The rise of rideshare services like Uber, Lyft and Waymo has transformed transportation across North Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley. Whether you’re catching a ride from Lankershim Boulevard to Universal City or commuting home from work, rideshare apps have made travel convenient, but they also put more drivers on the road who are watching an app.
Accidents involving rideshare vehicles can be complex, often involving several insurance companies and drivers. If you’ve been injured in a crash involving an Uber, Lyft or other rideshare service, you need an attorney who understands California law and the particular challenges of these cases.
At Djougourian Law Corporation, we represent rideshare passengers, pedestrians and drivers injured in North Hollywood and surrounding areas. Trial attorney Arthur Djougourian graduated from UC Berkeley and Pepperdine University School of Law, was admitted to the California Bar in 2018 and was selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars in 2022.
The Reality of Rideshare Accidents in Los Angeles County
With heavy traffic, congested streets and constant rideshare activity, Los Angeles County, including North Hollywood, sees a large number of crashes every year.
- Distraction is a major risk for drivers who are following an app and GPS directions. Nationally, 3,208 people were killed in crashes involving distracted drivers in 2024 (NHTSA).
- Rideshare traffic concentrates where trips begin and end: near transit hubs such as the North Hollywood Metro station, nightlife areas and busy corridors like Lankershim Boulevard, Magnolia Boulevard, Victory Boulevard, Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Riverside Drive.
Rideshare crashes are often caused by distraction, fatigue or unsafe lane changes.
Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents
- Distracted driving (using the app or GPS)
- Speeding or unsafe turns
- Driver fatigue from long shifts
- Unfamiliar routes or last-second lane changes
- Drunk or impaired driving
- Aggressive driving to reach fares faster
- Poor vehicle maintenance
Because rideshare drivers are generally classified as independent contractors, determining liability requires a detailed investigation of insurance coverage and trip status.
Understanding Rideshare Insurance Coverage
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.
At DJ Law Corp, we analyze app data, trip logs and insurance policies to identify every policy that may apply to your claim.
Common Rideshare Accident Injuries
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Broken bones or fractures
- Spinal cord and back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
- Nerve damage or chronic pain
- Emotional trauma and PTSD
What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident in North Hollywood
- Call 911 to get medical help and an official police report.
- Get medical attention promptly, even for injuries that seem minor.
- Collect evidence: photos of the scene and vehicles, the license plate, street signs and witness contact information.
- Preserve ride data: take screenshots of the trip in your app, including timestamps and the driver’s details.
- Report the crash to the rideshare company and the insurers involved.
- Get legal advice early: rideshare claims raise coverage questions that are easier to answer while app data is still available.
Why Choose Djougourian Law Corporation
- Trial attorney: Arthur prepares cases with trial in mind.
- Local knowledge: our Burbank office serves clients throughout North Hollywood, Toluca Lake, Studio City and Sherman Oaks.
- Personalized service: you work directly with Arthur.
- Contingency fees: no attorney fee unless there is a recovery, under the terms of the written fee agreement.
How We Handle Rideshare Accident Cases
- Free case review: we evaluate your accident, review available insurance coverage and explain your options.
- Investigation: we collect police reports, app data, black box information, witness statements and medical documentation.
- Claim preparation: we calculate your losses, including medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering.
- Negotiation: we deal directly with Uber, Lyft and insurer representatives.
- Litigation: if a fair settlement isn’t offered, we are prepared to take your case to court.
What Compensation May Include
Victims of rideshare accidents may recover economic and non-economic damages under California Civil Code §3333, including:
- Medical bills and hospital care
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Punitive damages, in the limited cases where the law allows them
When a rideshare 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. California’s comparative negligence rule allows recovery even if you share some fault, with the recovery reduced by your share.
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.
Benefits of Working With Our Firm
- We act fast: evidence from rideshare apps can disappear quickly.
- We handle the paperwork: from insurance forms to medical documentation.
- We know rideshare coverage: including how app status and SB 371 affect which policy applies.
- We value the whole claim: based on your injuries and long-term care needs.
- We’re local: we know North Hollywood’s roads and the Los Angeles County courts. See our North Hollywood services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays for my injuries after an Uber or Lyft accident?
It depends on the driver’s app status. 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.
Can I sue Uber or Lyft directly?
Most drivers are classified as independent contractors, which can limit claims against the company itself, but you can still pursue a claim under the company’s required insurance. Whether a direct claim against the company is possible depends on the facts.
What if I was a passenger?
Passengers are rarely at fault for a crash. Depending on the circumstances, a passenger may have a claim under the rideshare company’s policy, another driver’s policy, or both.
What if I was hit by a rideshare driver while walking or driving?
You may pursue a claim against the driver and the rideshare company’s insurer, depending on the driver’s app status. Our page on car accidents in North Hollywood covers claims between drivers.
How long do I have to file a claim?
Many California personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the accident (Code of Civil Procedure §335.1), but exceptions can change that deadline, and claims involving a public agency generally require a written claim within six months. The California Courts deadline guide explains the general rules.
Get Help After a Rideshare Accident
If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in North Hollywood, don’t face the insurance companies alone. We offer free consultations and work on contingency. Call 818-530-0000 or request a free consultation. Your recovery starts today; let us protect your rights while you focus on healing.
