Los Angeles runs on rideshare. Between nightlife corridors (Hollywood/West Hollywood), business hubs (Century City, DTLA), stadium events, and airport traffic at LAX, Uber and Lyft vehicles are everywhere—often jockeying curb space, lane changes, and pickups on congested arterials like Sunset, Santa Monica, La Brea, Highland, Wilshire, and the 101/110/405 interchanges.

What makes these cases different:

• Layered insurance: Coverage depends on whether the app is off, on (no ride accepted), en route to pickup, or transporting a passenger.

• Multiple defendants: The Uber/Lyft driver, another driver, commercial vehicles, and sometimes property owners (curbs, valet zones) can share fault.

• Data & video: In-app trip data, telematics, dashcams, storefront cameras, and municipal cameras can pinpoint speed, path, and timing.

• Fast-moving claims teams: Rideshare insurers are sophisticated and trained to limit exposure early—especially for soft-tissue, concussion, and “invisible” injuries.

Your advantage? Swift evidence preservation + strategic medical documentation + an LA firm that litigates rideshare cases. That’s our lane.

Who’s Covered After an Uber/Lyft Crash?

Passengers:
If you’re a passenger in an Uber/Lyft and you’re injured, you’re generally covered by the rideshare company’s commercial liability while the trip is active (from accepted request through drop-off). Depending on the facts, uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) benefits may also apply.

Other Drivers & Occupants:
If an Uber/Lyft driver hits you (car, motorcycle, scooter) while they’re logged into the app, their rideshare insurance may apply, with limits that change by “period.”

Pedestrians & Cyclists:
Struck by a rideshare vehicle? The same period-based coverage analysis applies. We’ll identify the highest available limits and every liable party.

Uber/Lyft Drivers (Not at Fault):
If you drive for a rideshare and someone else causes the crash, you may access third-party liability from the at-fault driver and, when applicable, rideshare UM/UIM—particularly crucial in LA’s many hit-and-runs or low-limit policies.

Uber/Lyft Insurance “Periods” in Plain English

Rideshare coverage turns on app status:

• Period 0 (App Off): Driver’s personal auto insurance only.

• Period 1 (App On, No Ride Accepted): Limited contingent liability may apply above the driver’s personal policy.

• Period 2 (Ride Accepted, En Route to Pickup): Enhanced commercial coverage is typically available.

• Period 3 (Passenger in Vehicle): The highest commercial coverage generally applies, often including UM/UIM.

Two important realities:

1. Personal policies often exclude “livery” use. When app is on, personal coverage may try to deny.

2. UM/UIM can be decisive in hit-and-runs or when the striking driver carries minimal limits.

We map your case to the right period and pierce the insurer’s favorite excuses (e.g., “the app wasn’t fully active,” “trip didn’t start yet,” “wrong period”).

What To Do in the First 24–72 Hours (Step-by-Step)

Immediately:

1. Call 911 and request police + EMS. Even if you “feel okay,” document the crash.

2. Photograph & video the scene: vehicles, plates, rideshare decals, interior damage, debris, skid marks, signals, lane markings, weather, and your visible injuries.

3. Screenshot the app: trip screen, driver info, timestamps, route, pickup/drop-off points, ride receipt once available.

4. Get witnesses: Names, numbers, brief voice memos if they’re in a rush.

5. Seek medical care now. Tell providers you were in an Uber/Lyft—mechanism matters.

6. Call The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus. We send preservation letters same-day to secure rideshare data and nearby video before it’s overwritten.

Within 72 hours:

• Follow medical referrals (urgent care → ortho/neuro/PT as needed).

• Start a pain/limits journal: Sleep issues, headaches, mobility, missed work, childcare needs.

• Save receipts & time off records.

• Do not give a recorded statement or sign broad releases without counsel.

Evidence evaporates in LA. We lock it down early—that’s where cases are won.

Common Crash Scenarios in LA—and How We Prove Fault

Rear-End at Pickup/Drop-Off
Rideshare drivers often stop abruptly for passengers. We analyze dashcams, tailing distance, and brake data. Liability may split if stopping was unpredictable and unsafe.

Left-Turn/T-Bone at Busy Intersections
Think Highland & Hollywood, La Brea & Santa Monica, or DTLA grid turns. We use signal timing, lane cam footage, and witness angles to reconstruct right-of-way.

Dooring & Bike Lane Conflicts
In Venice, Santa Monica, and DTLA, passenger doors open into cyclists/scooters. We document door swing, lane markings, and visibility to prove negligence.

Freeway Merges & Missed Exits (101/110/405/10)
Last-second lane changes are common when apps reroute. We pair app GPS timestamps with dash/traffic cameras to show unsafe maneuvers.

Pedestrian Crosswalk Hits
Turning rideshares failing to yield. We pull intersection videos, crosswalk beacons, signage, and sight lines (parked cars, construction scrims).

Multi-Vehicle Pileups
We untangle comparative fault across multiple policies and trigger UM/UIM when needed.

Medical Proof, Lost Wages & Future Care: Building Case Value

Adjusters discount invisible injuries (concussions, disc herniations, nerve damage). We fight that with objective proof:

• Diagnostics: MRI/CT, neurocognitive testing, EMG/NCV for radiculopathy.

• Specialists: Ortho, neuro, pain management, vestibular therapy.

• Function: Range-of-motion testing, grip strength, balance, and real-world limits.

• Work impact: Doctor-written restrictions, missed shifts, reduced hours, demotions, gig income loss.

• Future care: Injections, surgery potential, PT “booster” rounds, meds, assistive devices, home/work modifications—life-care planning when appropriate.

For lost wages and earning capacity, we compile W-2/1099s, pay stubs, booking calendars, rideshare driver earnings, and supervisor affidavits, then model future losses with an economist if injuries are lasting.

California Comparative Fault: What If You’re “Partly to Blame”?

California uses pure comparative negligence. Even if a defense lawyer says you were distracted, didn’t wear a seat belt, or “should’ve seen it,” you can still recover—your award is just reduced by your percentage of fault. We minimize that number with:

• Human-factors analysis (reaction times, expectancy)

• Lighting/sightline studies

• App distraction timeline (when a rideshare driver’s attention was diverted by pings)

• Signage and lane-use evidence (construction detours, bike lane design)

Bottom line: don’t self-blame; let us test the story against real evidence.

Damages You Can Recover

Economic Damages

• ER, imaging, surgeries, injections, PT, meds

• Future care (hardware removal, revision surgery, pain procedures)

• Lost wages & reduced earning capacity

• Household/transport services (childcare, rides, cleaning)

• Out-of-pocket costs (braces, OTC meds, parking, mileage)

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional distress, anxiety, sleep disruption

• Loss of enjoyment of life, hobbies, intimacy

• Physical impairment & disfigurement (scars)

Wrongful Death

• Funeral/burial, financial support, loss of love/companionship (for eligible heirs)

We match the proof to every damage category so the insurer can’t pretend your loss is “just medical bills.”

Evidence That Moves the Needle

Rideshare App Data

• Trip accept time, GPS breadcrumbs, speed estimates, pickup/drop timestamps, route changes

• In-app messaging and ride details (driver/passenger records)

Vehicle & Video

• Dashcams (yours, rideshare’s, or third parties)

• Storefront/residential cameras along the route

• Traffic cameras at major intersections

• ECM/black-box data for speed, brake, throttle

Scene & Medical

• Skid marks, debris fields, vehicle crush, airbag deployment

• Immediate and follow-up medical records that tie mechanism → injury

Phone/Distraction

• Phone logs near the time of impact (when appropriate)

• App ping activity showing driver cognitive load

We send preservation letters fast so none of this “goes missing.” If it does, we pursue spoliation remedies.

Timelines & Deadlines in California—Don’t Miss These

• Personal Injury Statute of Limitations: Generally 2 years from the accident date.

• Claims vs. Government Entities (e.g., city bus/van, dangerous public property): 6 months to file a Government Claim in many cases, with strict follow-ups.

• UM/UIM Notice & Cooperation: Your own policy may require prompt notice and specific steps.

Deadlines can shift with minors, wrongful death, or delayed discovery. Call us early so we protect every clock.

This is general information, not legal advice for your specific facts.

Special Situations We Handle Every Week

Hit-and-Run (all too common in LA):
We lean on UM coverage (yours or rideshare’s), scour cameras on the route, and push law enforcement record pulls. Report quickly to strengthen your claim.

LAX & LAX-it Curb Zones:
Rideshare pickup areas and shuttles create unique hazards (crowds, buses, tight turns). We capture airport camera requests, ground-transport logs, and shuttle operator records—plus premise vs. auto liability angles.

Minor Children as Passengers:
We handle court approval of settlements (minor’s compromise) and tailor future-care plans.

Uber/Lyft Drivers (Not at Fault):
We coordinate claims to access rideshare UM/UIM and lost income—important for drivers who rely on daily bookings.

Multiple At-Fault Parties:
We divide liability across drivers, employers (commercial vehicles), and premises owners to unlock multiple insurance policies and raise your recovery ceiling.

“What’s My Case Worth?”—Real Drivers of Settlement Value

• Liability clarity & evidence quality: Video beats “he said/she said.”

• Injury severity & permanence: Fractures, ligament tears, herniations, TBI, CRPS, surgery.

• Medical proof & treatment consistency: Diagnostic confirmation and documented progress.

• Future care & economic modeling: Life-care plans, vocational limits, economist projections.

• Venue: LA jury tendencies vs. surrounding counties.

• Insurance limits & number of defendants: Rideshare layers, UM/UIM, commercial umbrellas.

We give you honest, data-backed ranges as the medical picture and evidence mature—never a generic “2–3× medicals” answer.

Costly Mistakes to Avoid

• Delaying medical care or skipping follow-ups (creates “gap in treatment”).

• Giving recorded statements to any insurer without counsel.

• Posting on social media about activities inconsistent with claimed limits.

• Not preserving the rideshare app screenshots (trip page, route, receipts).

• Assuming you were at fault and telling adjusters as much.

• Settling before you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI).

Call us first. We take the pressure off and protect the value of your claim.

FAQs: Fast Answers for Injured Uber/Lyft Victims in LA

Q: I was a passenger. Do I have a case even if my driver wasn’t at fault?
A: Yes. As a passenger you can pursue the at-fault party’s liability coverage, and in many cases, rideshare UM/UIM if the other driver fled or is underinsured.

Q: The app shows my trip, but the insurer says “wrong period.”
A: We match timestamps, GPS pings, and route data to the exact period and push for the correct coverage layer.

Q: What if I was hit as a pedestrian by a Lyft?
A: You can pursue rideshare liability coverage if the driver was on the app. If the driver isn’t found or is underinsured, UM/UIM may apply.

Q: I’m an Uber driver hurt by another driver—can I recover lost income?
A: Yes, through the at-fault party’s liability insurance and potentially UM/UIM. We document rideshare earnings and future booking loss.

Q: How long will this take?
A: It depends on your medical course, liability disputes, and insurer cooperation. We push for fair resolution and file suit when needed.

Q: Do I pay you up front?
A: No. We work on a contingency fee—no fee unless we win.

Why Choose The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus

• LA Rideshare Focus: We know the corridors, cameras, and the tactics used by Uber/Lyft insurers.

• Rapid Evidence Preservation: Same-day preservation letters for app data, dashcams, storefront video, and municipal footage.

• Medical & Economic Firepower: Access to top specialists, life-care planners, vocational experts, and economists.

• UM/UIM Mastery: We structure claims to unlock the right coverage layers and protect your rights under your own policy.

• Trial-Ready Approach: Insurers know which firms will try cases—leverage that matters to your settlement.

• Client-Centered: Clear explanations, frequent updates, and relentless advocacy. No fee unless we win.

Free Consultation—What Happens When You Call Us

1. We listen to your story and answer immediate questions (medical, car rental, lost wages).

2. We act fast—sending preservation notices to Uber/Lyft and nearby businesses and notifying insurers the right way.

3. We help coordinate care and ensure your records support both healing and proof.

4. We build leverage with evidence, then negotiate hard—or file suit if they won’t be fair.

Injured in an Uber or Lyft anywhere in Los Angeles?

Call The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus now for a FREE consultation at 818-784-8544.

We’ll protect your rights, preserve the evidence, and fight for maximum compensation. No fee unless we win.