Seattle Uber and Lyft Accident Attorney

Uber and Lyft are popular companies that provide transportation in the form of a car and driver at the tap of a button. Because their mobile apps are made available to smartphones, transportation to the airport, a restaurant, home, or even a hike becomes incredibly convenient. Despite the seemingly harmless nature of such a service, the riders’ lives are placed in the hands of the contracted driver, and this can put riders at risk of getting injured in a car accident.

If you are injured in an accident involving a rideshare driver, the Seattle car accident attorneys at Elk & Elk are here to step in and take the wheel. Contact us to discuss your case for free and get the assistance you need.

Why Is Elk & Elk Preferred for Rideshare Claims in Seattle?

• Our firm has decades of experience working in King County and the surrounding areas of Washington State.
• We fight to protect all of your rights, from negotiating and dealing with insurance companies to handling all the necessary paperwork and documentation to file your claims.
• Elk & Elk will not charge you unless we win, working completely contingency-free.

How Can an Uber and Lyft Accident Attorney Help With Your Claim?

There are several steps your lawyer and legal team will take for you to increase and maximize your chances of a winning case. For example, your Seattle personal injury attorney will:

• Provide legal consultation to ensure an orderly claims filing, covering all the bases of a proper legal proceeding
• Fight for compensation for your damages should the rideshare company or driver try to cheat you out of the financial hardships you have endured
• Employ their depth of knowledge in automobile law to explore and utilize all possible avenues for a winning case

Steps To Take After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Seattle

1. Ensure that the scene is safe enough to move about. First and foremost, you must make sure that you are safe to exit the vehicle. Moving traffic or a hit-and-run situation can spell disaster if attempting to exit a crashed car. Additionally, a blocked door, protruding metal, or other physical danger could threaten your life if not properly addressed.
2. Make sure everyone is safe at the site of the accident. Safety and livelihood are crucial. Checking everyone’s state after the crash and identifying the need for immediate medical attention might save someone’s life.
3. Call the cops and an ambulance. First responders will document your experience, connect your injuries with the crash, place you at the crash, and help you obtain any further medical attention needed.
4. Alert whichever ridesharing company you are using. The correct rideshare company must be made aware of the accident. There should be a way to contact the rideshare company about the incident in the app.
5. Reach out to a Seattle rideshare attorney. Securing an experienced Seattle Uber accident attorney or Seattle Lyft accident attorney is the most important step to take when working to increase your chances of successfully securing compensation for your damages.

Determining Who is Liable in a Rideshare Accident

Liability in a rideshare accident can involve multiple parties, making it essential to identify who is responsible. Depending on the circumstances, fault may lie with the rideshare driver, another motorist, or even the rideshare company itself. 

When the Rideshare Driver is at Fault

The rideshare driver may be liable if their negligence directly caused the accident. Common examples include texting while driving, speeding, or ignoring traffic signals. In these cases, the driver’s actions put passengers and other road users at unnecessary risk, making them responsible for the resulting injuries and damages.

Shared Fault Between Multiple Parties

In some rideshare accidents, liability is shared between multiple parties, making the situation more complex. Fault may lie not only with the rideshare driver but also with other drivers, vehicle manufacturers, or even government entities responsible for road maintenance. 

When Rideshare Companies May Share Liability

In some cases, rideshare companies like Uber or Lyft may share liability for an accident involving their drivers. These companies typically classify their drivers as independent contractors, which limits their direct responsibility in most situations. However, there are circumstances where the company’s actions or policies contribute to an accident, making them partially liable. 

For example, a rideshare company may be held accountable if they failed to conduct a thorough background check on the driver, allowing someone with a history of reckless driving to operate under their platform. Similarly, if the app’s design pressures drivers to respond to ride requests while driving, this could increase the likelihood of distracted driving accidents. These factors can be crucial in determining whether the rideshare company shares culpability for your injuries.

Understanding Rideshare Insurance Coverage

Rideshare accidents can involve multiple layers of insurance coverage, depending on the driver’s status at the time of the crash. Both Uber and Lyft provide varying levels of insurance based on whether the driver is waiting for a ride request, en route to pick up a passenger, or actively transporting someone. Knowing how these coverage levels apply can help you determine who is responsible for your damages.

Lyft Insurance

Lyft offers different insurance coverage based on the driver’s activity during the accident. If the driver is logged into the app but has not accepted a ride, Lyft provides limited liability coverage for third parties, according to Lyft’s insurance information page. When a ride request is accepted or a passenger is in the car, the company offers up to $1 million in liability coverage, as well as uninsured and underinsured motorist protection. This coverage is designed to step in if the driver’s personal auto insurance does not apply.

Uber Insurance

Uber provides varying levels of insurance coverage depending on the driver’s activity during the accident. If the driver is logged into the app but has not yet accepted a ride, Uber offers limited liability coverage for third-party damages per Uber’s insurance information page. This coverage typically includes up to $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.

Once a ride request is accepted or a passenger is in the vehicle, Uber’s coverage increases significantly. At this stage, the company provides up to $1 million in liability coverage, as well as uninsured and underinsured motorist protection. 

Potential Compensation in an Uber or Lyft Accident

If you suffered injuries in a rideshare accident, you might be entitled to various types of compensation to help you recover. Compensation is designed to address the financial and emotional toll caused by the accident so you can focus on your recovery. Some of the potential damages you could pursue in your claim include:

• Medical care 
• Lost wages 
• Pain and suffering 
• Mental anguish
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Property damages
• Future medical care 

Contact Our Seattle Rideshare Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one is looking to file a claim for a rideshare incident, please reach out to one of our Seattle Uber accident lawyers or and Seattle Lyft accident lawyers at Elk & Elk for a free consultation. You can contact us by calling 1-844-ELK-WEST (1-844-355-9378) or by filling out our online contact form.