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What if the driver who hit you in Lomita had no insurance?
If a driver hits you in Lomita and has no insurance, you can still pursue compensation. Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft carry significant insurance policies that can cover injuries, even if the driver at fault is uninsured. These policies generally provide $1,000,000 in liability coverage during a ride (Cal. Pub. Util. Code § 5433(b)(1)).
California law requires all drivers to carry specific minimum liability insurance. When a rideshare driver is logged into the app and waiting for a ride request, but has not yet accepted one, a different, lower insurance tier applies, offering $50,000 per person, $100,000 per incident for bodily injury, and $30,000 for property damage (Cal. Pub. Util. Code § 5433(b)(2)). If the rideshare driver was completely offline or on a personal trip, their personal insurance policy would apply. It is important to determine the driver's status at the time of the collision to understand which policy is active.
Where do you file a rideshare accident claim in Los Angeles County?
You file a personal injury case in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. In Los Angeles County, a personal injury case is generally filed in the judicial district where the incident occurred, which for Lomita is the Southwest District. The case will then be assigned to that district's Personal Injury Hub department, consistent with LASC Local Rule 2.3 and the General Order re Assignment and Transfer of Personal Injury Cases, effective May 17, 2024. This means your case would generally be heard at the Torrance Courthouse, located at 825 Maple Ave, Torrance, CA 90503.
What should you do after a rideshare accident in Lomita?
After a rideshare accident, specific steps protect your health and your legal rights. Your actions immediately after a crash can make a big difference in your ability to recover damages.
Get medical attention. Your health is the first priority. Seek medical care immediately, even if you feel fine. Some injuries, like whiplash or concussions, do not show symptoms right away. A prompt medical examination creates a record of your injuries linked to the crash.
Report the accident. Call 911 to report the collision to the Lomita Sheriff's Station. A police report documents basic details, such as the date, time, location, and parties involved. This report can be a key piece of evidence.
Exchange information. Get contact and insurance details from all drivers involved. Note the name of the rideshare company and the driver. Take photos of the vehicles, damage, license plates, and the scene.
Do not make recorded statements. Decline to give recorded statements to insurance companies until you have spoken with an attorney. Insurers often try to minimize payouts, and your words can be used against you.
Talk to a rideshare accident lawyer. An attorney can help you understand the complex insurance policies involved with rideshare companies and protect your right to full compensation.
How long do you have to file a rideshare accident claim?
Most California personal injury claims, including those from rideshare accidents, must be filed within two years from the date of injury (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1). However, if a city, county, or public agency is involved — for example, if a municipal bus was part of the crash, or a dangerous road condition contributed — you generally have only six months to present a written claim to the public entity (Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2). The deadline is generally paused while an injured person is a minor under CCP § 352, but § 352(b) removes that pause for claims against public entities under the Government Claims Act. It is important to confirm the specific deadlines for your case with an attorney.
California law allows recovery for medical costs, lost earnings, and non-economic harm. This can include reimbursement for medical treatment, physical therapy, prescription medications, and lost wages if your injuries prevent you from working. You can also recover for non-economic damages like pain, suffering, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. For survival actions filed on or after January 1, 2026, pain, suffering, or disfigurement of the decedent are not recoverable (CCP § 377.34).
What kinds of cases do Casa Legal Los Angeles handle in Lomita?
Casa Legal Los Angeles helps people injured in various types of rideshare accidents in Lomita. We represent passengers, other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists who have suffered harm due to a negligent rideshare driver or another party involved in a rideshare-related collision. Our firm handles cases involving serious injuries, wrongful death, and significant property damage. Whether you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, or another driver hit by a rideshare vehicle, we pursue the full compensation available under California law for your medical bills, lost income, and other damages. We also help families in Lomita with wrongful death claims arising from fatal rideshare collisions, seeking compensation for their profound losses. Our attorneys also assist individuals involved in other types of vehicle crashes, including car accidents in Lomita and motorcycle accidents in Lomita.
What does working with Casa Legal Los Angeles involve?
Working with Casa Legal Los Angeles starts with a free consultation. You share the details of your rideshare accident, and we explain your legal options. If we take your case, we begin a thorough investigation. This involves gathering evidence like police reports, medical records, witness statements, and rideshare company data. We handle all communications with insurance companies, protecting you from tactics meant to minimize your claim.
We aim to negotiate a fair settlement that covers your losses. If negotiations do not lead to a just outcome, we are prepared to take your case to court. Throughout the process, we keep you informed and answer your questions directly. Our personal injury and employment law firm focuses on obtaining the best possible outcome for you. We also represent injured individuals throughout Los Angeles County, including those in Glendale and Culver City, and other cities like Garden Grove and Fillmore.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does rideshare insurance work in Lomita?
Rideshare insurance in Lomita operates in different tiers depending on the driver's status at the time of the accident. When a rideshare driver is carrying a passenger or en route to pick one up, a $1,000,000 liability policy from the rideshare company is typically active (Cal. Pub. Util. Code § 5433(b)(1)). If the driver is logged into the app but waiting for a request, a lower policy applies, covering $50,000 per person and $100,000 per incident for bodily injury, and $30,000 for property damage. When the driver is offline, their personal auto insurance applies.
Can I sue a rideshare company directly after a Lomita accident?
Generally, you sue the rideshare driver and access the rideshare company's insurance policy, rather than directly suing the company itself. Rideshare companies typically classify their drivers as independent contractors, which limits direct liability in most accident cases. However, the substantial insurance policies they carry are specifically designed to cover accidents that occur while a driver is engaged with the rideshare app. An attorney can help determine the responsible parties and how to access the available coverage.
What if I was a passenger in a rideshare accident in Los Angeles County?
If you were a passenger in a rideshare accident in Los Angeles County, you are generally in a strong position to recover compensation. As a passenger, you are typically not at fault for the collision, which simplifies the liability aspect of your claim. The rideshare company's large insurance policy for active rides (often $1,000,000 in liability coverage) is designed to protect you in such situations. Your focus should be on getting medical care, and then consulting an attorney to manage the claim against the appropriate insurance policies.
What is the deadline to file a claim if a public entity was involved in my Lomita rideshare accident?
If a public entity, such as the City of Lomita or Los Angeles County, was involved in your rideshare accident, the deadline to file a claim is much shorter than standard personal injury cases. You must present a written claim to the public entity within six months from the date of the accident (Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2). Failing to meet this strict deadline can result in losing your right to pursue compensation, even if the public entity was clearly at fault.
If you have been injured in a rideshare accident in Lomita, contact Casa Legal Los Angeles. Call us today at 888-585-2529 for a free consultation. No attorney's fees or case costs unless we win.
Serving Lomita
Our attorneys represent clients throughout Lomita and the greater Los Angeles area.
Where a Lomita claim is filed
A personal injury claim arising in Lomita is filed in Torrance Courthouse, Southwest District of the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles.
In Los Angeles County a personal injury case is filed in the judicial district where the incident occurred and is assigned to that district's Personal Injury Hub department (LASC Local Rule 2.3; General Order re Assignment and Transfer of Personal Injury Cases, effective May 17, 2024).
Catchment boundaries change. Confirm the filing courthouse on the court's official locator before relying on it.
Source: Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles — Local Rules, Chapter 2 (verified August 23, 2026).
Deadlines that apply in Lomita
The California filing deadlines that apply to an incident in Lomita (Los Angeles County) come from state statute, not a local rule. These are the deadlines cited most often.
2 years — personal injury lawsuit
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 — two years from the date of injury for most personal injury and wrongful death claims.
6 months — claim against a public entity
Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2 — a written claim must be presented to the public entity within six months for claims involving death or injury to person or personal property, before a lawsuit may be filed.
Injured minors
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 352 — the limitations period is generally tolled while the injured person is a minor, but the six-month government claim deadline is not tolled the same way.
This is general information about California law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Deadlines change with the facts and with who the defendant is — a claim against a city, county, transit agency, or the state triggers a much shorter deadline, and delayed discovery, tolling, and other exceptions apply. Casa Legal Los Angeles is licensed to practice in California. Confirm any deadline with an attorney.
Sources: California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1; California Government Code § 911.2 (verified August 23, 2026).