Uber, Lyft, and Waymo have insurance teams whose job is to pay you as little as possible. Our job is to make sure they don't. We handle the investigation, the coverage mapping, and the legal claim — so you can focus on getting better.
The accident happened in seconds. What comes after takes months — the ER visit, the follow-up appointments, the missed work, and the calls from an adjuster who sounds cooperative but is documenting everything you say to minimize your claim. The difference with a rideshare accident is that you are not dealing with one driver’s insurance company. You are dealing with a corporation — Uber, Lyft, or Waymo — that has built its legal and insurance infrastructure specifically to limit what injured people recover.
Los Angeles is the highest-volume rideshare market in the western United States. LAX alone processes more Uber and Lyft pickups and drop-offs than almost any other single location in the country — a constant stream of rideshare vehicles cycling through the terminals, the designated TNC pickup zone, and the surrounding surface streets where rear-end collisions and pedestrian strikes occur regularly. Beyond LAX, rideshare activity is concentrated across Hollywood and Highland, the Sunset Strip, DTLA’s financial district, the Arts District, Koreatown, and the 101, 405, and 10 freeway interchange corridors that carry millions of trips annually. Los Angeles County’s California Office of Traffic Safety data consistently places the county among the highest in the state for total injury and fatality collisions.
When a rideshare driver causes an accident, the coverage that applies depends on exactly what the driver was doing at the moment of impact — whether the app was on, whether a ride had been accepted, and whether a passenger was in the vehicle. Rideshare insurers use that complexity deliberately. Most injured people do not know which tier applies, how much is available, or that the company’s commercial policy layers on top of the driver’s personal insurance under specific conditions. Getting any one of those questions wrong means pursuing the wrong insurer or leaving substantial money behind.
In June 2026, Governor Newsom signed SB 623 into law — establishing enhanced driver background check requirements for rideshare companies and new standards governing medical liens in rideshare accident cases. The law changes how medical cost recoveries are structured at settlement. George is current on SB 623 and applies it from day one.
You generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim (CCP §335.1). The clock starts the moment the crash happens.
01
This is the single most consequential legal fact in any rideshare accident case. California law and each company’s insurance policy divide coverage into three distinct periods. App off — the driver’s personal auto insurance applies and the company provides nothing. App on, waiting for a ride request — limited contingent liability coverage of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident applies, but only if the driver’s personal insurance does not cover the claim first. App on, ride accepted or passenger in the vehicle — the company’s full $1,000,000 commercial liability policy applies. Identifying which period was active at the exact moment of impact determines which coverage you can access and in what amount.
02
When a driver has accepted a trip or has a passenger in the vehicle, both Uber and Lyft maintain $1,000,000 in third-party liability coverage. This is the coverage that applies when you are an injured passenger, when another driver is struck during a trip, or when a pedestrian is hit. The full policy applies regardless of the driver’s personal insurance limits. During the app-on, waiting period, coverage drops significantly. Knowing which tier applies and how to access it is the first job of any rideshare accident attorney.
03
California applies pure comparative fault in rideshare accident cases. Even if you were partially at fault — as a passenger, another driver, or a pedestrian — you can still recover. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, not eliminated. Rideshare insurers aggressively assign partial fault to injured parties to reduce payouts. Challenging those fault assignments is a core part of what we do.
04
Signed into law on June 25, 2026, SB 623 establishes enhanced background check requirements for Uber and Lyft drivers, expands the criminal offenses that disqualify a driver from the platform, and introduces new standards governing medical liens in rideshare accident cases. These changes affect how medical cost recoveries are structured at settlement — and how the history of a driver’s background now factors into a company’s potential negligent retention exposure. George reviews SB 623’s application in every rideshare case he handles.
2
years
from date of the accident
CCP §335.1
6
months
to file a government tort claim
* These are general deadlines. Always confirm your specific circumstances with an experienced attorney.
Every rideshare accident in Los Angeles has its own coverage structure, liable parties, and insurance dynamics. We handle all of them.
As a passenger during an active trip, the company's full $1,000,000 liability coverage is available to you without having to prove fault. What matters is the complete documentation of your injuries and whether the initial offer reflects what the case is actually worth. Rideshare insurers consistently start low on passenger claims across Los Angeles, knowing most injured passengers do not understand what the policy covers or how much leverage a prepared attorney brings. We push back with full medical documentation and a clear willingness to file.
Los Angeles freeway interchanges — the 101/405 in Sherman Oaks, the 10/405 in West LA, the 110/10 downtown — are among the highest-volume rideshare collision zones in the state. When a rideshare driver causes a crash with your vehicle, the coverage that applies depends on the driver's app status at the moment of impact. We confirm that from the trip records immediately and do not accept the company's characterization of which period was active.
Pedestrians and cyclists struck during an active trip are covered under the company's $1,000,000 commercial policy. The highest-risk pedestrian zones in Los Angeles for rideshare-related strikes include the LAX terminal curbs, Hollywood and Highland, the Sunset Strip between Doheny and La Cienega, DTLA's Grand Avenue cultural corridor, and the Rose Avenue and Abbot Kinney corridors in Venice. These cases involve disputed fault more often than passenger claims — rideshare insurers will argue the pedestrian stepped out unexpectedly. We build them with surveillance footage, witness statements, and a complete liability record from the start.
Waymo operates autonomous vehicles in parts of Southern California including the greater Los Angeles area, and maintains $5,000,000 in liability coverage per incident. Waymo accidents differ from Uber and Lyft cases because there is no human driver to pursue — liability runs directly to the company and potentially the vehicle manufacturer. These cases require immediate preservation demands for the vehicle's sensor data, camera footage, and software event logs. We send those demands the same day you retain us.
If a rideshare driver caused the crash and their coverage tier does not fully cover your damages, your own underinsured motorist coverage fills the gap. If the driver was off the app entirely and uninsured or underinsured, your UM/UIM coverage is the primary source of recovery. We identify and pursue every applicable coverage layer — the company's policy, the driver's personal policy, and your own.
Los Angeles has among the highest hit-and-run rates of any city in California. If a rideshare driver caused the crash and fled the scene, your own uninsured motorist coverage applies immediately. If the driver is later identified through the platform's GPS and trip records — which create a precise record of vehicle location and movement — a direct claim against their policy becomes available. We request those records immediately.
The adjuster who contacts you after an Uber or Lyft accident is not working for you. Their job is to resolve your claim for as little as possible, as fast as possible — before you understand which coverage tier applies and before the full extent of your injuries is clear. We level the playing field from the first call.
You focus on your recovery. We handle everything else.
You speak with George at every stage of your case — not a case manager, not a paralegal. He works directly with every client from the first call through resolution. In Los Angeles, most rideshare accident victims are routed to large PI mills where their file is handled by a junior associate or a case manager they never meet. That is not how we work.
Free, no-obligation evaluation usually within hours. We tell you which coverage tier applies to your specific accident, what the case is worth across every available policy, and exactly what to do next — even if you decide not to hire us.
If we don't recover for you, you owe us nothing. Zero out-of-pocket cost to start. Our goals are completely aligned with yours.
California law recognizes both economic and non-economic damages. We build claims that account for every category — including future costs that rideshare insurers never include in their opening offers.
After a rideshare accident in Los Angeles, multiple insurance policies may apply to your claim. Most people know a rideshare company is involved — but identifying exactly which policy applies, in what amount, and in what order is where most unrepresented claims go wrong.
We pull every potentially applicable policy as part of every case so no available coverage is left on the table.
| Court House Lawyers | Typical PI Firm | |
|---|---|---|
|
Case Review |
Same day, often within hours |
2–3 business days |
|
Attorney Access |
You speak directly with the attorney on your case |
Routed through a case manager or paralegal — common at large LA rideshare mills |
|
App Status Investigation |
We confirm the driver’s app status from trip records immediately — it determines which policy applies |
Often overlooked or accepted from the company’s own reporting without challenge |
|
Coverage Mapping |
We identify every applicable policy layer — company, driver, UM/UIM, MedPay — from day one |
Many firms pursue only the most obvious coverage and stop there |
|
Evidence Preservation |
Same-day requests for dashcam footage, trip records, driver history, and GPS data |
Often delayed — rideshare trip data becomes harder to access without prompt legal action |
|
SB 623 Compliance |
Current on the June 2026 law changes affecting driver screening and medical lien structure |
Most LA firms have not updated their approach for SB 623 |
|
Trial Readiness |
Every case prepared for trial; rideshare insurers know it |
Settlement-only firms consistently get lower offers |
|
Fees |
No win, no fees. Period. |
Can say the same, but watch for hidden costs at settlement |
George Mkrtchyan
Managing Attorney
George Mkrtchyan is the Managing Attorney of Court House Lawyers, a Glendale-based personal injury firm serving clients across Los Angeles County. Over the past decade, George has recovered millions for clients in car accident, rideshare, pedestrian, and other personal injury cases — including cases involving large corporate defendants, government entities, and insurers who refused to move until litigation made the alternative more expensive.
Before starting Court House Lawyers, George worked at a large Century City firm — in the heart of Los Angeles — where he saw firsthand what happens when personal injury cases are treated as volume: files sit untouched, clients go months without updates, and claims settle for far less than they are worth because no one has built the case properly. He started Court House Lawyers so that every client speaks directly with the attorney, every case is prepared as though it is going to trial, and no coverage layer goes unexamined.
When an Uber client came to him with a zero-dollar offer from the insurer, George identified the correct coverage tier, built the demand package, and filed the case. The settlement was $35,000 — within 30 days of filing. That case reflects the same approach he brings to every Los Angeles rideshare matter he handles.
“Rideshare companies and their insurers count on injured people not understanding which policy applies or how much is actually available. Our job is to make sure that gap costs them, not you.“
Every case is different. These results illustrate what focused, thorough representation delivers.
Personal Injury · Car Accident
Client was initially assigned 85% fault in a left-turn collision. After George and case manager Grant Abadzhyan took over, the fault assignment was reversed to zero and the client recovered full compensation.
Personal Injury · Car Accident
Three people were injured in the same accident, each with separate representation. George Mkrtchyan and Grant Abadzhyan secured the largest individual recovery of the three — the result of thorough early documentation and a faster demand strategy.
Personal Injury · Rideshare
Client injured in an Uber accident initially received nothing from the insurer. Court House Lawyers secured a $35,000 settlement within 30 days of filing a lawsuit.
Personal Injury · UIM Arbitration
Out-of-state underinsured motorist policy. The insurer refused to pay fairly. Court House Lawyers demanded arbitration and secured the full policy limits for the client.
Personal Injury · Government Entity
A wheelchair-bound client was thrown forward when a Metro conductor slammed on the brakes. Metro denied the claim outright. Court House Lawyers filed, obtained the conductor’s own footage — including a statement caught on Metro’s camera — and settled for $35,000.
Personal Injury · Car Accident
Client was offered $500 after a school bus accident. Court House Lawyers filed suit and recovered $50,000 — 100x the original offer.
Past results are specific to the facts of each case and do not guarantee future outcomes. Every matter is evaluated on its own merits.
Tell us what happened, which platform was involved, your injuries, and what information you have. We will tell you which coverage tier applies, what the case is worth across every available policy, and exactly what to do next — even if you decide not to hire us.
George handles your case. Not a junior associate. Not a case manager. The attorney you speak with on day one is the attorney who takes your case to resolution. In a city full of large PI firms that process rideshare cases like assembly lines, that distinction matters.
The driver's app status at the moment of impact determines which policy applies and how much is available. We confirm this from the platform's own trip records on day one and do not accept the company's version of that status without independent verification.
We identify the rideshare company's commercial liability policy, the driver's contingent coverage, your own UM/UIM policy, MedPay, and any other applicable coverage. Missing a coverage layer is leaving money on the table — and in Los Angeles, where injury costs are among the highest in the state, every layer matters.
Dashcam footage, trip records, driver history, and GPS data can be lost or become difficult to access without prompt legal action. We send preservation requests the same day you retain us.
We treat the rideshare company's insurer as the opposing party from day one. Because they are. Initial offers are documented, challenged, and pushed back against with full medical records, applicable coverage analysis, and a clear willingness to file.
If you need specialist care and cannot afford it upfront, we connect you with experienced providers in Los Angeles and the surrounding area who treat accident victims on a lien basis — no cost until the case resolves.
Rideshare insurers settle higher when they know a case is prepared for trial. Most cases resolve before it gets there — but at significantly better numbers because of the preparation.
No upfront costs of any kind. No hourly billing. If we don't recover for you, you owe us nothing.
We talk through what happened, which platform was involved, the driver's app status, your injuries, and every piece of insurance information you have. You walk away knowing which coverage tiers apply and what every available option is worth.
We confirm the driver's status in the rideshare platform's trip records at the exact moment of impact. This single determination controls which policy applies and how much is available — and we do not accept what the company tells us without independent verification of the trip data.
We send same-day requests for dashcam footage, trip records, driver history, available surveillance footage of the crash, and the police report. In the Los Angeles area, surveillance cameras are present at virtually every commercial intersection, LAX terminal, and freeway on-ramp — we identify and request that footage before it is overwritten. In Waymo cases, we also request sensor data, camera footage, and software event logs immediately.
We identify every applicable coverage layer: the company's commercial liability policy, the driver's personal insurance, your own UM/UIM coverage, MedPay, and any other applicable policy. We document exactly which tiers are available and in what amounts.
We document your injuries, medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future impact. We send a comprehensive demand to every applicable insurer and push back against lowball responses with documentation and a clear willingness to file.
If the rideshare company or its insurer refuses to pay what the case is worth, we file in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Every case is prepared from the first meeting as if it will be presented to a jury — and that preparation is exactly why most cases settle for significantly more before they ever get there.
* These are general deadlines. Always confirm your specific circumstances with an experienced attorney.
Even as a pedestrian outside LAX or crossing Hollywood Boulevard, your own auto policy may cover you in a rideshare accident.
It depends on what the driver was doing at the exact moment of impact. If the driver had an active trip or a passenger in the vehicle, the company’s $1,000,000 commercial liability policy applies. If the driver was logged in but waiting for a request, limited contingent coverage of $50,000 per person applies — but only after the driver’s personal insurance. If the driver’s app was off, only their personal auto insurance applies, and many personal policies exclude commercial activity. Identifying the correct tier from the trip records is the first step in any Los Angeles rideshare accident claim.
Most Uber and Lyft accident claims in Los Angeles resolve through settlement rather than trial — but the amount depends entirely on how the case is built and whether the company believes you are prepared to litigate. Rideshare insurers in Los Angeles deal with hundreds of claims every month. They know which attorneys settle for whatever they offer and which ones will file. Cases prepared for trial consistently settle for more before they ever get there. That is not a coincidence.
Yes. As a passenger during an active Lyft trip, you have a direct claim against Lyft’s $1,000,000 liability coverage. The claim is typically made against the company’s commercial insurer rather than through a direct lawsuit against Lyft itself — but the full million-dollar policy is available to you as a passenger, regardless of what the driver’s personal insurance covers.
There is no single answer — the value depends on the severity of your injuries, medical costs, your lost income, and the full non-economic impact of the accident. What is consistent across every Los Angeles rideshare case is that the company’s first offer rarely reflects actual case value. We tell every client what we honestly believe their case is worth across every available coverage layer before they make any decisions — including whether they hire us.
If the driver was not logged into the platform at all, the rideshare company provides zero coverage. The driver’s personal auto policy is the only source of recovery — and as noted, many personal policies exclude commercial driving activity. In that situation, your own UM/UIM coverage becomes the most important layer available. We evaluate your own policy in every case regardless of the at-fault driver’s app status.
Nothing upfront and nothing unless we win. Our fee comes from the recovery at the end of the case. If we do not recover for you, you owe us nothing
Report the accident immediately. Make sure the responding officer documents that a rideshare vehicle was involved, records the driver's name, and notes the platform they were operating for. If you are on a freeway, CHP has jurisdiction; on surface streets, LAPD or the relevant city police department responds. Either way, a police report is the first official record of the incident.
If possible, photograph the driver's phone showing the rideshare app and whether a trip was active. This is the single most important piece of evidence for determining which coverage tier applies. Do this before anything else is discussed.
The vehicles, the damage, the rideshare vehicle's markings, skid marks, traffic signals, road conditions, and any visible injuries. In Los Angeles, surveillance cameras are present at virtually every commercial block, intersection, and parking structure — note where they are. That footage disappears quickly.
Name, driver's license number, license plate, the rideshare platform they were operating for, and any insurance information they provide. If you were a passenger, screenshot your app showing your active trip.
If you were a passenger, report the incident through the Uber or Lyft app immediately after calling 911. This creates a timestamped record with the platform before the company's claims team begins building their version of what happened. Screenshot the confirmation before closing the app.
The rideshare company's claims team will contact you quickly — sometimes within hours of the crash. Do not give a recorded statement to anyone representing the company or their insurer. Tell them you have retained an attorney.
Go to the emergency room or urgent care even if pain is not immediately severe. Adrenaline masks injury. A documented same-day medical assessment is critical evidence and anchors the timeline of your injuries. Follow every follow-up recommendation your doctor makes.
Call (818) 293-8293 Free, same-day review. We tell you which coverage applies, what the case is worth, and exactly what to do before you speak with anyone from the company involved.
10
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND SUCCESS
Trusted Los Angeles rideshare accident attorney holding Uber, Lyft, and Waymo accountable — recovering full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and everything the crash took from you.
You didn’t cause this. You shouldn’t be the one paying for it. Uber, Lyft, and Waymo have legal teams working on your case before you’ve left the scene.
From our Glendale office, we represent rideshare accident victims across California — including Glendale, Los Angeles, Burbank, Pasadena, the San Fernando Valley, and statewide. The earlier we get involved, the stronger your case.
Call today. The review is free and there is no obligation.
