Victim of a Uber or Lyft Accident?

If you were injured in a rideshare accident in Los Angeles, you have the right to pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and pain. 

But these are not ordinary car accident claims. You are not just dealing with another driver; you are up against technology giants like Uber and Lyft, each with corporate legal teams and complex commercial insurance policies designed to protect their bottom line, making it even more important to have an experienced car accident lawyer on your side.

The key to your claim depends entirely on the driver’s status in the app at the precise moment of the collision. Was the driver logged in? Were they waiting for a ride request, on the way to a pickup, or was a passenger already in the car?

This is a question you shouldn’t have to answer while focusing on your recovery. At Sweet James Accident Attorneys, we handle these layered claims every day. We understand the tactics, the deadlines, and the evidence needed to build a strong case. 

If you have questions, call us for a free case review at (800) 900-0000.

Key Takeaways for Los Angeles Rideshare Accident Claims

1. The driver’s app status determines the insurance coverage. Uber and Lyft provide a $1 million liability policy, but it only applies once the driver has accepted a ride or is transporting a passenger. If the driver was merely waiting for a request, a much smaller policy is in effect.
2. Evidence from the rideshare company is central to your claim. Digital records like trip logs, GPS data, and in-app communications are needed to prove which insurance policy applies. A lawyer can formally request or subpoena this information to establish the facts of your case.
3. You have a limited time to act. California law generally gives you two years to file a lawsuit, but if a government vehicle was involved, you may have only six months to file an initial claim. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar you from recovering compensation.

Why Choose Sweet James for Your Los Angeles Rideshare Claim?

When you are facing large corporations and their insurance carriers, you need a law firm with a proven record of holding them accountable.

A History of Results:

• Over $2 Billion Recovered: Our firm has secured substantial financial outcomes for thousands of clients.
• 98% Success Rate: We have a consistent track record in the cases we handle.

An Insider’s Perspective:

Our founder, James Bergener, began his career defending insurance companies. This background gives our team a distinct advantage in understanding how insurers value claims and the strategies they use to minimize payouts. 

A Pillar in the Los Angeles Community:

• We are the official attorneys of the Los Angeles Clippers, a testament to our deep roots and recognition in the community.
• Our Los Angeles office is located at 16133 Ventura Blvd Suite 700, conveniently situated in the Financial District near Downtown LA.

Support When You Need It:

• Available 24/7: Your questions and concerns do not follow a business schedule. Our team is available around the clock to provide support.
• No Financial Risk: We offer a free case review and work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay absolutely nothing unless we win your case.

What Compensation Can You Pursue After a Rideshare Accident?

The purpose of a personal injury claim is to provide the financial resources needed to cover every loss the accident caused. California law allows victims to pursue several types of compensation, known as damages.

Economic Damages: The Measurable Costs

These are the direct financial losses that can be documented with bills, receipts, and income statements.

• Medical Expenses: Coverage for every cost tied to your treatment, from the first ambulance ride and hospital stay to future needs like physical therapy, medication, or surgery.
• Lost Wages: Compensation for the income you have lost while unable to work. If your injuries affect your ability to earn a living in the future, this includes your diminished earning capacity.
• Property Damage: The cost to repair or replace your vehicle and any other personal property, like a phone or laptop, that was damaged in the crash.

Non-Economic Damages: The Human Cost

These damages address the non-financial ways the accident has rewritten your life.

• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injuries.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: This addresses your inability to participate in the hobbies, family activities, and daily routines you enjoyed before the accident.

How Does California’s “Comparative Fault” Rule Affect My Claim?

California operates under a “pure comparative negligence” standard. It’s a legal concept that means you may still recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for the accident. Your final compensation is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies frequently search for any reason to argue you were at fault; our job is to protect you from any unfair allocation of blame.

Gathering the Right Evidence for Your Rideshare Claim

As we mentioned already, unlike a standard car crash between two private drivers, a rideshare accident involves a third party: the corporation. This affects how we obtain the evidence needed to build your case.

What Digital Evidence is Available?

The rideshare company holds data that can definitively establish what the driver was doing when the crash occurred. We will formally request access to:

• Driver’s Ride History: This log shows the exact times the driver logged on, accepted your ride, picked you up, and ended the trip.
• GPS and Telematics Data: Uber and Lyft track their drivers’ locations, speed, braking patterns, and other driving behaviors through the app. This information can help reconstruct the moments leading up to the collision.
• In-App Communications: Any messages exchanged between you and the driver through the platform can provide context about the trip.

This information is proprietary, and companies do not volunteer it. It usually requires a formal legal request, such as a subpoena, to obtain it.

What Other Evidence Is Important?

• Eyewitness Statements: Independent witnesses who saw the crash can provide unbiased accounts of what happened.
• Dashcam or Surveillance Footage: Many vehicles are now equipped with dashcams, and nearby businesses may have security cameras that captured the accident.
• The Police Report: While not always admissible in court, the police report contains the investigating officer’s initial findings, diagrams, and witness information.

Where Do Rideshare Accidents Happen Most in Los Angeles?

With its sprawling freeways and relentless activity, Los Angeles presents distinct dangers for anyone on the road. Rideshare accidents tend to be concentrated in areas with high traffic density and frequent stops.

Congested Freeways and Intersections:

• Collisions frequently happen on major arteries like the I-405 (San Diego Freeway), the I-10 (Santa Monica Freeway), and the US-101 (Hollywood Freeway), where sudden stops and high speeds create a volatile mix.
• Busy surface-street intersections in Downtown LA, Hollywood, and the Westside are also common sites. Intersections such as Wilshire Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard or La Cienega and Beverly Boulevard see a constant flow of vehicles, pedestrians, and rideshare drop-offs.

Hubs of Activity:

Accidents are common in locations with a high concentration of rideshare pickups and drop-offs.

• LAX Airport: The continuous loop of arriving and departing vehicles makes the airport a prime location for collisions.
• Entertainment and Sports Venues: Areas around Crypto.com Arena, SoFi Stadium, and the Hollywood Bowl become choked with traffic before and after events, raising the risk of an accident.
• Nightlife Districts: In West Hollywood, Santa Monica, and DTLA, the combination of late-night rideshare traffic and lower visibility contributes to a higher rate of incidents.

Key Cause of Rideshare Accidents:

• Distracted driving, including the use of navigation and rideshare apps, remains a leading cause of collisions in California, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The Unique Insurance Rules for Rideshare Accidents

The amount of available coverage is determined by the driver’s specific activity at the moment of the crash.

The Three Insurance Periods That Dictate Coverage:

• Period 0: The App is Off. When the driver is not logged into the app, they are a private citizen. Only their personal auto insurance policy applies, which may have limits too low to cover serious injuries.
• Period 1: The App is On, Awaiting a Request. The moment a driver logs into the app, a contingent liability policy from Uber or Lyft becomes active. This policy includes:

• $50,000 for bodily injury per person
• $100,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 for property damage

• Periods 2 & 3: En Route to a Pickup or Transporting a Passenger. From the time a ride is accepted until the passenger exits the vehicle, the rideshare company’s full $1 million third-party liability insurance policy is in effect. This policy is designed to cover injuries to passengers, pedestrians, or people in other vehicles, and it includes uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Common Scenarios We Handle:

• You were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft injured in a collision.
• You were a pedestrian or bicyclist hit by a rideshare vehicle.
• You were driving your own car and were struck by a rideshare driver.

Injuries Seen in These Accidents:

• Whiplash and Neck Injuries: Caused by the sudden back-and-forth motion of a crash.
• Head and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Ranging from concussions to more severe brain trauma.
• Spinal Cord Damage: Injuries that may have permanent consequences.
• Bone Fractures: Commonly affecting arms, legs, and hips.

Dealing with Rideshare Companies and Their Insurers

Shortly after the accident, you should expect to be contacted by representatives from the rideshare company or its insurance carrier. It is important to understand their role.

A Business calculation:

Uber, Lyft, and their insurers are corporations with a duty to their shareholders. This means they must balance paying valid claims with protecting their profits. Their goal is to resolve your claim for the lowest amount possible—a goal in direct opposition to yours.

Tactics to Watch For:

• Requesting a Recorded Statement: You are not obligated to provide one to the other party’s insurer. These statements are tools used to find inconsistencies in your story or to get you to say something that could be interpreted as an admission of fault. Your attorney should handle all communications.
• Offering a Quick, Low Settlement: An insurer might offer an immediate payout before the full extent of your injuries is known. Accepting this offer permanently closes your claim, which means if your pain flares up or you need more treatment later, you will have to pay for it yourself.
• Arguing You Are Partially at Fault: Insurers will conduct a thorough investigation, searching for any evidence to argue that you contributed to the accident. They will review your medical history and even social media posts to argue your injuries are not as severe as you claim. Our role is to keep them accountable and ensure no blame is unjustly shifted to you.

Practical Steps to Protect Your Claim

While our legal team builds your case, there are several things you can do to strengthen your position.

Follow Your Doctor’s Orders:

Attend every scheduled medical appointment and complete all prescribed treatments, including physical therapy. This creates a clear medical record of your injuries and shows your dedication to recovering.

Keep a Journal:

Make brief notes about your daily pain levels, any physical limitations you are experiencing, and how the injuries are affecting your life. 

Organize All Documents:

Keep a folder with every document related to the accident. This includes medical bills, pharmacy receipts, repair estimates, and any correspondence from insurance companies.

Be Cautious on Social Media:

Do not post details about the accident, your injuries, or your activities online. Insurance investigators will examine your social media profiles, looking for anything they can use to downplay your injuries, such as a photo of you at a social event.

You Don’t Have to Take On Uber and Lyft Alone

Worrying about how you will pay your medical bills is the last thing you should be doing. The legal system exists to ensure the person who caused the harm is the one who pays for it. You should not be left with the physical and financial burden of someone else’s mistake.

Some people hesitate to call a personal injury lawyer because they think their injuries aren’t “serious enough.” That is a decision for a doctor to make, not an insurance company. Any injury that requires medical attention and disrupts your life deserves to be taken seriously.

Our team at Sweet James Accident Attorneys knows how to counter the strategies used by these large corporations. We will manage the insurance claims and legal deadlines so you can put your energy where it belongs: on your recovery. Let us handle the details.

Call us for a free, no-obligation conversation about your case at (800) 900-0000.