Westwood Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Were you injured in a rideshare accident in Westwood? 

Our attorneys offer recognized rideshare accident representation for injured clients throughout Westwood.

If you have been injured in an accident involving an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare vehicle in Westwood, an attorney can help you pursue compensation from the responsible party and the applicable insurance carriers. Our Westwood, CA rideshare accident lawyer at Cohen Injury Law Group handles rideshare injury claims on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Founding attorney Wayne R. Cohen has represented auto accident victims since 1991 and has handled rideshare cases since app-based platforms began operating in California. Contact our office for a free consultation.

Rideshare Accident Lawyer Westwood, CA

A rideshare accident case is a personal injury claim arising from a crash involving a vehicle operated through a platform like Uber or Lyft. What makes these cases different from a standard car accident is the insurance structure. Three separate policies may apply depending on what the driver was doing at the moment of the crash: the driver’s personal auto policy, a contingent liability policy provided by the rideshare company, or the company’s full commercial policy.

The CPUC regulates transportation network companies in California and sets minimum insurance requirements for rideshare operators. Whether you were a passenger, a pedestrian, another driver, or the rideshare driver yourself, the claims process depends entirely on which policy covers the loss. A rideshare accident attorney in Westwood, CA can work through those layers and pursue the compensation that your case warrants.

Types of Rideshare Accident Cases We Handle in Westwood

Rideshare accidents in Westwood happen frequently near UCLA, along Westwood Boulevard, and in the commercial areas where drivers pick up and drop off passengers throughout the day. The circumstances of each crash determine which insurance applies and who can be held liable. We handle rideshare accident cases throughout Westwood, including:

• Passenger injuries caused by the rideshare driver. If your driver caused the crash by speeding, running a light, or texting, the rideshare company’s commercial liability policy covers your injuries. That policy provides up to $1 million in coverage when a passenger is in the vehicle.
• Passenger injuries caused by a third-party driver. Another driver rear-ends the rideshare vehicle, runs a stop sign, or sideswipes it during a lane change. You may have claims against that driver’s insurance and, in certain situations, the rideshare company’s uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
• Pedestrian accidents. Rideshare vehicles stopping suddenly in traffic lanes, pulling into crosswalks, and making illegal turns near pickup zones create daily hazards for pedestrians. These incidents are common around UCLA’s campus and Westwood Village, and the rideshare company’s commercial policy applies when the driver is on an active trip.
• Bicycle accidents. Dooring incidents, right-hook collisions, and abrupt lane changes by drivers pulling over for passengers are frequent causes of cyclist injuries involving rideshare vehicles. The same insurance framework that applies to pedestrian claims covers these cases as well.
• Accidents during pickup or drop-off. A rideshare driver who pulls over into a traffic lane, double-parks, or makes a sudden U-turn to reach a passenger creates conditions for a collision. When a crash happens during an active trip, the rideshare company’s full commercial policy is in effect.
• Accidents while the driver is en route to a passenger. The driver has accepted a ride but has not yet picked anyone up. During this window, the rideshare company provides a lower tier of contingent coverage that applies only if the driver’s personal insurance does not fully cover the claim.
• Accidents while the app is on but no ride is accepted. The driver is logged in and waiting. Coverage at this stage is minimal. The driver’s personal auto insurance is the primary policy, and the rideshare company’s contingent coverage fills gaps only if that personal policy falls short.
• Shared fault rideshare accidents. California’s comparative fault rule applies here. If you bear some responsibility for the crash, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. They are not eliminated.

Why Choose Cohen Injury Law Group as My Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Westwood, CA?

Personal Injury Representation Backed by 35 Years of Experience

Attorney Wayne R. Cohen has represented auto accident victims since 1991 and has handled rideshare accident claims since app-based transportation platforms began operating. He graduated with distinction from the University of Michigan and cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law. Wayne founded Cohen Injury Law Group, teaches as a Professorial Lecturer at GWU Law School, and has been cited by the LA Times, CNBC, USA Today, and the ABA Journal. With more than 35 years of plaintiff-side practice, attorney Wayne Cohen has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients.

Nicholas E. Cohen serves as Managing Partner and is responsible for the firm’s case management and client intake. He earned his degrees from USC and Loyola Law School Los Angeles.

If you need a personal injury lawyer in Westwood, CA, Cohen Injury Law Group represents injured rideshare passengers, drivers, and third parties exclusively. We do not represent rideshare companies, their insurers, or any defendants. Every case is handled on a contingency basis.

What Is Important to Understand About a Rideshare Accident Case?

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Rideshare Accident Cases

The physical injuries in rideshare crashes are the same as in any other motor vehicle collision: broken bones, head injuries, spinal cord damage, soft tissue injuries, internal organ damage. What makes the claim different is the insurance. Three carriers may be involved, each trying to shift liability to the others, and the coverage limits change depending on the driver’s app status at the time of the crash.

Economic damages cover hospital bills, surgery, rehabilitation, prescription medication, and lost wages. If the injuries prevent you from returning to work at your previous capacity, diminished earning capacity becomes part of the claim as well. Noneconomic damages address pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the ways the injuries have changed your daily life. Rideshare companies carry policies with significant limits, but getting access to the full value of that coverage requires a clear understanding of which policy applies. A rideshare liability guide provides further detail on how driver status affects the available coverage.

What Are Important Aspects of a Rideshare Accident Case?

Rideshare claims raise issues that do not come up in a standard car accident case. A few of them carry particular weight.

• App status is the threshold question. Was the driver logged off, logged in and waiting, en route to a pickup, or carrying a passenger? The answer determines which insurance policy applies and at what dollar limits. Getting this wrong means pursuing the wrong carrier.
• Rideshare companies regularly dispute that their driver was at fault or that the driver was even logged into the app when the crash occurred. Trip records, GPS data, and app activity logs are the evidence that resolves those disputes. Without them, the company will deny coverage.
• Three insurance policies can overlap in a single claim. The driver’s personal auto insurance, the rideshare company’s contingent policy, and the company’s commercial policy may all be relevant. Each carrier’s adjuster will try to redirect the claim to another carrier.
• Rideshare drivers check the app for ride requests, follow GPS navigation, and communicate with passengers through the platform while driving. That level of device interaction makes distracted driving a significant factor in rideshare crashes. NHTSA data identifies distraction as a leading contributor to traffic fatalities nationwide.

What Is the Rideshare Accident Case Timeline?

The insurance layers and disputes over driver status can stretch the timeline beyond what you would expect in a typical car accident case. That said, most rideshare claims follow a general sequence.

• Medical treatment comes first. Settling before the full scope of your injuries is clear risks leaving future medical costs unaccounted for.
• Your attorney gathers the police report, medical records, rideshare trip data, and app logs. Establishing what the driver was doing on the platform at the time of the crash is one of the first investigative priorities.
• After you reach maximum medical improvement, your attorney calculates the full value of the claim and sends a demand to the applicable carrier.
• If fair compensation is not offered, your attorney files a lawsuit. Discovery, depositions, and trial preparation follow from there.
• California provides a two-year statute of limitations under CCP 335.1 for personal injury claims, including rideshare accident cases.

What Should You Bring to Your Rideshare Accident Consultation?

Providing as much documentation as possible at the first meeting allows your attorney to evaluate the claim and begin building the case.

• The police report or any incident report filed at the scene
• Screenshots of the rideshare trip from the app, including the driver’s name, trip route, and timestamps
• Photographs of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and your injuries
• Medical records and bills from emergency treatment and follow-up care
• Any correspondence from the rideshare company or any insurance carrier involved

Your attorney will review what you have, explain which insurance policies apply, and outline the next steps based on the specifics of your situation.

What Are Important California Legal Resources for Rideshare Accident Cases?

California regulates rideshare companies as transportation network companies and imposes specific insurance and safety requirements on their operations. These resources are a starting point for locating the applicable law and regulatory framework.

• CCP 335.1 establishes a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims in California, including rideshare accident cases.
• California Civil Code 1714 defines the general duty of care that rideshare drivers and all other persons owe to passengers, pedestrians, and other road users.
• The California Courts Self-Help Center provides information on filing a personal injury lawsuit and what to expect during the civil litigation process.
• The CPUC Transportation Network Companies page outlines California’s regulatory framework for rideshare companies, including insurance requirements and licensing standards.
• NHTSA’s distracted driving data provides national statistics on distraction-related crashes, which are a significant factor in rideshare accidents.

Reach Out to Cohen Injury Law Group to Schedule a Consultation

If you were injured in a rideshare accident in Westwood, CA, Cohen Injury Law Group can help you navigate the insurance coverage and pursue full compensation. We handle rideshare accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation. Your first consultation is free. Contact us to schedule a case review.