Newport Beach Rideshare Accident Lawyers
You call an Uber, hop in, and expect a safe, hassle-free ride. But instead of arriving at your destination, you’re in an accident—shaken, hurt, and wondering what happened. Rideshare crashes happen more often than people think in busy places like Newport Beach. One moment, you’re on your way to dinner on Balboa Island or a flight out of John Wayne Airport, and the next, you’re dealing with pain, medical appointments, and insurance adjusters calling nonstop.
When that happens, you shouldn’t try to sort it all out alone. Let a Newport Beach rideshare accident lawyer from Bentley & More LLP help you figure out what went wrong and hold the right people accountable.
Why Rideshare Accidents Are Different from Other Car Wrecks
Regular car accidents are already messy. Add a rideshare driver, a rideshare app, and two or three layers of insurance companies, and you’ve got a tangled situation that may quickly get out of hand. Uber and Lyft drivers use their personal cars, but they’re working under a company platform. The minute an accident happens, both personal and corporate policies may come into play.
Let’s say your Uber driver crashes while driving you through Fashion Island. If they were logged into the app and had accepted your ride, Uber’s $1 million policy might apply. But if they hadn’t picked up the ride yet or had already dropped you off and were still logged into the app, a different set of rules may kick in.
Sorting through these rules is what a Newport Beach rideshare accident attorney does every day. We look at driver logs and pull app activity and match them to the timeline of your crash. The goal? Make sure the right insurance company pays what they owe.
How Rideshare Services Work—And Why They Raise Legal Issues
Most rideshare drivers are not full-time employees. They’re independent contractors, which gives companies like Uber and Lyft some legal wiggle room when something goes wrong. It’s not uncommon for these companies to claim, “We’re not liable—the driver was at fault.” But that doesn’t mean the rideshare company is off the hook.
In Newport Beach, roads like Pacific Coast Highway and MacArthur Boulevard see high traffic, especially during tourist season. A distracted Lyft driver checking the app in traffic near Corona del Mar may easily rear-end another car, or worse, hit a pedestrian. These scenarios aren’t rare, and when they happen, you need someone to gather all the moving parts and put together a clear picture of liability.
Here’s the good news: state laws require rideshare companies to carry certain types of insurance coverage. These include:
- $1 million liability coverage when a ride is in progress.
- $50,000 per person/$100,000 per crash for injuries when a driver is logged in but hasn’t accepted a ride yet.
- $25,000 for property damage.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage up to $1 million.
A Newport Beach rideshare accident lawyer will explain how these policies work together and help determine which applies to your case.
What Happens When You’re Hurt in a Rideshare Crash?
After a rideshare crash, it’s common to feel rattled, not just physically but mentally. You might not even know right away how badly you’re hurt. Some injuries take hours or days to show up. A sore neck may turn out to be a severe disc injury. That’s why it’s so important to get checked out, even if you feel “fine” at the moment.
In our experience helping rideshare accident victims across Newport Beach, we’ve seen a wide range of injuries, including:
- Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries.
- Whiplash and soft tissue damage.
- Broken bones from being slammed into the seat or window.
- Internal bleeding or organ damage.
- Back injuries that lead to long-term pain or surgery.
You might walk away from the crash only to find yourself in the ER later that night with symptoms that have suddenly gotten worse. The full effect of a rideshare accident often plays out over weeks or even months.
A Newport Beach rideshare accident attorney helps track your medical treatment, document everything, and connect the dots between your injuries and the crash. That documentation matters a lot when the insurance company starts questioning your claim.
Understanding the Rideshare Timeline: Why App Status Matters
With rideshare services, timing isn’t just about when the crash happened—it’s about what the driver was doing on the app. Insurance coverage depends on whether the app was off, waiting for a fare, or actively transporting a passenger.
Here’s a breakdown:
- App Off: The driver’s auto insurance applies. Neither Uber nor Lyft accepts responsibility here.
- App On, No Ride Accepted: Uber and Lyft offer limited third-party liability: $50,000 for injury per person, $100,000 per crash, and $25,000 for property damage.
- Ride Accepted or Passenger Onboard: The rideshare company’s $1 million liability policy kicks in. You also get $1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if the other driver has no insurance or flees the scene.
This breakdown isn’t just technical—it directly affects how much money might be available to cover your losses.
If an insurance adjuster tells you coverage doesn’t apply because the driver “wasn’t fully engaged in a ride,” a Newport Beach rideshare accident lawyer may need to challenge that claim.
Who Pays When You’re Injured in a Newport Beach Rideshare Crash?
Multiple parties may share responsibility in a rideshare accident, and each will try to point the finger at someone else. These may include:
- The rideshare driver.
- A third-party driver who caused or contributed to the crash.
- The rideshare company’s insurance carrier.
- Your own auto insurance, especially under uninsured motorist coverage.
Let’s say you’re in an Uber heading down Newport Boulevard, and another driver runs a red light and slams into your car. That driver might be the primary at-fault party, but if they’re uninsured or underinsured, Uber’s policy might step in. If you get into a Lyft that crashes due to the driver texting, Lyft’s corporate coverage may apply fully.
Working with a Newport Beach rideshare accident attorney from Bentley & More LLP helps you avoid getting caught in the blame game. We identify all sources of compensation and deal with insurers directly.
What Damages Might You Recover?
Your case might include two types of damages: economic (things with clear dollar amounts) and non-economic (things harder to measure).
Economic damages may include:
- Ambulance and hospital bills.
- Physical therapy and follow-up visits.
- Prescription medication.
- Lost wages.
- Reduced earning ability if you can’t return to your previous job.
Non-economic damages may include:
- Ongoing pain or discomfort.
- Anxiety or sleep problems.
- Depression tied to physical limitations.
- Loss of enjoyment in daily life activities.
- Loss of ability to participate in hobbies, social events, or relationships.
When calculating damages, a Newport Beach rideshare accident lawyer looks not only at your current losses but also at what you’re likely to experience in the future. This might include projections from your doctor or evaluations from vocational specialists.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
In most rideshare injury cases, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. If you wait longer, the court may block your case, no matter how serious your injuries are.
There are a few exceptions, such as if the injured person was a minor or mentally incapacitated, but in general, time starts ticking on the day of the crash.
Even if you don’t plan to sue, this deadline gives you leverage in insurance negotiations. The other side knows they have a legal clock to watch. A Newport Beach rideshare accident attorney keeps your case moving and makes sure you don’t run out of time.
Why Bentley & More LLP Is Trusted Across Newport Beach
When it comes to rideshare crashes, the attorneys at Bentley & More LLP bring years of experience representing real people, not corporations. We’ve gone toe-to-toe with major insurance carriers, corporate defense lawyers, and anyone else who tries to lowball or delay.
Our team prepares each case as if it might go to trial. That preparation pays off—even in settlement talks. We’re known for being ready, which means insurance companies often increase their offers just to avoid facing us in court.
From Claim to Court: What the Process Looks Like
The legal process might sound intimidating, but a Newport Beach rideshare accident lawyer makes it more manageable. Here’s a general outline:
- Initial Investigation: We gather police reports, driver information, and app data.
- Medical Records Review: We collect your treatment documents and consult with doctors if needed.
- Insurance Claim Filing: A demand letter goes to the appropriate insurer outlining your damages.
- Negotiations: We push for a fair settlement based on evidence, not guesswork.
- Lawsuit Filing (if needed): If the insurance company won’t take responsibility, we will file in civil court.
- Litigation or Arbitration: Many cases settle before trial. If not, we’re ready to present your case in court or a private arbitration setting.
Throughout it all, we stay in touch, explain what’s happening, and guide you through every step.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rideshare Accidents
What if I wasn’t wearing a seatbelt during the rideshare accident—can I still get compensation?
Yes, you may still recover compensation even if you weren’t buckled in at the time of the crash. California uses a comparative fault system, which means your recovery might be reduced based on your share of the blame. However, not wearing a seatbelt doesn’t automatically stop you from bringing a claim.
A Newport Beach rideshare accident lawyer may argue that your injuries would have occurred regardless, or only worsened slightly, so you’re still owed a substantial settlement. Insurance companies often try to use seatbelt non-use to lower payouts, but that tactic doesn’t always work in court.
Can I sue Uber or Lyft directly for my injuries?
It depends on the facts of your case, but Uber and Lyft are usually protected by classifying their drivers as independent contractors, not employees. This legal distinction makes it harder—but not impossible—to sue the companies themselves.
Suppose the rideshare company failed to properly screen a driver with a bad record or kept a driver on the platform after multiple safety violations. In that case, you may have a negligence claim. In those situations, a Newport Beach rideshare accident attorney explores whether the company itself shares some legal responsibility. These
Should I speak with the insurance adjuster after the crash?
It’s almost always better to let your attorney handle that conversation. Insurance adjusters are trained to get you to say things that might reduce your claim, even if you don’t realize it at the time. For example, saying “I feel okay” in a recorded call may be used later to argue that your injuries weren’t serious.
A Newport Beach rideshare accident lawyer knows how to protect your case from the start by managing all communication with the insurance company. That way, you avoid pitfalls and focus on getting fair compensation, not defending yourself from something you said too early.
Reach Out to a Newport Beach Rideshare Accident Lawyer Today
Keith More, Newport Beach Rideshare Accident Lawyer
When rideshare accidents happen, Bentley & More LLP is here to help. We know the tactics insurance companies use to avoid paying fair compensation. We also know how to build strong claims, support your recovery, and fight back when others try to cut corners.
Let us handle the paperwork, the phone calls, and the negotiations so you focus on healing. Call (949) 990-5815 or contact us online to set up a free consultation with a Newport Beach personal injury lawyer today. We’ll discuss what happened, give you straight answers, and help you figure out what comes next.
Bentley & More, LLP – Newport Beach Office
4931 Birch Street
Newport Beach, CA 92660
P: (949) 870-3800