San Mateo Uber & Lyft Accident Attorney Near You

The convenience of rideshare services has transformed transportation in the Bay Area drastically. However, with the increasing number of Uber and Lyft vehicles on San Mateo roads comes a corresponding rise in the number of accidents involving these services. When a rideshare trip turns into a collision, victims often face complex insurance issues, serious injuries, and financial hardship that can last for years.

At Carcione, Henderson & Markowitz, LLP, our team brings over four decades of knowledgeable legal representation to those injured in auto accidents, including those involving rideshare services. We understand the insurance frameworks specific to these cases and how to handle the challenges presented when multiple parties may share liability. Our attorneys’ experience has led to securing hundreds of millions in compensation for injured clients — including numerous multimillion-dollar recoveries in complex transportation accident cases.

If you’ve suffered injuries as a passenger, driver, or third party in a rideshare accident, contact us today for a free consultation with a San Mateo Uber and Lyft accident attorney. You pay nothing unless we recover money for your case.

How Can a San Mateo Uber and Lyft Accident Attorney Help Me?

An experienced Uber and Lyft accident lawyer in San Mateo can provide critical guidance through the legal maze that follows a rideshare collision. Rideshare accidents present unique challenges compared to typical car crashes, including complex insurance coverage issues, multiple potentially liable parties, and powerful corporate interests protecting their bottom lines.

The Uber/Lyft accident claim process often involves multiple insurance companies trying to shift responsibility elsewhere. Having a skilled rideshare accident lawyer on your side ensures you have someone fighting exclusively for your interests and handling the legal complexity while you focus on recovery.

What Compensation Could Be Available for an Uber or Lyft Accident?

Victims of rideshare accidents in California may be entitled to substantial compensation for their losses. At CHM Law Firm, we will work diligently to pursue every dollar you deserve for the harm you’ve suffered.

Potential compensation in an Uber/Lyft accident case may include:

• Medical expenses, including emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation therapy, medications, and future care needs related to your injuries
• Lost income from missed work during recovery, as well as reduced earning capacity if your injuries limit your ability to perform your job
• Physical and psychological pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Property damage, such as vehicle repair/replacement

In particularly egregious cases involving intoxicated drivers or rideshare companies that failed to screen drivers properly, exemplary (punitive) damages may also be available. Juries award these as a means of punishing the person who caused the accident and sending a message to others that this behavior will not be tolerated.

Our attorneys at CHM Law Firm work with medical experts, economists, and life-care planners to accurately calculate the full value of your losses. Doing so will ensure that any Uber/Lyft accident compensation accounts for both current and future needs.

Who Could Be Liable for a San Mateo Rideshare Accident?

Multiple parties may share responsibility for rideshare accident-related losses. Potentially liable parties in an Uber accident or Lyft crash include the following:

• The rideshare driver, if their negligence caused the crash (e.g., distracted driving, speeding, or traffic violations)
• Other motorists, when another driver’s actions cause a collision with the rideshare vehicle
• Rideshare companies, if negligent hiring practices or failure to enforce safety policies contributed to the accident
• Vehicle manufacturers, if mechanical defects or design flaws contributed to the accident
• Government entities, when poorly maintained roads or malfunctioning traffic signals played a role in causing the crash

California’s comparative negligence system allows recovery even when multiple parties share fault, making identifying all potentially liable parties essential. Insurance coverage in rideshare accidents also varies depending on the driver’s status at the time of the crash:

• When the App Is Off – The driver’s personal auto insurance applies.
• When the App Is On, But No Passenger Has Been Accepted – Contingent liability coverage from the rideshare company applies (typically $50,000 injury protection per person/$100,000 injury protection per accident/$25,000 for property damage).
• When a Passenger Has Been Accepted or Is in the Vehicle – Uber and Lyft provide $1 million in liability coverage.

An Uber car accident attorney at CHM Law Firm will methodically investigate each case to determine which insurance policies apply and pursue compensation from all responsible parties.

How Long Do I Have to File an Uber or Lyft Accident Lawsuit in California?

California’s statute of limitations imposes strict deadlines for filing personal injury lawsuits. For most rideshare accident claims, victims have two years from the accident date to initiate an Uber/Lyft accident lawsuit. This deadline applies whether you were a passenger in the rideshare vehicle, another driver, a pedestrian, or a cyclist.

Missing these critical deadlines typically results in permanently losing your right to seek compensation through the courts. This underscores the importance of promptly consulting with a San Mateo Uber and Lyft accident lawyer after your accident. Early legal intervention also provides advantages in preserving evidence, interviewing witnesses while memories remain fresh, and preventing insurance companies from taking advantage of unrepresented victims.

What Should I Do if I Get Hurt in an Uber or Lyft Accident in San Mateo?

The steps you take immediately following a Lyft crash or Uber accident can significantly affect your medical recovery and your ability to recover compensation. If you’re involved in a rideshare collision, you should do the following:

• Prioritize Safety and Seek Medical Attention – Call 911 if anyone is injured. Even if injuries seem minor, get evaluated by a healthcare provider as soon as possible, as some serious injuries may not show immediate symptoms.
• Document the Scene – If you’re able, take photos of vehicle positions, damage, road conditions, and visible injuries. Collect names and contact information from witnesses.
• Report the Accident – Notify Uber or Lyft through their app. The rideshare companies maintain records of accidents involving their drivers, which can provide significant evidence for your claim.
• Gather Information – Obtain the driver’s name, contact information, insurance details, and rideshare identification number. Also, collect information from other involved drivers.
• Preserve Evidence – Save screenshots of your trip details from the app, including the driver’s information, pickup and destination locations, and receipt.
• Avoid Discussing Fault – Don’t make statements that could be interpreted as admitting responsibility, and don’t provide recorded statements to insurance companies without legal representation.
• Follow All Medical Recommendations – Attend all follow-up appointments and complete prescribed treatments. Doing so creates a medical record documenting your injuries and demonstrates that you’re taking your recovery seriously.
• Contact an Experienced Rideshare Accident Attorney – Before speaking with insurance adjusters or accepting any settlement offers, consult a lawyer who knows how to handle Uber and Lyft accidents to understand your rights and options.

What Are Common Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents?

Common causes of Uber accidents and Lyft accidents include the following:

• Distracted Driving – Rideshare drivers frequently interact with their smartphones to accept rides, follow GPS directions, and communicate with passengers, taking their attention off the road.
• Fatigue – Many drivers work long hours, often after completing shifts at other jobs. The decreased reaction time and impaired judgment associated with tiredness can increase the risk of accidents.
• Unfamiliarity with Routes – Drivers navigating unfamiliar areas may make sudden stops or turns while focusing on directions rather than surrounding traffic.
• Pressure to Complete Trips Quickly – The financial incentive structure of rideshare work encourages drivers to complete as many rides as possible, potentially leading to speeding or unsafe driving practices.
• Insufficient Training – Unlike traditional taxi drivers, rideshare drivers receive minimal training before transporting passengers.
• Illegal Stops – The likelihood of collisions increases when drivers pick up or drop off passengers in unsafe locations, such as bus lanes or too close to intersections.
• Vehicle Maintenance Issues – Some drivers may neglect proper maintenance due to cost concerns.
• Impaired Driving – While rideshare companies screen drivers, instances of driving under the influence still occur.

What Are Common Injuries in Rideshare Accidents?

Potential injuries from rideshare collisions may include the following:

As a passenger in a rideshare vehicle, you may be particularly vulnerable. This is because you have no control over the car and may be seated in positions with less protection than front-seat occupants.