Cruising down Ocean Boulevard, taking the 710 toward Shoreline Drive, or heading home after an evening out in the East Village Arts District should never end in a violent collision. Yet, when an impaired driver gets behind the wheel of a rideshare vehicle, innocent motorists and passengers pay the price.

Getting hit by a drunk Uber driver in Long Beach turns a straightforward car accident into a multi-layered legal claim. Unlike a typical collision between private drivers, rideshare crashes involve app-status tracking and unique laws governing companies like Uber.

This guide breaks down what to do at the scene, how California law treats impaired rideshare operators, and how a skilled Long Beach drunk driving accident lawyer can help you navigate the insurance process. The Beliz Law Firm is here to help.

What Should I Do After Being Hit by a Drunk Uber Driver in Long Beach?

In the chaotic minutes following a collision with an impaired rideshare driver, the steps you take can significantly impact both your health and the strength of your future legal claim. Following a clear protocol at the scene helps protect your rights before key evidence disappears.

Report the Crash and Request Law Enforcement

Dial 911 right away and request both emergency medical services and law enforcement. When officers from the Long Beach Police Department or other responding law enforcement arrive, inform them if you suspect the Uber driver is intoxicated.

In California, driving under the influence of any alcohol or drugs is illegal, and California law specifically sets a stricter 0.04% blood alcohol concentration threshold when a passenger for hire is in the vehicle.

Law enforcement may conduct field sobriety tests or blood alcohol testing, and the resulting police report can serve as critical evidence for your claim.

Clear evidence that the driver exceeded the threshold goes a long way in establishing liability. Uber and its insurers are legally required to cooperate with other insurers and provide app status log data during a claims coverage investigation.

Preserve Physical and Digital Evidence at the Scene

If you are physically able and it is safe to do so, document as much as possible before the vehicles are moved:

Photograph the scene from multiple angles, capturing vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, debris, street signs, and traffic lights;
Record any visible signs of intoxication, such as slurred speech, alcohol odor, open containers, or unsteady balance;
Capture digital proof of the driver’s rideshare status, including Uber decals on the windshield, driver credentials, or active trip screens if you were a passenger; and
Collect contact details from eyewitnesses who saw the collision or observed the driver’s behavior before the crash.

Preserving this evidence can help establish how the collision occurred, whether the Uber driver was impaired, and which insurance coverage may apply.

Seek Immediate Medical Care

Even if you feel fine, initial shock and adrenaline can mask severe injuries like whiplash, internal bleeding, or concussions. Visit a local emergency room or urgent care facility as soon as possible. Seeking prompt medical attention creates an official record that helps to directly connect your injuries to the accident.

Avoid Giving Recorded Statements

Uber and its insurance representatives may act quickly to protect their interests. Avoid making recorded statements or accepting early settlement offers from any insurance company before speaking with an experienced legal advocate.

How Does Uber’s Insurance Policy Work in California DUI Crashes?

Navigating financial recovery after a crash with a drunk rideshare driver requires a clear understanding of California’s specific insurance requirements for “Transportation Network Companies” (TNCs).

Under California’s TNC law, Uber must provide different tiers of insurance coverage depending on the driver’s exact status in the Uber app at the moment of the collision.

Period 0: App Is Turned Off

If the driver was off duty and not logged into the rideshare app, Uber’s corporate policies provide zero coverage. In this scenario, you must file a claim against the at-fault driver’s personal auto insurance policy.

However, California’s minimum liability limits, $30,000 per injured person up to $60,000 per accident, may not be enough to cover serious medical bills resulting from a drunk driving crash.

Period 1: App Is On, Waiting for a Ride Request

When an impaired driver turns on the app and searches for passengers but has not yet accepted a request, Uber must provide primary third-party liability coverage. This tier includes:

$50,000 for bodily injury per person,
$100,000 total bodily injury per accident, and
$30,000 for property damage.

California also requires at least $200,000 in excess liability coverage during this period.

Periods 2 and 3: Ride Accepted or Passenger in Vehicle

If the driver accepted a trip request (Period 2) or was actively transporting a passenger (Period 3), Uber’s full $1,000,000 commercial liability policy applies.

Financial Recovery in Uber Accidents: What Damages Can You Claim?

A collision caused by an impaired rideshare driver often leaves victims facing mounting bills, physical rehabilitation, and intense emotional trauma. Crash victims have the legal right to seek compensation for losses caused by the collision.

Economic Damages

These cover verifiable financial losses resulting from the accident. They include immediate emergency medical treatment, hospital stays, surgical costs, prescription medications, ongoing physical therapy, and estimated future medical care.

Economic damages also include lost wages from missed work, loss of future earning capacity if your injuries leave you disabled, and compensation to repair or replace your damaged vehicle.

Noneconomic Damages

These address intangible losses that do not come with a standard bill or price tag. Examples include:

Physical pain and suffering;
Emotional distress, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress;
Physical disfigurement;
Loss of enjoyment of life; and
Loss of consortium for affected family members

These damages help make up for the personal, everyday hardships the crash causes in your life.

Punitive Damages

Beyond standard compensatory damages, drunk driving collisions may qualify for exemplary damages (also known as punitive damages). In California, punitive damages may be awarded when clear and convincing evidence demonstrates that the defendant acted with “malice, oppression, or fraud.”

The California Supreme Court has long held that driving while intoxicated may support punitive damages when the circumstances show a conscious disregard for the safety of others.

This precedent may allow victims of drunk Uber drivers to pursue punitive damages. Punitive damages serve two purposes: penalizing the impaired driver for serious misconduct and deterring others from taking the wheel while intoxicated.

The Advantage of Dedicated Local Representation with The Beliz Law Firm

Partnering with a skilled Long Beach drunk driving accident lawyer is one of the best ways to protect your rights. Our team will work to preserve app data, pursue full compensation, and hold responsible parties accountable for their actions.

When taking on corporate insurers, local experience can make a difference. Founding attorney Michael Beliz has spent over a decade providing personalized representation to injury victims throughout Southern California.

Michael brings a deep connection to the local community and a thorough understanding of the area’s roads and legal environment.

At The Beliz Law Firm, clients work directly with an attorney, not a case manager or paralegal. Because we operate on a contingency fee basis, you pay no attorney’s fees unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.

If you were injured by a drunk Uber driver in Long Beach, contact The Beliz Law Firm for a consultation.

Legal References Used to Inform This Page

To ensure the accuracy and clarity of this page, we referenced official legal and other resources during the content development process:

Michael A. Beliz, Esq., established The Beliz Law Firm in the spring of 2011. Michael has been a practicing attorney since 2006 and worked for two of the most prominent plaintiff’s personal injury law firms in Southern California. He has worked on and handled hundreds of cases as an attorney in all types of personal injury cases, including vehicle accidents, pedestrian accidents and dog bites, and successfully recovered millions of dollars for his clients.

How to Navigate a Car Accident Caused by a Drunk Uber Driver in Long Beach