Injured in an accident as a passenger? You have rights. Learn your legal options.

Passenger Injuries Attorney in San Diego, California

At Levinson Law Group, we are seasoned attorneys who focus our practice specifically on representing passengers and others injured in car accidents. Our San Diego car accident attorneys for passengers treat the people and families that we represent like human beings, not dollar signs. We offer experience and personal attention, guiding clients through the legal process of getting compensation for their injuries every step of the way.

Who is Liable When a Passenger is Injured in a Car Accident in San Diego, CA?

Car crashes can happen in a wide range of scenarios, from a rear end collision at a stop sign in a suburban neighborhood to a high-speed, multi-car pileup on a busy highway.

Who is to blame for the accident? It depends on the situation. Our San Diego car accident attorneys for passengers commonly handles cases where these parties are at fault:

  • Drivers: Driver mistake, distraction, drowsiness and intoxication often result in auto accidents. The driver’s auto insurance policy typically covers physical injuries and property damage caused by these accidents.
  • Car manufacturers: Defects and malfunctioning parts make cars dangerous to everyone on the road. Auto manufacturers that produce unsafe vehicles are often legally liable when those cars are involved in accidents.
  • Road crews, state and local agencies: Public agencies responsible for road maintenance and construction are liable for accidents caused by any hazards they create.
  • Others: Pedestrians, cyclists and others who cause or contribute to a crash can also be held liable for their actions.

At Levinson Law Group, we have significant experience investigating accidents to determine who is at fault. We also have a strong track record of helping our clients get the full compensation available after a crash.

What if the Driver is a Friend or Family Member?

Sometimes a friend or family member is the driver at fault in a collision. These situations can raise difficult questions about liability. Understandably, an injured person may be hesitant to point the blame at a friend or family member driving the car at the time of the crash.

The good news is that this is why we have auto insurance. Your friend or family member’s insurer should pick up the tab for your injuries. In certain situations, your own insurance policy may also kick in.

Insurance Claims for Injured Passengers

A passenger who is injured in a car accident in California has the right to seek insurance coverage under the at-fault driver’s policy – or the policy covering the driver of the vehicle in which he or she was riding – by filing a third-party claim. The passenger can often file multiple claims, including when more than one car is involved in a crash

It is important to understand that insurers rarely have your best interests in mind when reviewing claims. Sadly, many insurers go to great lengths to limit claim payouts or avoid them altogether. They may push low ball settlement offers in the near aftermath of a collision, a time that can be confusing and stressful for anyone involved in an accident.

That is one reason why it is vital to have an experienced attorney in your corner. Our San Diego car accident attorneys for passengers have unique insight into the strategies that insurers use to try to fight claims. Firm Founder Gordon Levinson worked for the largest insurers in the country on the defense side before launching his own legal practice. We understand how insurers approach these cases and we know how to ensure that our clients are treated fairly.

Our results speak for themselves: Our car accident lawyers have obtained a number of six- and seven-figure settlements and jury verdicts for passengers and others injured in auto accidents. Google us. Our clients give us excellent reviews for the services that we provide to people and families in their times of need.

Uber & Lyft Passenger Accidents in San Diego, California

The increasing popularity of rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft has, unfortunately, prompted an increase in crashes involving rideshare vehicles. These collisions often pose complicated questions about who is liable.

Uber and Lyft have fought hard in California and across the country to try to limit their liability for accidents. They argue that drivers are self-employed entrepreneurs, rather than company employees, and that the companies are not liable in the way an employer would otherwise be for accidents caused by their workers on the job. The question continues to be debated in the courts.

Meanwhile, Uber and Lyft provide limited insurance coverage to passengers and other people who are injured in accidents involving rideshare drivers.

For crashes that happen while a driver is using a rideshare app and waiting for a passenger, both companies offer up to $50,000 per person in bodily injury coverage, up to a maximum of $100,000 per collision. Uber and Lyft also offer $25,000 in additional coverage for vehicle and other property damage.

When accidents occur while a driver is making a trip with a passenger in the vehicle or is on the way to pick up a passenger, Uber and Lyft offer up to $1 million in bodily injury and property damage coverage.

Our Commitment to Clients

At Levinson Law Group, we have dedicated our careers to making San Diego a safer place by fighting back against dangerous driving, which includes working tirelessly for clients who often sustain serious and even life-changing injuries in auto accidents. We give people the confidence to focus on their physical recuperation, knowing that we are helping them get the full compensation available for their injuries.

We also support the local community by being active participants in key charities and volunteer organizations. Gordon is a member of the Mothers Against Drunk Driving advisory board and a director on the Max and Anna Levinson Foundation.

Our Passenger Accident Lawyers in San Diego, California Are Ready to Help You

If you or a loved one have been injured in an auto accident, our attorneys can help you understand your rights and options and take action to get compensation. Our offices are conveniently located in San Diego and Carlsbad. We are pleased to represent clients throughout the area, including in Encinitas, Vista, Oceanside, San Marcos and Escondido. Contact us online or call 760-827-1700 to schedule a free consultation with a San Diego car accident attorneys for passengers at our firm.