Rideshare Accidents in Beverly Hills: Where the Risk Comes From
- Constant pick-ups and drop-offs: frequent stops along Wilshire, Santa Monica and Sunset Boulevards and near shopping and dining districts put riders, pedestrians and other drivers at risk.
- Distraction: drivers who manage the app while driving take their attention off the road. According to NHTSA, distracted driving killed 3,208 people nationwide in 2024.
- Late-night trips: rideshare drivers working evening and late-night routes share the road with impaired drivers.
Why Uber and Lyft Accidents Are Complicated
Unlike ordinary car accidents, rideshare crashes involve layered insurance and liability issues:- Multiple insurance policies may apply: the rideshare company’s commercial coverage, the driver’s personal policy, another driver’s policy and your own coverage.
- Coverage depends on the driver’s app status: whether the driver was offline, waiting for a request, or on an accepted trip determines which insurance is responsible.
- Corporate insurers contest claims: rideshare companies and their insurers often dispute liability and the value of injuries.
- Evidence lives in the app: trip records, timestamps and app status data can decide which policy applies.
How Rideshare Insurance Works in California
Under the CPUC’s insurance requirements for rideshare companies, coverage in an Uber or Lyft crash depends on the driver’s app status at the time of the accident:1. App Off
If the driver was not logged into the app, the driver’s personal auto insurance applies, not Uber’s or Lyft’s policy.2. App On, Waiting for a Ride
If the driver was logged in but hadn’t accepted a ride, the rideshare company must provide contingent liability coverage of at least:- $50,000 per person for bodily injury
- $100,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $30,000 for property damage
3. Ride Accepted or Passenger on Board
Once a ride is accepted, or a passenger is in the car, $1 million in primary liability coverage applies. Passenger uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is a separate question. California’s SB 371 changed the required passenger UM/UIM coverage to $60,000 per person and $300,000 per incident, separate from the $1 million primary liability coverage. The CPUC summary page may still show the older figure; our article on SB 371 and Uber and Lyft insurance in Los Angeles explains the change. The requirements appear in Public Utilities Code §5433. These are required minimum coverage levels, not a cap on what a claim may be worth.Common Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents
Rideshare accidents in Beverly Hills often happen because of:- Distracted driving, including drivers managing the app on the road
- Speeding or aggressive driving to complete more rides
- Unsafe or sudden pick-ups and drop-offs at busy intersections
- Impaired driving (alcohol or drugs)
- Other negligent drivers colliding with rideshare vehicles on congested streets
Types of Rideshare Accident Injuries
Victims of Uber and Lyft accidents in Beverly Hills may suffer:- Neck and back injuries, including whiplash and spinal trauma
- Broken bones and fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Cuts, bruises, lacerations and soft tissue damage
- Fatal injuries leading to wrongful death claims
What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Beverly Hills
- Call 911: report the crash and request a police report.
- Seek medical care right away: even minor pain can signal a serious injury, and symptoms may worsen later.
- Document everything: photograph the scene, the vehicles and your injuries.
- Save the ride details: screenshot the trip record and receipt in the Uber or Lyft app to show the trip and the driver’s status.
- Collect information: get the driver’s, passengers’ and witnesses’ names and contact details, and note whether the driver was logged into the app.
- Talk to a Beverly Hills rideshare accident attorney: these cases often involve insurance disputes between several companies.
Compensation Available in Rideshare Accident Cases
Depending on the circumstances, victims may be entitled to recover:- Medical expenses: ER care, hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation and therapy
- Lost wages: missed work and reduced future earning capacity
- Property damage: repair or replacement for rideshare drivers or other motorists whose vehicles were struck
- Pain and suffering: physical pain, emotional distress and reduced quality of life
FAQ: Beverly Hills Uber and Lyft Accidents
Who pays after an Uber or Lyft accident?
It depends on the driver’s status in the app. If the app was off, the driver’s personal insurance applies. If the driver was waiting for a request, the company’s contingent coverage applies ($50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident and $30,000 for property damage). During an accepted ride, $1 million in primary liability coverage applies. Passenger UM/UIM coverage is separate: SB 371 changed it to $60,000 per person and $300,000 per incident. These are required minimums, not a cap on what your claim may be worth.
Does it matter whether I was in an Uber or a Lyft?
California’s insurance requirements apply to both companies in the same way, based on the driver’s app status. The claims process and insurers can differ, which is why saving your trip record matters.
What is the filing deadline for a rideshare accident claim in California?
Most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years (Code of Civil Procedure §335.1), but exceptions can change that deadline, and the California Courts deadline guide explains the general rules. If a city vehicle or a dangerous public road was involved, a written claim is generally due within six months; see our article on the six-month government claim deadline. Insurance notice requirements should be handled right away.
Can I recover if I was a pedestrian or in another car?
Yes, you may have a claim against the rideshare driver and, depending on the driver’s app status, the rideshare company’s insurance.
Why Choose Djougourian Law Corporation for Uber and Lyft Accident Cases?
Rideshare accident claims require knowledge of the insurance rules and the evidence that proves app status. We bring:
- Experience handling rideshare accident claims in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles County
- Knowledge of Uber and Lyft insurance requirements and how their insurers defend claims
- Investigation of driver records, app usage and crash reports
- Careful negotiation with the rideshare companies’ insurers, backed by trial preparation
- Compassionate guidance for injured riders, drivers, pedestrians and families
- No attorney fee unless there is a recovery, under the terms of the written fee agreement
Our founder, Arthur Djougourian, is a trial attorney and a graduate of UC Berkeley and Pepperdine University School of Law who was selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars in 2022. From our Burbank office, we represent clients in Beverly Hills and surrounding cities, including West Hollywood, the City of Los Angeles, Culver City, Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena and Santa Monica.
Rideshare Accident Results Reported by the Firm
- $1 million settlement: rideshare accident matter.
- $825,000 settlement: rideshare accident matter.
Past results do not guarantee, warrant or predict the outcome of your case. Outcomes depend on the facts, evidence, applicable law and circumstances of each matter.
Protect Your Rights After a Beverly Hills Uber or Lyft Accident
If you or a loved one was injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Beverly Hills, you don’t have to deal with the rideshare company’s insurers alone. Call 818-530-0000 or email arthur@djlawcorp.com for a free consultation.
