When your ride home ends in a crash, the confusion and stress can be overwhelming. If you’ve been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, knowing what to do next is essential for protecting your health and your legal rights.
AtLA Injury Lawyers, ourrideshare accident lawyer in Los Angeles helps victims recover compensation and navigate the complex insurance claims process after an Uber or Lyft collision.
Whether you were a passenger, another driver, or a pedestrian, here’s what to do after a rideshare accident in Los Angeles.
Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately
Your health always comes first. Even if you feel fine after the crash, hidden injuries like concussions, whiplash, or internal bleeding may not show symptoms right away. It’s crucial to seek immediate medical help to ensure your well-being.
Do this right away:
- Call 911 or ask someone to do it for you.
- Get checked by emergency medical personnel at the scene.
- Visit a doctor as soon as possible for a complete evaluation.
Having medical records is vital when filing yourUber crash claim later.
You can review your accident report or emergency response record through the Los Angeles Police Department Traffic Division.
Step 2: Report the Accident Properly
Once you’re in a safe place, it’s important to report the accident to the appropriate authorities and the rideshare company. This is a crucial step in protecting your legal rights.
Here’s how to do it:
- Call the police to file an official accident report.
- Notify Uber or Lyft through their app — this triggers their insurance process.
- Exchange information with everyone involved, including the rideshare driver, passengers, and witnesses.
Make sure to collect:
- License and insurance details
- Rideshare app screenshots
- Driver’s rideshare ID and vehicle plate number
This documentation can be critical when pursuingLyft accident compensation or an Uber injury settlement.
Step 3: Gather Evidence at the Scene
If you’re able, gather as much evidence as possible before leaving the scene. This evidence can be instrumental in proving negligence and fighting against inadequate settlement offers during a rideshare insurance dispute.
Take photos of:
- Vehicle damage
- Road conditions
- Visible injuries
- Traffic signals and signs
Also, note the exacttime, date, and location of the crash. Many intersections inDowntown LA, Hollywood, and Santa Monica are high-traffic zones known for frequent rideshare collisions.
Your attorney can later use this evidence to prove negligence and fight back against lowball settlement offers during arideshare insurance dispute.
Step 4: Understand Who’s Liable
Rideshare accidents are legally complex becauseliability depends on whether the driver was “on the app” at the time of the collision.
Here’s how it usually breaks down:
- Driver off-duty: The driver’s personal insurance applies.
- Driver logged in, but no ride accepted: Uber/Lyft provides limited coverage.
- Driver transporting or en route to pick up a passenger: Full rideshare insurance coverage applies, usually up to$1 million for bodily injury and property damage.
To understand the insurance rules that apply to rideshare drivers, you can reviewCalifornia Vehicle Code §5430 under the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)Transportation Network Company regulations.
An experiencedlawyer can determine which insurance policies apply and ensure you’re not blamed unfairly.
Step 5: Avoid Dealing with Insurance Adjusters Alone
Insurance companies — especially those representing Uber or Lyft — are skilled at minimizing payouts. You may be offered a quick settlement that doesn’t cover long-term costs like therapy or lost income.
Do not accept or sign anything before speaking to an attorney. Your lawyer can handle all communications with insurers, relieving you of this stressful task and ensuring your rights are protected.
Your lawyer can:
- Handle all communications with insurers
- Collect medical and accident reports.
- Calculate the full value of your losses.
- Negotiate aggressively for maximumLyft accident compensation
If necessary, your attorney can take your case to court to secure the compensation you deserve.
Step 6: Contact a Los Angeles Rideshare Accident Lawyer
You don’t have to face Uber or Lyft’s corporate legal teams alone. At LA Injury Lawyers, our attorneys have decades of combined experience handling rideshare accident claims throughout Los Angeles County.
We’ve helped clients recover millions through Uber crash claims and rideshare insurance disputes by holding negligent drivers and corporations accountable. You can trust our experienced team to handle your case with the utmost professionalism and dedication.
Our firm understands local traffic patterns —from the Hollywood Freeway (101) to Santa Monica Boulevard —and how to present compelling evidence to Los Angeles juries.
We offer free consultations and charge no upfront fees — you only pay if we win your case.
Common Injuries After a Rideshare Accident
Rideshare crashes often lead to severe injuries due to sudden impacts or a lack of seatbelt use in the backseat. Common injuries include:
- Whiplash and neck pain
- Broken bones or fractures
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Internal bleeding
Even minor injuries can lead to lasting pain and expensive medical treatment. Filing arideshare insurance dispute with skilled legal help ensures your costs are fully covered.
How LA Injury Lawyers Build Strong Rideshare Cases
Our firm uses a proven process to build powerful cases for rideshare accident victims:
- Evidence Review – We analyze police reports, app data, dashcam footage, and GPS logs.
- Medical Documentation – We connect you with trusted doctors and collect treatment records.
- Insurance Negotiation – We handle all correspondence with Uber/Lyft insurers.
- Litigation Strategy – If negotiations fail, we prepare your case for trial.
We know how to navigate bothCalifornia’s comparative negligence laws and theunique rideshare insurance policies that often confuse victims.
For an overview of California’s negligence rules, see the California Civil Jury Instructions (CACI) No. 405 – Comparative Fault from theCalifornia Judicial Council.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Yourrideshare accident lawyer in Los Angeles will help you pursue compensation for:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Lost wages and future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In severe cases, where negligence or reckless driving caused catastrophic injuries, you may also be entitled topunitive damages.
Free Case Review: Get Legal Help Today
If you’ve been hurt in a rideshare accident anywhere in Los Angeles — from Beverly Hills to Inglewood — don’t wait to get help.
Evidence fades quickly, and Uber or Lyft’s insurers will move fast to protect their interests.
ContactLA Injury Lawyers today to schedule yourfree case review. We’ll handle the legal work so you can focus on your recovery.
Call now or submit your claim online — no upfront fees, no hidden costs, and no risk.
Frequently Ask Questions
- Who pays for my medical bills after an Uber or Lyft accident?
If the driver was on duty, Uber or Lyft’s $1 million insurance policy should cover your medical expenses and damages. Your lawyer will verify which policy applies. - What if I were another driver hit by a rideshare vehicle?
You can still file anUber crash claim orLyft accident compensation case, depending on whether the rideshare driver was logged into the app. - Can I file a claim if I was a pedestrian or bicyclist hit by a rideshare car?
Yes. Rideshare companies can be held liable for injuries caused by negligent drivers, even if you weren’t a passenger. - What if Uber or Lyft denies my claim?
Arideshare insurance dispute lawyer can appeal or litigate your case to recover the compensation you’re entitled to. - How long do I have to file a rideshare accident claim in California?
The statute of limitations istwo years from the date of the crash, but it’s best to contact a lawyer immediately to preserve evidence.