Washington Uber & Lyft Rideshare Accident Lawyers
When you are injured in a severe rideshare accident, you may be shocked and frustrated. You may have taken an Uber or Lyft specifically to help avoid any potential danger, such as taking a rideshare after a night of drinking, only to be injured anyway. Fortunately, we are here when you need a rideshare accident lawyer.
When you are injured in a rideshare accident, know that you have the right to pursue compensation, justice, and closure for your accident. When someone injures you through their negligence, our Washington Uber & Lyft rideshare accident lawyers at Calbom & Schwab Law Group, PLLC are here to guide you to the answers you seek, pursuing compensation that allows you to focus on your recovery, not just on your lawsuit. If you are struggling with your recovery, reach out to our Washington personal injury lawyers to learn more about the services we provide.
Rideshares May Lead to More Accident Opportunities
Both Uber and Lyft, among other rideshare companies, present themselves as alternatives to taxis and options for those who are worried about driving under the influence. However, these vehicles are driven by regular people without special licenses, meaning they may be just as prone to accidents as anyone else. Worse, with lengthy hours, they may be prone to drowsy driving and other issues that can lead to accidents.
According to an article presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each additional 100 rideshare trips within a taxi zone hour was associated with 4.6% increased odds of an injury crash compared to the control taxi zone hours. This article comes to the conclusion that ridesharing can increase the injury burden due to motor vehicle crashes. This can come from various factors, including hiring practices and lack of training, as well as long hours kept by drivers.
Keep in mind as well that rideshares have not been active for as long as taxis, meaning that there are ever-changing laws and regulations around these drivers. That can lead to changes in the legal statutes and regulations that can impact how your claim is handled. Because of this, it is crucial to find Uber & Lyft accident attorneys in Washington who are current on what you can expect from your lawsuit.
Liability for a Rideshare Accident in Washington
When you are hurt in a Washington Uber or Lyft accident, determining who is liable for your collision can be tricky. Fortunately, we offer guidance and tools to identify the at-fault party using evidence from the scene and beyond to pursue compensation from the at-fault party. Below are just a few possibilities for liable parties for your case.
The Rideshare Driver
Before seeking out an Uber accident lawyer from our team, you may be thinking that the at-fault party may be the rideshare driver, but they were also working at the time of the accident. In situations where a driver or other employee injures someone in the course of their employment, the company may be the ones liable for the injuries. However, this is only sometimes the case with rideshare drivers.
Companies like Uber and Lyft typically classify their rideshare drivers not as employees but as independent contractors according to the Governor’s Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance. That means they work for the company, but they are not employees. Because of this distinction, rideshare companies can frequently avoid accepting responsibility for car accidents like yours, except in extreme cases where the company failed to properly background check or maintain high-quality hiring processes.
However, that does not mean you are necessarily only able to sue the driver. If the driver was actively taking a passenger for a ride, whether that was you or another person, their insurance coverage would be activated during the ride. Both Uber and Lyft require their drivers to carry insurance covering up to $1 million in damages following an accident.
Other Drivers
However, your Lyft accident attorney with our firm may take a closer look at who is at fault for your accident. In these situations, you may find that your rideshare driver may not have been the one who caused her accident. Another driver may have been negligent, which led to an accident with the rideshare driver.
In these cases, you may still be covered by Uber or Lyft’s insurance policy. However, you may have other opportunities to pursue compensation from the at-fault driver. Washington is a fault state under RCW 4.22.070, meaning that if the other driver is responsible for causing the accident, their insurance company may be financially liable for covering you.
However, in either of these cases, the insurance company is not always on your side. They may use bad faith tactics to try to avoid compensating you for the accident, from delaying answers for your claim to lowballing your settlement offer. If you are unsure you were being offered a fair settlement, reach out to us to identify bad faith tactics and seek the total compensation you are due.
Manufacturer Liability
In some cases, the fault may not lie with either driver, or you may have even been in a single-car accident because the rideshare driver lost control of the vehicle. When this happens, we will investigate the accident scene and your vehicle for signs that the fault may lie elsewhere. Often, in situations where drivers suddenly lose control, fault may lie with a defective car part, such as faulty brakes, issues with the steering wheel, or airbags that do not deploy properly.
When a part of the car is faulty, responsibility for your accident may lie with the manufacturer. Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring their products align with safety standards, and all parts should be tested for defects before they are available to the public. If the manufacturer fails to take these considerations into account and makes a good-faith effort to avoid causing harm, they may be financially liable for your injuries.
Damages You Can Pursue Following a Lyft or Uber Accident
Following a rideshare accident, you may have suffered severe injuries, losses, and other types of suffering that have impacted your quality of life. Your Uber & Lyft accident lawyer can pursue compensation for these losses and suffering, also known as damages.
However, if you do not have the tools to determine what these damages are worth, it is easy to settle for less. You may struggle to identify what your damages are worth, especially for intangible or future damages. Fortunately, our team is prepared to pursue the total compensation you are due without settling for less.
Economic Damages
When you have been involved in an Uber or Lyft accident, you may have significant monetary damages to overcome for your recovery. These damages should include any financial losses you have suffered for the accident, which a Lyft accident attorney with our firm can help you determine. Below are a few of the economic damages you may be due following your accident:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Transportation costs for medical care
- Household accommodations
- Property damage
Keep in mind that your economic damages may not end simply because the accident is over. For example, you may require future surgeries, or you may miss work for months as you recover. We work to estimate these damages accurately so that you get the total compensation you are entitled to when you work with our Uber accident attorneys.
Non-Economic Damages
While you may already be aware of your economic damages, you may be unsure where to begin with your non-economic damages as described under RCW 48.140.010. Also known as pain and suffering damages, these types of suffering cover the intangible pain you have experienced because of your accident. Calculating these damages without the aid of an attorney can be difficult.
The good news is that our Lyft and Uber accident lawyers at Calbom & Schwab Law Group, PLLC provide the tools and resources needed to navigate these intangible damages. That includes determining the severity of your injuries and their ongoing impact on your future. Our team is dedicated to helping our clients identify the value of these damages, including emotional trauma, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Punitive Damages
When you are injured in a rideshare accident, it may have simply been because another driver was careless with your safety, and their negligence injured you. However, there are cases where you may have been injured by another party acting with wanton negligence or through intentional harm.
When this happens, you may hope to recover punitive damages, which are meant to punish the wrongdoer for causing your injuries. Unfortunately, punitive damages are not allowed in Washington personal injury claims under WPI 35.01 Exemplary or Punitive Damages unless extenuating circumstances apply.
Get Your Most Important Answers After a Washington Rideshare Accident
When a rideshare accident happens, you may feel lost in the aftermath. Fortunately, our team is ready with a free consultation and personalized answers about your claim. You can also always check out our frequently asked questions below for the answers you need now.
Who is liable for my injuries if the rideshare driver was not accepting rides when the accident occurred?
If you are a rideshare driver who was on a ride at the time of the accident, your rideshare driver’s insurance should cover the costs of your accident. However, if you were not accepting rides, you are not considered at work. Because of this, your accident may instead be handled as two drivers on the road without the complication of rideshare insurance.
Can I sue Uber or Lyft if a loved one dies in a fatal collision with a rideshare driver?
If a loved one dies in a fatal accident with any driver because someone was negligent with their safety, you may have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit per Wash. Rev. Code § 4.20.010. However, if the driver was in the middle of a ride, you may have more opportunities for compensation through their insurance policy. Talk with our legal team about filing a wrongful death lawsuit, whether you are eligible for a lawsuit, and what compensation you may qualify for.
Do I have to call the police following a rideshare accident?
When you are involved in a rideshare accident, contacting the authorities as soon as possible is not only useful for your case but also for the law. According to RCW 46.52.030, any accident involving injuries, death, or property damage must be reported immediately. Fortunately, our rideshare accident lawyers can use the information included in these reports.
Am I required to hire a rideshare accident lawyer?
While Uber and Lyft accident lawyers are not legally required to be hired for a rideshare accident, they can be vital when you are involved in one. We can pursue full compensation for your case, ensuring that you include any damages you have suffered in the accident. We are also ready to represent you in the courtroom, offering our experience and knowledge to guide you through your case.
How much is my rideshare accident worth?
The exact value of your rideshare accident can vary significantly. For example, if you are a passenger and suffer only minor injuries, your settlement may be much smaller than that of someone who was struck by a rideshare driver and suffered life-changing injuries. No matter the size of your compensation, our team is ready to help you pursue your claim.
Reach Out to a Powerful Washington Rideshare Accident Law Firm for Help Today
When a severe rideshare accident happens, our Uber & Lyft accident lawyers are ready to help make a difference in your claim. We have tools and resources to help guide you through your accident claim, from your initial consultation to the final decisions on your case. We understand that these claims are complex, and we are ready to simplify and streamline this process for you.
At Calbom & Schwab Law Group, PLLC, you can expect the highest quality service and extensive experience from our rideshare accident attorneys. We stay current on legal changes involving rideshare vehicles and are prepared to use that knowledge for your benefit. When you are ready to take on your claim and pursue the total compensation you deserve, do not hesitate to reach out by calling or filling out our online contact form.