{"id":4391,"date":"2026-10-31T05:51:27","date_gmt":"2026-10-31T05:51:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/car-accident-lawyer\/how-to-sue-uber-for-a-car-accident\/"},"modified":"2026-11-07T07:29:20","modified_gmt":"2026-11-07T07:29:20","slug":"how-to-sue-uber-for-a-car-accident","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/colvinaccidentlawyers.com\/resources\/car-accident-lawyer\/how-to-sue-uber-for-a-car-accident\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Sue Uber for a Car Accident in California"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Car Accident Lawyer<\/a> \u00b7 Bakersfield, Kern County<\/p>

Hurt in an Uber Crash? Here's How a Claim Against Uber Works in California<\/h1>

Ride-share collisions raise questions about who is responsible. Colvin Accident Lawyers helps accident victims and families understand their options.<\/p>

Get a Free Case Consultation<\/a><\/div>
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By Donald Norman Colvin \u00b7 Published October 31, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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Yes, you may be able to sue Uber after a car accident in California, but the answer turns on the facts. The main questions are who caused the crash, whether the driver was logged into the Uber app, and whether a ride was in progress. This guide explains how those points work, so you know what to ask about your own situation.<\/p>\n

Can I Sue Uber If I Was in an Accident?<\/h2>\n

Sometimes you can name Uber in a claim. Liability depends on whether the driver was negligent, and on the legal theories that connect Uber to that driver.<\/p>\n

Several people may have a claim after an Uber-related crash. A passenger in the Uber may have one. So may the other driver, a pedestrian, or a cyclist hit by an Uber vehicle. After a fatal crash, certain family members may bring a wrongful death claim. The sections below explain how that works.<\/p>\n\n

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If an Uber ride or an Uber driver's crash left you or someone you love hurt, you don't have to sort out the next steps alone. Contact Colvin Accident Lawyers to talk through your facts. Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p>

Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div>
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Do You Sue Uber, the Driver, or Both?<\/h2>\n

In many crashes, the driver is the person who caused the collision.<\/p>\n

A claim against the driver focuses on what the driver did behind the wheel. A claim against Uber focuses on the link between the company and that driver, such as whether the driver was working on a ride at the time.<\/p>\n

The driver’s personal auto policy and any coverage tied to the app may both come into play. In these cases, a company may argue that its drivers are independent contractors rather than employees. That argument can limit a company’s responsibility, but its reach is fact-specific. Keeping both routes open early helps protect your options.<\/p>\n

How Uber’s Insurance Coverage Changes by App Period<\/h2>\n

Which insurance applies often depends on what the driver was doing in the app when the crash happened. Coverage can differ from one period to the next, so the trip timeline matters from the start. Three general periods are worth knowing:<\/p>\n