On Monday, July 13, 2026, The Real Housewives of New York alum Kelly Bensimon and celebrity chef Andrew Molen were injured in an Uber accident in Sarasota, Florida. Bensimon and Molen were allegedly riding in an Uber Buick that was abruptly hit head-on by an oncoming vehicle shortly after 5 pm.
The accident was confirmed by the Sarasota Police Department of Florida. Images from the crash show Bensimon and Molen’s Uber, with its front smashed in and numerous airbags deployed. The other vehicle, also a Buick, was reportedly in a similar condition.
Bensimon, Molen, and the driver of the other vehicle were taken to the hospital to have their injuries assessed. Bensimon, who received CT scans and X-rays at the hospital, shared that she was “unconscious for a couple seconds,” and had thought her arm was broken. Molen, who had hit the ceiling of the car, suffered from lingering pain in his neck, which has already caused him to cancel five work events. Bensimon had shared on Instagram that both she and Molen were left distraught from the incident.
In a statement issued following the incident, an Uber spokesperson said, “Our thoughts are with everyone involved, and we stand ready to support law enforcement with their investigation however we can.” The accident is currently under investigation.
What To Do After an Uber Accident in California?
While the reported accident occurred in Florida, rideshare crashes can happen anywhere in the United States. California, which has over 13 million vehicle registrations, the highest in the country, experiences heavy traffic and high rideshare usage, increasing the potential for these types of accidents.
Lyft and Uber accidents operate differently from a car collision in your own vehicle. Therefore, it is important to know the proper steps to take following an accident in a rideshare vehicle.
- Ensure everyone is safe. If anyone is injured or there is any damage, contact the paramedics and police. If there is a police report number, be sure to document it.
- Take photos of damages, including both the vehicle you were in and the other vehicles involved in the crash. You should also collect the insurance and vehicle information of the drivers and other passengers involved in the accident. If the accident location is safe to document, take images of the location as well.
- Report the accident to Uber or Lyft. Each service will contact you following the submission of your report to check on your well-being, collect any information, and begin processing your claim. Filing a report with Uber allows the company to assist you through the claims process and determine what insurance coverage may be available based on the circumstances and location of the accident.
Do I Have to Use My Personal Insurance if Involved in a Rideshare Accident?
Uber and Lyft both have a $1 million third-party liability coverage limit for drivers involved in an accident during an active ride, or on their way to pick up a ride. This coverage applies to riders whether their driver or another driver is at fault, so passengers are generally not required to use their own insurance. California also requires Uber to carry uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on rideshare trips. This coverage can provide up to $60,000 per person and $300,000 in damages per incident if the at-fault driver does not have insurance or enough insurance to cover the claim.
Following a rideshare accident, it can be difficult for injured parties to determine the value of their claim and understand the proper compensation they can receive for their injuries. Insurance companies may try to minimize payout, but a car accident attorney (Burbank) can help you properly assess the value you are entitled to, and even sue for the injuries sustained.
Additionally, many individuals do not realize that compensation from a car accident may extend beyond medical expenses and physical injuries. A rideshare accident lawyer can help you pursue damages for a declined quality of life, loss of earning capacity, and even mental distress.
Contact a Burbank Car Accident Lawyer Today
When taking a rideshare vehicle, passengers deserve to feel safe and receive just compensation if an accident occurs. If you are injured in a rideshare accident, contact experienced Burbank car accident attorney John J. Perlstein today.
John J. Perlstein has over 25 years of practice serving the Los Angeles and Orange County communities, helping achieve just legal outcomes for individuals injured in car accidents. Contact the Law Office of John J. Perlstein by calling (213) 252-1070 or by filling out this form to connect with a highly experienced Uber accident lawyer.