Beverly Hills Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer

Liability in a rideshare accident depends on the driver’s status at the time of the crash. If the driver was logged into the app and actively transporting you, Uber and Lyft each carry a $1 million commercial liability policy that applies. We investigate app logs, dispatch records, and driver insurance to identify every responsible party and maximize your recovery.

Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors, which limits direct corporate liability in most cases — but it does not eliminate it entirely. We examine whether negligent hiring, inadequate background checks, or known safety deficiencies contributed to your crash. California courts have increasingly allowed claims that pierce the contractor shield when platforms exercise sufficient control over drivers.

Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, you have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, if a government vehicle or entity was involved — such as a Beverly Hills municipal bus — you may have as little as six months to file a government tort claim. We recommend contacting us immediately so no deadline is missed.

California follows a pure comparative fault rule, which means you can still recover damages even if you were partially responsible for the accident. Your award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault — so if you were 20% at fault and your damages total $200,000, you would still recover $160,000. We work to minimize any fault attributed to you during negotiations and at trial.

Injured rideshare passengers and third parties can pursue economic damages such as medical bills, future treatment costs, lost wages, and lost earning capacity, as well as non-economic damages including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases of extreme recklessness, punitive damages may also be available. We document every loss carefully to present the strongest possible damages claim.

Rideshare insurance operates in three phases: when the driver is offline, only their personal auto policy applies; when the driver is logged in but has no passenger, Uber and Lyft provide $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident in contingent liability coverage; and when a ride is accepted or a passenger is in the vehicle, the full $1 million commercial policy is active. Understanding which phase applies at the moment of your crash is critical, and we pull driver app data immediately to confirm coverage.

First, call 911 — Beverly Hills Police Department will create an official report that becomes a cornerstone of your claim. Accept medical attention even if you feel fine, since adrenaline can mask serious injuries like whiplash or internal bleeding. Take photos of the scene, the rideshare app showing your trip, all vehicles, and any visible injuries, and then contact our office before speaking to any insurance adjuster.

Yes — rideshare insurers employ experienced adjusters whose goal is to settle claims for as little as possible, often before you fully understand the extent of your injuries. We have seen initial offers that are a fraction of what clients ultimately recovered with legal representation. We evaluate every offer against the full value of your current and future losses before advising you on whether to accept.

Cases that settle out of court often resolve within six to twelve months, depending on how long it takes to complete medical treatment and establish the full scope of damages. Cases that proceed to trial in Los Angeles Superior Court — which handles Beverly Hills matters — can take two to three years. We pursue the fastest resolution that does not compromise the value of your claim.

No — we handle rideshare accident cases on a pure contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Our fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict, so there is no financial risk to you for pursuing your claim. You can schedule a free consultation with us to discuss your case without any obligation.

If the at-fault driver’s coverage is insufficient to cover your losses, we explore every available source of recovery, including Uber’s and Lyft’s own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, your own auto policy’s UM/UIM provisions, and any applicable umbrella policies. California law requires insurers to offer UM/UIM coverage, and we make certain all layers are properly pursued on your behalf.

Absolutely — pedestrians and cyclists struck by Uber or Lyft drivers in Beverly Hills have the same right to compensation as passengers do. Busy corridors like Santa Monica Boulevard, Wilshire Boulevard, and the streets surrounding Beverly Hills’ hotel district see frequent rideshare traffic, and driver negligence in these areas causes serious injuries. We regularly represent non-passengers in rideshare claims and know how to establish driver fault through traffic data, surveillance footage, and eyewitness testimony.

We obtain the driver’s trip data, GPS logs, and app activity records through litigation discovery and preservation demands sent immediately after the accident. We also gather the police report, traffic camera footage, dashcam video, and testimony from witnesses. Expert accident reconstruction may be used for complex crashes involving high speeds or disputed fault on Beverly Hills roads.

If an Uber or Lyft driver caused a collision with your vehicle, you can file a third-party claim against the driver’s coverage and, depending on the driver’s app status, against the rideshare company’s commercial policy. We handle the entire process — from identifying the applicable coverage tier to negotiating with the insurer — so you can focus on your recovery. Your own medical payments coverage or collision coverage may also provide immediate benefits while the claim proceeds.

Contact our office by phone or through our website to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation — we are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We can meet you at our office, at a location convenient to you, or conduct the consultation by phone or video if you are still recovering from your injuries. The sooner we begin preserving evidence and documenting your losses, the stronger your case will be.