Hit by an Uber or Lyft in Utah as a Pedestrian, Cyclist, or Other Driver: Which Coverage Applies
General information, not legal advice. Read the full disclaimer.
Short answer: If a rideshare vehicle hits you as a pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist or another driver, the available coverage depends on what the driver was doing in the app. Under Utah Code § 13-51-108: during a prearranged ride (accepted request until the passenger exits) the required coverage is $1,000,000 per occurrence in liability coverage; during a waiting period (logged in to the app but not on a prearranged ride) it is at least $50,000 per individual, $100,000 per accident, and $30,000 for property damage; and when the app is off, the driver's ordinary personal auto policy is the main coverage (§ 13-51-108(5) says a personal policy isn't required to cover rideshare activity). The app records are the key evidence.
Who this guide is for
Utahns hit by an Uber, Lyft or similar driver who aren't passengers — pedestrians, cyclists, scooter riders, motorcyclists and other drivers.
The three coverage tiers
| App status | What Utah law requires | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Prearranged ride (accepted request to passenger exit) | Primary liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence, plus PIP, UM and UIM where required | § 13-51-108(1) |
| Waiting period (logged in, no ride accepted) | Primary liability coverage of at least $50,000 per individual, $100,000 per accident, $30,000 property damage, plus PIP, UM and UIM where required | § 13-51-108(2) |
| App off | The driver's personal auto policy and its limits (not required to cover rideshare use) | § 13-51-108(5) |
If the coverage lapses, the TNC must provide it from the first dollar of a claim when the required coverage isn't in place (§ 13-51-108(9)).
Why app status matters — and how to prove it
Insurers will argue about whether the driver was "on the clock." You want evidence of status at the time of the crash:
- The TNC's trip and app records (request time, acceptance, passenger pick-up and drop-off).
- The driver's phone and any dash cam.
- Witnesses and passengers (a passenger in the car is evidence of a prearranged ride).
- The crash report and any statements.
Your lawyer can send a written preservation request to the TNC. See Utah Personal Injury Evidence Checklist.
Your own coverage
- PIP from your own policy (or the vehicle's, for pedestrians) pays medical bills and part of lost income regardless of fault. A pedestrian injured in Utah in an accident involving the described motor vehicle may be a covered person under that vehicle's PIP. See Utah's PIP Coverage Explained.
- UM/UIM on your own policy can add coverage if the rideshare coverage is too low. See Utah Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claims.
- The no-fault threshold applies to claims for general damages against the driver. See Utah's No-Fault Tort Threshold.
Who can be sued
- The driver for negligence.
- The insurer's coverage responds to the driver's liability; the insurer has a duty to defend a claim arising during transportation network services (§ 13-51-108(8)).
- The TNC, on its own negligence; by statute drivers are independent contractors (§ 13-51-103(2)).
- Others who contributed (another driver, a government entity for road hazards). See Utah's Several-Liability Rule.
Special situations
- Pedestrians and cyclists: right-of-way and fault rules. See Utah Pedestrian and Bicycle Accident Claims.
- Scooter riders: see Utah E-Scooter Accident Claims.
- Motorcyclists: see Utah Motorcycle Accident Claims.
- Hit-and-run rideshare driver: see Utah Hit-and-Run Accident Claims.
Frequently asked questions
How much coverage applies if an Uber hits me while waiting for a ride request?
At least $50,000 per individual, $100,000 per accident and $30,000 for property damage under § 13-51-108(2).
What if the driver had the app off?
The driver's personal auto policy is the main coverage, subject to its terms.
How do I prove the driver was on the app?
Request the TNC's records through your lawyer, and gather witness and passenger information.
Is the deadline different?
Many negligence claims have four years; claims against governments are shorter. See Utah Personal Injury Statute of Limitations.