These companies all fall under California’s Network Company rules, overseen by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and governed by special insurance structures.

Even though drivers are classified as independent contractors under Proposition 22, California law still requires these companies to maintain high insurance limits whenever a driver is active on the app.

A. Period 1 – App On, No Ride Accepted

When the driver is online but hasn’t accepted a trip:

• $50,000 per person
  
• $100,000 per accident
  
• $30,000 property damage
  
• Uber provides contingent collision & comprehensive
  
• If the driver has personal insurance, both may apply
  

B. Period 2 – Ride Accepted / En Route to Pickup

Once the driver accepts a ride or delivery:

• $1,000,000 in liability coverage
  
• $1,000,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM)
  
• Contingent collision coverage (deductible applies)
  

C. Period 3 – Passenger/DoorDash/Delivery in Vehicle

Same as Period 2:

• $1,000,000 liability
  
• $1,000,000 UM/UIM
  
• Coverage applies to car accidents, injuries, and in many situations criminal attacks by third parties if caused by driver negligence or company failure to protect.
  

D. Delivery Services (UberEats/Postmates/Drizly)

Even without a paying passenger in the car, once a delivery is accepted:

✔ Full commercial policy applies
✔ Injuries to pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, or other drivers may be covered
✔ Alcohol delivery (Drizly) adds additional potential negligence due to handling and distribution of alcohol

Uber Technologies, Inc.

• UberX
  
• UberXL
  
• Uber Black
  
• Uber Comfort
  
• UberPool (when active)
  
• Uber WAV
  
• UberEats (food delivery)
  

Postmates (Owned by Uber)

• Food & retail delivery
  
• Must adhere to same liability insurance structure while performing deliveries
  

Drizly (Owned by Uber)

• Alcohol delivery
  
• Often involves negligence claims for improperly trained delivery drivers handling controlled substances
  
• Higher likelihood of nighttime crashes, DUI-related collisions, and improper delivery procedures
  

All three platforms fall under Uber’s corporate umbrella, but each service has distinct risk factors and legal nuances

1. Rideshare Car Accidents

Including:

• Rear-end collisions
  
• T-bone crashes
  
• High-speed freeway accidents
  
• Delivery drivers rushing between orders
  
• Improper U-turns or illegal stops
  
• Distracted driving (navigating app, using GPS)
  

Passengers, pedestrians, other drivers, and bicyclists are protected under Uber’s $1M policy.

2. Pedestrian & Bicycle Injuries

These occur frequently when:

• Drivers stop in bike lanes
  
• Delivery drivers rush to meet deadlines
  
• Cars stop in red zones
  
• Drivers fail to yield at crosswalks
  
• Sidewalk riding or wrong-way riding occurs (delivery bike/moto/e-bike)
  

Uber and Postmates delivery drivers on eBikes, scooters, or motorcycles may also cause injuries.

3. Assaults & Sexual Assaults

Unfortunately, rideshare companies have documented incidents involving:

• Driver assaults on passengers
  
• Sexual harassment or touching
  
• Kidnapping-type behaviors
  
• Intoxicated or impaired drivers
  
• Violence by third parties due to Uber’s failure to screen or warn
  

Uber’s own published Safety Report details thousands of recorded incidents nationwide.

Civil claims may be brought for:

• Negligent hiring
  
• Negligent supervision
  
• Negligent retention
  
• Negligent security
  
• Negligent failure to warn
  

Victims may be entitled to significant compensation for emotional distress, PTSD, and therapy.

4. Delivery Driver Injuries

UberEats/Postmates/Drizly drivers injured on the job may have:

• Personal injury claims against third-party drivers
  
• Possible Prop 22 benefits
  
• UM/UIM claims
  
• Negligence claims for unsafe apartment complexes or restaurants
  

5. Wrongful Death

Fatal accidents involving rideshare or delivery drivers may occur through:

• High-speed collisions
  
• Pedestrian fatalities
  
• DUI crashes
  
• Nighttime visibility issues
  
• Highway accidents
  
• Assaults
  
• Commercial-zone crashes
  

Families may pursue wrongful death damages and survival actions.

Depending on the injury, BLG may pursue claims under:

1. Negligence (CACI 400, 401)

Driver failed to use reasonable care.

2. Negligent Hiring / Supervision (CACI 426, 427)

Uber may be liable for failing to screen drivers with:

• Criminal history
  
• Prior sexual misconduct
  
• DUIs
  
• Repeated safety violations
  

3. Vicarious Liability

Even though drivers are contractors under Prop 22, courts may still impose liability under certain circumstances.

4. Premises Liability

If injured entering/exiting a building for delivery.

5. Product Liability

If injury caused by defective Uber Bike/Scooter equipment.

6. Negligent Security

Especially for assaults, robberies, or attacks involving unsafe pickup zones.

We gather and preserve:

• App trip data
  
• Driver history & background checks
  
• GPS logs
  
• Speed data
  
• Corporate safety violations
  
• Dashcam footage
  
• Cell phone records
  
• Internal incident reports
  
• Customer complaints
  
• Prior safety reports
  
• 911 calls
  
• Restaurant logs (for delivery cases)
  

Uber’s data is crucial and often must be subpoenaed.

Victims may recover:

• Medical bills
  
• Future medical care
  
• Therapy (for assault cases)
  
• Pain and suffering
  
• Emotional distress
  
• Lost wages
  
• Loss of earning capacity
  
• Scarring or disfigurement
  
• PTSD & psychological harm
  
• Wrongful death damages
  

Delivery-driver rush culture and Uber’s internal safety policies often worsen liability.