Injured in an Uber or Lyft Accident in Encino? Attorney Anthony Girgis Can Help.
Rideshare accidents involving Uber and Lyft on Ventura Boulevard, the US-101 Freeway, and throughout the San Fernando Valley are among the most legally complex personal injury cases in California. Multiple insurance policies, shifting liability depending on the driver’s status at the time of the accident, and aggressive corporate legal teams make these cases extremely challenging without experienced legal representation. Attorney Anthony Girgis is based in Encino just minutes from some of the busiest Uber and Lyft pickup zones in the San Fernando Valley and has recovered millions of dollars for rideshare accident victims throughout Encino, Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, Woodland Hills, and the greater Los Angeles area for over 16 years.
Whether you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, a driver struck by a rideshare vehicle, or a pedestrian injured by a rideshare driver, you deserve experienced legal representation that fights for every dollar of compensation you are owed. There are no upfront fees and you pay nothing unless we win your case. Call (818) 986-5000 for a free consultation available 24/7.
The Three Phases of Rideshare Insurance Coverage
Understanding which insurance policy covers your injuries depends entirely on what the Uber or Lyft driver was doing at the time of the accident. There are three distinct phases of rideshare operation and each has different insurance coverage.
Phase 1 is when the driver’s app is off. The driver’s personal auto insurance applies and Uber and Lyft provide no coverage whatsoever. Phase 2 is when the driver’s app is on but no ride has been accepted. Uber and Lyft provide limited liability coverage of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury. Phase 3 is when the driver has accepted a ride and the passenger is in the vehicle. Uber and Lyft provide $1 million in liability coverage per accident.
Determining which phase applies to your accident is critical to identifying all available insurance coverage. Attorney Anthony Girgis investigates every rideshare accident thoroughly to ensure all coverage is identified and pursued.
Who Can File a Rideshare Accident Claim?
Many people do not realize how many different types of victims can file a rideshare accident claim in California. You may be entitled to compensation if you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle that was involved in an accident, a driver or passenger in another vehicle struck by an Uber or Lyft driver, a pedestrian or bicyclist struck by a rideshare vehicle, an Uber or Lyft driver injured by another driver while you had a passenger in your vehicle, or a delivery driver for Uber Eats or DoorDash injured while making a delivery.
Attorney Anthony Girgis has experience representing all types of rideshare accident victims throughout the San Fernando Valley. Call (818) 986-5000 for a free consultation.
Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents in Encino
Rideshare accidents in Encino and the San Fernando Valley frequently occur on Ventura Boulevard near restaurants and entertainment venues, at pickup and dropoff zones near the Encino Town Center and Westfield Fashion Square, on the 101 Freeway during peak commute hours, and at intersections along Balboa Boulevard and Sepulveda Boulevard. Common causes include distracted driving while using the Uber or Lyft app, driver fatigue from long hours on the platform, drivers unfamiliar with local roads, and drivers making sudden stops for pickups or dropoffs.
Common Injuries in Rideshare Accidents
Rideshare accidents cause the same range of injuries as other car accidents including whiplash and soft tissue injuries, herniated and bulging discs, traumatic brain injuries and concussions, broken bones and fractures, shoulder and knee injuries, and internal organ damage. Even lower-speed rideshare accidents can cause injuries that require months of treatment. Attorney Anthony Girgis works with trusted medical providers throughout the San Fernando Valley who treat rideshare accident victims on a lien basis — meaning you can receive treatment without health insurance or upfront payment.
High-Risk Rideshare Accident Zones in the San Fernando Valley
Uber and Lyft accidents in the San Fernando Valley tend to cluster around high-demand pickup and dropoff zones where drivers make frequent sudden stops and navigational decisions:
Ventura Boulevard through Encino and Sherman Oaks is one of the highest-volume rideshare corridors in the Valley — with constant pickup and dropoff activity near restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues creating rear-end and sideswipe collision risks. The US-101 Freeway through Studio City, Sherman Oaks, and Encino sees frequent rideshare accidents during morning and evening peak hours when drivers accelerate and decelerate rapidly between exits. Westfield Fashion Square and the Encino Town Center generate heavy rideshare traffic with drivers stopping suddenly in travel lanes. Van Nuys Boulevard through Van Nuys and Sherman Oaks is another high-volume rideshare corridor with significant accident risk. Universal City and Studio City near the 101/134 interchange see extremely high rideshare demand from entertainment industry workers and tourists.
What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Encino
Call 911 and get a police report. Seek medical attention immediately even if you feel fine. Take screenshots of your Uber or Lyft app showing your trip details, driver information, and route. Photograph all vehicles, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Get contact information from all witnesses. Report the accident through the Uber or Lyft app. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance adjuster without consulting an attorney first. Learn more about what to do if you are injured in an Uber or Lyft accident. Call Girgis Law Firm at (818) 986-5000 for a free same-day consultation.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Rideshare Accident?
If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Encino, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses including emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, and future treatment, lost wages and lost earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from working, pain and suffering for the physical and emotional impact of your injuries, and property damage to your vehicle and personal belongings.
California follows pure comparative negligence, meaning you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault — your recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. See our guide to Uber passenger accident settlement amounts to understand what your case may be worth.
Why Rideshare Cases Require an Experienced Attorney
Uber and Lyft both have large legal and insurance teams whose job is to minimize payouts on injury claims. Common tactics include disputing which phase of operation the driver was in at the time of the accident, arguing the driver was an independent contractor rather than an employee to limit corporate liability, offering quick lowball settlements before you understand the full extent of your injuries, and using your recorded statements against you. Attorney Anthony Girgis knows these tactics and fights back aggressively on behalf of rideshare accident victims throughout Encino and the San Fernando Valley.
Why Choose Girgis Law Firm for Your Rideshare Accident Case?
Over 16 years of personal injury experience in Encino and the San Fernando Valley. Millions recovered for rideshare accident victims throughout Los Angeles County. Experience navigating the complex insurance coverage phases in Uber and Lyft accident cases. You work directly with attorney Anthony Girgis — not case managers or assistants. No fees unless we win — 100% contingency fee basis. Free consultation available 24/7. Access to trusted medical providers who treat on a lien basis — no health insurance needed. Conveniently located on Ventura Boulevard in Encino near the US-101 corridor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rideshare Accidents in California
What should I do immediately after an Uber or Lyft accident?
Call 911 and get a police report. Take screenshots of your Uber or Lyft app showing your trip details, driver information, route, and the time of the accident. This is critical evidence that can disappear if the app is closed or the trip is cancelled. Seek medical attention immediately and call Girgis Law Firm at (818) 986-5000 before speaking to any insurance company.
How long do I have to file a rideshare accident claim in California?
California’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. However do not wait — evidence disappears quickly and Uber and Lyft’s legal teams begin building their defense immediately after a serious accident.
Can I sue Uber or Lyft directly?
In most cases you cannot sue Uber or Lyft directly because they classify their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. However their insurance policies provide coverage during active trips and attorney Anthony Girgis knows exactly how to maximize the available coverage for rideshare accident victims.
What if the Uber or Lyft driver was at fault but I was also partially at fault?
California follows pure comparative negligence — meaning you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault but you are not completely barred from recovering compensation.
What if I was an Uber Eats or delivery driver injured on the job?
Delivery drivers for Uber Eats, DoorDash, and similar platforms may be entitled to compensation through the platform’s insurance policy as well as through the at-fault driver’s insurance. Attorney Anthony Girgis handles all types of rideshare and delivery driver accident claims.
Request a Free Consultation
Injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Encino? Call attorney Anthony Girgis at (818) 986-5000 for a free consultation — available 24/7. No fees unless we win.
Girgis Law Firm, APC 16055 Ventura Blvd., Suite 810, Encino, CA 91436 Phone: (818) 986-5000 Email: anthony@girgislawfirm.com