Los Angeles Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Rideshare accidents involving drivers for Uber, Lyft, or other similar service providers can present unique legal and insurance challenges that differ from ordinary car accidents. Whether you were a passenger, another driver, pedestrian, or cyclist, determining who is responsible for your injuries requires careful analysis of the exact circumstances of your crash. At Olsson Law, Los Angeles rideshare accident lawyer Jon Olsson can help you understand the rideshare accident claims process and pursue compensation for your injuries and losses.

Rideshare Accidents in Los Angeles and the South Bay

Rideshares with companies like Uber and Lyft account for a significant amount of vehicle travel in Southern California as the popularity of these companies has surged in recent years. Uber and Lyft are required to report collision data to the California Public Utilities Commission, and those filings include tens of thousands of California collisions across their reporting years.

Rideshare Liability and Insurance Coverage

Liability for rideshare accidents can be complicated. Under Proposition 22, Uber and Lyft classify qualifying drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, which can limit when the companies may be held vicariously liable for a driver’s negligence. That is not the end of the analysis. California law requires rideshare companies to maintain insurance coverage for crashes involving their drivers, and the available coverage depends in part on what “phase” of activity the driver was in at the time of the crash. Depending on the circumstances, other claims against the rideshare company may also be available.

Under California Public Utilities Code section 5433, the coverage available after a rideshare crash depends on what the driver’s app was doing at the moment of impact. If the driver was logged off entirely, there is no rideshare coverage at all, and only the driver’s personal auto policy applies. From there, the law recognizes three periods.

• Period 1: App on and no ride accepted. The driver is logged in and waiting for a request. Uber and Lyft must carry primary liability coverage of at least $50,000 per injured person, $100,000 per incident, and $30,000 for property damage.
• Period 2: Request accepted and driver en route. From the moment the driver accepts a request, the rideshare company’s $1 million primary liability policy applies.
• Period 3: Passenger in the vehicle. That same $1 million policy stays in place until the ride is complete.

One recent change matters here. Senate Bill 371 took effect on January 1, 2026, and reduced the uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage rideshare companies are required to carry to $60,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence. If the at-fault driver in your crash was uninsured, the rideshare coverage available to compensate you may be lower than it would have been for the same crash before 2026.

Protecting Your Rights After a Rideshare Accident

If you are involved in an accident involving a rideshare driver, it is important to follow certain steps to preserve your legal rights. First, you should seek medical treatment, follow doctor’s orders, and keep documentation of all medical injuries and related expenses. Second, you should collect any documentation you can about the accident itself, including police reports, pictures, or witness statements. Finally, before reaching out to an insurance company to discuss your accident claims, contact Los Angeles rideshare accident lawyer Jon Olsson to discuss your options and get legal advice on how best to proceed.

Your Los Angeles Rideshare Accident Lawyer Is Here to Help

If you are overwhelmed by the challenges of sorting out liability and insurance claims for your rideshare accident, Los Angeles County rideshare accident attorney Jon is available to answer your questions and manage the complexities of your case. Jon spent six years at an international law firm defending injury claims brought against large corporations, so he knows how companies like Uber and Lyft and their third-party insurers evaluate a claim before they ever make an offer.

Contact Los Angeles Rideshare Accident Lawyer Jon Olsson to Discuss Your Options

Olsson Law handles injury cases in Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Torrance, El Segundo, Palos Verdes, and throughout Los Angeles County. Case reviews are free, and you pay no attorney’s fee unless we recover compensation for you. Contact Jon today.