According to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), Santa Monica ranks among the most collision-prone cities in Los Angeles County, with hundreds of rideshare-related crashes each year. The city’s congested coastal roads, including Pacific Coast Highway, Lincoln Boulevard, and Santa Monica Boulevard, are hotspots for Uber and Lyft accidents, especially near Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica Pier, and Main Street nightlife areas.
At Crown & Stone Law, P.C., we represent injured Uber and Lyft passengers, drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians throughout Santa Monica and the Westside. Whether your crash happened downtown, near the Pier, or along PCH, we build strong legal claims based on evidence, insurance coverage, and California rideshare law.
Clients describe our work as “responsive and diligent… easy to reach, even late at night.” With proven results like a $965,000 settlement after an insurer’s $45,000 offer, we deliver focused advocacy and real results.
What Are Rideshare Accidents?
A rideshare accident occurs when a Uber or Lyft driver is involved in a crash that causes injuries to passengers, pedestrians, or other motorists.
These accidents are complex because liability depends on the driver’s app status at the time of the crash, whether the driver was waiting for a request, en route to pick up a rider, or transporting a passenger.
Under California law, Uber and Lyft must maintain $1,000,000 in liability coverage during active rides. Our firm ensures the correct policy phase applies so you receive full compensation, not an insurer’s minimum offer.
Who May Be Liable After a Rideshare Accident in Santa Monica
- Uber or Lyft Drivers – distracted, fatigued, or speeding.
- Uber or Lyft Corporate Entities – app-active coverage or system negligence.
- Other Motorists – at-fault drivers in multi-vehicle collisions.
- City or County Agencies – unsafe intersections or poor road maintenance.
- Vehicle Manufacturers – defective brakes, tires, or airbags.
We handle the investigation, negotiate directly with multiple insurers, and ensure your rights are protected at every stage.
What We Do
- Uber and Lyft accident claims
- Passenger injury representation
- Rideshare driver claims
- Pedestrian and cyclist rideshare collisions
- Multi-vehicle freeway crashes
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims
- Wrongful death from rideshare accidents
- Insurance bad-faith and dispute claims
- Catastrophic injury cases (burns, amputations, TBI, spinal injury)
- Car, truck, and motorcycle accident representation
What to Do After a Rideshare Accident in Santa Monica
1. Get Medical Attention Immediately
Call 911 and visit UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center, Saint John’s Health Center, or Cedars-Sinai for evaluation. Some injuries, like concussions or internal trauma, appear hours later.
2. Report the Crash
File an official report with the Santa Monica Police Department or California Highway Patrol (West LA Office).
3. Document Everything
Take photos of the vehicles, app screens, and location markers (e.g., Santa Monica Pier, Lincoln Blvd, PCH). Save trip details from your Uber or Lyft app immediately.
4. Contact a Lawyer Before Speaking to Insurers
Uber and Lyft’s adjusters often contact victims early — sometimes before they know the full extent of their injuries. We step in to preserve app data, driver history, and dashcam footage before it’s lost.
How Uber & Lyft Insurance Coverage Works in California
- App Off: Driver’s personal insurance applies.
- App On, Waiting for Ride: Limited coverage ($50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident / $25,000 property damage).
- Passenger Onboard or En Route: Up to $1,000,000 in liability coverage through Uber or Lyft.
As of 2025, California requires Uber and Lyft to provide uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) for all passenger trips, protecting riders even when the at-fault driver has no insurance.
Common Causes of Rideshare Crashes in Santa Monica
- Distracted driving (texting or using GPS)
- Unsafe pickups near Third Street Promenade and Main Street
- Drunk or fatigued drivers
- Speeding on Lincoln Blvd and PCH
- Rear-end collisions in tourist traffic
- Improper lane changes or U-turns near Santa Monica Pier
These conditions make rideshare accidents in Santa Monica especially frequent during weekends, holidays, and event nights.
Common Injuries from Rideshare Accidents
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Back and spinal cord trauma
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Fractures and broken bones
- Burns, cuts, and lacerations
- Amputations and crush injuries
- Wrongful death
Our firm works with medical specialists and life-care planners to calculate the true cost of recovery, including surgeries, rehab, and emotional trauma.
Compensation You Can Recover After a Rideshare Accident
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Lost wages and future earning potential
- Vehicle repair or replacement
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Punitive damages (for reckless or impaired drivers)
Santa Monica Rideshare Crash Statistics & Dangerous Roads
- Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) – narrow lanes, high speeds, and limited lighting
- Lincoln Boulevard – heavy traffic and distracted rideshare drivers
- Santa Monica Boulevard – frequent sudden stops and lane-splitting
- Ocean Avenue & Colorado Avenue – dense rideshare pickup zone near the Pier
- Third Street Promenade – pedestrian and drop-off congestion
These corridors account for a majority of local Uber and Lyft collisions each year.
Why Choose Crown & Stone Law
- Proven Results: $965,000 settlement after insurer’s $45,000 offer.
- Accessible 24/7: Always available to take your call.
- Extensive Experience: Over 15 years handling car and rideshare injury cases.
- Personalized Representation: “He really cares. Not just a great lawyer, but a good heart.”
- Local Knowledge: Serving clients across Santa Monica, Venice, Brentwood, and West LA.
What Our Clients Say
“He really cares. Not just a great lawyer, but a good heart.” — John C.
“Responsive and diligent. Easy to reach, even late at night.” — Mario R.
“I felt supported the whole way. He explained everything clearly.” — Hunter C.
Local Resources We Work With
- Santa Monica Police Department
- California Highway Patrol (West LA Office)
- UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center
- Saint John’s Health Center
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- California DMV – Santa Monica Branch
- Los Angeles Superior Court (West District)
- Uber and Lyft claims departments
Call for Your Free Rideshare Accident Consultation
If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft crash in Santa Monica or West Los Angeles, you don’t have to face the insurance companies alone.
At Crown & Stone Law, P.C., we hold negligent drivers and corporate insurers accountable, and you pay nothing unless we win.
Request your free consultation online.
Relentless. Responsive. Results-driven.
