In Beverly Hills, Uber and Lyft provide a dependable way to get around, especially when traveling along Wilshire Boulevard or through the Golden Triangle. The constant presence of rideshare vehicles, combined with busy traffic conditions, can contribute to a higher risk of roadway accidents

Managing rideshare accident claims can be confusing because of the layered insurance policies and disputes involved. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our Beverly Hills personal injury lawyers are readily available to look at your case and determine what necessary steps to take to ensure you get fair compensation for the losses you incurred. Our team has a proven track record of successful client outcomes, with more than $1.7 billion in settlements recovered.

We run on a contingency-fee basis, so you pay no upfront costs. To book a FREE consultation, you can reach out to us by calling (213) 927-3700 or completing our easy online contact form.

Why Getting Help From West Coast Trial Lawyers Makes a Difference

When you are hurt in a rideshare accident in Beverly Hills, getting help from someone knowledgeable about local rules can make a difference. Rideshare claims may involve multiple insurance providers and certain liability standards that can tamper with your chances of getting maximum compensation.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our team works to get evidence and prevent insurance companies from devaluing your claim. With our support, we will protect your best interests and get you the financial recovery you deserve.

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How Common Are Rideshare Accidents?

Rideshare services have become a daily routine for travel. But, with its ongoing demand, chances of accidents are bound to happen. To understand how common these cases are, it helps to take a look at transparency reports provided by Uber and Lyft.

Uber’s data shows that from 2021-2022, there were 153 individual fatalities across 127 deadly crashes tied to the platform. This represents roughly one death per 12 million trips. About 45% were using the Uber app, including 29% who were riders and 16% who were drivers, and the remaining 55% were third-party road users (pedestrians, cyclists, and occupants of other vehicles). About 97% of deaths happened in urban areas. More than half of all fatal accidents involved risky driving behaviors, like alcohol impairment, speeding, or wrong-way driving.

Lyft’s safety report, on the other hand, shows that from 2020-2022, the platform documented a total of 111 motor vehicle deaths, with fatal collisions increasing from 25 (in 2020) to 36 (in 2021) and 50 (in 2022). Lethal crashes increased, leading to a 14% rise in fatality per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT). The rideshare company also reported a 31% increase in incident frequency compared to its previous report, demonstrating a shift in the severity of collisions. Even with such changes, Lyft’s fatal crash rate stayed below national averages for the same period.

What Makes Rideshare Accidents Different From Regular Car Accidents?

Rideshare accidents can involve unique legal and insurance challenges that distinguish them from traditional car accidents. When a crash happens during an active ride, multiple parties can be associated with the situation, like the rideshare driver, rideshare company, or other road users, each with their own insurance policies and responsibilities.

These overlapping layers can create limited coverage in certain stages of the rideshare trip, leaving affected individuals uncertain of which insurer is going to pay for their damages. Due to these factors, taking on a rideshare accident case can be difficult, especially when catastrophic injuries come with ongoing care.

In addition, disputes often appear over liability for bodily injury, whether coverage applies, and how much compensation is available under Uber or Lyft’s tiered insurance system. Unlike traditional car accidents, rideshare claims will require examination of the driver’s status at the time of impact, insurance limits, and the roles played by all parties involved, which is why these kinds of cases demand more detailed documentation and legal intervention to ensure victims are given compensation that accurately reflects the losses they incurred.

What to Do After a Rideshare Accident?

After a rideshare accident, taking the right steps can play a critical role in protecting your health and strengthening any future claim. If you suffer bodily injuries, you should contact 911 right away. The Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD) will respond to the scene and prepare an official police report, while paramedics will arrive to provide immediate medical attention to anyone who is injured.

If you are able to, try to document your surroundings by taking photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, and anything else that may be of relevance to the case. Gathering witness statements is also important, as such observations can confirm details about what happened.

Based on how critical your condition is, you could be transported to a nearby healthcare facility, like Cedars-Sinai Medical Center or UCLA Medical Center for further assistance. If you walked away with minor harm, you should still get yourself evaluated just to be on the safe side, and to also have medical records available that tie your condition to the incident.

Lastly, speaking to a Beverly Hills rideshare accident attorney can provide valuable guidance. They will help maintain communication with insurance companies, preserve evidence, and navigate you through the legal process to make sure your claim is being handled properly and your right to recover compensation is shielded.

Do Uber and Lyft Offer Rideshare Insurance Coverage?

Uber and Lyft both use tiered insurance policies that center around the rideshare driver’s status in the app. This helps determine what protections will apply to passengers, other road users, and the rideshare vehicles involved. When the app is off, an accident will need to be handled through the driver’s personal auto insurance. Once they are online and become available to accept ride requests, both Uber and Lyft provide limited third-party liability coverage, supplying up to $50,000 per individual and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, in addition to $25,000 for property damage.

Coverage will extend when a ride request is accepted. During this stage, the driver is en route to the pickup location or is actively transporting the passenger. Uber and Lyft will provide their highest level of protection, including $1,000,000 in third-party liability coverage for injuries and property damage as well as first-party benefits that may consist of medical payments, uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, or additional injury protection. If the rideshare driver has their own comprehensive and collision insurance, contingent coverage may be provided to repair vehicle damage (up to the actual cash value of the car and subject to a deductible).

Who Is Liable for Your Injuries in a Rideshare Accident?

Determining liability in a rideshare accident will depend on who caused the crash and what the rideshare driver was doing at the time of impact. When they are at fault for transporting a passenger or responding to a ride request, Uber and Lyft will be responsible for providing liability coverage through their insurance policies. 

If another road user is responsible for the incident, that driver’s insurance will be the primary source of compensation. This includes cases that were caused by distracted driving, speeding, or other negligent behavior that can lead to such an outcome. App records, traffic collision reports, and witness statements can help identify fault and which insurance policies may apply.

Accountability can also be shared among multiple parties under California’s comparative negligence system. This means that each individual involved in the accident will be assessed for their part in causing the impact, and responsibility will be assigned based on percentage of fault. Rather than preventing an injured person from securing financial recovery, state law will allow them to seek compensation while adjusting their total amount to reflect their share of liability.

How Do You Report an Accident to Uber?

To report an accident to Uber, both riders and Uber drivers will need to use the in-app reporting system. Drivers will need to make sure everyone is safe, contact local authorities when necessary, take photos of vehicle damage along with the accident scene, and submit an incident report through the app. Riders may also report the situation by using the “Help” section of their app, where Uber will follow up to confirm everyone’s condition and gather details.

After a report has been shared, Uber’s support team will review the information provided and communicate with the appropriate insurance provider based on the driver’s app status at the time of impact. Injured passengers can reach out to an Uber accident attorney to make sure their rights are protected. They will guide you through the claims process, helping you avoid mistakes when communicating with insurance adjusters while also working to get you compensation for losses you incurred from the accident.

Can You Sue Uber for an Accident?

You can potentially sue Uber for an accident. However, it will depend on how the crash happened and if the at fault driver was actively using the app during the time of impact. Uber classifies its drivers as independent contractors, which limits direct lawsuits made against the company. If the rideshare driver was at fault while logged into the app and handling a ride request, insurance coverage may be triggered.

Nonetheless, the company could still face liability if it contributed to the incident in some type of way. For instance, they did not properly screen, monitor, or address safety concerns involving a driver, creating possible claims for negligent hiring practices or supervision. Claiming fault against the company itself can be legally complex. Many passengers and drivers will turn to an Uber accident lawyer to assess whether hiring practices, insurance policies, or the conduct of the at fault driver provides the most effective path to seek compensation.

Can You Sue Lyft for an Accident?

Suing Lyft after a collision can be an option, however, it largely depends on whether the driver was logged into the app and how the incident occurred. Because Lyft drivers are classified as independent contractors, direct claims against the company can be limited. Even so, Lyft can be liable if its own negligence contributed to the crash. Since these claims can involve multiple insurance layers and corporate negligence issues, a Lyft accident lawyer can assess the situation to determine whether the company should be held accountable for your injuries.

Who Pays for Damages in a Rideshare Accident?

Who pays for damages in a rideshare accident will heavily depend on the cause of the collision and which insurance policy will be attached. If the rideshare driver is responsible, Uber or Lyft’s insurance will offer coverage up to its policy limit. When another motorist is the at fault driver, their insurance will be the primary source of compensation. However, if that driver is uninsured or underinsured, the rideshare company’s UM/UIM coverage may apply. Since there are multiple lawyers of insurance involved, determining who pays will require establishing fault and understanding which policies were active when the impact occurred.

Typically, the injured victim will be given economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages will cover financial losses you incurred after the rideshare accident, including medical bills, lost income, and property damage. These can be documented by using receipts and invoices. Non-economic damages will refer to the personal and emotional impact triggered by the event. This category will consist of emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and pain and suffering. Such damages recognize how the incident has affected your daily life in ways that extend far from financial harm.

Harmed in a Rideshare Accident? West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here to Help

If you were injured in a rideshare accident in Beverly Hills, West Coast Trial Lawyers is prepared to help. With extensive experience directing personal injury cases, our Beverly Hills team has the resources needed to effectively pursue legal action. 

We will evaluate the accident report, investigate the scene, and assess liability to establish fault. From there, we will advocate on your behalf, ensuring you have a better likelihood of recovering fair compensation. During your initial consultation, we will answer any questions you have about your case, present your legal options, and navigate you every step of the way to protect your rights. 

To move forward with the claims process, you can get in touch with us by calling (213) 927-3700  or filling out our convenient online contact form.

Beverly Hills Uber and Lyft Accident FAQ