Los Angeles Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are a constant presence on California roads, especially in Los Angeles. While convenient, the high volume of rideshare vehicles contributes to a significant number of traffic accidents. These incidents present complex safety concerns and unique legal and insurance challenges.

If a rideshare crash injured you, you have the right to seek compensation. A Los Angeles rideshare accident lawyer with experience in rideshare accident claims can help you navigate the process. Contact Highway Law Group for a no-cost consultation to discuss your case. We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe us no attorney's fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Why Choose Highway Law Group for Your Los Angeles Rideshare Accident Claim?

Successfully resolving a rideshare accident claim requires a thorough understanding of California's specific insurance laws. The attorneys at Highway Law Group provide dedicated advocacy for people injured in auto accidents. We have a history of diligent representation and have helped many clients navigate the claims process. Our team has decades of combined legal experience focused on holding negligent parties and their insurers accountable.

Highway Law Group offices are located at 10850 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90024. Our office is located near Pierce Brothers Westwood Village and Westwood Village Apartments. Call today at 844-HIGHWAY (444-4929) for a free consultation.

Rideshare Accident Compensation

Rideshare accidents in California, involving services like Uber and Lyft, can lead to complex legal and insurance issues due to the unique nature of these services if you’re injured in a rideshare accident, whether as a passenger, another driver, or a pedestrian, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Driver Status Is Key

The amount and source of compensation depend on factors such as the driver’s status (on or off the app), the severity of the injuries, and who is at fault. California’s comparative negligence system allows you to recover damages even if you’re partially at fault, though your compensation may be reduced proportionally. For example, if you’re found 20 percent at fault, your compensation is reduced by 20 percent.

Driver Status Affects Who Pays 

California law requires rideshare companies to carry $1 million in liability and uninsured motorist coverage when a driver is actively transporting a passenger or en route to pick one up.

If the driver is logged into the app but waiting for a ride, coverage drops to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $30,000 for property damage. If the driver is off the app, their personal auto insurance applies, which may not cover commercial activities, complicating claims. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, so having an experienced rideshare accident attorney can help manage these hurdles and ensure fair compensation.

Proving Fault

To pursue a claim, you must prove the at-fault party’s negligence, which involves showing they breached a duty of care, causing the accident and your injuries. Common causes of rideshare accidents include distracted driving, speeding, or intoxication.

Documenting the accident scene with photos, obtaining a police report, and collecting witness information are critical steps. You should avoid discussing the accident with insurance adjusters or on social media until consulting a car accident lawyer, as statements could be used to reduce your claim. California’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the accident date, so prompt action is essential.

Economic And Non-Economic Damages 

Compensation may cover both economic damages, such as medical bills, future medical costs, lost income, and property damage, as well as non-economic damages, including pain and suffering or emotional distress. In rare cases, punitive damages may be applicable if the rideshare company or driver acted with gross negligence, such as ignoring known risks.

A rideshare accident attorney can negotiate with insurance companies, investigate the driver’s app status, and, if necessary, litigate to maximize your settlement. Given the complexity of rideshare accidents, a skilled rideshare accident lawyer is vital to ensure you receive fair and adequate compensation from powerful insurance carriers or rideshare companies. Highway Law Group can help.

Types Of Rideshare Accidents And Injuries

Highway Law Group has helped many clients after serious rideshare accidents receive compensation for devastating injuries:

Types of Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare accidents in California typically fall into several categories. Collisions with other vehicles are common, often occurring when a rideshare driver is distracted by navigation apps, speeding to complete more rides, or driving recklessly due to pressure to maximize earnings. For instance, drivers may weave through traffic or tailgate, increasing the risk of rear-end or side-impact collisions.

Another prevalent type involves pedestrians or cyclists struck by rideshare vehicles, particularly in urban areas like San Francisco or Los Angeles, where rideshare activity is high. Accidents can also occur during passenger pick-up or drop-off, where drivers may stop abruptly in unsafe locations, leading to collisions or injuries to passengers entering or exiting the vehicle.

Additionally, multi-vehicle accidents involving rideshare cars can complicate liability, as the actions of multiple drivers must be assessed under California’s comparative negligence laws.

Common places for serious car accidents in Los Angeles include:

South Vermont Avenue and West Florence Avenue

This intersection in South Central Los Angeles is consistently cited as the city’s most dangerous, with 19 injury-producing or fatal accidents reported between 2020 and 2022. High traffic volumes, combined with pedestrian activity and potential driver negligence, increase the risk. The area’s urban density and proximity to commercial hubs exacerbate collision risks, including T-bone accidents and pedestrian strikes.

East Manchester Avenue and Avalon Boulevard

Also in South Central, this intersection recorded 18 injury or fatal crashes from 2020 to 2022. Its location in a busy neighborhood with significant vehicle and pedestrian traffic increases the likelihood of accidents.

Devonshire Street and Reseda Boulevard

Located in Northridge, this intersection is one of California’s most dangerous, with 24 crashes and 41 injuries reported in 2015 alone. Surrounded by shopping centers and near California State University, Northridge, heavy traffic and distracted driving are key contributors. Its high crash rate makes it a focal point for safety concerns in the San Fernando Valley.

Common Injuries in Rideshare Accidents

Injuries from rideshare accidents range from minor to life-altering, depending on the collision’s severity and circumstances. Cuts and lacerations from shattered glass or debris are frequent, posing risks of infection or significant blood loss if severe. Soft tissue injuries, such as sprains, strains, or bruising, are common due to the blunt force of impact, and these can lead to chronic pain or mobility issues.

Whiplash, caused by sudden head movement, is another frequent injury, particularly in rear-end collisions, resulting in neck pain and stiffness. More severe injuries include broken bones, often in the extremities or ribs, and facial fractures from airbag deployment or other impacts. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), ranging from concussions to severe brain damage, are particularly concerning, as symptoms may not be immediately apparent but can cause long-term cognitive or emotional impairments.

Severe and Long-Term Injuries

Beyond minor injuries, rideshare accidents can cause catastrophic harm, significantly impacting victims’ lives. Back and spinal cord injuries are common due to the intense forces exerted on the body during a crash. These can range from soft tissue damage to severe spinal cord injuries that result in partial or complete paralysis, requiring lifelong medical care.

Traumatic brain injuries, as mentioned, can lead to permanent cognitive impairment, emotional difficulties, or disability, necessitating extensive rehabilitation and therapy. Psychological trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression, is also prevalent, particularly for passengers or pedestrians involved in high-impact crashes.

These injuries often result in substantial medical expenses, lost income, and non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, making it crucial for victims to seek legal assistance to secure fair compensation under California’s personal injury law. Highway Law Group can help you obtain fair compensation for long-term injuries.

Fighting The Insurance Company 

Handling the aftermath of a rideshare crash in California can be daunting, especially when dealing with insurance companies. Rideshare accidents, involving platforms like Uber or Lyft, introduce unique complexities due to the layered insurance policies and the status of drivers as independent contractors.

Insurance companies often aim to minimize payouts, employing tactics to delay, deny, or undervalue claims. Victims of rideshare accidents, whether passengers, pedestrians, or other drivers, face challenges in securing fair compensation for injuries, medical expenses, and other damages. Hiring an experienced Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer is critical to counter these tactics and ensure victims receive the compensation they deserve under California’s legal framework.

Challenges with Insurance Companies in Rideshare Crashes

Insurance companies for rideshare services or at-fault drivers often prioritize profits over fair settlements. In California, rideshare companies are required to carry specific insurance: $1 million in liability coverage when a driver is transporting passengers or en route to a pickup, and $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident when the driver is logged into the app but not actively engaged in a ride.

However, determining which policy applies can be complex, as coverage depends on the driver’s status at the time of the accident. Insurers may dispute liability, argue the driver was not working, or claim the victim’s injuries are pre-existing to reduce payouts. They might also pressure victims into accepting quick, lowball settlements before the full extent of injuries, like traumatic brain injuries or spinal damage, is clear. These tactics exploit victims’ lack of legal knowledge and financial stress post-accident.

How a Lawyer Helps Fight the Insurance Company

An experienced California rideshare accident attorney at Highway Law Group plays a pivotal role in leveling the playing field against insurance companies. First, they thoroughly investigate the accident, gathering critical evidence such as police reports, rideshare app data, witness statements, and surveillance footage to establish liability. This is critical, as rideshare companies often withhold app data that confirms a driver’s status.

Attorneys also consult medical experts to document injuries, ensuring all current and future medical costs are accounted for in claims. They negotiate aggressively with insurers, countering lowball offers and challenging denials based on California’s insurance mandates and personal injury laws. If negotiations fail, a lawyer can file a lawsuit within California’s two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, pursuing compensation through litigation.

Protecting Your Rights and Reducing Stress

Dealing with insurance companies can be overwhelming, especially while recovering from injuries like whiplash, fractures, or psychological trauma such as PTSD. A lawyer handles all communications with insurers, preventing victims from making statements that could harm their claim.

They also ensure compliance with legal deadlines and requirements, such as filing claims correctly or responding to insurer inquiries. By managing these complexities, a Highway Law Group lawyer allows victims to focus on recovery while safeguarding their rights. For rideshare crash victims in California, legal representation is often the difference between a denied claim and a settlement that fully addresses medical costs, lost income, and emotional distress.

What To Do After A Los Angeles Rideshare Accident

After a Los Angeles rideshare accident, taking immediate steps can protect your health, rights, and potential compensation.

Document the scene by taking photos of vehicle damage, injuries, and the intersection. Collect contact information from the rideshare driver, witnesses, and other involved parties, and note the driver’s app status. Avoid admitting fault or discussing details with insurance companies before consulting a rideshare accident attorney.

Seek medical evaluation promptly to document injuries like fractures or traumatic brain injuries, which may not be immediately apparent. Contact a Los Angeles rideshare accident lawyer at Highway Law Group to manage California’s complex insurance laws, including Uber or Lyft’s $1 million liability coverage.

Your car accident attorney can gather evidence, like app data, and counter insurance tactics to secure fair compensation. File claims within California’s two-year statute of limitations to preserve your rights. Focus on recovery while your auto accident lawyer handles the legal process.

Los Angeles Rideshare Accident FAQs

Contact Our Los Angeles Rideshare Lawyers Now

Were you injured in a rideshare accident recently? These accidents are often complex, and you should hire a skilled rideshare accident lawyer to represent your interests. Contact Highway Law Group today at 844-HIGHWAY (444-4929). We have years of experience representing victims of serious Los Angeles car accidents. We’ll fight for the full and fair compensation you are owed under the law, so contact us now for a free consultation.

Highway Law Group - Los Angeles Office

Address: 10850 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1175,
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Phone: (844) 444-4929