Injured in an Uber on the 101 Through Sherman Oaks: What to Do

Arya Firoozmand, Esq. — Founding Partner

Local Sherman Oaks Injury Attorney · UCLA Law

Arya Firoozmand is the founding partner at L&F Brown. He grew up in the San Fernando Valley, graduated from El Camino Real High School and UCLA Law School, and has spent his career representing injured clients across the Valley — including Sherman Oaks and the 405 corridor.

The US-101 freeway through Sherman Oaks carries some of the heaviest traffic in Los Angeles County. Uber and Lyft drivers navigate this corridor constantly, picking up and dropping off passengers at exits along Ventura Blvd and connecting to the I-405. When a crash happens on the 101 while you are riding as an Uber passenger, you need to know exactly what to do to protect your health and your legal rights.

Step 1: Stay Calm and Assess Your Condition

Your safety comes first. After a crash on the 101, check yourself and others for injuries. If the vehicle is in a dangerous position, move to the shoulder if you can safely do so. On a freeway, you are at risk of secondary collisions from passing traffic, so getting out of active lanes is a priority.

Step 2: Call 911

The California Highway Patrol has jurisdiction on all state freeways including the US-101. CHP will respond, secure the scene, and prepare an official accident report. This report is vital evidence for your insurance and legal claim. Do not leave the scene before officers arrive.

Step 3: Screenshot Your Uber App Immediately

Before you do anything else with your phone, screenshot your Uber app showing the active trip, the driver's name, rating, and vehicle details. This documents that you were a fare-paying passenger at the time of the crash, which activates Uber's $1 million commercial liability policy. Do not close the app or lose this information.

Step 4: Photograph and Document the Scene

If you are physically able:

• Photograph all vehicles involved and their positions on the 101
• Capture any visible damage and injuries
• Note the exact location, including the nearest exit or mile marker
• Get contact information from all drivers and witnesses

Step 5: Seek Medical Care Right Away

Even if you feel okay, freeway crash injuries can take hours or days to fully manifest. Go to Sherman Oaks Hospital at 4929 Van Nuys Blvd or another emergency facility as soon as possible. The medical records from your initial evaluation create a critical timeline connecting the crash to your injuries. Delaying care hurts your health and your case.

Step 6: Report to Uber Through the App

Uber has an in-app process to report accidents. File this report and document that you did so. However, do not give a detailed statement about your injuries or how you feel. Keep the initial report factual and brief.

Step 7: Contact a Rideshare Accident Attorney

As a passenger, you likely bear no fault for the crash. This is one of the strongest positions in personal injury law. Uber's $1 million commercial insurance applies during your active trip, meaning significant compensation may be available. A Sherman Oaks rideshare accident lawyer will pursue every dollar available from Uber's insurer and any third-party driver's policy.

What Compensation Is Available to Uber Passengers?

As an injured rideshare passenger, you may be entitled to:

• Full reimbursement of medical expenses, including care at Sherman Oaks Hospital
• Lost wages for time missed from work
• Future medical costs if injuries require ongoing treatment
• Pain and suffering damages
• Compensation from both Uber's policy and the at-fault driver's insurance if another vehicle was responsible

Do not accept any settlement offer from Uber or their insurer without speaking with an attorney first. Early offers are almost always well below the true value of a serious freeway injury claim.

Contact L&F Brown serving Sherman Oaks today for a free consultation. We fight for injured rideshare passengers and handle all communication with Uber, their insurer, and CHP on your behalf.