What’s the Impact of a Los Angeles Uber Accident?

The Real Cost of LA Uber Accidents

Uber accidents are happening every day on LA roads, contributing to the broader issue of how many car accidents happen per day in Los Angeles. Here are just a few examples you might have seen in the news.

The driver in an LA drunk driving crash was arrested for DUI and charged with manslaughter. Or at least, that was the headline that ran in the media. What you didn’t see was that the victim in this story was a female 20-year-old Uber passenger who succumbed to her injuries after being rushed to a nearby hospital.

Sadly, that’s not the first instance of a fatal rideshare accident caused by a drunk driver here in LA. An Uber driver was killed and her passenger seriously injured when an intoxicated driver ran a red light and smashed into their vehicle. The driver faced murder charges stemming from this fatal Uber accident, while the surviving victim and her family struggled to rebuild their lives.

In an eerily similar case, five people were injured in a Los Angeles Uber accident after a car smashed into an SUV. The SUV, which was carrying Uber passengers, flipped over and caused everyone inside to tumble around and sustain injuries. The driver of the car was believed to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision.

Alcohol isn’t always the culprit. In one case, a foreign exchange student was killed in an Uber accident when an SUV struck the vehicle she was riding in. That SUV allegedly ran a red light. Was the driver speeding? Were they distracted by the Uber app? In the end, it doesn’t really matter to the victim’s family.

These stories highlight the devastating real costs, including loss of life, long-term injuries, emotional trauma, and financial burdens like medical bills and lost wages. The rise of LA rideshare accidents underscores the need for greater awareness and accountability.

Uber Faces Criticism for Mishandling LA Accidents

Uber has repeatedly come under fire for the way they handle accidents on California roads. A recent report found that rideshare companies may be misleading the public about accidents to make Californians think it’s safe to use their service.

You should know that California law regarding rideshare services is constantly evolving. Lawmakers are scrambling to update the law.

Here’s something important to know about Uber accidents: Uber hopes you’ll either avoid making a claim or accept a lowball settlement. This may be why the company’s claims process is so slow and frustrating.

Why Are Los Angeles Uber Accidents Happening So Often?

Uber accidents make LA roads less safe and create road dangers for local drivers. Here are some of the main contributors to Uber accidents, based on common patterns in Los Angeles.

• Speed: This is the number one contributing factor to the majority of car accidents in Los Angeles and the number one cause of death on U.S. roads. Rideshare drivers have a financial incentive to drive as quickly as possible. The more passengers they serve, the more money they make, often leading to speeding in congested areas like freeways or downtown streets.
• Failure to Stop: While moving fast, Uber drivers sometimes bend the rules of the road by rolling through stop signs and failing to come to a complete stop. This kind of behavior dramatically increases the risk of crashes, especially at busy intersections.
• Unfamiliar Roads: Uber attracts drivers from far beyond LA who aren’t familiar with city roads. These drivers may drive erratically, increasing the risk of crashes in neighborhoods with complex traffic patterns.
• Distracted Driving: A rideshare driver must look down at their phone to interact with the rideshare app and accept rides. This can contribute to Uber distracted driving accidents in Los Angeles, where distractions are already a leading cause of collisions.
• Driver Fatigue: If an Uber driver is sleepy or overworked, they’re a danger on the road. During the late evening and early morning hours, drivers may be at particular risk of fatigue due to sleep deprivation, coinciding with peak rideshare demand.
• New Risk: Driverless Cars: Get ready for another Uber risk on California’s roads. Driverless Ubers have been involved in several high-profile wrecks. If you’re injured by an autonomous car, you can sue for compensation with the help of an Uber accident attorney.

Addressing these factors requires better training, stricter app usage policies, and public awareness to reduce the frequency of Uber crashes in Los Angeles.

Here’s How Insurance Works in an LA Uber Accident

Does my auto insurance cover Uber? – Boer Insurance Group

Insurance plays a big role in LA Uber accident claims. As a passenger, you can’t necessarily rely on personal auto insurance to pay up. You may need to start a claim with Uber and the driver’s Uber insurance.

California law requires rideshare companies to hold $1 million in insurance just in case someone is injured in an accident. However, recent updates in 2025 include increased minimum insurance limits and a tiered rideshare insurance system. Uber’s partner program offers its drivers coverage with major insurance carriers like Allstate, Liberty Mutual, Progressive, and others.

After a covered accident, a passenger could qualify to receive payment for their injuries and other damages. Whether or not insurance will pay for your Uber accident may depend on which of the three periods the Uber driver was in when the crash occurred.

• Period 1: The driver is offline or the app is off. During this period, the driver’s personal insurance coverage applies, not Uber insurance.
• Period 2: The driver is available or waiting for a ride request. When a driver is in this period, Uber maintains third-party liability coverage if personal auto insurance doesn’t apply, including $50,000 in bodily injury per person, $100,000 in bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 in property damage per accident.
• Period 3: The driver is en route to pick up riders or is actively driving a passenger. While a driver is actively picking up or driving passengers, Uber maintains $1 million in third-party liability insurance, uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage, contingent comprehensive and collision coverage, and up to the cash value of the car with a $1,000 deductible.

Note that proposed bills like SB371 could potentially reduce these limits, but as of 2025, the $1 million coverage remains standard for active rides. Additionally, new laws allow for unionization of drivers, which may impact future safety and insurance practices.

Victims Have Major Life Impacts from LA Uber Accidents

At Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers, our clients include many LA victims of Uber accidents who are looking for a way to pay expensive medical bills, recoup lost wages, and try to regain a sense of a normal life again. Here are some of the most common injuries we’ve seen:

• Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries with lifelong effects
• Whiplash that impacts the neck and spine
• Leg injuries, including knee and foot injuries with deep wounds and scars
• Hand and wrist injuries from throwing your hands out to protect yourself
• Torn ligaments and connective tissue injuries
• Broken or shattered bones

These injuries can lead to long-term physical therapy, psychological effects like PTSD, and financial strain from inability to work. Do you have injuries like these? If you’ve suffered a severe injury in a Los Angeles Uber accident, contact our team as soon as possible. Now’s your chance to secure the compensation you need to rest, recover, and move forward with your life.

To get a better idea of your potential compensation, use our free general settlement calculator to estimate the value of your case based on factors like medical expenses and lost income.

What to Do After a Car Accident While Riding in Uber in Los Angeles

Being involved in a car accident while riding in Uber in Los Angeles can be overwhelming. Follow this step-by-step guide to protect your health and legal rights:

1. Ensure Safety and Seek Medical Attention: Immediately check for injuries. Call 911 if anyone is hurt. Even if you feel fine, get a medical evaluation as some injuries like whiplash appear later.
2. Document the Scene: Take photos of the vehicles, damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Note the Uber driver’s details, license plate, and app information.
3. Gather Information: Exchange contact and insurance info with all drivers involved. Get witness statements and contact details.
4. Report to Uber: Use the Uber app to report the accident immediately. This triggers their insurance process.
5. Contact Police: File a police report, especially if there are injuries or significant damage. This is crucial for claims.
6. Notify Your Insurance: Inform your personal auto insurer, even as a passenger, for potential uninsured/underinsured coverage.
7. Consult an Attorney: Reach out to an experienced Uber accident lawyer like those at Sally Morin Law to navigate claims and maximize compensation.
8. Track Expenses: Keep records of medical bills, lost wages, and other costs for your claim.

Following these steps can strengthen your case and help you recover fully.

Real Results: Our $841K Settlement in a Rideshare Accident Case

At Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ve secured significant settlements for rideshare accident victims, demonstrating our expertise. For instance, we obtained an $841,500 settlement for a young photography student injured in a San Francisco rideshare accident against an intoxicated driver.

The student was a passenger when an intoxicated driver ran a red light at 50 mph, causing severe injuries including multiple broken bones. We handled claims against the underinsured driver, securing maximum policy limits ($25,000), additional UIM coverage ($475,000), and excess insurance through diligent investigation.

This case highlights how we navigate complex rideshare claims, allowing clients to focus on recovery. While this was in San Francisco, our approach applies to Los Angeles Uber accidents too.

What Our Clients Say

Building trust is key, and our clients’ experiences speak volumes about our dedication.

I originally reached out to a different law firm to handle my personal injury case, but Sally Morin’s team (Rebecca Taylor in particular) left such a good impression on me that I switched to them–and I’m glad I did! They were empathetic and professional, communicated early and often, and patiently walked me through every option. They did thorough research and handled so much on their end that I was able to focus on my recovery/work/life with minimal disruption. So I highly recommend this firm.

— Stephan B. on Yelp

The Sally Morin team is the best. They do everything in their power for your best interest. You never have to wonder where things are at with your case, because they keep you well informed and communicate with you through the entire process. They do an excellent job of explaining the processes and your path forward, and they are very good at what they do.

Months after my motorcycle accident, the insurance company had not even provided a reasonable solution to resolve the damage to even my bike. After meeting with Rebecca and Amber, they got right to work and helped to navigate my case to a settlement that I was comfortable with.

I would highly recommend this team.

— Rich J. on Yelp

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

For more details, check out our Los Angeles Uber Accident Page.

We Handle Your LA Uber Injury Claim So You Can Focus on Your Life

After a Los Angeles Uber injury, contact the personal injury attorneys at Sally Morin Law Firm. We handle many areas of the law, including LA Uber accidents. We believe you should be able to focus on recovering while we handle the legal details.

We truly care about the people of California. Don’t navigate this alone—our experienced team can fight for the compensation you deserve, covering medical bills, lost wages, and more. Contact us today for a free online case evaluation. Let us help you get back on your feet.