After an Uber or Lyft crash in Long Beach, it is easy to feel unsure about what to do next, whether you were a rider, driver, pedestrian, or cyclist. As a Long Beach rideshare accident lawyer and Personal Injury Attorney Long Beach, CA, the Law Offices Of Adrianos Facchetti helps injured people understand their rights and options.
You may be worried about how to handle insurance, get fair compensation, and deal with your medical bills and lost wages while you try to heal. We offer free consultations, work on a contingency fee basis, and make it simple to reach us by phone or through our online form when you are ready to talk.
Rideshare Accidents in Long Beach: What You Need to Know
Uber and Lyft rides are part of daily life in Long Beach, from port workers and commuters to tourists and people enjoying the nightlife. With so many rideshare vehicles moving along busy streets, a simple trip can quickly turn into a serious crash that leaves you hurt and unsure how to move forward.
Reports show that many serious collisions happen along Pacific Avenue, 7th Street, Long Beach Boulevard, Pacific Coast Highway, and East Anaheim Street where traffic is heavy and speeds vary. The city’s Safe Streets Long Beach and Vision Zero plans aim to cut severe injuries and deaths by 2026, and rideshare traffic is an important part of understanding how those crashes happen and who may be responsible.
Who We Help After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Long Beach
If you were hurt in a rideshare crash, you should not have to figure everything out alone or wonder whether you qualify for help. Whether you are searching for an uber accident lawyer long beach or a lyft accident attorney in long beach, our focus is on the people whose daily lives have been disrupted by someone else’s choices on the road.
- Uber or Lyft passengers injured in a crash.
- Rideshare drivers hurt while driving for Uber or Lyft.
- Drivers of other vehicles hit by an Uber or Lyft.
- Pedestrians and cyclists struck by a rideshare vehicle.
- Families pursuing wrongful death claims after a fatal rideshare crash.
No matter how you were involved in the collision, the goal is to help you pursue fair compensation for your injuries, medical bills and lost wages.
How a Long Beach Rideshare Accident Lawyer Can Help With Your Uber or Lyft Case
After an Uber or Lyft crash, you might feel stuck between apps, adjusters, and confusing insurance terms. A Long Beach rideshare accident lawyer can step in so you are not handling all of that while you are trying to recover.
Here are some of the ways a lawyer can help with your case:
- Investigate what happened, using the police report, dash cam footage, app data, GPS records, and witness statements to understand how the crash occurred.
- Identify every person or company that may be responsible, such as the rideshare driver, other motorists, employers, businesses, or public agencies, so you are not limited to just one insurance policy.
- Figure out which insurance coverage applies based on the stage of the ride, including whether the app was off, on and waiting, matched with a passenger, or during an active trip.
- Handle all communication with Uber, Lyft, and their insurance carriers so you do not feel pressured or confused by adjusters or claim representatives.
- Collect your medical records, treatment information, and proof of time missed from work to show how the crash has affected your health and income.
- Calculate a fair amount of compensation for your medical bills and lost wages, along with the pain, stress, and changes in your daily life.
- Negotiate for a settlement that reflects what you have been through and prepare the case for trial if the insurance company does not act reasonably.
Throughout the process, you can ask questions, receive clear updates, and focus on healing while your lawyer works to protect your rights and move your claim forward.
Who Is Liable in a Long Beach Uber or Lyft Accident?
After a rideshare collision in Long Beach, it is natural to ask who should pay for your losses. California has rules about fault that help decide whether the rideshare driver, another driver, a company, or even a public agency may be responsible for what happened.
When the Rideshare Driver Is at Fault
Sometimes the Uber or Lyft driver makes a mistake that directly leads to the crash.
- Distracted driving from watching navigation or the app instead of the road.
- Speeding to fit in more trips or make up time during busy hours.
- Unsafe turns, lane changes, or sudden stops in crowded areas.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Driving while overly tired after long hours behind the wheel.
In these situations, the rideshare driver and their insurance coverage, including the rideshare policy for the trip, may be held responsible for your injuries and financial losses.
When Another Driver or Third Party Is at Fault
In other cases, someone outside the rideshare vehicle causes the crash.
- Other negligent drivers who speed, text, or ignore traffic signals.
- Commercial vehicles that are driven carelessly or not maintained correctly.
- Property owners who create unsafe driveways or parking lot exits.
- Unsafe road design, poor lighting, or missing traffic signs that make an area risky.
When this happens, fault can fall on those drivers, their employers, or a city or county, depending on how the collision took place and who controlled the unsafe condition.
How Uber/Lyft Insurance Coverage Works
Rideshare insurance is different from a regular auto policy because coverage changes based on what the driver was doing in the app at the time of the crash. Knowing which period applies is important when deciding where to file a claim.
- Period 0: The driver is logged off the app, and only their personal auto insurance is in play, subject to California minimum requirements.
- Period 1: The app is on and the driver is waiting for a ride request, and a lower level of third party coverage from the rideshare company may be available.
- Period 2: The driver has accepted a ride and is on the way to pick up the passenger, and higher rideshare liability coverage usually applies.
- Period 3: The passenger is in the vehicle during the trip, and a larger amount of liability and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may be accessible, depending on current law and policy terms.
A Long Beach rideshare accident lawyer can review trip records, app logs, and timing to see which insurance policies should respond and how to pursue compensation from each one.
What If You Are Partly at Fault? (Comparative Negligence)
Many people worry they cannot recover anything if they think they made a mistake, such as looking at their phone or crossing the street too quickly.
- California follows pure comparative negligence, which means you can still seek money for your injuries even if you share some of the fault.
- Any amount you receive may be reduced in proportion to your share of responsibility for the crash.
Insurance companies may try to place more blame on you to pay less, so having someone who understands these rules and can push back on unfair claims can make a real difference in the outcome of your case.
Common Uber and Lyft Accident Scenarios in Long Beach
Rideshare crashes in Long Beach tend to follow certain patterns, especially on busy streets and near nightlife, the port, and freeway access points. Knowing how your crash happened can help sort out who should pay and which insurance policies may apply.
Common Uber and Lyft accident scenarios include:
- Rear-end collisions in heavy traffic on PCH, 7th Street, and Long Beach Boulevard.
- Intersection crashes at busy crossings caused by left turns, running red lights, or failing to yield.
- Sideswipes and lane-change crashes near freeway on and off ramps for the 710, 405, and 91.
- Pedestrian accidents in downtown, near the waterfront, and around crowded entertainment areas.
- Bicycle crashes where rideshare vehicles cut across bike lanes or stop suddenly at the curb.
- Collisions during unsafe pick ups and drop offs caused by double parking or abrupt stops.
- Crashes caused by distracted drivers focused on the app, navigation, or constant ride requests.
- Wrecks involving tired drivers who stay on the road too long to complete more trips.
- Accidents with uninsured or underinsured drivers who hit an Uber or Lyft vehicle.
If your situation sounds like one of these, a rideshare accident lawyer can use those details to look closer at fault, insurance coverage, and the best way to pursue payment for your losses.
Dangerous Long Beach Roads and Intersections for Rideshare Crashes
In Long Beach, a large number of serious crashes happen along a handful of busy streets and intersections where traffic is heavy and driving decisions are rushed. When rideshare cars move through these areas all day and night, the risk of a bad collision naturally goes up.
High-Risk Streets and Corridors
These streets see frequent crashes, especially during commute hours and weekend nights.
- Pacific Coast Highway
- East Anaheim Street
- Long Beach Boulevard
- Atlantic Boulevard
- 7th Street
- Pacific Avenue
Notable Intersections Often Linked to Serious Crashes
At certain crossings, turning cars, changing lights, and crossing pedestrians all compete for space.
- Atlantic Boulevard and Anaheim Street
- Pacific Coast Highway and Atlantic Boulevard
- Anaheim Street and Cherry Avenue
- Ocean Boulevard and Pine Avenue
Dangerous Freeways and Ramps for Rideshare Traffic
Freeway entrances and exits are another trouble spot when drivers are watching the app and traffic at the same time.
- 710 Freeway
- 405 Freeway
- 91 Freeway
If you were hurt in a rideshare crash on one of these streets, at these intersections, or near these freeways, a lawyer who understands local traffic patterns can use that knowledge to support your claim and push for fair compensation.
What Factors Determine the Value of a Rideshare Accident Claim?
People often ask, "What is my case worth?" The truth is, the value of a rideshare accident claim in Long Beach depends on several details about your injuries, your life, and the insurance policies involved.
Key factors usually include:
- Nature and severity of injuries (sprains vs. fractures, surgery, permanent disability).
- Amount of medical treatment and projected future care costs.
- Lost income, reduced earning capacity, and impact on career.
- How the injuries affect daily life, pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment.
- Level of insurance coverage available (which rideshare period applied and whether current California law limits certain coverage).
- Evidence of fault and any argument that the victim was partly responsible under comparative negligence rules.
- Number of injured people sharing the same insurance policy limits.
- Possibility of punitive damages in egregious cases such as drunk driving.
A Long Beach rideshare accident lawyer can look at these pieces together to give you a more realistic idea of potential compensation and help you avoid accepting less than your claim may be worth.
What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Crash in Long Beach
Right after a rideshare crash, it is easy to feel unsure about what matters most, especially if you are in pain or shaken up. Taking a few clear steps can protect your health, your rights, and your ability to seek fair payment later.
- Move to safety and call 911; ask for a medical check at the scene if you feel any pain, dizziness, or confusion.
- Report the crash to police, such as LBPD or CHP, and make a note to request a copy of the report once it is available.
- Take photos and videos of the vehicles, your injuries, the app screen, the intersection, and road or weather conditions.
- Screenshot the rideshare trip details, including the driver name, license plate, route, pickup and drop off points, and time.
- Collect names and contact information from witnesses who saw what happened.
- Report the incident through the Uber or Lyft app, but avoid giving detailed recorded statements or accepting blame before speaking with a lawyer.
- Call a Long Beach rideshare accident lawyer before agreeing to any settlement or signing any documents.
By following these steps, you give your attorney stronger information to work with and put yourself in a better position to recover compensation for your injuries, medical bills and lost wages.
Frequently Asked Questions About Uber and Lyft Accidents in Long Beach
Who pays my medical bills after a rideshare crash in Long Beach?
Payment can come from different places, such as the rideshare insurance policy, another driver’s insurance, or your own coverage, depending on who is at fault and what policies apply. A rideshare accident lawyer can review your situation and help direct your claim so you are not left paying costs that should be covered.
What if my Uber or Lyft driver was partly at fault?
If your driver shares some of the blame, you can usually still seek compensation through the rideshare insurance policy. California law allows injured passengers to recover even when responsibility is shared, as long as there is proof of carelessness.
What if another driver caused the crash but I was in a rideshare?
When another driver causes the collision, their insurance is often the first place to look, while the rideshare policy may help if that coverage is not enough. An attorney can sort through these options so you are not stuck between two insurance companies pointing fingers.
How long do I have to file a claim or lawsuit after a rideshare accident in California?
In many cases, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in California, although some claims have shorter deadlines. Because of this, it is smart to speak with a lawyer as soon as you can to make sure you do not miss an important time limit.
Do I have a case if I was a pedestrian or cyclist hit by an Uber or Lyft?
Yes, pedestrians and cyclists hit by rideshare vehicles can often bring claims just like passengers or other drivers. What matters most is how the crash happened and whether the driver or another party failed to use reasonable care.
Should I talk directly to Uber, Lyft, or their insurer before hiring a lawyer?
You can report the crash, but it is usually safer not to give detailed statements or accept any offer before getting legal advice. Adjusters work for the company, so having your own attorney helps make sure your words are not used to minimize your claim.
Can I sue Uber or Lyft directly after a rideshare accident in Long Beach?
You may be able to pursue a claim that involves Uber or Lyft, often through their insurance coverage, although the exact approach depends on the facts of your case. A Long Beach Uber accident lawyer can explain your options and whether a direct lawsuit against the company makes sense in your situation.
Talk to a Long Beach Rideshare Accident Lawyer Today
If you were hurt in an Uber or Lyft crash in Long Beach, you do not have to sort out fault, insurance, and money on your own. The Law Offices Of Adrianos Facchetti helps injured passengers, drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists seek fair compensation for medical bills and lost wages after a rideshare collision.
You can reach a Long Beach Uber accident lawyer 24/7 for a free consultation, and the firm works on a contingency fee basis so you do not pay attorney’s fees unless there is a recovery. Call the office or use the online form to start your claim and get clear answers about your next steps.