Rideshare Accident Lawyer Los Angeles | Uber, Lyft & Rideshare Injury Attorney | Baghikian Law
Personal Injury · Los Angeles
Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles
Rideshare accidents — Uber, Lyft, and other app-based services — involve multiple insurance layers, app-status complications, and companies designed to minimize liability. Baghikian Law Firm cuts through the complexity to pursue full compensation for Uber and Lyft accident victims across Los Angeles. Free consultations. No upfront costs.
Rideshare Accident Claims Are More Complex Than Standard Car Accident Cases
Uber and Lyft accidents present unique legal challenges that standard car accident cases don't. The applicable insurance coverage depends entirely on the driver's status in the app at the time of the crash. Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors — not employees — to limit corporate liability. And both companies have well-funded claims teams whose primary goal is to minimize payouts.
Whether you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, a driver for one of these platforms, or a motorist, cyclist, or pedestrian hit by a rideshare vehicle, Baghikian Law Firm investigates the driver's app status at the time of the collision, identifies all applicable insurance coverage, and pursues the maximum compensation available under California law.
Insurance Coverage Explained
How Rideshare Insurance Works — and Why It Matters
Rideshare insurance is not a single policy — it operates in phases based on where the driver was in the app at the time of the crash. Understanding which phase applies determines which insurance applies to your claim.
Phase 1
App Off
Driver is not logged into the Uber or Lyft app. Only the driver's personal auto insurance applies. Uber and Lyft have no coverage obligation.
Personal Insurance Only
Phase 2
App On, Awaiting a Ride
Driver is logged in and available but has not accepted a ride request. Uber and Lyft provide contingent liability coverage ($50K/$100K per person/accident, $25K property). Applies only if the driver's personal insurance doesn't cover the loss.
Limited Rideshare Coverage
Phase 3
Ride Accepted or Passenger On Board
Driver has accepted a trip or is transporting a passenger. Uber and Lyft provide up to $1 million in third-party liability coverage plus uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This is the maximum coverage period.
$1M Liability Coverage
Who We Represent
We Represent All Victims of Rideshare Accidents
Rideshare accidents injure a wide range of people. We represent any party injured in an Uber or Lyft-related collision, regardless of how they were involved.
Passengers injured while riding in an Uber or Lyft vehicle
Drivers for Uber or Lyft injured by another vehicle while on a trip
Other drivers whose vehicles were struck by a rideshare car
Pedestrians and cyclists hit by an Uber or Lyft driver
Compensation
What Rideshare Accident Victims May Be Entitled to Recover
California law allows injured rideshare accident victims to pursue the full range of economic and non-economic damages caused by the driver's negligence.
Emergency medical treatment and hospitalization
Future medical care and rehabilitation
Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress and psychological harm
Vehicle repair or replacement costs
Out-of-pocket transportation and care expenses
Long-term disability and loss of enjoyment of life
Our Fee Structure
No Fee Unless We Win
Rideshare accident cases are handled on a full contingency basis. You pay nothing to start and nothing while your case is pending. Our fee comes only from what we recover for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rideshare Accident Claims
Can I sue Uber or Lyft directly after an accident?
It is difficult but not impossible. Uber and Lyft classify drivers as independent contractors, which generally insulates the companies from direct liability for driver negligence under respondeat superior. However, claims can be made against Uber or Lyft's insurance policies directly, and in some circumstances — such as negligent background checks or failure to deactivate a known dangerous driver — the companies themselves may face direct liability.
What if the Uber or Lyft driver was at fault?
If the driver was at fault and was on an active trip or had a passenger on board (Phase 3), Uber and Lyft's $1 million liability policy applies. If the driver was logged in but waiting for a ride request (Phase 2), a contingent policy with lower limits applies. Determining the driver's app status at the exact time of impact is one of the first things we investigate in every rideshare accident case.
What if another driver caused the accident while I was in an Uber or Lyft?
If a third-party driver caused the accident, you can pursue a claim against that driver's insurance. Uber and Lyft's uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may also apply if the at-fault driver had insufficient insurance. In Phase 3, Uber and Lyft provide UM/UIM coverage in addition to liability coverage — an important protection for passengers.
How long do I have to file a claim after an Uber or Lyft accident?
California's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. However, Uber and Lyft's insurance policies may have their own internal reporting requirements. Additionally, evidence including app data, trip records, and driver status information should be preserved as soon as possible — contact an attorney promptly after any rideshare accident.
What should I do immediately after an Uber or Lyft accident?
Call 911 if anyone is injured. Document the scene — photos of all vehicles, road conditions, the Uber/Lyft app showing the trip details. Get the driver's name, license, vehicle information, and insurance. Preserve screenshots of your app showing the trip was active. Seek medical attention promptly. Do not accept any quick settlement from Uber or Lyft's claims team before understanding the full scope of your injuries.
Does Uber and Lyft's insurance cover me as a passenger even if the crash was partly my driver's fault?
Yes. As a passenger, you are not considered at fault for the accident and are entitled to make a claim against the applicable insurance coverage regardless of which driver caused the crash. California's comparative negligence rules apply to the drivers — not to passengers. Passengers in active Uber or Lyft rides are covered by the $1 million Phase 3 policy.
Hurt in a Rideshare Accident? We Know How to Navigate the Insurance Maze.
Serving Los Angeles, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Burbank, Glendale, and all of LA County. Call (818) 804-8901 for a free case evaluation.
