Uber’s RICO Lawsuits: What Los Angeles Personal Injury Firms Must Know in 2025
- Rush Intel Services
- Aug 15
- 3 min read
Introduction: A Turning Point for Rideshare Injury Litigation
In 2025, Uber Technologies, Inc. filed two groundbreaking lawsuits that could permanently change the landscape of personal injury claims against rideshare companies. The first came on January 30, 2025 in New York (Uber Techs., Inc. v. Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, Eastern District of New York). The second was filed right here in Los Angeles on July 21, 2025 in the Central District of California.
These lawsuits allege that certain plaintiff law firms and medical providers engaged in coordinated schemes to inflate injury claims—using unnecessary medical procedures, falsified accident reports, and lien-based billing practices. Uber is pursuing these cases under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), alongside allegations of wire fraud and mail fraud. This is an aggressive, rarely used strategy in the personal injury world.
Background: What Uber Alleges in NY and LA
According to the complaints and public court filings, Uber claims:
Attorney–Doctor Referral Arrangements Lawyers allegedly steered clients to specific medical providers for high-cost procedures, such as spinal surgeries, that were not medically necessary.
Inflated Medical Billing via Liens Bills were allegedly based on inflated lien amounts, with behind-the-scenes agreements to lower costs if settlements fell short.
Falsified Reports and Coached Plaintiffs Some plaintiffs reportedly signed blank accident forms later filled with false details, while others allegedly exaggerated injuries in sworn statements—contradicted by surveillance or social media evidence.
Focus on California’s Insurance Costs Uber highlights that nearly 45% of every fare in California goes to mandated accident insurance—compared to just 5% in Massachusetts—making inflated claims especially costly.
Why Los Angeles PI Firms Need to Pay Attention
Even if your firm has nothing to hide, these cases mark a shift in Uber’s litigation strategy:
Fewer Early Settlements Uber appears more willing to take cases to trial instead of negotiating quick payouts.
More Aggressive Discovery Expect broad subpoenas for medical histories, social media accounts, and video evidence.
Increased Expert Witness Challenges Defense teams may target expert credibility, especially if there are frequent plaintiff-side referrals.
Potential RICO Counterclaims Even without intentional misconduct, firms could be named in counterclaims—raising costs and risking reputational harm.
Risk Management Strategies for LA Plaintiff Firms
To protect your practice and your clients, consider:
Rigorous Client Intake Verify accident facts, review prior claims, and confirm injury timelines before filing.
Transparent Medical Provider Relationships Document all referrals, avoid questionable providers, and ensure treatments are medically justified.
Early Evidence Preservation Secure dashcam, surveillance, and witness statements quickly to avoid loss of key evidence.
Client Education for Discovery
Prepare clients for expanded scrutiny, including social media and medical record reviews.
How Rush Intel Services Can Help
At Rush Intel Services, we provide the investigative backbone PI firms need in this high-risk environment:
Pre-Litigation Case Audits – Verify accident reports, medical timelines, and witness credibility before filing.
Social Media & Surveillance Monitoring – Identify inconsistencies or confirm injury claims with solid evidence.
Witness Location & Interviews – Secure reliable testimony early, before defense investigators make contact.
Evidence Retrieval – Track down and preserve dashcam, traffic, and security footage before it disappears.
Conclusion: The LA RICO Case is a Wake-Up Call
With the July 21, 2025 Los Angeles RICO lawsuit, Uber’s aggressive tactics have arrived in California. This is not a localized dispute—it’s part of a coordinated national defense strategy. Plaintiff firms that adapt now—tightening vetting, safeguarding evidence, and partnering with independent investigators—will be better positioned to win cases and protect their reputations.
If your firm handles Uber or rideshare cases in Los Angeles, now is the time to strengthen your investigative approach. Rush Intel Services can help you stay ahead of this new litigation landscape.
📞 Contact us today to discuss investigative solutions tailored to Uber-related injury claims.
626-385-8662 or Info@rushintel.com
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