Getting into an accident involving an Uber or Lyft in San Antonio can feel overwhelming fast. Between the rideshare driver, the company’s insurance, and your own policy, it’s rarely clear who pays what. The answer depends almost entirely on what the driver was doing at the exact moment of the crash.
Texas law and both companies’ own insurance policies break coverage into distinct phases. Understanding those phases is the first step toward knowing what compensation may be available to you.
How Texas Regulates Rideshare Insurance
Texas requires TNCs like Uber and Lyft to maintain specific insurance minimums at each phase of a trip under the Texas Occupations Code.
Uber and Lyft operate as Transportation Network Companies, or TNCs, under Texas law. Chapter 2402 of the Texas Occupations Code governs how these companies must be insured. These insurance requirements are established by Chapter 2402 of the Texas Occupations Code, which sets the minimum financial responsibility standards Transportation Network Companies must maintain.
Under this framework, both Uber and Lyft are required to maintain insurance coverage that varies depending on whether the driver is offline, waiting for a ride request, or actively transporting a passenger. That distinction matters more than most people realize after a crash.
The Three Coverage Phases Explained
Coverage is split into three phases: app off, app on but no ride accepted, and ride active. Each phase carries different insurance limits.
Phase 1: The App Is Off
When a rideshare driver is not logged into the Uber or Lyft app, they are simply a private motorist. In that situation, only their personal auto insurance applies. Texas requires all drivers to carry at least $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident in bodily injury liability, plus $25,000 in property damage, under Texas Transportation Code Section 601.072.
If a driver hits you while their app is off, you’re dealing with their personal insurer, not Uber or Lyft.
Phase 2: App On, No Ride Accepted
Once the driver logs into the app and waits for a match, coverage shifts. During this period, both Uber and Lyft maintain contingent liability coverage. During this period, Texas law requires Transportation Network Companies to provide contingent liability coverage of at least:
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury
- $100,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 for property damage
This contingent coverage generally applies if the driver’s personal auto insurance does not provide coverage for the accident or does not fully satisfy the applicable claim, depending on the circumstances and policy terms. It does not automatically stack on top of the driver’s own insurance.
Phase 3: Ride Accepted Through Passenger Drop-Off
This is where the most significant coverage applies. From the moment a driver accepts a trip through the time a passenger is dropped off, both Uber and Lyft maintain at least $1 million in third-party liability coverage. This applies whether you are the passenger in the rideshare vehicle or a third party, such as a driver or pedestrian struck by the rideshare vehicle.
Both companies also maintain uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and contingent comprehensive and collision coverage during this phase, subject to applicable deductibles.
What This Means If You Were Injured
If your accident happened during an active trip, the $1 million liability policy is in play, but collecting on it is rarely straightforward.
The phase your accident falls into shapes everything: who you file a claim with, what policy limits apply, and how disputes get handled. Insurance companies, including those representing major rideshare platforms, work to minimize what they pay out. They will examine the app status, GPS data, timestamps, and driver logs before acknowledging coverage.
San Antonio roads like Loop 410, I-35, and US-281 see heavy rideshare traffic, particularly near the San Antonio International Airport, the Pearl District, and the downtown Medical Center corridor. Accidents in these areas happen often, and the coverage disputes that follow can be complex.
A few things to keep in mind after a rideshare crash:
- Document the app status if possible. Screenshot the Uber or Lyft app on your phone to preserve the trip information.
- Get the driver’s personal insurance information in addition to the rideshare company’s details.
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if injuries seem minor. Soft tissue injuries and concussions can take days to fully surface.
- Report the crash to Uber or Lyft through the app, but do not give a recorded statement to any insurance adjuster without legal guidance.
Rideshare Accidents Involving Uninsured Drivers
If an uninsured driver causes a rideshare accident during an active trip, Uber and Lyft’s UM/UIM coverage may provide a critical layer of protection.
Texas has a significant uninsured motorist problem. The Insurance Research Council has estimated that roughly one in eight U.S. drivers is uninsured. If an uninsured driver causes your crash while you’re a passenger in an active rideshare vehicle, the platform’s UM/UIM coverage may cover your injuries, subject to the policy terms.
This is one reason why working through a rideshare injury claim without legal guidance often leads to settlements far below what the full claim may be worth.
Speak With Barry Deacon Law About Your Rideshare Accident
Rideshare accident claims involve layered insurance policies, corporate legal teams, and coverage disputes that are not always transparent to the injured person. At Barry Deacon Law, we handle these cases directly and personally. As a solo practitioner, attorney Barry Deacon gives every client his personal attention from the first call through resolution. Your case will not be handed off to a paralegal or a junior associate.
If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in San Antonio or the surrounding area, call us today at 210-985-8398 to speak with someone who will personally evaluate your situation and explain your options clearly.
Last updated: August 2026
