Los Angeles Rideshare Accident Lawyer
Being injured in an Uber or Lyft accident can leave you struggling with pain, mounting medical bills, and uncertainty about how to support yourself or your family while you recover. You did nothing wrong, but now you’re left picking up the pieces. A Los Angeles rideshare accident lawyer with Best Law can help you regain control, pursue justice, and recover the compensation you deserve.
Rideshare accidents can be more complicated than typical car crashes. When a rideshare driver causes a collision, you’re not just dealing with one person’s insurance policy; you’re facing a network of corporations, policies, and coverage tiers that can make it harder to get paid fairly.
When a simple Uber ride home from LAX International Airport or a night out with friends at Poppy ends in disaster, Best Law is here to help. We cut through the confusion, protect your rights, and focus on what matters most: getting you the financial recovery you need to heal and move forward. Call us today at (424) 260-4649 or contact us online.
Our Commitment to You
Why Choose Best Law for Your Los Angeles Rideshare Accident Claim?
Not all personal injury attorneys are equipped to handle the challenges of rideshare litigation. These cases involve a mix of California personal injury law, commercial insurance policy structures, and contractual ambiguities tied to gig economy platforms. Our legal team is deeply familiar with all of them, and we’ve spent years fighting for injured victims across Los Angeles County.
Client-centered legal guidance and care
Elissa Best founded Best Law after working directly with insurance companies as a defense attorney. She’s represented high-profile individuals and Fortune 500 clients, and now she uses that insight to advocate for people like you. Elissa understands how insurers evaluate claims, delay payouts, and exploit confusion about coverage limits.
Our firm is client-centered by design. We take the time to learn about your injuries, your treatment, and your financial concerns. From there, we build a plan focused on one thing: your recovery.
Decades of proven experience and results
Best Law is proud to represent clients across Los Angeles, including cases arising in downtown LA, Culver City, Inglewood, Westwood, and Koreatown. Our firm has recovered millions in compensation through verdicts and settlements, including high-value cases involving rideshare and commercial transport.
We don’t just process claims—we litigate them. Elissa Best’s training through the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) means we’re equipped to take your case to trial if insurers refuse to offer a fair settlement. We prepare every case thoroughly, using data from accident reconstruction experts, rideshare app logs, and driver background checks.
You can afford our help with no upfront fees
At Best Law, there are no retainers, hourly fees, or surprise charges. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if we win. Our fee comes out of the settlement or judgment, not your pocket. That’s how we ensure our services are accessible to everyone, regardless of income or background.
Key Takeaways
- Rideshare accident claims involve different insurance rules than regular car accidents.
- You may be eligible for compensation as a passenger, pedestrian, driver, or rideshare driver.
- Coverage depends on the driver’s status in the Uber or Lyft app during the crash.
- Avoid accepting a quick insurance settlement without legal guidance.
- Always seek medical care and document your injuries and recovery.
- Damages can include medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
- Best Law offers free consultations and charges no legal fees unless you win.
- We handle the legal process from start to finish so you can focus on healing.
How Rideshare Accident Claims Differ From Regular Car Accidents
Rideshare cases introduce legal and insurance complications that aren’t present in ordinary collisions. Unlike regular drivers, Uber and Lyft operate as large corporations with their own rules and insurance coverage tiers. The driver’s status at the time of the crash plays a major role in what kind of coverage applies and how much compensation may be available.
These companies often work hard to distance themselves from liability, even when their drivers are at fault. We know how to identify responsible parties, locate applicable policies, and hold them accountable. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) regulates transportation network companies (TNCs), which adds another layer of oversight that can affect your case.
We also evaluate coverage under applicable laws, including California Civil Code §1714, which addresses the legal duty to prevent foreseeable harm. These elements help us build strong liability arguments when pursuing your rideshare injury claim.
Who Can File a Rideshare Accident Claim?
California law allows any person injured due to someone else’s negligence to file a personal injury claim. This includes a wide range of individuals in a rideshare crash:
Rideshare passengers:
Whether the Uber or Lyft driver caused the crash or was hit by someone else, you may be eligible for compensation under their commercial insurance policies.
Other motorists:
If your car was struck by a rideshare vehicle, you have a claim against the rideshare driver and potentially against Uber or Lyft’s insurer, depending on the app status.
Pedestrians and cyclists:
Los Angeles is one of the top U.S. cities for pedestrian traffic. If you were hit by a rideshare driver while crossing near UCLA, Wilshire Blvd., or anywhere in the city, your injuries are just as valid.
Rideshare drivers:
If you were driving for Uber or Lyft and were injured by another negligent driver, you may be covered under Uber or Lyft’s uninsured/underinsured motorist policy.
If you’re unsure whether you qualify, we can review the details of your case during a free consultation.
Who Pays After a Los Angeles Uber or Lyft Accident?
Rideshare accidents can be legally complex because liability doesn’t just depend on who caused the crash. It also hinges on the Uber or Lyft driver’s status at the exact moment the collision occurred. Unlike a typical car accident, which typically involves only the drivers’ personal auto insurance, rideshare claims can involve up to three different insurance sources.
App Off – Treated Like Any Other Driver
If the Uber or Lyft driver did not have the app on, they are considered an ordinary motorist, not a commercial driver. That means Uber and Lyft provide no coverage whatsoever.
In this case, your claim would proceed just like a standard California auto accident. You would pursue compensation through the driver’s personal auto insurance policy, which must meet the state’s minimum liability limits under California Vehicle Code §16056. If the driver is uninsured or underinsured, your own policy’s uninsured motorist coverage may come into play.
App On, Waiting for a Ride Request – Contingent Coverage Applies
When the app is on and the rideshare driver is available to accept rides, but hasn’t been matched with a passenger yet, they are in what rideshare companies call “Period 1.” This activates contingent liability coverage provided by Uber or Lyft.
This coverage kicks in only if the driver’s personal insurance either denies the claim or doesn’t provide enough to cover your losses. The policy typically includes:
- $50,000 for bodily injury per person
- $100,000 total for bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
Many personal insurance policies exclude accidents that occur while the driver is “on the clock” for a rideshare company. If that happens, Uber or Lyft’s contingent policy becomes your best path to recovery, but these limits may still fall short in serious injury cases.
Ride Accepted or Passenger On Board – Full Commercial Coverage Applies
If the driver has accepted a ride request or is transporting a passenger, they are in “Periods 2 and 3.” During this time, Uber and Lyft provide their highest level of coverage, which includes:
- $1 million in third-party liability insurance
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
- Comprehensive and collision coverage (for the driver’s vehicle, if applicable)
- This coverage applies whether you were:
- A passenger in the rideshare vehicle
- A driver or passenger in another vehicle hit by a rideshare driver
- A pedestrian or cyclist struck by an on-duty Uber or Lyft driver
This is the coverage that most people think of when they picture rideshare insurance. However, accessing this policy isn’t automatic. Uber and Lyft will require evidence that the driver was in the app, accepted a ride, or had an active passenger. These companies often deny or delay claims while they investigate, which is another reason why legal representation is critical.
Establishing Negligence
To succeed in a Los Angeles rideshare accident claim, your attorney must establish four key elements of negligence under California law, including Civil Code §1714. These elements include:
- Duty of care: The responsible party had a legal obligation to act in a reasonably safe manner and avoid putting others at risk.
- Breach of duty: This duty was violated through negligent actions such as speeding, running a red light, or distracted driving.
- Causation: The negligent action directly caused or contributed to the accident.
- Damages: You suffered physical, emotional, or financial harm as a result of the crash.
At Best Law, an experienced Los Angeles rideshare accident will work with experts, collect evidence, and analyze police reports and medical records to build a strong case on your behalf.
The Insurance Company Made Me a Settlement Offer. Should I Take It?
After a rideshare accident, insurance companies may contact you quickly with a settlement offer. These early offers are often calculated to minimize payouts, especially if your injuries require ongoing care. Accepting without legal review can prevent you from receiving the full compensation you deserve.
A Best Law rideshare accident lawyer in Los Angeles will carefully evaluate every offer to ensure that it reflects both current and future damages, safeguard your claim from insurance company tactics, and fight to achieve the best possible outcome.
Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents in Los Angeles
Uber and Lyft drivers must manage navigation apps, respond quickly to ride requests, and drive unfamiliar routes—all while adhering to tight schedules. These factors raise the risk of collisions. Common causes of Los Angeles rideshare accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- GPS-related route confusion
- Fatigue from long driving hours
- Speeding to pick up or drop off passengers
- Sudden stops or erratic lane changes
- Inexperienced or poorly trained drivers
No matter the cause, you have the right to seek compensation when a rideshare driver’s actions result in harm.
Even if you’ve already received emergency medical care, there are still steps you can take to safeguard your health and legal claim:
- Hire a Los Angeles rideshare accident lawyer: Legal counsel helps protect your rights and deal with insurers.
- Follow through with all treatments: Medical compliance documents your injuries and supports your claim.
- Keep a recovery journal: Document pain levels, emotional effects, and how injuries affect your daily life.
- Save all evidence: Preserve rideshare app receipts, vehicle photos, medical records, and witness contacts.
- Don’t speak with insurers on your own: Let your attorney handle all communications to avoid damaging your case.
Compensation Available in a Los Angeles Rideshare Accident Lawsuit
Your compensation depends on the type and severity of your injuries, your recovery period, and available insurance. A Los Angeles rideshare accident lawyer will pursue all categories of damages on your behalf, which may include:
Economic damages
- Medical bills (including anticipated future care)
- Lost wages and diminished earning ability
- Rehabilitation and assistive devices
- Vehicle repair or replacement
Non-economic damages
- Pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional distress
- Disfigurement or permanent limitations
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Wrongful death damages
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of future financial support
- Loss of companionship and guidance
FAQ
You typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, per California’s statute of limitations (Code of Civil Procedure §335.1). Claims against a government entity must be filed within six months.
You can still pursue a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. Uber and Lyft also provide uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage that may apply depending on the situation.
Not necessarily. Most rideshare injury claims settle out of court. However, if negotiations stall or insurers lowball your damages, filing a lawsuit may be the best way to pursue full compensation.
California follows a comparative negligence rule. If you were 25% at fault for an accident, you can still recover 75% of your damages. Best Law evaluates fault carefully and aggressively challenges any attempts to pin undue blame for an accident on you.
It’s rare. Because drivers are classified as independent contractors, Uber and Lyft typically aren’t directly liable. However, their corporate insurance policies remain the primary source of compensation in many cases.
Get Quick Answers to Your Concerns
Contact a Proven Los Angeles Rideshare Accident Lawyer at Best Law
Best Law has helped injured clients throughout Los Angeles secure the compensation they need to rebuild their lives after serious accidents. If you’ve been hurt in an Uber or Lyft crash, our legal team will handle all the legal pressures, from identifying all liable parties and sources of compensation to negotiating with insurers to filing lawsuits when needed.
We offer free consultations, and you don’t pay unless we win. Our commitment is to justice, transparency, and real results. Let the Los Angeles rideshare accident lawyers at Best Law advocate for you.
Call Best Law at (424) 260-4649 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation today.
