Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys in Los Angeles & Nationwide

We've Recovered Millions for Those Injured in Rideshare Collisions

Uber and Lyft may promise a utopian future of cheap, accessible transportation, but the truth is, these apps often lead to more cars on the road—and, therefore, more accidents. Rideshare drivers who work while fatigued, let themselves be distracted by a phone, or just plain fail to follow the rules of the road can hurt other drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, or even their passengers.

No matter who you are, if you are hurt by a reckless Uber or Lyft driver, you are eligible to receive compensation. While the process of filing a personal injury claim may look different after such an accident, our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you confidently navigate the process. Taking on Uber or Lyft if they refuse to pay may not be easy, but we have the skill and resources to mount successful legal challenges against even the biggest of companies.

Do you want to know more about your rights and options after being injured in an Uber or Lyft accident? Call our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers in Los Angeles today at (800) 664-0161 or contact us online. We receive cases nationwide.

Understanding How Uber and Lyft Insurance Works

Because the typical car insurance policy does not cover commercial use of vehicles, Uber and Lyft drivers cannot depend on their own insurance to help if they cause accidents. Therefore, Uber and Lyft both carry insurance that covers all drivers who are working for the app (defined as a driver who has the app open and is searching for, en route to, or completing a ride).

What are Uber & Lyft's Tiered Policy Limits

Uber and Lyft’s insurance coverage, however, also looks different than typical policies: The amount of insurance a driver and/or their victims can access depends on the driver’s exact status in the Uber or Lyft app:

• Drivers who have the app open and are searching for a ride are eligible for up to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident in bodily injury plus $25,000 for property damage.
• Drivers who are en route to pick up a passenger or transporting a passenger have $1,000,000 of coverage per accident.
• In case a driver without insurance causes an accident, Uber and Lyft also provide $1,000,000 in uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) coverage to drivers who have an active ride.

Secondary Insurance Policies

While Uber and Lyft’s insurance offerings may seem generous, be aware that they are secondary policies, which means any other insurance that may cover the accident must be exhausted before you can make a claim against them. As we have mentioned, an individual’s car accident policy likely will not cover an accident, but some drivers purchase rideshare insurance offerings that can help pay for accidents.

Therefore, knowing every potential source of compensation is necessary to make a successful insurance claim against Uber or Lyft. While having to make multiple claims just to recover the compensation you need is onerous, failing to do so could result in your claim being unfairly denied. Our Los Angeles rideshare lawyers understand how these complex insurance policies work and can take all the steps in the appropriate order to help ensure you are reimbursed.

Who Is Eligible for Coverage After a Rideshare Accident

Despite the policy limits listed above, Uber and Lyft’s insurance covers anyone who was injured because of a negligent rideshare driver. It does not matter whether you were in a car, riding a bike, or even as a pedestrian when the accident happened. If you are unsure of your rights, ask us for more information in a free consultation.

Coverage questions can become even more confusing when more than two vehicles are involved, when there is a hit-and-run driver, or when a pedestrian or cyclist is struck during an active ride. In those situations, our team can sort through each potentially applicable policy and explain which carrier should be billed for your medical care first, which insurer might provide additional benefits, and how your own health insurance fits into the picture. Having someone map out this sequence for you can prevent gaps in payment and reduce the chances of costly delays in your treatment or claim.

Who May Be Liable in a Rideshare Accident

One of the key differences between a typical car crash and an Uber or Lyft collision is the number of parties that may share legal responsibility. Unlike a standard two‑vehicle accident, rideshare crashes often raise questions about multiple drivers, companies, and other entities that may have contributed to unsafe conditions.

Depending on how the collision occurred, potentially liable parties may include:

• The Uber or Lyft driver involved in the crash
• Another negligent motorist
• Both drivers, in situations involving shared fault
• Companies responsible for vehicle maintenance or repairs
• Businesses that served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated driver before the crash

Sorting out liability is especially important in busy areas like Los Angeles, where heavy traffic on freeways such as I‑405 and I‑10 can lead to multi‑vehicle collisions involving several insurers.

Building a strong liability case often requires early action, including:

• Requesting data from the rideshare app
• Obtaining dashcam or surveillance footage
• Interviewing witnesses while memories are fresh
• Reviewing police reports from agencies such as the Los Angeles Police Department or the California Highway Patrol

Preserving this evidence quickly can be critical, as important information may otherwise be lost. Coordinating these efforts early helps make sure every potential source of recovery is evaluated before legal deadlines pass.

Can Uber and Lyft Passengers Be Compensated After an Accident?

All injury victims, including any passengers in a rideshare vehicle at the time of an accident, have the right to full compensation. This means that, as a passenger, you can file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance or, in many cases, Uber or Lyft.

Passenger insurance claims may seem less complicated at first glance because they do not require proof of fault—after all, no insurance company is going to hold a rideshare passenger responsible for a collision caused by their driver. However, liability is only half of the battle in insurance claims. Especially if you were badly injured, your claim is likely to be challenged.

Calculating the worth of a claim after a catastrophic accident is a big job, and it is important to do it correctly for two reasons. First, you deserve to know the size of the damages you will likely face, so you know when the insurance adjuster’s offer is fair. Second, insurance companies dislike having to pay more than they have to and are therefore likely to question whether you are really as injured as you say you are—and are therefore exaggerating your needs.

As a passenger, you may also have questions about what happens if both drivers share fault or if another vehicle caused the crash but left the scene. In these scenarios, we can help you identify every available policy, document your injuries with the right medical records, and organize the evidence that shows how the crash has changed your daily life. That level of preparation gives you a clearer picture of what a reasonable settlement looks like and puts you in a stronger position if the insurer refuses to negotiate in good faith.

What Happens If Your Uber or Lyft Gets in an Accident?

After an Uber or Lyft accident, it can be difficult to know what to do next. Taking a few key steps can help protect your health and your ability to pursue compensation later.

Immediate steps to take include:

• Seek medical care right away: Make your health the top priority, even if injuries seem minor at first.
• Report the accident: Make sure the crash is reported and handled as you would any other auto accident.
• Collect driver information: Obtain the Uber or Lyft driver’s name, phone number, and insurance details, as well as the same information from any other drivers involved.
• Document the scene: Take photos of the crash site, vehicles, visible injuries, and surrounding conditions.
• Gather witness details: Collect names and contact information for anyone who saw the collision.

If you are unable to gather this information yourself, asking a friend, family member, or someone at the scene to help can be useful.

In the days following the crash, insurance adjusters may contact you seeking recorded statements or signatures on medical authorizations.

Before responding, it can be helpful to:

• Speak with a Los Angeles rideshare lawyer about what information you are required to share
• Understand how insurance questions may be used to limit a claim

Legal guidance can help manage insurance communications, preserve evidence from the rideshare app, and document lost income and other damages, allowing you to focus on recovery while the claim is handled appropriately.

How Long You May Have to File a Rideshare Accident Claim

Every state places limits on how long an injury claim can be filed, and rideshare crashes are no exception. These deadlines—known as statutes of limitations—are especially important in Uber and Lyft cases because gathering records, investigating fault, and understanding long‑term medical needs can take time. Waiting too long to seek guidance can make it harder to preserve evidence and may affect the ability to bring a lawsuit.

Key factors that can affect the deadline include:

• Where the crash occurred and which state’s law applies
• Whether the collision happened on city streets, highways, or while traveling out of state
• The parties involved in the case, including private drivers or public entities
• Shorter notice requirements when claims involve a city or county‑maintained roadway

Because deadlines vary, identifying the correct statute of limitations early is critical. Claims involving public entities may require notice well before a lawsuit can be filed, making early review especially important.

Our alliance of trial lawyers regularly handles serious cases across multiple jurisdictions. We work with local counsel when needed to identify the correct deadlines and file in the appropriate court. Reaching out early allows time to coordinate medical documentation, analyze rideshare company records, and develop a strategy that aligns with the laws governing your claim.

Ask How We Can Help You Start Your Claim

Bringing a claim against Uber or Lyft does not have to be difficult. When you have a qualified team like ours on your side, you can be assured someone is fighting for your best interests. Athea Trial Lawyers has the resources to challenge big companies like Uber and Lyft on unfair settlement offers or claim denials, and the dedication to see every case we take through until the very end.

After being seriously injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, you could be eligible to recover compensation for medical bills, future medical needs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. The challenges that come with a serious injury are hard enough to face on your own.

Schedule a free consultation with one of our rideshare accident attorneys by calling us at (800) 664-0161. We take Uber and Lyft crash claims across the nation.