Best Lyft / Uber Accident Lawyer in Santa Monica

Just about everybody has the Uber and Lyft apps on their phone and uses the service on a regular basis. Santa Monica is one of the most popular destinations for Uber and Lyft riders in all of Southern California thanks to tourists, the Santa Monica State Beach, limited parking, traffic, restaurants, and bars. Rideshare drivers are just as likely to be involved in a traffic collision as any other driver on the road. Injured passengers and pedestrians have rights and should work with a Santa Monica Uber accident lawyer if an accident occurs with an Uber or Lyft driver.

About Santa Monica Uber / Lyft / Rideshare Services

The United States is the largest market in the world for Uber with nearly 93 Million users as of March 2021.

Some of the most requested Uber routes in Santa Monica also include rides to and from LAX (Los Angeles International Airport,) people getting a ride home from the Expo Line Santa Monica Train Station (the classic “first mile/last mile” problem with public transportation,) and riders coming and going from Santa Monica College.

Ridesharing is such a popular option among teachers and students that the school even has a dedicated Uber Zone on Pico Blvd.

Uber is a particularly great and cost-effective way to commute to and from work if you have to pay for parking, and will, of course, save you from a $10,000 DUI if you plan on going out and having drinks.

But anywhere people are driving in popular and congested areas like Santa Monica, there are likely to be car accidents.

And with the rise in not only rideshare services, but also on-demand delivery options such as Amazon Fresh, Postmates, UberEats, DoorDash, and Amazon Prime, the possibility of being involved in a crash with one or more of these services also rises.

Many Uber drivers now have installed a dashcam for their safety in case they get a crazy passenger and later need video evidence, or in case of an accident then the driver has footage of what happened.

If you are injured in an accident involving an Uber, Lyft, or delivery service vehicle in Santa Monica, know that you have rights. Contact the best personal injury attorney in Santa Monica at The Law Offices of Daniel Kim for a free case evaluation to learn more.

Practice Areas We Specialize In

At The Law Offices of Daniel Kim, our personal injury attorneys in Santa Monica exclusively handle motor vehicle accident cases. This sets us apart from other law firms that take any case just to make a quick dollar. Our outstanding attorneys focus on motor vehicle accidents. This allows us to offer the best service to our clients who want real experience and knowledge.

Car Accidents – This can involve any type of crash from an Uber wreck, to maybe a teenage driver hitting you, or maybe an old lady ran a red light and rear-ended your car. Call us for any automotive-related accident. 

Motorcycle Accidents – As we all know riding a motorcycle is very dangerous, and almost all motorcycle accidents lead to severe injuries.

Truck Accidents – there are actually quite a few semi-truck accidents in the area, but our law firm knows what needs to be done to protect your legal rights.

Pedestrian Accidents – These are always bad accidents because a pedestrian has no chance against a 2,000 lb. car that runs them over.

Bike Accidents – Bike accidents always lead to a serious injury, even if you are wearing a helmet. Broken bones and road rash are common in bike accidents.

Uber Accidents – Uber and Lyft have become so popular that sometimes it seems like every other car on the road is an Uber or Lyft driver.  Uber has a unique commercial insurance policy. Uber passengers and other cars who were hit by an Uber driver can file a claim.

Why Contact Santa Monica Uber Accident Lawyer, Daniel Kim?

It doesn’t matter if you are in an Uber, driving your own car, or even on a public bus, anytime you are traveling on public roads with other vehicles present there is an inherent danger.

If you are involved in an accident with an Uber or as a passenger in a rideshare vehicle, you will need a great local Uber accident lawyer to help you.

Do not just hire a friend or family member because you think you can save some money and help them out.

Once you start dealing with insurance adjusters, medical billing departments, auto body repair shops, and more, you will find the process gets very messy very quickly.

Daniel Kim is an experienced accident attorney in Los Angeles who has been representing the good people of Santa Monica with motor vehicle personal injury cases for years.

About the Law Offices of Daniel Kim:

• Daniel Kim has the resources to take on large companies, like Uber and Lyft
• We have over 1,000 positive reviews from past clients on Facebook, Yelp, and Google
• We can help you find immediate medical care and get you on the road to recovery
• We work with only the top investigators
• You can contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Car Accident Lawyer Daniel Kim – 다니엘김 교통사고 변호사
Address: 600 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: (213) 839-3442

Common Causes for Uber Accidents in Santa Monica

Like any motor vehicle accident, there are a variety of reasons that an Uber accident may occur, and like any other accident, there are bound to be property damages and personal injuries.

If you are either an Uber driver or a passenger in an Uber, there is a chance you may be injured if you are in an accident, and you need to fully understand the laws and liability to be fairly compensated.

List of what causes Uber accidents in Santa Monica:

• Speeding – the top reason for all motor vehicle accidents
• Distracted drivers – Uber and Lyft drivers are often looking at their app for the next pickup or looking at their GPS map while driving
• Running red lights and stop signs – when a driver is distracted by looking at their phone or dealing with other people in their car, they may dangerously blow through stops unaware and cause a major accident
• Tired drivers – although a maximum time limit of 12 hours has been imposed on driving an Uber shift, drivers can still become overworked and exhausted quite easily, especially on the weekends
• Driving under the influence – DUI arrests of Uber drivers are not terribly common, but getting in an accident with a drunk driver while in an Uber or Lyft is reasonable to fear and becomes more common late at night
• Bad weather – Southern California is famous for its basically year-round amazing weather, but when it does rain people drive erratically, to say the least, and the roads get very slick

Whatever the cause of your Uber-related accident, you will need an experienced Santa Monica Uber accident lawyer to be your legal advocate. Contact The Law Offices of Daniel Kim to get started.

Common Injuries from an Uber Accident

When you are a passenger in a car, whether it is an Uber or any vehicle, injuries can sometimes be worse as you may not have seen the accident happen and be able to brace yourself for impact as the driver could.

Factors such as were you wearing your seatbelt does the vehicle has airbags and did they deploy, and whether you were sitting in the front or back seat can all play a part in how seriously injured you might be.

Seeking medical treatment at a hospital or urgent care after being involved in an Uber or Lyft accident is imperative.

Whenever possible, accept transportation from the scene from an ambulance or paramedic to the nearest hospital or Emergency Room to get checked out. Do not wait around to see how you feel the next day. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

At the end of the day, the majority of an Uber accident settlement is going to be based on the severity of any injuries you suffered.

Daniel Kim’s main goal, as a Santa Monica Uber accident lawyer, is to make sure you get back to normal – health-wise, and we will handle the lawyers and insurance companies. Injuries we see regularly from Uber accidents in Santa Monica include:

• TBI – Traumatic Brain Injury or concussion is a serious concern that can have long-lasting negative effects
• Neck injuries – whiplash, neck strain, and torn ligaments are some of the most commonly reported injuries after any motor vehicle accident
• Back injuries – bulging or herniated discs, lumbar issues, and spinal injuries are major problems that could result in surgery and years of recovery
• Cuts and bruises – laceration of exposed skin and extensive bruising happen in Uber crashes all the time. Chances are you will have a serious bruise develop across your chest where the seat belt restrained you
• Broken bones – fractured or broken bones are very common, especially the wrist, ankle, and collarbone. A broken nose or jaw caused by the airbag deploying is also very common
• Loss of limbs – sometimes seen when a driver or passenger is trapped underneath a car, or injuries sustained in the wreck are so severe that amputation is required
• Death – always the worst-case scenario. In this case, we can help family members file a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver and insurance company

The severity of your injuries as wells as the circumstances around the accident will all play a part in determining the value of your case. Having verifiable hospital records immediately after the accident can only help your case.

What to Do After An Uber Accident

Many times after a car accident, those involved become disorientated, go into shock, or have injuries that cause them to be immobile.

If you can, stay focused and remember this shortlist of what to do next:

1. Call 911 – request both Police and medical assistance
2. Make sure a police report is created, and get the report number as well as the officers name and badge number
3. Details of the accident – note the exact time and place the accident occurred
4. Take photos and video – use your phone to document the accident scene, the damages to all vehicles involved, and all injuries sustained in the crash
5. Get drivers information – get all the drivers involved license, registration, insurance, and contact information
6. Go directly to the hospital – we can’t stress enough how important this is for both your health and the strength of your case
7. Seek medical treatment immediately – Go to the ER and get checked out

Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Santa Monica

Being in a motor vehicle whether it is your own car or an Uber or Lyft may feel like second nature by now, but the reality is that it is probably the most dangerous thing you will do all day. There were 170 car accidents in Santa Monica in April 2019 alone.

When it comes to driving in and around Santa Monica, drivers and Uber riders alike need to be extra vigilant when driving in the city’s more accident-prone areas. These include:

• Pacific Coast Highway (especially between the Santa Monica Pier and Sunset Blvd.)
• 2nd Street and Santa Monica Blvd. (there were 34 reported collisions here in 2018 alone)
• Lincoln Blvd. and Michigan Ave.
• Pico Blvd. and Lincoln Blvd.
• Santa Monica Blvd. and 9th Street
• Wilshire Blvd. and 4th Street

We also serve the following Los Angeles County cities from our Los Angeles office: Agoura Hills, Alhambra, Bell, Bell Gardens, Beverly Hills, Bradbury, Burbank, Calabasas, Commerce, Cudahy, Culver City, El Segundo, Glendale, Hidden Hills, Huntington Park, Inglewood, La Cañada Flintridge, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Maywood, Monrovia, Montebello, Monterey Park, Pasadena, Rosemead, San Fernando, San Gabriel, San Marino, Santa Clarita, Santa Monica, Sierra Madre, South Gate, South Pasadena, Temple City, Vernon, West Hollywood, Westlake Village.