If you were injured in an Uber, Lyft or Waymo accident in Pasadena, you face not only physical pain and recovery but also complex insurance questions, disputes over liability and the challenge of holding rideshare companies accountable. At Djougourian Law Corporation, we represent rideshare accident victims, whether passengers, rideshare drivers, other motorists, cyclists or pedestrians, in Pasadena and throughout the San Gabriel Valley.
Our firm is led by trial attorney Arthur Djougourian, a graduate of UC Berkeley and Pepperdine University School of Law who was admitted to the California Bar in 2018 and selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars in 2022. We prepare every rideshare accident case as if it will go to trial. Whether you were injured in Pasadena, Altadena, San Marino or elsewhere in the San Gabriel Valley, you need a lawyer who understands rideshare insurance, California law and how to pursue full compensation.
Rideshare Accident Facts: Pasadena and California
Pasadena-specific rideshare crash numbers are not publicly broken out, but research and state rules show why these cases need careful attention:
Uber and Lyft:
- A National Bureau of Economic Research working paper by researchers at the University of Chicago and Rice University found that the arrival of ridehailing in U.S. cities was associated with an increase of approximately 3% in traffic fatalities and fatal accidents, for both vehicle occupants and pedestrians.
- Heavy traffic and the large number of rideshare vehicles in Los Angeles County, including on the 210 and 134 freeways around Pasadena, increase the risk of collisions.
Waymo and other autonomous vehicles:
- Companies testing autonomous vehicles in California must report collisions to the DMV, and the California DMV publishes those collision reports and accepts public reports of autonomous vehicle incidents.
Whether a crash involves a human driver or an autonomous vehicle, working out liability and insurance coverage takes experienced legal help.
Why Rideshare Crashes Need Specialized Legal Attention
- Insurance and liability complexity: the driver’s app status (offline, online and waiting, or on a trip) determines which policy applies: the driver’s personal policy or the rideshare company’s coverage.
- App and data evidence: liability may turn on app logs, GPS data, driver-status records, dash-cam footage and the company’s own reports.
- Multiple defendants: responsible parties may include the rideshare driver, the platform, other motorists or vehicle owners.
- Time-sensitive evidence: app logs, video footage and driver records can be lost, so prompt investigation is critical.
Why Choose Us for Your Pasadena Rideshare Accident Case
When you’ve been injured in an Uber, Lyft or Waymo accident, you need an advocate who understands rideshare insurance and corporate liability. Here’s why clients choose Djougourian Law Corporation:
- Trial-ready representation: Arthur Djougourian prepares every rideshare case for trial.
- Local knowledge: we know Pasadena’s traffic patterns, rideshare hotspots and Los Angeles County court practices.
- Personal attention: you’ll work directly with Arthur from start to finish.
- Contingency fees: no attorney fee unless there is a recovery, under the terms of the written fee agreement.
- Comprehensive approach: from investigation to negotiation to trial if needed, we work to hold all responsible parties accountable.
Our Rideshare Accident Services
We represent clients injured in rideshare accidents throughout Pasadena and nearby cities including Altadena, Sierra Madre, San Marino and the San Gabriel Valley. Services include:
Uber and Lyft accidents:
- Collisions while riding as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle
- Injuries to rideshare drivers while the app was active (waiting for a request or on a trip)
- Accidents caused by Uber or Lyft drivers striking other vehicles, pedestrians or cyclists
- Hit-and-run and uninsured-driver crashes involving rideshare vehicles
- Multi-vehicle collisions on Pasadena streets and nearby freeways (210, 134)
- Rear-end, side-impact and intersection crashes involving rideshare vehicles
- Accidents caused by distracted driving, driver fatigue, speeding, impaired driving or poor vehicle maintenance
Waymo autonomous vehicle accidents:
- Collisions while riding in a Waymo self-driving vehicle
- Pedestrian and cyclist accidents involving Waymo vehicles
- Accidents caused by technology failures, software errors or unexpected maneuvers
- Multi-vehicle crashes where an autonomous vehicle failed to respond appropriately to traffic conditions
Injuries we handle:
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Neck and back injuries (whiplash, herniated discs)
- Broken bones and fractures
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Lacerations, scarring and disfigurement
- Soft tissue injuries
- Psychological trauma and emotional distress
- Wrongful death
How the Process Works
- Free consultation: you tell us about the accident; we evaluate fault and insurance coverage and explain your rights and next steps.
- Investigation: we collect police reports, rideshare app data (including driver status at the time of the crash), witness statements, medical records, surveillance footage and available vehicle data.
- Medical documentation: we coordinate with your doctors and rehabilitation providers to document your injuries, treatment and future care needs.
- Insurance analysis and claim preparation: we identify all applicable coverage, including the rideshare company’s policy, the driver’s personal insurance and any third-party liability, and calculate your economic and non-economic damages.
- Negotiation: we negotiate with Uber, Lyft, Waymo and their insurers for fair compensation for medical bills, lost earnings, pain and suffering and future losses.
- Litigation if necessary: if a fair settlement cannot be reached, we file suit in the appropriate Los Angeles County court and prepare your case for trial.
- Resolution: once your case resolves, we help you resolve medical liens and insurance obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rideshare Accidents in Pasadena
How long do I have to file a rideshare accident claim in California?
Many California personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the accident (Code of Civil Procedure §335.1). Exceptions can change that deadline, and a claim against a public agency, for example over a dangerous road, generally requires a written claim within six months. Missing a deadline can bar your claim.
How does insurance coverage work in Uber and Lyft accidents?
Under the CPUC’s insurance requirements for rideshare companies, coverage depends on the driver’s status at the time of the crash:
- App off: only the driver’s personal insurance applies.
- App on, waiting for a ride request: the rideshare company provides contingent liability coverage of at least $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident and $30,000 for property damage.
- En route to a pickup or with a passenger on board: $1 million in primary liability coverage applies.
Passenger uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is separate. California’s SB 371 changed the required passenger UM/UIM coverage to $60,000 per person and $300,000 per incident; 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, and the requirements appear in Public Utilities Code §5433. These are required minimums, not a cap on what a claim may be worth.
Do I need to prove the rideshare driver was on a trip?
No. You must prove negligence or fault. But the driver’s app status affects which insurance applies and how much coverage is available.
What if the rideshare company says the driver was offline?
If the driver was offline, the driver’s personal insurance generally applies, and your own UM/UIM coverage may help if it is not enough. App records can confirm the driver’s actual status.
Who is liable in a Waymo autonomous vehicle accident?
Liability can involve Waymo (for software failures, design defects or inadequate safety measures), other drivers who caused the collision, manufacturers of defective parts or systems, and government entities responsible for dangerous road conditions or signage. Cases involving autonomous technology require thorough investigation and expert analysis.
Can I sue Uber, Lyft or Waymo directly?
Sometimes. Uber and Lyft classify drivers as independent contractors, but depending on the facts there may be claims for negligent hiring or inadequate driver screening. A claim against Waymo may be based on failures of its autonomous driving technology. Whether a direct claim is available depends on the facts.
What if I was a passenger in the rideshare vehicle?
Passengers have strong legal protections. When the driver is en route to pick you up or transporting you, the rideshare company’s $1 million liability coverage applies. You may also have claims against the driver’s insurer and any other driver who contributed to the crash.
Can I still recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes. California uses a pure comparative negligence rule: you can recover damages even if you share fault, although your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.
What if the Uber or Lyft driver fled the scene?
You may still have coverage through the rideshare company’s passenger UM/UIM coverage (if you were a passenger), your own UM/UIM coverage, or other liable parties. Report the hit-and-run to police right away. Our guide to hit-and-run claims in Los Angeles County explains the steps.
Do I really need a lawyer for a rideshare accident?
Rideshare claims involve complex insurance issues, multiple potential defendants and large companies with experienced legal teams. An attorney can make sure all liable parties and coverage are identified and that your claim is fully valued.
What damages can I recover in a Pasadena rideshare accident case?
California law allows you to recover economic and non-economic damages, including medical expenses (emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation and future medical needs), lost wages and earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and scarring and disfigurement. Punitive damages may be available only in the limited cases where the law allows them. When a crash is fatal, eligible family members may have a wrongful death claim, and the estate may have a separate survival claim; California law limits who may bring a wrongful death claim (Code of Civil Procedure §377.60) and which losses are recoverable.
What are the most common causes of Uber and Lyft accidents?
Common causes include distracted driving (checking the app or GPS), fatigue from long hours, speeding to complete more trips, impaired driving, failure to yield or improper turns, running red lights or stop signs, inexperienced drivers and poor vehicle maintenance.
How are Waymo accidents different from traditional car accidents?
Waymo cases raise questions such as whether the autonomous technology or human error caused the crash; how to obtain data from the vehicle’s sensors, cameras and driving logs; whether there was a defect in the driving software; and how California’s evolving autonomous vehicle regulations apply.
What should I do immediately after a rideshare accident?
Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Call police to create an official report. Photograph the vehicles, damage, injuries and scene. Screenshot your rideshare app showing driver information, route and ride status. Get contact and insurance information from all drivers and witnesses. Seek medical attention, even if you feel fine. Report the accident through the app. Don’t give recorded statements to insurance companies before getting legal advice, and contact a rideshare accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Benefits of Working With Our Firm
- Focus on recovery: we handle insurance and case logistics while you get care.
- Full case value: we identify all applicable coverage and document all losses, including future care and lost earnings.
- Trial readiness: preparing for trial puts us in a stronger position to negotiate a fair settlement.
- Less stress: we handle communications, negotiations and legal matters so you can heal.
- Prepared to go to court: if Uber, Lyft or Waymo refuses to offer fair compensation, we are ready to file suit.
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.
Get the Legal Help You Deserve
If you’ve been injured in an Uber, Lyft or Waymo accident in Pasadena, don’t face the insurance companies alone. Call 818-530-0000 or contact Djougourian Law Corporation for a free, no-obligation consultation. We work on contingency: no attorney fee unless there is a recovery.
