Rideshare (Uber & Lyft) Accident Lawyer in California
Rideshare crashes are not like ordinary car accidents. Whether you were a passenger, another driver, a pedestrian, or the rideshare driver, the insurance that applies depends on what the app driver was doing at the time — and that is where these claims get complicated. We handle California Uber and Lyft accident claims and sort out the coverage puzzle for you.
Were you hurt in a rideshare accident?
Start with a quick, confidential case review — about two minutes, no cost, no obligation.
What to do after a rideshare accident in California
After an Uber or Lyft crash, the steps you take matter — and so does saving your app records. Call 911 so there is an official report, and get medical care right away even if you feel okay. Screenshot your trip in the app (the driver, the time, the route) before it disappears, and report the crash through the app. Photograph the vehicles, the scene, and your injuries, and get names and numbers for any witnesses and every driver involved. Be careful about giving a recorded statement to any insurance company before you have spoken with an attorney.
How we handle your California rideshare accident claim
You focus on healing; we handle the coverage puzzle. We identify every policy that may apply — the rideshare company's coverage, the drivers' personal policies, and your own — deal with the insurers so you don't have to, and build the strongest version of your claim. More than one company may point at the other, and passengers in particular should not be caught in the middle. Every rideshare accident matter starts with a free, confidential review. Se habla español.
Why work with Woods Law Group
Rideshare claims involve large companies, layered insurance, and app data that can be hard to get. Having your own attorney levels the field. We take these cases on a contingency basis for clients we represent, which means no fee unless we recover for you. You get straight answers, real communication, and a firm that treats your recovery as the priority.
How much is my rideshare accident case worth? →
Common rideshare accident cases we handle in California
- Passenger Injuries
- Hit By Rideshare Driver
- Rideshare Driver Injuries
- Coverage Periods
- Uber Accidents
- Lyft Accidents
- Delivery Driver Accidents
- Distracted Driver Accidents
- Uninsured Motorist Claims
- Settlement Value
Dealing with the insurance company
California deadlines and fault rules
In California, the deadline to file most rideshare injury claims is generally two years from the date of the crash, and a much shorter deadline — often about six months — applies before you can sue a government agency. California follows a pure comparative-fault rule, so you may still recover even if you were partly at fault, with your share deducted. Rideshare coverage depends on the driver's app status: personal insurance when the app is off, a smaller contingent policy while waiting for a request, and a larger commercial policy once a ride is accepted or a passenger is aboard.
- Filing deadlines (statute of limitations)
- Comparative fault in California
- Claims against a government agency
- Evidence that builds your claim
California injury law: deadlines, fault and caps
California injury law shapes your case in a few specific ways worth knowing early.
- Filing deadline: You generally have two years from the date of the injury to file — and only about six months to put a government entity on notice before you can sue.
- Fault: California follows pure comparative negligence, so you can still recover even if you were partly — or mostly — at fault, with your recovery reduced by your share of the blame.
- Damage caps: An ordinary California injury case has no cap on damages; medical-malpractice claims are the main exception.
- Uninsured drivers: California sets minimum auto-insurance limits and uninsured/underinsured-motorist rules that affect what coverage is available.
Free tools and guides
- Rideshare accident FAQs
- Settlement & deadline calculators
- Free downloadable guides
- Checklists
- Calculators & estimators
- Side-by-side comparisons
- Questions & answers
- Articles & explainers
Articles
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a rideshare accident claim in California?
Deadlines vary by state and by who is involved, and they can be short — especially if a government vehicle or public entity was involved. Because a missed deadline can end a claim entirely, the safest step is a free review right away.
I was an Uber or Lyft passenger. Whose insurance covers me?
As a passenger, you almost certainly did nothing wrong, and the rideshare company's larger coverage often applies while a ride is in progress. But several insurers may be involved, so it helps to have someone coordinate the claim.
How much is my California rideshare accident case worth?
It depends on your injuries, your medical treatment, lost income, and other factors — and it is exactly what our attorney evaluates for free. We will not quote a number sight unseen, but we can tell you whether your case is worth pursuing.
How much does a rideshare accident lawyer cost?
We handle rideshare accident claims on a contingency basis for cases we take, which means no fee unless we recover for you, and the initial review is always free. Cost should never stop you from finding out where you stand.
Ready to find out where you stand?
The case review takes about two minutes. It's free and confidential, with no obligation.