What Evidence Should I Gather At The Scene Of A Rideshare Car Accident?
Gathering evidence at the scene of an Uber, Lyft, or rideshare accident helps support your potential claim.
As experienced Pasadena Uber & Lyft car accident lawyers, we recommend you collect the following evidence immediately after the incident:
- Photographs and videos: Take clear images of the scene, vehicle damage, visible injuries, road conditions, traffic controls, and any skid marks. This visual evidence can help clarify what caused the accident.
- Contact information: Collect names, phone numbers, addresses, and emails from everyone involved, including rideshare drivers, passengers, other motorists, and witnesses.
- Witness statements: If possible, get written or recorded statements from witnesses describing their observations. These accounts can be valuable during an investigation.
- Driver and vehicle information: Write down the rideshare driver's name, vehicle make, model, license plate, insurance details, and registration number.
- Take screenshots of your ride details: Keep proof of your driver, vehicle, and trip receipt. This helps confirm you were riding in the vehicle at the time of the crash.
- Police report: Call police so an official accident report can be created. Request a copy for your records since it often contains a key summary of the incident.
- Medical records: Seek medical care immediately—even for minor pain. Documentation in medical records is important if you decide to pursue a claim for compensation.
By carefully collecting this proof, you will improve your position when filing a claim. Our Pasadena rideshare car accident attorneys are ready to help you navigate the legal system and get the compensation you deserve. If you have been in an Uber/Lyft car accident, please call us for a free consultation to discuss your case.
How Much Insurance Coverage Do Uber & Lyft Drivers Have?
The amount of insurance available in a rideshare accident depends on the driver’s app status at the time. If an Uber driver is taking a trip, the company provides $1 million in liability coverage. When the app is on but the driver is not carrying a passenger, only $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident applies.
Uber and Lyft often try to avoid covering accident losses, so working with a personal injury lawyer who knows rideshare claims can help you pursue fair results if you have been injured.
By demonstrating the following, we will hold Uber & Lyft accountable for your injuries:
- Uber & Lyft drivers lack proper training or guidelines
- There are no mandatory vehicle inspections or upkeep
- The GPS Uber/Lyft system arguably violates California traffic laws by distracting its drivers
- Uber/Lyft should be responsible for their employed drivers
Investigators and insurance representatives look closely at when and how the crash occurred to decide which policy applies. California laws set up different coverage levels based on whether the driver was awaiting a ride or taking a fare. In Pasadena’s high-traffic corridors and during special events, adjusters may respond quickly to claims and require more documentation. Clarifying the driver’s status and trip details can affect not just the available coverage, but also the speed and outcome of your claim.
While each case is different, our goal remains the same: we demand that the responsible party pay for all harm caused to our clients.
Who Is Liable in Uber & Lyft Dooring Accidents?
If a car door swings open suddenly and injures a cyclist or pedestrian, it is known as a dooring accident. Usually, whoever opened the door bears responsibility for the injuries. The rules can differ, however, when the person opening the door is a passenger in an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare vehicle.
Drivers for rideshare companies have a duty to release passengers only when it is safe. If a cyclist or pedestrian is close, the driver should wait. When failure to use mirrors or exercise caution results in a dooring accident, the driver could share liability for any injuries.
Pasadena intersections such as Colorado Boulevard and the area around Pasadena City College often see heavy rideshare and bicycle traffic. Drivers and passengers both need to be vigilant before opening a door. Attorneys sometimes review surveillance footage or consult emergency responders familiar with crowded city areas to clarify what happened and assign responsibility. These additional steps help identify who was at fault in complicated dooring incidents.
Uber and Lyft drivers in Pasadena can reduce their risk by placing warning stickers inside the car to remind passengers to watch for cyclists before exiting. McGee Lerer Ogrin offers free sticker sets to rideshare drivers who call (626) 642-9302. We recommend attaching stickers to the inside of the rear doors as a clear reminder for riders.
Why Hire McGee Lerer Ogrin
Rideshare claims involve complex investigations about fault and insurance coverage. At McGee Lerer Ogrin, our attorneys bring extensive experience navigating personal injury law, with backgrounds that include former insurance adjusters. We focus on clear communication throughout your claim so you know what to expect at every step.
When you work with us, we will:
- Thoroughly investigate the accident and gather evidence to support your claim
- Determine liability and identify all potentially responsible parties
- Negotiate with insurance companies to ensure you receive fair compensation
- Advocate for your rights in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached
Every case is unique, and Pasadena’s local rules and procedures sometimes affect how legal matters progress. Our team is familiar with area courts and courtrooms, which helps us move quickly and efficiently through the process. Our background as former insurance adjusters allows us to anticipate and address the strategies insurance companies use, whether your claim results from an accident during a special event or regular city travel.
We aim to help clients seek fair compensation for medical expenses, wage losses, pain, emotional distress, and damages that follow rideshare accidents. Our team is dedicated to standing up for your rights at every stage of the claims process.
If you have been involved in a rideshare accident in Pasadena, contact us today for a free consultation.
Contact Our Uber & Lyft Accident Attorney in Pasadena Today
When you choose our firm, we strive to secure fair compensation for your accident. Our experience and backgrounds help us pursue damages for medical bills, lost income, pain, suffering, and more.
Do not wait to retain counsel from our Pasadena Uber & Lyft accident lawyer. McGee Lerer Ogrin is more than prepared to assist with your injury claim. Contact us by calling (626) 642-9302 today to schedule a free consultation.
What Steps Should You Take After a Rideshare Accident in Pasadena?
If you are involved in a rideshare accident on Pasadena streets, you need to act quickly to protect your health and legal options. Taking these steps after a crash can support your recovery and your claim:
- Move to a safe area: Get yourself and others out of traffic, if possible, while waiting for help.
- Call emergency services: Notify police and paramedics, especially if anyone is hurt. Pasadena officers often respond rapidly in high-traffic areas like near the Rose Bowl.
- Exchange and document details: Trade contact and insurance information with all drivers and rideshare partners, and write down specifics about the vehicles involved.
- Collect evidence: Take clear photos of the scene, any damages, and visible injuries. If you notice any security cameras nearby, record their locations in case footage is available later.
- Speak with witnesses: Gather names and statements from anyone who saw the crash—witness accounts can help confirm what happened.
- Seek prompt medical care: Even if your injuries feel minor, a medical exam establishes your health status and connects your treatment to the accident.
- Consult with a Pasadena rideshare accident attorney: Reaching out for legal guidance will help protect your interests and make sense of your next steps under California law.
Time matters after an accident, especially in busy city corridors where road hazards and cleanup can erase important evidence. Thorough documentation and immediate care give you a stronger foundation to pursue the compensation available to you in the Pasadena area.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a claim after a rideshare accident in Pasadena?
In California, most personal injury claims must be filed within two years from the accident date. Some circumstances, such as claims against government entities, may have different deadlines. You should always consult a qualified attorney soon after an accident to avoid missing your chance to seek compensation.
Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault in a rideshare accident?
California follows comparative fault laws, meaning you may still recover damages even if you share some blame for the accident. Any compensation you receive may be reduced by your percentage of fault as determined by the facts of the case.
What types of damages are available after an Uber or Lyft accident?
Victims of rideshare accidents may recover compensation for medical bills, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other related expenses. The total amount depends on the nature of your injuries, how the accident occurred, and the insurance available.
