Car accidents are a regular occurrence across Southern California, and Santa Ana is one of the hotspots. With heavy traffic on major roads like Bristol Street, 17th Street, and intersections near the I-5 and SR-55, collisions happen daily. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, Orange County sees thousands of traffic crashes every year—many resulting in serious injuries.
While most of the focus after an accident is on drivers, passengers are just as vulnerable—if not more so—to injury, often with no control over the situation. Unfortunately, their legal rights are frequently misunderstood or ignored.
Whether you were riding with a friend, in a rideshare vehicle like Uber or Lyft, or commuting through Santa Ana’s busy streets, you may be entitled to financial recovery for your medical expenses, lost income, emotional distress, and other losses.
Under California law, passengers have the legal right to pursue financial compensation for injuries sustained in a car accident. It doesn’t matter whether the driver of the car you were in caused the crash, or if another driver was responsible—you still have a right to recover damages.
Many passengers mistakenly believe they must absorb their own costs or wait for the drivers’ insurance companies to sort things out. That’s simply not true. You have a right to take legal action independently to protect your interests.
If the driver of the vehicle you were in was responsible for the crash—through reckless driving, distraction, speeding, or any other negligent act—you can file a claim against their auto insurance policy. While this may feel awkward, especially if the driver is someone you know, remember: you’re not suing them personally—you're pursuing a claim against their insurer to cover your legitimate expenses.
If another driver or a third party (like a truck company or commercial vehicle operator) caused the accident, you may file a claim against their insurance. Sometimes multiple parties share fault, and in those cases, your attorney will identify every liable party to ensure you receive full compensation.
This includes emergency care, surgeries, physical therapy, prescriptions, and ongoing medical treatment. Even future medical costs can be part of your claim if your injuries require long-term care.
If your injuries force you to miss work or impact your ability to earn income in the future, you can seek compensation for those financial losses.
This covers the physical pain and discomfort caused by your injuries, including chronic conditions, reduced mobility, or lasting discomfort.
Injuries can take a serious mental toll, leading to anxiety, depression, PTSD, or sleep disturbances. These psychological impacts are just as real and compensable as physical ones.
Your first priority is to check yourself and others for injuries and get to a safe location if possible. Then, call 911 to report the accident. Having police at the scene ensures that an official report is created, which will be a crucial piece of evidence later on. Even if the crash seems minor, it’s important to document it properly.
Not all injuries are immediately visible. Whiplash, internal injuries, and concussions may not show symptoms right away. Seeking prompt medical care not only protects your health—it also creates a record that links your injuries directly to the accident, which is critical for any personal injury claim.
If you’re physically able, use your phone to:
Even though you weren’t driving, you still have the right to collect information from everyone involved. Get:
Insurance companies may contact you soon after the crash, asking for a recorded statement. Don’t feel pressured to comply. Their goal is to minimize payouts—not protect your interests. Politely decline and tell them your attorney will be in touch.
Rideshare companies are required by California law to carry commercial liability insurance, but the coverage available depends on what the driver was doing at the time of the accident. There are three key periods that determine insurance coverage:
If you were injured as a rideshare passenger, you are covered under that $1 million policy, regardless of which driver was at fault.
If your rideshare driver caused the crash—due to speeding, distraction, or another form of negligence—you can file a claim under Uber or Lyft’s $1 million liability policy. This coverage is designed to protect passengers injured while being transported.
If another driver (not your Uber/Lyft driver) caused the accident, your claim may be filed against that driver’s insurance instead. In some cases, both insurance policies may come into play—for example, if both drivers share fault in a multi-vehicle collision.
This high-limit policy is a key protection for injured passengers. It can cover:
The policy applies from the moment your ride is accepted to the moment you’re dropped off. It also includes uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which is vital if the at-fault driver has little or no insurance.
Though uncommon, there are scenarios where a passenger’s actions may play a role in the severity of their injuries or the crash itself. For example:
California follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. This means that if you’re found to be partially at fault for your injuries, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault—but you can still recover damages.
Example:
If your damages total $100,000 but you’re found 10% at fault (e.g., for not wearing a seatbelt), you would still recover $90,000.
This legal standard is particularly important in passenger claims because even small degrees of shared fault can impact your payout, and insurance companies may try to use these arguments to minimize what they owe. Having an attorney on your side ensures that any attempts to unfairly shift blame are properly challenged.
If you’ve been injured as a passenger in a car accident in Santa Ana, you may feel overwhelmed, confused, or unsure of where to turn. You are not alone—and you do have rights. Whether the accident was caused by your driver, another vehicle, or involved a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft, you are legally entitled to pursue compensation for your injuries.
At Tim D. Wright Law, we understand how stressful these situations can be. That’s why we’re committed to guiding you through the legal process with compassion, clarity, and personalized support. The sooner you speak with a qualified attorney, the better your chances of recovering the full value of your claim.
Don’t wait. Evidence can disappear, and insurance companies are already working to protect their own interests. Let us go to work protecting yours.
📞 Call Tim D. Wright Law for a FREE Consultation Today
Personal Injury Office:
1112 W. Burbank Blvd., Suite 302, Burbank, CA 91506
Phone: (323) 379-9995
Email: firm@timwrightlaw.com
Website: www.timwrightlaw.com
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