Short answer:

1. Call 911 and get medical care.

2. Report the crash in the Uber/Lyft app and to police.

3. Capture evidence (photos, video, witness names).

4. Don’t give recorded statements to insurers.

5. Call The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus at 818-784-8544 for a free, same-day case evaluation. We handle rideshare injury claims throughout California and can come to you.

Why this matters

Rideshare crashes move fast. Evidence gets lost. App data can disappear. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize your payout. Your actions in the first 24–72 hours can make or break your claim. This guide tells you exactly what to do, what not to do, and how our Los Angeles rideshare accident lawyers build winning cases for injured passengers, drivers, and third parties.

No upfront fees, ever. You pay nothing unless and until we win your case. Call 818-784-8544 or start a live chat/text now.

The 10-Step Action Plan (Do These Now)

1) Call 911 and get medical help

Your health comes first. Tell first responders every area that hurts, even if pain is “mild.” Adrenaline hides symptoms like concussions, internal injuries, and spinal trauma. If you don’t get transported, go to urgent care or the ER the same day. Delays let insurers argue you weren’t really hurt.

California note: Serious-injury crashes should be formally reported. You or the involved driver must also submit a DMV SR-1 accident report within 10 days if anyone was injured or property damage exceeds $1,000. California DMV

2) Call the police and insist on a report

You need an official report that documents parties, vehicles, and visible injuries. Ask how to get the report number and where/when it will be available. (If officers won’t come, file a counter report later and save the incident number.)

3) Report the crash in the Uber/Lyft app

Open the app’s Help/Support and submit a crash report. Keep screenshots of what you submit and any responses. Reporting inside the app helps lock in the driver’s “app status,” which can determine which insurance policy applies.

4) Capture evidence before it disappears

• Photos/video of all vehicles, roadway, traffic signals, debris, skid marks, and your injuries.

• Close-ups of rideshare driver profile screen (name, license plate), vehicle VIN/plate, and app trip screen.

• Names, phones, and emails of witnesses.

• Save your ride receipt and trip map from the app.

• Check nearby business cameras; ask managers to preserve footage.

5) Don’t apologize. Don’t speculate.

Stick to facts: who, what, where, when. Do not guess about fault, speed, or injuries.

6) See the right doctors — and follow through

Documented medical care is the backbone of your claim. If you don’t have a doctor, we can connect you with quality physicians who treat accident injuries and delay billing until your case resolves.

7) Keep a pain and limits journal

Brief daily notes about pain levels, sleep problems, missed work, anxiety, and activities you can’t do. This helps prove non-economic damages (pain and suffering) with real-world detail.

8) Preserve your vehicle and personal items

Don’t repair or dispose of damaged items yet. They can be physical proof of impact forces.

9) Stay off social media

Innocent posts get twisted. Even private posts can be obtained. When in doubt, don’t post.

10) Call 818-784-8544 before you talk to insurers

Insurance reps — including Uber/Lyft carriers — are trained to get statements that hurt your case. Politely decline recorded statements and refer them to your lawyer.

Who Pays After an Uber/Lyft Crash in California?

Coverage depends on the driver’s app status at the moment of the crash. California law requires $1,000,000 in primary commercial liability when a ride is accepted or a passenger is in the vehicle (often called Periods 2 & 3).

• App OFF (personal driving) — The driver’s personal auto policy applies.

• App ON, waiting for a request (Period 1) — Limited third-party liability: historically $50k per person / $100k per incident / $30k property, plus an excess layer. Ride accepted or passenger onboard (Periods 2 & 3) — Primary $1,000,000 liability coverage through the TNC (Uber/Lyft), with additional coverages that may include UM/UIM and collision (deductibles apply).

Important, late-2025 update: There are active policy and legislative changes in California affecting UM/UIM limits for rideshare trips; requirements have been in flux. We track these developments and structure claims accordingly so you aren’t short-changed by shifting coverage rules.

Bottom line: Multiple policies may apply — the rideshare carrier, the rideshare driver’s personal policy, the other driver’s policy, and potentially your UM/UIM or medical payments. Our team identifies all coverage to maximize your recovery.

Common Rideshare Injury Scenarios We Handle

• Injured passengers in Uber/Lyft

• Drivers or passengers in other vehicles hit by a rideshare

• Pedestrians or cyclists struck by a rideshare car

• Multi-vehicle pileups with contested fault

• Hit-and-run crashes during an active trip (UM/UIM issues)

Each scenario has unique insurance and fault questions — we answer them fast and start securing evidence immediately.

What Damages Can You Recover?

• Medical bills (ER, surgery, imaging, therapy, future care)

• Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity

• Pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life

• Out-of-pocket costs (medications, travel, home help)

• Vehicle/property damage and diminished value

• Punitive damages in egregious cases (e.g., DUI)

California Deadlines You Must Know

• General personal injury statute of limitations: 2 years from the date of injury. Miss it and you typically lose your right to sue.

• Claims involving government entities (city bus, roadway defect, public vehicle): You must file a government claim within 6 months of the injury, and then sue by the specific follow-up deadline if the claim is rejected.

• DMV SR-1 accident report: 10 days if there’s injury or $1,000+ damage.

Don’t risk it. Call 818-784-8544 so we can calendar every deadline and protect your claim.

The Biggest Ways People Accidentally Hurt Their Own Claims

1. Gaps in medical care (missing appointments, weeks without treatment)

2. Talking to adjusters and giving a recorded statement

3. Posting on social media about the crash or your activities

4. Repairing cars too quickly (before full documentation)

5. Assuming one policy will cover everything (most rideshare cases involve multiple insurers)

6. Settling too early before the full medical picture is clear

How We Win Rideshare Claims (Our Process)

Rapid Evidence Preservation

• Send legal hold letters to Uber/Lyft for trip data, driver logs, GPS, and in-app communications

• Demand preservation of dashcam and nearby video

• Download and archive your app receipts, route maps, and support messages

Independent Investigation

• Scene inspection, roadway measurements, visibility analysis

• Witness canvassing and statements

• Collision reconstruction where impact mechanics or visibility are disputed

Medical Proof That Tells Your Story

• We coordinate with treating doctors to document your diagnosis, causation, and future care

• Clear narratives that translate medical jargon into jury-ready human impact

Insurance Coverage Mapping

• Identify every liable party: rideshare driver, other motorists, the TNC, and sometimes commercial or governmental actors (roadway hazards, negligent maintenance)

• Stack and sequence claims for maximum total recovery

Relentless Negotiation & Litigation Readiness

• We build settlement packages as if they’ll be tried to a verdict

• If insurers won’t pay full value, we file suit and move aggressively

We handle cases statewide. From Los Angeles to San Diego, Riverside, Orange County, Bakersfield, Sacramento, San Jose, and San Francisco — we will come to you. Call 818-784-8544 now.

FAQs: Quick Answers for Injured Uber/Lyft Passengers in California

Q: I was a paying passenger. Does that help my case?
A: Yes. Fault may still be disputed between drivers, but as a passenger you’re rarely at fault. We typically pursue claims against all at-fault drivers and applicable rideshare policies.

Q: The rideshare driver said “Don’t call the police.” Should I still call?
A: Yes. You need an official record and medical attention. Police reports help establish facts insurers can’t ignore.

Q: The Uber/Lyft app offered me a quick settlement. Take it?
A: Don’t sign or accept money before speaking with a lawyer. Early offers usually undervalue future care and lost earnings.

Q: I didn’t feel pain at the scene. Can I still bring a claim?
A: Absolutely. Many injuries (especially neck, back, and brain injuries) develop over 24–72 hours. Get examined immediately.

Q: What if the other driver fled (hit-and-run)?
A: We may use UM/UIM coverage connected to the rideshare trip, plus your own policy if applicable. Coverage specifics have been evolving; we’ll position your claim for the best available recovery.

Q: How long do I have to sue?
A: Generally 2 years for injury, but only 6 months to file an administrative claim if a government entity is involved. Call us to avoid missing strict deadlines.

Q: Do I have to talk to the insurance company?
A: No. Politely decline recorded statements. We handle all communications.

Q: What does it cost to hire you?
A: $0 upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. That’s our contingency-fee guarantee.

Sample Timeline: What Happens After You Call Us

Day 0–3: Triage & Preservation

• Free case evaluation (phone/video/in-person)

• Medical referrals as needed

• Legal hold letters to Uber/Lyft, drivers, and businesses for data/video preservation

• Request police report and 911 recordings

Week 1–4: Investigation & Treatment

• Witness interviews and scene workup

• Liability analysis and coverage mapping

• Consistent medical care plan; monitor symptoms and progress

Month 2–4: Building Value

• Collect complete medical records and bills

• Expert consults (biomechanics, life care planners) when needed

• Demand package with clear liability and damages narrative

Settlement or Litigation

• Aggressive negotiation; if lowballed, we file suit

• Discovery, depositions, motion practice

• Mediation/settlement or trial

Evidence Checklist (Save This)

• Trip receipt and route map screenshots

• Driver profile screen and license plate photo

• Photos/video of damage, roadway, signals, and your injuries

• Witness names/phones/emails

• Police report number

• Medical visit summaries, prescriptions, at-home care notes

• Employer letters for missed work

• Pain/sleep/activity journal

Why Choose The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus

• Laser-focused on results. We prepare every case like it’s going to trial.

• Rideshare know-how. We understand TNC data, period coverage rules, and how to force full disclosure.

• Full-state coverage. We take cases anywhere in California and come to you.

• No fee unless we win. Period.

• 24/7 response. Same-day strategy session available.

Call 818-784-8544 or start a live chat/text now.

One call puts our team to work preserving evidence and protecting your rights.