If you were hurt in an Uber or Lyft crash in Arizona, two general rules shape almost every claim: the deadline to file is generally two years from when the claim accrues, and being partly at fault does not automatically bar you from recovering. Both apply to rideshare crashes the same way they apply to other injury claims, but rideshare cases add a wrinkle: the insurance investigation can eat up months of that clock.
The two-year deadline
Arizona's general statute of limitations for injury to a person is A.R.S. § 12-542, which requires these actions to be filed within two years after the cause of action accrues. The statute's title also covers injury when death ensues, so the same two-year framework applies in wrongful-death situations.
That deadline is for filing a lawsuit, not for finishing an insurance negotiation. An adjuster saying "we are still reviewing" does not pause the clock. In a rideshare crash, that matters because of how coverage is decided. As we explain in our guide to the three tiers of rideshare insurance, what the driver's app was doing at the moment of impact determines which coverage applies, and sorting that out can take time. Our article on login times under A.R.S. § 28-4038 covers the information-sharing requirement that supports that process.
If the injured person was a minor
A.R.S. § 12-502 provides that when a person entitled to bring a claim is under eighteen or of unsound mind when the claim arises, the period of that disability is not counted toward the filing deadline. The person then has the same amount of time after the disability ends. This is a narrow exception, and whether it applies depends on the facts, so do not assume it extends a deadline without checking.
Shared fault does not end the claim
Rideshare crashes are not always one-sided. A passenger may not have buckled up. A pedestrian may have crossed outside a crosswalk. The other driver in a two-car collision may share blame with the rideshare driver.
Arizona handles this under A.R.S. § 12-2505. Whether a claimant was contributorily negligent is a question for the jury. If the jury finds the claimant partly at fault, the claim is not barred; instead, damages are reduced in proportion to the claimant's share of fault that proximately caused the injury or death. There is a limit: a claimant who intentionally, willfully, or wantonly caused or contributed to the harm does not get the benefit of this comparative-fault rule.
In plain terms, if a jury found your damages to be a certain amount and assigned you a share of the fault, your recovery is reduced by that share. How a jury would actually assign fault in your case depends on evidence such as the police report, app data, photos, and witness accounts.
Practical steps
- Write down the date of the crash and calendar the two-year mark immediately.
- Keep a record of every claim number, adjuster contact, and date of communication.
- Do not give a recorded statement about fault before you understand the coverage tier that applies.
- Preserve photos, medical records, and the ride receipt or app screenshot showing the trip.
- Speak with a licensed Arizona attorney early, especially if a government entity, a minor, or a death is involved, since different rules can apply.
Sources
- A.R.S. § 12-542, Arizona Legislature
- A.R.S. § 12-502, Arizona Legislature
- A.R.S. § 12-2505, Arizona Legislature
This article is general legal information, not legal advice. Specific claims turn on the facts and policy language involved.