Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft made our lives more convenient. Yet, Uber and Lyft drivers have accidents like anyone else.
If you are injured in an Uber or Lyft accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your damages. However, rideshare accidents often involve multiple parties, insurance companies, and defense attorneys.
If an Uber or Lyft driver is at fault, insurance coverage depends on the rideshare phase when your accident happened. This issue is often challenged because the liability coverage vastly differs from one stage of the ride to the next.
At Seattle Injury Law, our Seattle car accident lawyers have the skills, experience, and resources to investigate and determine causation and liability and to uncover the evidence to prove your claim. Whether you are a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, another motorist, pedestrian, or cyclist, we want to help protect your rights to recover maximum compensation.
Call (800) 928-5486 or go to our contact page and complete the short form to schedule a free consultation with our Seattle Uber and Lyft accident attorneys today.
Why You Can Trust Seattle Injury Law
When a rideshare ride ends in an accident, the legal aftermath can quickly become complicated, but at Seattle Injury Law, we know how to cut through the confusion and fight for what you’re owed. Here’s why injured victims trust us with their Uber and Lyft accident claims:
- We have protected Seattle accident victims for over twenty years, helping them recover maximum compensation for their damages.
- We have recovered over $300 million for our clients.
- Our attorneys will fight tirelessly to help you get the justice and financial award you need to move forward after your accident.
- Our Seattle rideshare accident lawyers won’t take your case unless we believe it has merit and that we can help you recover maximum compensation for your damages.
Why Seattle Uber and Lyft Accidents Happen
There are numerous potential causes of an Uber or Lyft accident. Some of the most common causes of Seattle rideshare accidents include:
- Distraction– Uber and Lyft drivers may be more distracted than most other motorists. They may be checking for or answering a ride request, adjusting their navigation system to locate an address, or looking away from the road while searching for the correct address. If you have been injured in an accident involving a distracted driver, our Seattle distracted driving accident attorneys can assist you.
- Speeding– The more rides an Uber and Lyft driver makes, the more they can earn. Drivers may exceed the speed limit to complete their rides faster so they can accept another ride request.
- Drowsy driving– Many Uber and Lyft drivers work full-time jobs and drive for Uber or Lyft after a long day of work. They are more likely to be tired or sleepy when driving passengers around.
- Double parking– Uber and Lyft drivers often park illegally and unsafely when picking up or dropping off passengers. When they do this, they are more likely to be struck by another vehicle.
Common Injuries in Seattle Uber and Lyft Accidents
Uber and Lyft accidents can cause injuries ranging from minor to catastrophic. Some common Seattle rideshare injuries include broken bones, head and brain injuries, facial injuries, organ damage, internal bleeding, and spinal cord injuries.
Other common injuries include burns, whiplash, other neck and back injuries, lacerations, strains, sprains, bruises, cuts, and other soft tissue injuries.
Even if you don’t think your injuries are severe, you should get a medical evaluation immediately after an Uber or Lyft accident. Many severe injuries are not immediately apparent. Getting prompt medical attention helps protect your health and your legal rights.
Compensation in Seattle Uber and Lyft Accidents
If another party caused your injuries, you may be able to recover compensation. However, the compensation you recover depends on numerous factors, including the severity of your injuries and the available sources of coverage to pay for your damages.
If you successfully prove your case, you can recover economic damages such as current and future medical costs, lost wages, and other financial losses and expenses incurred due to your accident.
You may also be able to recover non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional and mental distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and other intangible losses caused by your accident.
The available insurance coverage for your accident impacts the ability to recover maximum compensation. Whether the Uber or Lyft insurance coverage applies and how much coverage is available depends on when the accident happened.
In period zero, the driver’s app is not open, and the driver is not taking ride requests. During this time, Uber or Lyft drivers’ insurance applies. Washington requires minimum liability coverage for all drivers.
In period one, the driver’s app is open, but the driver has not yet accepted a ride request. Uber or Lyft’s coverage applies during this time, but the coverage amount is limited.
In period two, the Uber or Lyft driver has accepted a ride request and is en route to pick up their passenger.
In period three, the passenger has entered the vehicle, and this period ends when the passenger exits the vehicle at the end of the ride.
In periods two and three, Uber and Lyft provide $1 million in coverage during periods two and three.
Because the liability coverage goes up dramatically in periods two and three, Uber and Lyft’s insurance carrier will likely dispute when the accident happened.
How a Seattle Uber and Lyft Accident Attorney Can Help You
You need an experienced Seattle Uber and Lyft accident attorney to help you recover the full compensation you deserve. The rideshare company and its insurance provider will work hard to deny or devalue your claim. They may even try to shift the blame to you.
An attorney will investigate your accident to help determine all causes and liable parties and uncover vital evidence to support your claim.
Your attorney can help establish the phase of the ride in which your accident happened to help ensure the maximum available insurance coverage applies to the accident and your damages.
An experienced Seattle Uber and Lyft accident attorney can help ensure all your current and future damages are included and correctly valued. They can negotiate to reach a fair settlement of your claim, and when a settlement is not reached, they can take your case to court and demand full payment of your damages.
Your chances of recovering maximum compensation for your damages are significantly increased when a rideshare accident attorney in Seattle represents you.
Contact Our Seattle Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers Today
If you have been injured in an accident that involved Uber or Lyft, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your damages. However, Uber and Lyft claims can be challenging. You need an attorney who is experienced in handling rideshare accident claims. The Seattle Uber and Lyft accident lawyers at Seattle Injury Law have that experience, and we can help you recover maximum compensation. Call (800) 928-5486 or visit our contact page to schedule a free consultation to discuss your claim.