Tempe Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer
After an Uber or Lyft Crash in Tempe, Talk With an Uber Accident Lawyer
An Uber accident lawyer in Tempe can work out which insurance policy applies, because the coverage changes with what the driver's app was doing when the crash happened. Late trips around ASU and Mill Avenue put a lot of rideshare cars on Tempe streets, and an Uber accident in Tempe can involve the driver's personal policy, the company's policy and your own coverage. We start by phone, and the first call is a free case review.
- App on, no ride accepted
- 25/50/20 liability coverage
- A.R.S. 28-4038
- Prearranged ride
- $250,000, or $1,000,000 with a passenger aboard
- A.R.S. 28-4038
- Filing deadline
- 2 years from the injury
- A.R.S. 12-542(1)
Which Insurance an Uber Accident Lawyer in Tempe Checks at Each Stage of a Ride
The question is not who you were riding with, but what the app was doing at the moment of impact. Arizona sets different coverage for each stage (A.R.S. 28-4038).
App off
The driver's personal policy
The rideshare company's policy generally does not apply, and the driver's own insurer handles the claim.
App on, waiting for a request
25/50/20 coverage
Minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident and $20,000 for property damage applies while the driver is logged in.
Ride accepted or in progress
$250,000 coverage
Once the trip is prearranged, the coverage rises to $250,000.
Passenger aboard
$1,000,000 coverage
With a passenger in the vehicle, the coverage is $1,000,000. Uninsured motorist coverage at a 25/75 minimum is also part of the statute.
Why a Tempe Rideshare Accident Lawyer Sees Late Night Crashes
ASU's Tempe campus enrolled more than 55,500 students in fall 2025. Mullett Arena at 411 S. Packard Drive seats about 5,000 for ASU hockey and the NBA G League Valley Suns. Mill Avenue hosts the 2nd Sundays on Mill street events, and Tempe Beach Park hosts festivals such as the Tempe Festival of the Arts. The Tempe Streetcar ran every 15 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays until 7 p.m. as of June 2025, so many later trips home fall to rideshare and taxis.
A Tempe rideshare accident lawyer therefore asks about the trip, not just the crash. Where was the pickup? How long had the driver been online? Was the driver looking at a phone? Arizona bars a driver from holding or supporting a phone while driving, though hands-free use is allowed (A.R.S. 28-914), and rideshare drivers are held to a lower alcohol limit of 0.04 (A.R.S. 28-1381).
Your Role in the Crash Changes the Claim
A rideshare crash can leave you in one of several positions. In every one of them, insurance companies and attorneys often negotiate the percentage of fault.
If you were the passenger
- The rideshare policy at the $1,000,000 level generally applies while you are aboard.
- The driver, the other driver or both may share fault.
- Medical bills may come with liens, which we explain.
If you were in another car, on foot or on a bike
- The rideshare driver's status at the moment of impact decides which policy responds.
- Your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may also apply, with notice due to your insurer within 3 years (A.R.S. 12-555).
- A pedestrian or cyclist hit by a rideshare car has the same rights as any other injured person.
Save the Trip Record Before It Changes
An Uber accident attorney in Tempe asks for these first, because your phone holds evidence that the other side will not volunteer.
- Screenshots of the trip receipt, the driver's name and photo, and the license plate.
- The time the ride was requested, accepted and ended.
- Photos of the vehicle and the damage, if safely possible, before any vehicle is moved.
- Messages to or from the driver, and any in-app complaint you filed.
- The police report number, from Tempe Police for a city street crash.
- Medical records from your first visit, since many injuries show no or seemingly minor symptoms at first.
Step by step
What to Do in the Hours After a Rideshare Crash
The company will ask you to report the crash in the app. Take these steps first.
- 1
Get medical care.
If you believe you were hurt, see a doctor even when symptoms seem minor. Many injuries show no or seemingly minor symptoms at first.
- 2
Tell the officer your account.
If you believe you were not at fault, make sure you explain this to the officer, and ask for the report number.
- 3
Be careful with the company's claim line.
Rideshare companies and their insurers may ask for a recorded statement. You are not required to agree to one, and an early comment can injure your legal rights.
- 4
Call us before you accept any offer.
We will explain your legal rights and which policy applies. You can reach us by phone at (602) 584-8054.
If the Car Was a Waymo
Tempe Tourism lists Waymo as a fully driverless ride-hailing service available in Tempe. A Waymo accident lawyer in Tempe starts with the question that does not exist in an ordinary rideshare crash: when no person is driving, who is responsible? The coverage figures above come from the Arizona statute for ride-hailing companies, and whether and how they apply to a driverless vehicle is something we go over with you on a case review. Do not give a statement to the company before you talk with us.
Courts, Distance and Neighboring Cities
A lawsuit over a rideshare crash is filed in Maricopa County Superior Court, with locations at 201 W. Jefferson in Phoenix and at 222 E. Javelina Ave. in Mesa. The court's assignment rules decide where a case is heard. Our office is at 5635 N Scottsdale Rd, Suite 170, Scottsdale, AZ 85250, about 7.7 miles by road from downtown Tempe, and we start by phone. A Lyft accident lawyer in Tempe works the same way: we collect the trip data first. Our guide to Arizona insurance minimums explains the baseline policies, and our medical liens guide explains what happens to your medical bills.
We also handle rideshare claims in Mesa, Chandler and Scottsdale. For the statewide rules, see our guide to a rideshare accident lawyer in AZ, and for the city overview read about a personal injury lawyer in Tempe.
Related pages
Questions
Questions about Tempe Uber and Lyft accident cases
Which insurance pays after an Uber crash in Tempe?
It depends on the app. With the app off, the driver's personal policy applies. With the app on, the minimums are 25/50/20, for a prearranged ride the figure is $250,000, and with a passenger aboard it is $1,000,000 (A.R.S. 28-4038).
I was hit by an Uber while on foot near campus. Can I make a claim?
Yes. Being on foot does not change your rights, and the rideshare driver's status at the moment of impact decides which policy responds. We would also look at your own coverage.
Who writes the report after a rideshare crash in Tempe?
Tempe Police usually writes the report for crashes on city streets, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety may hold the report for a freeway crash. Ask the officer for the report number.
What if I was a passenger and the driver was not at fault?
Then the claim may be against the other driver, and the rideshare policy may also respond if the trip was under way. Arizona uses pure comparative fault, so shared blame lowers a claim instead of ending it (A.R.S. 12-2505).
Is there a trauma center in Tempe?
The state's December 2025 list shows no designated trauma center with a Tempe address. HonorHealth Tempe Medical Center has an emergency department, and the closest Level I centers are in Mesa and Chandler.
How much does it cost to talk with you?
You pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you. Request a free case review and we will explain how costs are handled.
Free case review
Talk With Us About Your Tempe Rideshare Crash
Call (602) 584-8054 or request your free case review. Our experienced and friendly attorney will explain your legal rights and what to do next. The earlier you call, the better, but it's never too late to find out your legal rights.
Call any time. Office visits Monday to Friday, 9 to 5.
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