RIDESHARE ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer

Uber, Lyft, Waymo, and other rideshare accidents are complex — not disclosing insurance policies, multiple people going for limited insurance, and rideshare companies that will hide the truth from you. We cut through it.

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Millions

Recovered

100s

Cases Won

Years Experience

California Bar Member

No Fee Unless We Win

Free Consultation

Available 24/7

RIDESHARE COMPLEXITY

Uber and Lyft Don't Make This Easy. We Do.

When you’re injured in a rideshare accident, you’re not just dealing with one insurance company — you’re dealing with a system designed to confuse you. Uber, Lyft, Waymo, and other rideshare companies classify their drivers as independent contractors specifically to distance themselves from liability. The result is a claims process full of dead ends, delayed responses, and lowball offers. Joseph Gallo knows exactly how this system works — and how to beat it.

Rideshare companies fight to make sure their drivers and passengers receive little to nothing for car accidents — we fight to prevent that.

Orange County Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer Joseph Gallo

Our Approach

Navigating Rideshare Insurance

Determine Driver Status

We obtain app data to confirm whether the driver was logged in, waiting, en route, or on a trip at the moment of the crash.

Identify All Policies

Rideshare cases can involve the driver's personal insurance, Uber/Lyft's contingent policy, their $1M commercial policy, and their umbrella coverage.

Demand Full Coverage

We fight to obtain you access to the highest applicable coverage tier, not the minimum the rideshare company tries to apply.

Proven Results

Accident Case Results

$900,000

Rideshare Passenger Injury

Rideshare settlement for two passengers in Los Angeles County with catastrophic chest fracture and neck injuries. Policy limits recovered.

$1,689,000

Trucking Rear-End Collision

Rear end collision trucking accident in Los Angeles County with catastrophic back injury. Policy limits recovered.

$675,000

Slip & Fall — Fractured Hip

Slip and fall at a hotel parking lot in Hemet, CA with catastrophic injuries to femur and hip.

Rideshare Accident Information

Rideshare Accidents Are Different From Regular Car Accidents

Uber and Lyft accidents involve layers of complexity that standard car accident claims don’t. You may be dealing with multiple insurance policies, a driver who is misclassified as an independent contractor, and a rideshare company whose entire legal structure is designed to minimize what they owe you. Understanding how these cases work — and moving quickly — is critical to protecting your claim.

Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer Serving Orange County

Gallo Law Accident Lawyer represents Uber and Lyft accident victims throughout Orange County from our Costa Mesa office. Orange County is one of the highest-volume rideshare markets in Southern California — with heavy activity around John Wayne Airport, Disneyland, and the coastal cities. Every case is handled directly by attorney Joseph Gallo.

Rideshare Accident FAQs

Can I sue Uber or Lyft directly after an accident?

Uber or Lyft claim that you cannot sue them directly because they classify their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. However, this is not true as some courts have held otherwise. You may be able to access their insurance policy depending on what the driver was doing at the time of the crash. Whether the app was on, whether they had a passenger, and whether they were en route all determine which coverage applies — and how much.

What if the other driver — not the Uber or Lyft driver — caused the accident?

You still have options. Uber and Lyft carry uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage that may apply if the at-fault driver doesn't have enough insurance to cover your damages. Joseph Gallo will identify every available source of compensation regardless of who caused the crash.

What if the Uber or Lyft driver was at fault for the accident?

If the driver was at fault and had a passenger in the vehicle or was en route to pick one up, Uber and Lyft's $1 million commercial insurance policy applies as well as their umbrella policies. This is actually one of the more straightforward coverage scenarios in rideshare accidents — the challenge is making sure the insurance company doesn't find reasons to apply a lesser policy or deny the claim altogether. Gallo Law Accident Lawyer handles all communication with the rideshare insurer so you don't get talked out of what you're owed.

What insurance covers a rideshare accident?

Rideshare accidents can involve many separate insurance policies — the driver's personal insurance, Uber or Lyft's contingent liability policy, their $1 million commercial policy, their umbrella insurance, and potentially your underinsured coverage. Which policy applies depends entirely on the driver's status in the app at the moment of the crash. This is one of the most complex parts of any rideshare claim and exactly why having an attorney matters.

What if the Uber or Lyft driver was waiting for a ride request when the accident happened?

This is one of the most disputed coverage gaps in rideshare accidents. When a driver has the app on but hasn't accepted a ride yet, Uber and Lyft provide only limited liability coverage. Insurance companies exploit this gap aggressively. An attorney can help make sure you access every dollar of available coverage.

How long do I have to file a rideshare accident claim in California?

Generally two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in California. However, if a government entity is involved — such as a city vehicle or road defect — the deadline can be as short as six months. Do not wait. Evidence disappears and insurance companies begin building their defense immediately.

What if I was a passenger in an Uber or Lyft that got into an accident?

As a passenger you are almost never at fault. You have the right to pursue compensation through Uber or Lyft's insurance policy, the at-fault driver's insurance, or both. Passengers often have the strongest position of anyone involved in a rideshare accident — but you still need an attorney to make sure the rideshare company doesn't underpay your claim.

Should I report the accident through the Uber or Lyft app?

Yes — report it through the app, but do not give a recorded statement or accept any offer from their insurance team without speaking to an attorney first. Reporting the accident creates a paper trail. Talking to their adjusters without legal representation can hurt your claim.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is different and must be judged on its own merits. The results listed above are not a guarantee or prediction of the outcome of any future case. Some results noted on this site are from attorney Joseph Gallo’s career and include results when employed at other law firms and when associating in other law firms. They are not solely the results of Gallo Law, APC but are the results of cases worked on by Joseph Gallo as an attorney.