At Crown & Stone Law, P.C., we represent people in Pacific Palisades who were injured in Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare collisions.
Clients work directly with the attorney handling their case, licensed in California since 2008, at a BBB Accredited A+ firm recognized by The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 in Los Angeles County. Consultations are confidential and can be handled by phone.
A rideshare accident claim is a personal injury case where the coverage in play depends on what the driver’s app was doing at the moment of impact.
Insurers frequently dispute which period applied or push an early settlement before the medical picture is complete. We investigate the trip data, the collision mechanics, and how coverage and fault get sorted before any number is discussed.
Why Pacific Palisades Clients Choose Crown & Stone Law, P.C.
Direct attorney access, not a delegated file
The attorney who evaluates your case is the one who handles it, from first call through resolution. No intake handoff, no being passed to a case manager you have never spoken with.
Discretion built into how the case is handled
Communications stay confidential, and consultations can be handled entirely by phone so PCH and canyon traffic never become a reason to delay.
Investigative rigor on coverage and fault
Trip data, app status, and accident mechanics are pulled and analyzed early. According to California Civil Code Section 1431.2 (Proposition 51), each at-fault party owes non-economic damages only in proportion to its share of fault, which is exactly why rideshare insurers contest liability percentages so hard.
Serious injury experience, including trial
Multiple seven- and eight-figure recoveries through full litigation, with case work spanning traumatic brain injury, pedestrian collisions, and a collision with a commercial truck that left a rider catastrophically injured.
Credentials you can verify independently
BBB Accredited with an A+ rating, active California Bar License #260728 since 2008, Lead Counsel Verified, and recognized by The National Trial Lawyers as Top 100 in Los Angeles County.
What Our Clients Say About Crown & Stone Law, P.C.
“Throughout my case I never felt alone or out of the loop.” Julio M. Jr.
“He truly cares for his clients and you speak to him directly through the entire process.” Ken W.
“He breaks it down in a clear, straightforward way that makes a complicated situation much easier to understand.” Vier D. Martín
“Very professional and respectful… He knows the laws very well.” Ahmad S.
“You guys fought tooth and nail and got me the best possible options.” Rock N.
Our Rideshare Accident Services in Pacific Palisades
- Uber accident claims
- Lyft accident claims
- Rideshare insurance coverage disputes
- Driver period liability analysis
- Passenger injury claims
- Third-party and pedestrian collisions
- App and trip data retrieval
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims
What Should I Do Right After A Rideshare Crash In Pacific Palisades.
Get medical attention first, even if you feel intact. Concussion symptoms, soft tissue injuries, and internal trauma often surface hours or days later, and a gap in treatment is the first thing an insurer uses to argue the injury was not serious.
Then document while the evidence still exists:
- Photograph the vehicles, final resting positions, the roadway, and any visible injuries.
- Screenshot your Uber or Lyft trip record, including driver name, vehicle, trip time, and route, before the ride history becomes harder to pull.
- Collect names, license numbers, and insurance details from every driver involved, not just the rideshare driver.
- Request a police report if officers respond on Sunset Boulevard, PCH, or anywhere units are dispatched.
Say little beyond the facts. Rideshare claims are governed by the California Public Utilities Commission’s framework for transportation network companies, and the insurers for Uber, Lyft, and the driver routinely contest three things at once: who was at fault, which ride period the driver was in, and how badly you were hurt.
Recorded statements taken in the first days are used to narrow all three.
About Crown & Stone Law, P.C.
Crown & Stone Law, P.C. is a personal injury firm serving Pacific Palisades and the wider Los Angeles County area, led by an attorney licensed by the State Bar of California since December 2008 (Bar #260728).
The firm is BBB Accredited with an A+ rating, Lead Counsel Verified through LawInfo, and recognized by The National Trial Lawyers Top 100. The practice also holds an Avvo Clients’ Choice Award with an 8.4 rating.
The practice is built on direct attorney access. Founder-level involvement continues through the life of every case, and matters are handled discreetly with client information kept confidential.
The work is investigation-driven, like evidence analysis, accident mechanics, and liability strategy carried through full litigation when an insurer will not pay fairly. That approach has produced multiple seven- and eight-figure recoveries, including catastrophic claims involving traumatic brain injury, a commercial truck versus motorcycle collision, and a pedestrian struck by a vehicle.
Who Is Liable if My Uber Driver Caused an Accident?
If your Uber driver causes an accident on Sunset Boulevard, Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), or another road in Los Angeles, the driver may be legally responsible for your injuries. However, Uber’s commercial insurance coverage may provide compensation, depending on the driver’s activity in the app when the crash occurred.
Under California law, rideshare insurance coverage varies based on the driver’s status at the time of the accident.
| Driver’s Status | Available Liability Insurance |
|---|---|
| Uber App Off | Driver’s personal auto insurance generally applies. |
| App On, Waiting for a Ride Request | At least $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $30,000 for property damage, plus required excess coverage. |
| Ride Accepted, En Route to Pickup | At least $1 million in commercial liability coverage. |
| Passenger Inside the Vehicle | At least $1 million in commercial liability coverage until the passenger exits. |
Our Rideshare Process in Pacific Palisades
1. Confidential Case Review
Your first conversation is with the attorney handling the matter, by phone or video if coming to an office is inconvenient. Nothing discussed leaves the firm.
2. Investigation Of Trip And App Data
We move quickly to preserve the ride record, GPS data, driver history, and vehicle evidence before it is lost, then reconstruct how the collision actually happened.
3. Identifying The Controlling Policy
Coverage turns on which “period” the driver was in: app off, app on and waiting, en route to a pickup, or carrying a passenger. We establish that period with evidence, which decides whether a personal auto policy or the $1 million commercial layer applies.
4. Demand And Negotiation
Once your medical picture is clear, we present a documented demand to the rideshare insurer backed by records, expert opinion, and loss analysis rather than an early round-number offer.
5. Filing Suit When The Offer Is Unfair
If the insurer disputes coverage or undervalues a serious injury, we file in the appropriate California court and take control of the timeline.
6. Trial Preparation
Every case is built as if it will be tried. That preparation, backed by multiple seven- and eight-figure recoveries through full litigation, is what moves carriers off low valuations.
7. Resolution And Disbursement
We resolve liens, finalize the settlement or judgment, and account for every dollar before funds reach you.
How Long Do I Have to File a Rideshare Injury Claim in California?
Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit involving Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare service. However, certain circumstances can shorten or extend that deadline.
The applicable filing deadlines include:
| Type of Claim | Filing Deadline |
|---|---|
| Personal Injury Claim | Generally 2 years from the date of injury |
| Wrongful Death Claim | Generally 2 years from the date of death |
| Claim Against a Government Entity | Generally 6 months to submit an administrative claim |
| Lawsuit After Government Claim Rejection | Generally 6 months after written rejection notice |
Frequently Asked Questions About Rideshare Accidents
Does It Matter Whether I Was A Passenger, A Pedestrian, Or Driving Another Car?
Your role changes which coverage applies, not whether you can recover. Passengers are almost always covered by the rideshare company’s commercial policy during an active trip.
What Happens If The Rideshare App Was Turned Off At The Time Of The Collision?
If the app was off, the driver was a private motorist and only their personal auto insurance applies. California requires minimum liability limits of $30,000 per injury, which rarely covers a serious injury.
What If The Driver Was Logged In But Between Rides?
That is Period 1, and California law requires contingent coverage of at least $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident, and $30,000 property damage. Once a ride is accepted, coverage jumps to the $1 million commercial tier.
Can I Sue Uber Or Lyft Directly Rather Than Just The Driver?
Usually not for the driver’s negligence, because drivers are classified as independent contractors.
Will Filing A Claim Put My Name Or The Details Of My Case Into The Public Record?
Most claims resolve confidentially without a public filing, and much of what is exchanged stays between the parties. Crown & Stone Law, P.C.
Should I Accept The Early Settlement Offer The Rideshare Insurer Sent Me?
Not before the full medical picture is known, since early offers are typically made before the extent of an injury is documented. Accepting closes the claim permanently, even if symptoms worsen.
Local Resources in Pacific Palisades for Rideshare Accidents
- Santa Monica Courthouse
A branch of the Los Angeles Superior Court handling civil and personal injury filings for the Westside region.
- Los Angeles Superior Court, West District
The primary trial court division serving the western portion of Los Angeles County for civil litigation.
- California Highway Patrol, West Los Angeles Area
State law enforcement office that investigates traffic collisions on highways and surface streets in the area.
- LAPD West Los Angeles Division
The local police division responsible for patrol and collision reporting in the Pacific Palisades and surrounding communities.
- Los Angeles County Department of Health Services
County agency overseeing public hospitals and emergency medical services where injured parties may receive initial treatment.
- UCLA Medical Center
Major academic medical center in Westwood providing trauma and emergency care to seriously injured patients in the region.
- Providence Saint John’s Health Center
Full-service hospital in Santa Monica frequently treating patients involved in traffic-related incidents on the Westside.
- Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder
County office that maintains official public records including documents that may be needed during civil proceedings.
- Los Angeles County Sheriff, Civil Division
Handles service of process and enforcement of civil court judgments throughout Los Angeles County.
- Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, Claims Division
Municipal office that processes tort claims filed against the City of Los Angeles when public infrastructure is involved.
Talk to a Pacific Palisades Rideshare Accident Lawyer Today
Rideshare claims turn on which coverage layer applies at the moment of impact, and insurers rarely volunteer that answer. A confidential case review sorts it out quickly, with the attorney who would actually handle the matter, not an intake team.
Crown & Stone Law, P.C. offers a free, no-obligation consultation by phone or video. Your information stays private, and calls are answered around the clock.
Call us to schedule a confidential review of your rideshare injury claim.
