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Lyft and Uber Accident Attorney Los Angeles

Our attorneys exclusively represent injury victims.
For years we have fought on behalf of clients who were hurt in accidents due to the negligence of another party.

lyft and uber accident attorney los angeles

With just a few clicks and swipes on the phone, Uber and other rideshare apps have revolutionized the commuter industry. Convenience and a user-based rating system sealed the deal. However, just like any other vehicle, stepping into a rideshare car or Uber ride means you put yourself at risk for getting into a car accident.

If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident with Lyft or Uber, you can face a maze of complicated insurance policies and legalese.

At MKP Law Group, LLP our attorneys exclusively represent injury victims. Having an experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney working with you will ensure you get the maximum compensation for injuries from your rideshare accident.

What Should You Do After Being Injured in a Los Angeles Rideshare Accident?

If you've been injured in a Los Angeles rideshare accident, knowing what to do (and not to do) can make a big difference in your case.

DO get medical attention immediately: Even if injuries seem minor or unclear, see a doctor promptly. Injuries may not be obvious right away, and medical documentation is key.

DON'T speak to insurance or rideshare companies before consulting a lawyer: Their questions might seem simple, but they’re often crafted to reduce payouts. Talking to a lawyer first helps you avoid common traps and protects your rights.

Local Los Angeles Entities to Consult After a Ride Share Accident

Local Medical Facilities:

Law Enforcement and Other Agencies:

  • The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) requires you to file an accident report. Simply dial 911. You may report a hit-and-run online if you are the victim of a hit-and-run or if the accident resulted in only minor damage.
  • For accidents occurring on a highway or an on/off ramp, alert the California Highway Patrol (CHP) by calling 1-800-TELL-CHP or visiting the office at 1601 Corporate Center Drive in Monterey Park.
  • The driver must alert the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 10 days of the accident. Doing so is critical if anyone was hurt or there is damage exceeding $1,000. There is an online reporting tool or you may visit the office serving the area where the accident occurred.

Local Legal Resources:

Community Resources:

  • Community peer support groups may be good places to share your experience and get more input. If you suffered a mental health challenge as a result of the accident, connect with the Project Return Peer Support Network.

At MKP Law, we routinely serve injury cases resulting from Los Angeles rideshare accidents. We serve rideshare accident victims from Venice to Downtown, West L.A., or Little Tokyo, we work with neighbors from all areas. Trust our experienced attorneys to walk you through the legal process after a rideshare accident. We understand city and county laws and want to assist you in securing compensation for your injuries while you recover.

Why Hire One of Our Los Angeles Uber Accident Lawyers For Your Rideshare Accident?

Insurance claims are already complicated. Those involving Uber and Lyft car accidents can be even more complicated. Our experienced team will thoroughly investigate your case, collect evidence, and help determine how much you can ask for in your settlement. Often insurance companies offer very low settlements. Working with one of our Uber Accident lawyers can help make sure you maximize your settlement.

We also work closely with a team of medical experts throughout Los Angeles and California to ensure that you or your loved one receives top-notch medical care for a speedy and healthy recovery while we deal with the driver and rideshare insurance companies.

MKP Law Group, LLP’s team strives to make the process as easy and quick as possible for you. We work on cases throughout the State of California. Contact us at 323-524-9619 to schedule your free case evaluation.

All of our cases are on a contingency fee basis, meaning if we don’t win your case, you don’t owe us a dime.

Complexities and Issues with Uber and Lyft Car Accidents: Liability & Insurance

Whether you are an Uber or Lyft driver or one of their passengers, victims of rideshare accidents are often confused as to what to do.

  • Who is responsible for the injuries?
  • Do you, as the passenger, sue the Uber driver, the rideshare company itself, or the other vehicle that struck the rideshare vehicle?
  • How do you determine who is at fault?

Drivers for rideshare companies often have to deal with two insurance companies: their personal auto insurance carrier and the rideshare company's carrier. Plus, specific California laws come into play.

With multiple insurance company's claims, insurance coverage variations based on stages of the rideshare trip, and frequent disputes as to who was at fault for the accident, it is highly recommended you hire an experienced Los Angeles Lyft or Uber accident lawyer to figure out the proper steps to follow. MKP Law Group, LLP’s legal team delivers support and know-how to fight for their clients to get the compensation they deserve. Whether you are a passenger in a Uber or Lyft car accident, a driver, or someone else injured in a rideshare accident, the team at MKP Law Group, LLP is experienced, attentive, dependable, and tenacious so call us today at 323-524-9619 to schedule your 100% free consultation. Remember, all of our cases are on a contingency fee basis, meaning if we don’t win your case you don’t owe us a dime.

Needless to say, accidents involving Uber and Lyft can lead to much confusion for both drivers and passengers.

Ridesharing Laws: Insurance, Laws, and Liability for Uber or Lyft Accidents in California

In California, there have been specific laws enacted to help the legal system better explain the working status of employed rideshare drivers.

Between their recently defined employee (not independent contractor) status and the 3 phase system that impacts rideshare driver's insurance liability, understanding certain components of the system are crucial to moving forward knowledgeably with your case.

Lyft or Uber Driver Insurance in California

Uber and Lyft require that drivers have personal auto coverage. However, drivers' personal insurance will almost always not apply while drivers are logged in on Lyft or Uber's application and are actively working.

While a driver is logged into the application, the rideshare company's insurance covers the vehicle while the car is in the process of transporting a passenger. It's important to know that the company's insurance coverage varies based on the stage of the ride, also known as Rideshare Periods.

The 3 Rideshare Periods:

Insurance liability coverage for rideshare drivers varies based on Rideshare Periods. These periods change depending on what the driver is doing:

  • Period 1: The waiting period: This period begins when the driver turns on the rideshare application. This period is better defined as the waiting period while the driver is "on the clock" and actively ready and waiting for a rider to confirm a trip. During Period 1, the insurance liability coverage for Uber and Lyft drivers is $50,000 per person, $100,000 for any accident involving bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage.
  • Period 2: The driver is en route to pick up their passenger(s). When the application is active and the driver has officially accepted a ride and is on the way to the destination where the passenger(s) are waiting. During Period 2, Uber and Lyft's insurance liability coverage is $1,000,000 for liability.
  • Period 3: When passenger(s) are in the car and on the way to their destination. This period occurs when the driver has picked up a rider and is in the process of completing the trip; like Period 2, a $1,000,000 policy for bodily injury liability coverage applies. If the Uber or Lyft driver is not at fault for the rideshare accident, the amount of damages a victim can recover is reduced by the amount of insurance available from the at-fault driver.

Additional Protection for Uber Drivers to Consider

At our law firm, we recommend that all Uber and Lyft drivers add what is known as "Ridesharing Endorsements" to their personal car insurance coverage.

Most personal insurance policies do not cover ridesharing for Lyft or Uber. Adding "Ridesharing Endorsements" supplement a driver's personal policy and can provide coverage to rideshare drivers when the company's insurance does not apply. These policy supplements can be crucial to ensure there are no gaps in a driver's insurance coverage for those situations when the rideshare company's insurance does not apply.

Average Rideshare Accident Settlement Amounts

Settlement amounts for rideshare accidents vary widely. Factors like the nature of the accident, the insurance coverage at play, injury severity, and liability all impact the potential compensation that a California rideshare accident victim might receive.

To learn more about how to calculate a rideshare car accident in our more detailed report here.

The truth is, settlement estimates for rideshare accidents are hard to pin down, because each injury and case will have vastly different circumstances. But, available data suggests Uber payouts range from $25,000 to $50,000, while Lyft settlements may reach $300,000 to $1 million or more.

Measure Settlement Estimate
U.S. Uber estimates $25,000 - $50,000 (Uber)
U.S. Lyft estimates $300,000 to $1 million (Lyft)

 

Working with a local rideshare accident attorney can help you navigate these complexities and maximize your settlement. An attorney will counter low-ball offers from insurance companies, ensuring you receive the full compensation you deserve based on your case’s specific circumstances.

The rollout of rideshare companies coincides with a 3% increase in vehicle accident fatalities

Rideshare Stats in the United States, California, and Los Angeles

With the ridesharing industry still in its infancy, it's hard to come by researched statistics related to traffic accidents and fatalities. We've rounded up some of the top stats about Uber and Lyft accidents in the U.S. California and Los Angeles from multiple sources.

  • 160% Increase in Vehicle Miles Driven in 9 Major Cities: Ridesharing adds 2.6 new vehicle miles for every mile of personal driving they replace, that's a 160% increase in traffic on city streets across New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, Miami, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Washington D.C. (Shaller)
  • 3% Increase in Traffic Fatalities Nationwide: Since rideshare services began, U.S. fatalities have increased nearly 987 additional deaths per year. University of Chicago
  • 64% of California Rideshare Trips in Three Counties: The majority of California’s rideshare activity is concentrated in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where Uber and Lyft trips are most common (SF County Transportation Authority).
  • 118% increase in road milage in California Suburbs: From 2014 to 2020, vehicle miles traveled by rideshare vehicles in California’s suburbs surged by 118%, adding congestion and increasing accident risk. (Schaller)
  • Uber and Lyft accident reports are found inconsistent. "Uber excluded from its tally of fatal accidents 22 deaths documented in its own records." SF Public Press

uber crash fatalities pie chart

Source: Uber

FAQs

Free Consultation

We Make the Process Easy to Get the Results You Deserve

323-524-9619

info@mkplawgroup.com

3701 Wilshire Blvd, Ste. 870
Los Angeles, CA 90010

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Meet Attorney Jordan W.Peagler

Jordan W. Peagler is a partner and co-founder of MKP Law Group, LLP who was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. Jordan is a trial attorney who handles complex civil litigation matters in personal injury, medical malpractice and insurance bad faith. Jordan has handled all phases of litigation, from pre-litigation through mediation, arbitration, and trial.

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Meet Attorney Matt Meyer

Matt Meyer is a founding partner of MKP Law Group, LLP and has worked on both sides of personal injury cases. He began his career defending Fortune 500 and insurance companies in high-stakes litigation. Unfortunately, he discovered that years of representing corporations--instead of people--was not good for the soul.

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Meet Attorney Adam Kim

Adam D. Kim is a native of Chicago, Illinois and a co-founding partner of MKP Law Group, LLP. Adam has focused his litigation practice on all types of personal injury matters, including wrongful death, motor vehicle accidents, slip and fall, and dog bites. With the realization that many clients view litigation and legal matters to be an unpleasant and confusing experience.

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Free Consultation

We Make the Process Easy to Get the Results You Deserve

323-524-9619

info@mkplawgroup.com

3701 Wilshire Blvd, Ste. 870
Los Angeles, CA 90010

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Reviewed by

Jordan W. Peagler, Esq.
Jordan W. Peagler, Esq.
Updated October 26, 2024

Jordan W. Peagler, Esq.
Jordan W. Peagler, Esq.
Updated October 26, 2024