Uber & Lyft Accident Attorney in Los Angeles

Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys: Navigating Rideshare Insurance to Maximize Your Recovery

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have transformed transportation throughout Los Angeles, providing millions of rides per year across the region. With this enormous volume of rideshare activity comes a corresponding number of accidents — accidents that involve a uniquely complex web of insurance coverage, corporate policies, and legal doctrines that differ significantly from standard car accident claims. If you have been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Los Angeles, whether as a passenger, another driver, a pedestrian, or a cyclist, Westwood Law has the experience to cut through the complexity and fight for the full compensation you deserve.

Our founding partners are UCLA School of Law graduates who have handled rideshare accident cases throughout Los Angeles and the surrounding region. We work on a contingency fee basis — no fee unless we win — and we provide direct senior-attorney access from your first consultation through the final resolution of your case.

How Rideshare Insurance Coverage Works in California

Understanding which insurance coverage applies in an Uber or Lyft accident requires knowing exactly what the driver was doing at the time of the crash. California law and the rideshare companies’ own insurance policies divide coverage into three periods based on driver and app status, with different coverage levels applying in each period.

Period 1: App On, No Passenger Accepted

When a rideshare driver has the app on and is waiting for a ride request but has not yet accepted one, the driver is considered to be working, but Uber’s and Lyft’s primary liability coverage is limited. Both companies provide third-party liability coverage of $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident / $25,000 for property damage during this period. The driver’s personal auto insurance policy is primary, but many personal policies exclude coverage during rideshare activities, creating potential coverage gaps. Westwood Law analyzes all available coverage in Period 1 cases to ensure maximum recovery for our clients.

Period 2: Ride Accepted, En Route to Passenger

Once a rideshare driver accepts a ride request and is en route to pick up the passenger, Uber and Lyft provide a $1,000,000 liability policy. This $1,000,000 policy remains in effect through Period 3 while the passenger is in the vehicle. This is the most favorable coverage period for accident victims, and Westwood Law ensures that this coverage is invoked and maximized in applicable cases.

Period 3: Passenger in the Vehicle

When a passenger is in the Uber or Lyft vehicle, the $1,000,000 liability policy remains active. Additionally, both Uber and Lyft provide uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and contingent comprehensive and collision coverage during this period. If a passenger is injured in an accident caused by a third-party driver who is uninsured or underinsured, the rideshare company’s UM/UIM coverage can provide an additional source of recovery.

Who Can File an Uber or Lyft Accident Claim?

Injured Rideshare Passengers

Passengers injured in Uber and Lyft accidents have the right to pursue claims for their injuries regardless of which driver was at fault. If the rideshare driver caused the accident, the $1,000,000 Uber or Lyft liability policy is available. If a third-party driver caused the accident, that driver’s insurance is the primary source of recovery, supplemented by the rideshare company’s UM/UIM coverage if the third party’s insurance is insufficient. Westwood Law handles passenger injury claims in rideshare accidents and navigates all applicable insurance layers to maximize client recovery.

Third Parties Injured by Rideshare Drivers

Other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists who are injured by Uber or Lyft drivers can also file claims against the applicable rideshare insurance policy. The coverage period — and therefore the amount of available insurance — depends on the driver’s app status at the time of the accident. Westwood Law investigates app status and all relevant facts in rideshare accident cases to identify the maximum available coverage for injured third parties.

Common Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents in Los Angeles

Rideshare drivers face unique distraction risks compared to average drivers. The rideshare app requires drivers to accept or decline incoming ride requests, navigate to passenger locations, communicate with passengers, and manage ratings and feedback — all while driving. This creates significant distraction risks. Additionally, rideshare drivers who are working long hours to maximize their earnings may be fatigued, increasing accident risk. Speeding to complete more rides, failure to yield to pedestrians while scanning for passenger pickup locations, and unsafe lane changes are also common accident causes in rideshare cases.

Compensation Available in Rideshare Accident Cases

Rideshare accident victims are entitled to recover the same categories of compensation available in any personal injury case: medical expenses including all future care needs, lost wages and earning capacity, physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and property damage. The availability of up to $1,000,000 in rideshare company liability coverage means that seriously injured victims have significant insurance resources available to fund their full recovery — but only if they have experienced legal representation that knows how to access and maximize those resources. Westwood Law fights for comprehensive compensation in every rideshare accident case we handle.

Why Choose Westwood Law for Your Uber or Lyft Accident Case

Rideshare accident cases require attorneys who understand both California personal injury law and the specific insurance structures and legal complexities of rideshare litigation. At Westwood Law, our founding partners have the expertise to navigate these complexities effectively. We fight directly against Uber, Lyft, and their insurers on behalf of our clients, and we have the knowledge and determination to maximize recovery in every rideshare accident case we handle. There are no upfront fees and no fees unless we win. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions: Uber and Lyft Accident Claims in Los Angeles

Can I sue Uber or Lyft directly for my accident?

Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, which they use to limit their direct liability exposure. However, this does not eliminate the rideshare company’s insurance obligations under California law. California law requires Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft to maintain the insurance coverages described above regardless of driver employment classification. Additionally, there are circumstances under which Uber or Lyft may bear more direct liability — for example, if they negligently retained a driver with a known history of dangerous driving. Westwood Law analyzes all available theories of liability in rideshare accident cases to maximize recovery for our clients.

How do I know which insurance applies to my rideshare accident?

Determining which insurance applies requires knowing the driver’s app status at the exact time of the accident. This information is available from the rideshare company’s internal records and can be obtained through the litigation discovery process. Westwood Law requests all relevant app data from Uber and Lyft in every rideshare accident case to establish the applicable coverage period and the maximum available insurance. Do not assume which coverage applies — let our attorneys investigate and identify all available resources for your recovery.

What if my Uber or Lyft driver’s personal insurance denies my claim?

Many standard personal auto insurance policies exclude coverage when the vehicle is being used for commercial rideshare purposes. If the driver’s personal insurer denies your claim on this basis, Uber’s or Lyft’s own insurance policy takes over — with coverage levels depending on the period during which the accident occurred. Westwood Law deals with these insurance coverage disputes regularly and knows how to ensure that the appropriate coverage is applied and that our clients receive every dollar of compensation they are entitled to.

I was injured as a passenger in an Uber. Do I need to prove fault to recover?

As a passenger in a rideshare vehicle, you are considered an innocent party in any accident — you bear no fault, regardless of which driver caused the collision. You are therefore entitled to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance (which may include the Uber or Lyft company insurance if the rideshare driver was at fault) without any concern about comparative fault reducing your recovery. Westwood Law makes pursuing rideshare passenger injury claims straightforward and efficient, handling all insurance communications and negotiations on your behalf.

How long do I have to file a claim after an Uber or Lyft accident?

California’s two-year statute of limitations applies to rideshare accident personal injury claims. If a government entity is involved in your accident, a six-month government tort claim deadline may also apply. It is important to contact an attorney promptly because rideshare companies and their insurers begin their own investigation immediately after any serious accident. Early legal representation ensures that evidence is preserved, your legal rights are protected, and you are not at a disadvantage relative to the well-resourced legal and insurance teams that Uber and Lyft deploy in accident cases.

What compensation is available if I was seriously injured in a rideshare accident?

Seriously injured rideshare accident victims can pursue compensation for all past and future medical expenses, lost wages and diminished future earning capacity, physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, disability and disfigurement, and loss of consortium. The availability of up to $1,000,000 in Uber or Lyft liability coverage (during applicable coverage periods) means that there are significant insurance resources available to fund a full recovery for seriously injured victims — but maximizing recovery requires experienced legal representation. Westwood Law fights to recover every available dollar for our rideshare accident clients.

Contact Westwood Law — Your Los Angeles Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys

If you have been injured in an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare accident in Los Angeles or the surrounding communities, Westwood Law is ready to help. We offer free, no-obligation consultations, work on a contingency fee basis, and have the knowledge and determination to maximize your recovery in even the most complex rideshare accident cases. Contact us today.