Car Accidents

A rideshare collision in California doesn't follow the same rules as a typical crash. The insurance that applies depends on what the Uber or Lyft app showed at the exact moment of impact.Knowing the right order of steps, from the scene of the crash through the insurance claim, protects your potential recovery.California law gives injured passengers, other motorists, and pedestrians real protection. The attorneys at Bentley & More L... Read More

When an Uber driver was off duty or had the app off in California, Uber's own commercial insurance provides nothing. The driver's personal auto policy becomes the first source of recovery, and that policy usually carries far lower limits than Uber's commercial coverage.The team at Bentley & More LLP sorts through applicable insurance coverages for injured people in California. Key TakeawaysUber provides no coverage while the dri... Read More

Getting hit by an Uber or Lyft driver is stressful enough. Finding out that the driver has no personal auto insurance can feel like your claim just fell apart. California law anticipated this problem. Rules built specifically for rideshare companies mean a driver's personal insurance status often has little to do with whether you get paid.Figuring out which policy applies takes digging into app logs and trip data. The team at Bentley &... Read More

If you drive for Uber and another car hit you, the at-fault driver's insurance usually pays first, not Uber's policy. An experienced rideshare accident attorney at Bentley & More LLP can sort out the layers of coverage so you are not left guessing while bills pile up. Key TakeawaysThe at-fault driver's personal liability insurance is usually the first source of payment. Most Uber drivers in California cannot file a standard worke... Read More

In many cases, yes. Your own auto insurance may cover you if you're hit while walking or biking in California, through coverage you may not have thought to check. A pedestrian and bicycle accident attorney at Bentley & More LLP can review your policy and your crash facts to tell you what applies. Key TakeawaysUninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy can pay you even when you weren't in a car. Coverage can e... Read More

A crash involving an Uber or Lyft driver can bring up to three different insurance policies into play. Which one applies depends on the driver's app status at the moment of the crash. Rideshare coverage is divided into "insurance periods" based on that status.If you're trying to make sense of Uber and Lyft's insurance periods after a crash, the attorneys at Bentley & More LLP can help you sort out which policy applies and fight for the... Read More

Getting hurt in a rideshare crash leaves you with more questions than answers. Medical bills pile up, the car is gone, and you're left wondering whether Uber or Lyft will actually pay what your injuries are worth. The answer depends heavily on what the driver's app showed at the moment of impact, and on how well your injuries and losses get documented.Bentley & More LLP has spent years untangling these layered insurance claims for inju... Read More

Getting hurt in or by a rideshare car raises one urgent question: which insurance policy actually pays for your injuries? In California, the answer depends on what the driver's app was doing when the crash happened.Uber and Lyft's insurance coverage moves through four distinct periods, and the difference between a $50,000 policy and a $1 million policy can hinge on whether a ride had been accepted seconds before impact.Our dedicated pe... Read More

Getting hurt in a rideshare crash leaves you juggling medical bills and trying to solve a confusing insurance puzzle. There's no single number for an Uber or Lyft accident settlement in California. Value depends on which insurance policy applies, how serious your injuries are, and who caused the crash.A minor soft tissue injury might settle for a few thousand dollars. A crash leaving someone with a fractured spine or traumatic brain injury... Read More

Reporting an Uber or Lyft accident in California means notifying the rideshare company through its app and filing a police report. Missing one step can weaken your claim before it starts.The personal injury lawyers at Bentley & More LLP handle rideshare injury cases across California and offer a free consultation to sort out where your case stands. Key TakeawaysReport the crash to Uber or Lyft through the app's safety feature as... Read More

Getting hit by a driver working for Uber or Lyft turns a routine fender bender into something more complicated. Whether your own auto insurance covers you depends largely on what the driver's app was doing at impact and what insurance the at-fault party carries.Our dedicated personal injury lawyers at Bentley & More LLP have represented injured people across California since the firm's founding in 2016, and sorting out which policy owe... Read More

 

Bentley & More LLP is proud to announce that eight of our attorneys have been recognized by Best Lawyers® in its 2027 editions, including seven attorneys selected for The Best Lawyers in America® and two attorneys recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.

We are especially proud to announce that Keith Philip More has been named the 2027 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” for Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs in Orange County—a distinction awarded to only one lawyer in a specific practice area and geographic region.

These recognitions are particularly meaningful because Best Lawyers awards are based on peer review—feedback from fellow attorneys regarding the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographic region and practice area.

2027 The Best Lawyers in America® Honorees

Bentley & More congratulates the following attorneys on their inclusion in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®:

• Gregory L. Bentley
• Matthew Clark
• Dane P. Gilliam
• Jose Gonzalez
• Clare Lucich
• Keith Philip More — 2027 “Lawyer of the Year,” Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs, Orange County

Each of these attorneys represents the qualities Bentley & More strives to bring to every client and every case: exceptional advocacy, preparation, integrity and an unwavering commitment to those we represent.

Keith More Named 2027 “Lawyer of the Year”

This year’s recognition is made even more significant by Keith Philip More’s selection as the 2027 “Lawyer of the Year” for Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs in Orange County.

According to Best Lawyers, “Lawyer of the Year” recognition is awarded to the individual attorney who receives the highest overall peer feedback in a particular practice area and geographic region. Only one attorney receives the distinction for each specialty and metropolitan area in a given edition.

For Keith, whose career has been defined by fighting for injured individuals and workers, this recognition reflects the respect he has earned not only from his clients and colleagues, but from fellow members of the legal profession.

His selection is also representative of Bentley & More’s broader commitment to providing sophisticated, trial-ready representation to individuals and families facing life-changing injuries.

2027 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America

Bentley & More is equally proud to congratulate two of our attorneys recognized in the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America:

• Braydon Bentley
• Nico Mamone

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America recognizes outstanding professional excellence among attorneys earlier in their careers. Best Lawyers notes that recipients are generally attorneys in private practice who have been practicing for approximately five to nine years, and the recognition uses the organization’s Purely Peer Review® methodology.

The recognition of Braydon and Nico speaks not only to what they have already accomplished, but also to the strength of the next generation of trial lawyers at Bentley & More.

What Does It Mean to Be Named a “Best Lawyer”?

Best Lawyers has been recognizing legal talent for more than four decades. The Best Lawyers in America® was first published in 1983, and the organization has continued to use a peer-review-based process to identify attorneys recognized for excellence within their respective practice areas.

Unlike awards that rely primarily on applications or marketing submissions, Best Lawyers describes its recognition methodology as Purely Peer Review®. Its goal is to capture the consensus opinion of leading attorneys regarding the professional abilities of their peers practicing in the same legal field and geographic area.

In other words, the recognition comes from those who understand the demands of the profession firsthand: other lawyers.

That makes inclusion especially meaningful to our firm. Our attorneys routinely work alongside—and across the courtroom from—some of the most accomplished lawyers in California. To earn recognition through confidential evaluations from members of that same legal community is an honor we do not take lightly.

How Does the Best Lawyers Voting Process Work?

The Best Lawyers selection process begins with a nomination. Candidates then undergo peer review, during which eligible attorneys evaluate lawyers practicing within relevant specialties and geographic regions. Best Lawyers collects and analyzes that feedback, verifies candidates’ eligibility and good standing with their applicable bar associations, and ultimately publishes those selected for recognition.

For the traditional Best Lawyers awards, lawyers recognized in the current edition are eligible to vote for the following edition, and attorneys are not permitted to vote for themselves.

The peer evaluation gets to the heart of professional reputation. Best Lawyers explains that voters consider a fundamental question: If they were unable to handle a particular matter themselves, how likely would they be to refer it to the attorney being evaluated? Attorneys rate their peers on a five-point scale, with the opportunity to provide additional feedback or indicate that they are not sufficiently familiar with a nominee’s work.

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America follows the same core peer-review philosophy, while focusing specifically on lawyers earlier in their careers.

A Recognition of the Entire Bentley & More Team

While these honors recognize individual attorneys, their success is inseparable from the people who stand beside them.

Every case at Bentley & More is a team effort. Our attorneys are supported by paralegals, legal assistants, case managers, administrative professionals and staff members who share a commitment to our clients and the work we do on their behalf.

Having nine Bentley & More attorneys recognized across the 2027 Best Lawyers publications is something our entire firm can celebrate.

It reflects the experience of our established attorneys, the promise of our next generation of advocates and, most importantly, a shared commitment to fighting for people whose lives have been changed by serious injuries.

Congratulations to Our 2027 Honorees

We congratulate Gregory L. Bentley, Matthew Clark, Dane P. Gilliam, Jose Gonzalez, Clare Lucich, and Keith Philip More on their recognition in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, and Braydon Bentley and Nico Mamone on their recognition in the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.

And a special congratulations to Keith Philip More on being named the 2027 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” for Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs in Orange County.

We are proud to have each of these exceptional advocates representing Bentley & More—and even prouder of the work they do every day on behalf of our clients.

Congratulations to our 2027 Best Lawyers honorees!

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Electric vehicles are everywhere these days, especially here in California. From carpool lanes to freeway lanes along I-5, I-10, I-405, and SR-91, thousands of electric vehicles can be found driving across California every day. There are countless benefits to owning an electric vehicle. However, fires and explosions can occur if someone is in a collision or a defect or failure in the battery causes it to malfunction, causing electric vehicle b... Read More

Car accidents are a leading cause of accidental injuries and deaths in California each year, and if you or a family member is injured in a car accident, understanding car accident fault laws in California will be crucial to your recovery efforts. If you think another driver caused the accident, proving fault will be an essential first step in recovering compensation for the damages you suffered, and this can be challenging in some accident cas... Read More

All motorcyclists should understand California’s lane splitting laws. While lane splitting is a controversial subject and the practice is banned in many states, it is legal in California and can be a potentially life-saving maneuver in certain situations. However, done incorrectly, lane splitting can be incredibly dangerous. Knowing the state’s laws will help a motorcyclist operate their vehicle more safely and reduce their risk of facing liab... Read More

The window of time that you have to file an injury claim in court is not open-ended. Following a car collision, the clock begins ticking, and a missed filing deadline could mean that you do not have recourse to use the civil court system to pursue accountability and compensation. If you were injured in a car collision, you may be wondering how long after a car accident you can sue in California. Why the Courts Set Statutes of Limitations for ... Read More

Finding yourself in the aftermath of a car accident in California is terrifying. You are likely overwhelmed, confused about what actions to take next, and suffering severe injuries. When you know that you didn’t cause the accident, it can offer some relief and vindication, but fear and confusion are likely also at play. Knowing what to do after a car accident that’s not your fault in California is essential, and the team at Bentley & More ... Read More

If you suffered an injury in a car accident in Newport Beach, you are probably trying to understand whether the law recognizes the physical pain, psychological distress, and emotional anguish that often result from collisions like yours. Yes, pain and suffering is a common feature of car accident cases.The question then becomes, how much is my pain and suffering worth? To answer that question satisfactorily, we need to know more about you... Read More

Most people in Newport Beach do not ask about settlement timelines out of curiosity. They ask because they believe they deserve one, and they want to know how long it can take to receive the compensation they are entitled to. It’s a fair (and potentially urgent) question, but the answer is not as cut and dry as you might wish.The time it takes to secure a car accident settlement varies from case to case. The approach of insurance companies... Read More

When a child is hurt in a car accident, parents are forced to think about the future far sooner than they should have to. You are not only dealing with emergency care and unanswered medical questions. You are trying to understand how injuries from the collision could affect your child’s growth, learning, and long-term independence. When a child is involved in a car accident in Newport Beach, the consequences can be profound and permanent. If ... Read More