Why You Need A Lawyer That Specializes In Uber / Lyft Accident Cases

Over the last decade, the transportation landscape has changed dramatically. Taxis have gone the way of the VCR (nearly extinct, but can be found if you look really, really hard), and driverless cars appear to be the way of the future. While the transportation industry continues to evolve, one thing is certain: Uber and Lyft are everywhere.

In the first quarter of 2025, Uber and Lyft reported increased revenue and rides.  Uber reported 170 million active users of its app, which includes both active riders and food deliveries.  Lyft, on the other hand, does not offer delivery services, and reported 24 million active riders in Q1.¹ These statistics demonstrate that Uber and Lyft have become a ubiquitous transportation option for many people who use them on a regular basis to get to and from work, the airport, or just out for a night on the town.

Although Uber and Lyft provide a convenient way of getting around for many people, accidents involving Uber and Lyft drivers occur with alarming regularity. In our experience, despite the fact that California law requires rideshare drivers to complete a driver safety training program, the rideshare companies do very little to ensure their drivers are properly trained or experienced.  Uber and Lyft drivers are given minimal training before they are allowed to transport passengers, and the accidents they are involved in are often caused by the Uber or Lyft driver’s failure to drive safely.

Unfortunately, many Uber and Lyft accident victims are unaware of their legal rights and the legal complexities involved in a rideshare accident. Uber and Lyft, their insurance adjusters and vast teams of lawyers, deny any responsibility for their driver’s accidents and seek to minimize any monetary recovery for victims. Uber and Lyft claim, among other things, that all of their drivers are independent contractors, and therefore, Uber and Lyft cannot be held responsible for the actions of their drivers. This is called the “independent contractor” defense, and is just one of the ways that Uber and Lyft deny any responsibility for their drivers’ crashes and seek to avoid compensating their victims. They also grossly undervalue the claims made by injured victims of their drivers’ negligence, and seek to resolve claims for the smallest amount possible.

Pursuant to California law, if you are involved in a rideshare accident, either as a passenger in a rideshare, or as the driver or passenger of another vehicle involved in the accident, that is caused by the Uber or Lyft driver’s negligence, you are entitled to receive full compensation for all of your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

In California, Uber and Lyft are required to provide insurance coverage of up to $1 million to compensate victims who are injured in a rideshare accident.  In some circumstances, the insurance coverage is insufficient to fully compensate injured victims, and Uber and Lyft are responsible for fully compensating those injured by their drivers’ negligence.

If you are injured in a rideshare accident, either as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, or if you’re driving a vehicle involved in a crash with an Uber or Lyft driver, it’s important to know your legal rights and what you can do protect them. It’s vital to level the playing field against Uber and Lyft by hiring a lawyer that specializes in successfully litigating cases against Uber and Lyft who will help you understand the full value of your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and can maximize the compensation you receive.

For over a decade, Altair Law’s lawyers specializing in Uber and Lyft cases have successfully litigated numerous wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases against Uber and Lyft by holding these companies accountable for the negligence of their drivers. We’ve been to battle against these companies – and won – and because of our long history of litigating these cases know how hard they will fight to deny justice to their victims. In fact, we successfully litigated the first wrongful death case against Lyft in California. What’s more, if we believe the trial court has erred in ruling against our clients, we’re not afraid to appeal the issue in order to correct the error. Because our lawyers specialize in litigating cases against Uber and Lyft, and are highly skilled in overcoming their defenses, we are able to maximize the compensation our clients receive for their injuries.

Please click here to read more about an appeal victory in favor of our client against Uber.

Steps to Take After an Uber / Lyft Accident

If you are injured in a rideshare accident, either as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, or if you’re in another vehicle involved in a collision with an Uber or Lyft vehicle, there are important steps to take to protect your rights. The following are steps to take after a rideshare accident to protect your rights:

1. Call 911 for emergency assistance. If you or anyone else is injured, call 911 immediately and inform the dispatchers of the injuries. If necessary, the police will also notify other emergency personnel to respond via ambulance.
2. Exchange contact information. Exchange contact information with all parties, particularly the Uber or Lyft driver (names, addresses, phone numbers, insurance details) with other parties involved (drivers, passengers, witnesses).
3. Document the accident scene. If it is safe to do so, take pictures of the vehicles involved, their location, any injuries, and video of the accident scene.
4. Report the accident to the rideshare company. Use the Uber or Lyft app to report the accident. Be sure to include as many facts about the accident as possible, including the name of the Uber or Lyft driver, the location of the accident, and a description of what occurred when reporting the accident to Uber or Lyft.
5. Obtain a copy of the police report. The police report will contain important information concerning the accident, including the identities of the parties involved, measurements taken by the police at the accident scene, and who was at fault for causing the accident.
6. Seek medical attention for your injuries. If you are injured, you should seek medical treatment for your injuries and continue to do so until you make a full and complete recovery.
7. Do not provide a statement to Uber or Lyft’s insurance company. After the accident, insurance adjustors for Uber or Lyft will contact you in an effort to take your statement, document your injuries, and likely offer you a small amount of money to settle your claim.  You are under no obligation to speak to the insurance adjusters, and you should not contact them before you have consulted with an attorney.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a rideshare accident, do not hesitate to contact Altair Law for a free consultation. Our lawyers specialize in rideshare cases and will explain your legal rights, evaluate your case, and help you to maximize the compensation you receive for your injuries.

¹An active rider is defined as anyone who has taken at least one ride during the quarter.