Uber & Lyft Rideshare Accident Lawyers Serving Spokane, WA
Rideshare accident cases involve a unique three-tiered insurance architecture that creates coverage disputes between the driver's personal auto insurer, the TNC's (Transportation Network Company) commercial insurer, and third-party insurers. Under California's AB 2293 (now PUC §5433), TNCs like Uber and Lyft must maintain: Period 1 (app on, no ride accepted) — $50K/$100K/$30K liability; Period 2 (ride accepted, en route) — $1M combined single limit; Period 3 (passenger in vehicle) — $1M liability plus UM/UIM coverage. The applicable period at the moment of the collision determines which policy responds.
CRITICAL 2026 UPDATE FOR CALIFORNIA: Senate Bill 371, effective January 1, 2026, reduced the mandatory UM/UIM coverage for rideshare passengers from $1,000,000 to just $60,000 per person. This statutory reduction creates a significant coverage gap for passengers injured by uninsured at-fault drivers, making identification of all available coverage sources — including the passenger's own UM/UIM policy stacking — more important than ever.
At Bond Legal, we navigate the respondeat superior vs. independent contractor debate that Uber and Lyft use to insulate themselves from direct liability. Under California's ABC test (Dynamex/AB 5), many rideshare drivers may be misclassified as independent contractors — though Proposition 22 created a carve-out for app-based drivers. We pursue claims under all available theories: commercial policy coverage, vicarious liability, negligent hiring/retention, and negligent entrustment.
If you've been involved in an incident in Spokane or anywhere in Spokane County, Bond Legal's uber & lyft rideshare accident lawyers are prepared to investigate your case, negotiate diligently with insurance companies, and take your case to trial in Washington courts if necessary.