th Street, even minor collisions can escalate quickly.

Downtown Phoenix Entertainment District

The area surrounding Footprint Center, Chase Field, and the Roosevelt Row arts district sees a surge in rideshare demand on nights and weekends. Post-event traffic combined with drivers unfamiliar with downtown's one-way grid, and passengers who've been drinking, creates a predictable pattern of accidents. If you were injured getting in or out of an Uber or Lyft near a downtown Phoenix venue, the circumstances of where the vehicle stopped matter significantly to your claim.

Scottsdale Old Town

Old Town Scottsdale is among the highest-volume rideshare corridors in the entire Valley on Friday and Saturday nights. Riders flow in and out of bars and restaurants along Scottsdale Road and 5th Avenue, and drivers often stop in non-designated areas, on busy intersections, or double-park while waiting. Pedestrian injury claims and passenger door accidents are consistently high in this zone. The proximity to Scottsdale Fashion Square and the Old Town core means daytime rideshare demand is also significant.

Other High-Risk Zones Our Attorneys Know Well:

  • Tempe Mill Avenue corridor
  • Arizona State University campus drop zones
  • Camelback Corridor
  • I-17 and Loop 101 interchange near Deer Valley

What to Do Immediately After a Phoenix Rideshare Accident

  1. Get medical attention first — call 911 from the scene
  2. Do not close the Uber or Lyft app — the trip data, GPS record, and driver status at the time of the crash are critical evidence that can disappear if the app session is ended
  3. Screenshot your trip information, driver name, vehicle details, and trip status before doing anything else
  4. Get a Phoenix police report — do not agree to skip calling police
  5. Take photos of all vehicles, injuries, and the scene
  6. Contact Rafi Law Group before speaking to any insurance company

Frequently Asked Questions About Phoenix Rideshare Accidents

Q: What should I do immediately after an Uber or Lyft accident in Phoenix?

Call 911 first — a police report is essential evidence in any rideshare claim. Seek medical attention even if you feel fine; some injuries don't present symptoms for hours or days. Take photos of the scene, all vehicles involved, your injuries, and the rideshare app showing your trip status. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company (including Uber's or Lyft's insurer) before speaking with an attorney. 

Contact Rafi Law Group at as soon as possible. The steps you take in the first 48 hours directly affect what you can recover.

Q: Can I sue Uber or Lyft directly after an accident in Phoenix?

It depends on the circumstances. Because rideshare drivers are classified as independent contractors rather than employees, Uber and Lyft have significant legal insulation from direct liability. However, if the driver was actively on a trip or en route to pick up a passenger, the company's $1 million liability policy may apply. If the driver was logged in and waiting for a ride, reduced coverage may apply. If the app was off entirely, the driver's personal insurance is the only option. An attorney can review the app data, trip logs, and driver status at the time of your crash to determine which policies are in play.

Q: How much is a rideshare accident claim worth in Arizona?

There's no universal answer; every case depends on the severity of your injuries, which insurance tiers apply, whether another driver shares liability, and how quickly you sought medical treatment. Rideshare accidents that occur during an active trip can access up to $1 million in coverage from Uber or Lyft, which is significantly higher than what most standard car accident claims access. Cases involving catastrophic injuries, extended medical treatment, or lost income typically result in higher settlements. Rafi Law Group evaluates every element of your damages — medical bills, future care, lost wages, pain and suffering — before any negotiation begins.

Q: What is the statute of limitations for a rideshare accident claim in Arizona?

Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-542, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline almost always means permanently losing the right to pursue compensation. If a government entity is involved (for example, if a city vehicle contributed to the crash), shorter deadlines may apply. Don't wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses become harder to locate, and app data can be lost if not requested promptly.

Q: Does Arizona's comparative fault rule affect rideshare accident claims?

Yes. Arizona follows a pure comparative fault rule, meaning your compensation can be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. For example, if you're found 15% at fault for the accident, you can still recover 85% of your damages. Insurance companies and rideshare corporate counsel will often try to assign partial fault to injured passengers to reduce what they owe. Having an attorney manage all communications and negotiate on your behalf protects you from being maneuvered into accepting an unfair share of blame.

Q: What if I was injured as a pedestrian or cyclist hit by an Uber or Lyft driver?

You have the same right to pursue compensation as a passenger would. If the driver was on an active trip, the rideshare company's $1 million policy should cover your injuries. If the driver was between rides or offline, the claim runs through the driver's personal insurance. Pedestrian and cyclist injuries in rideshare accidents are often severe, and Rafi Law Group handles these cases regularly throughout Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, and the broader Valley. Call us anytime at — we're available 24/7.

Contact Our Rideshare Accident Attorney in Phoenix Today

Rafi Law Group would be honored to help you sort through your rideshare accident claim. It is our goal to secure every penny of compensation owed to you by whatever parties might be liable for your injuries. Of course, when liability is not clear or requires investigation, we will be there to comb the details and strengthen your claim however we can. All the while, you just focus on your health and recovery.

Contact us today to get started with our Phoenix rideshare accident lawyer.