Seattle Uber & Lyft Accidents Lawyers
Ridesharing is a convenient and cost effective transportation option for many commuters in our region. As explained by the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner, the two most prominent ridesharing companies—Uber and Lyft—are an important part of the state’s sharing economy and their business model is subject to unique insurance regulations.
Navigating the car accident claims process can be complicated—even more so if you are involved in an Uber accident or a Lyft accident. The skilled rideshare accident lawyers at Premier Law Group want to make sure that you have the knowledge and resources needed to protect your rights. We are proud to provide clients with top-of-the-line service and dedicated representation as we help them pursue the justice they deserve.
Three Steps to Take If You Are in a Ridesharing Accident
Following an Uber or Lyft crash, you need to take action to protect your health and ability to bring a claim. Whether you were a passenger, a pedestrian, or riding in another vehicle, it is crucial that you know how to protect your interests. Specifically, ridesharing accident victims should be sure to do the following:
Contact the Police
In Washington, collisions that result in injuries or significant property damage should be reported to the police. Drivers have a legal obligation to report the accident. That being said, if you were injured in a crash as an Uber passenger or Lyft passenger, it is in your best interest to ensure that the collision is reported.
Gather Evidence
You should attempt to gather all evidence available to you at the scene of the accident. Take photographs and videos, write down vehicle information, and get contact details from witnesses.
Get Medical Attention
All motor vehicle accident injuries should be evaluated by a qualified physician. If you were hurt in an Uber or Lyft accident in Washington, get yourself an immediate medical evaluation. You will only be able to bring a personal injury claim if you have medical records.
Notify Uber or Lyft
You should notify the ridesharing company as soon as possible after a collision. Both Uber and Lyft allow riders to report their accident directly through the app. A person who was in another vehicle and was hit by a ridesharing driver can call the company directly. If you are having any trouble notifying Uber or Lyft, call a Seattle ridesharing accident lawyer for help.
Additionally, it is crucial that you contact an experienced Uber and Lyft lawyer as soon as possible to begin the process of filing your accident claim.
What You Need to Know About Ridesharing Insurance in Washington
For Passengers
Under Washington law, Uber and Lyft are required to provide commercial insurance coverage for all riders. As a passenger in a ridesharing vehicle, you are covered by the company’s commercial policy. Indeed, ridesharing passenger injury claims are always brought through a commercial insurance policy. When a paying customer is on a “trip” in a ridesharing vehicle, the car is a commercial vehicle. For example, Uber provides a $1,000,000 commercial insurance policy for all ridesharing passengers. The policy is active whenever a passenger is inside of the vehicle.
For Pedestrians and People in Other Vehicles
One of the primary things that makes Uber and Lyft accidents complicated is that drivers use their personal vehicles for a commercial purpose. When you see an ‘Uber’ sticker on a vehicle, that driver may be on a commercial trip for the company or they may be running errands or riding around for pleasure. If an Uber or Lyft driver is not actually “working”, then any crash that they get into is covered by their own personal insurance coverage—not the company’s commercial policy.
Can You Collect Damages from a Rideshare Accident?
If you have been injured in an accident as a passenger of an Uber or Lyft, you are entitled to receive financial compensation for the losses you may have suffered as a result. The damages you may be eligible to collect include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Pain and suffering
Our knowledgeable team of Uber and Lyft lawyers may be able to help you understand what damages you are eligible to collect by going over the details of your claim.
How Our Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer Can Help
We know that Uber and Lyft accident claims are complex. These large companies are highly aggressive—and their insurers want to resolve all claims for as little as possible. At Premier Law Group, our Washington ridesharing accident lawyers are here to help you navigate the process so that you can get access to the full financial support that you are owed under the law. When you reach out to our office, you will speak to an attorney who will:
- Review your ridesharing accident case;
- Investigate the crash—securing important evidence;
- Navigate the overlapping insurance policies, considering every option for recovery;
- Handle all correspondence with Uber, Lyft, or the insurance company; and
- Take aggressive legal action to maximize your compensation.
We look forward to helping you pursue the justice you are owed by helping you calculate the maximum amount you are owed in damages for your injuries and losses.
Call Our Seattle Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys Today
Being involved in an accident as a passenger of an Uber or Lyft can leave victims with life-altering injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured in a rideshare accident, you deserve to be compensated for your losses. To get help with your accident claim, contact a Seattle Uber and Lyft accident lawyer as soon as possible.
At Premier Law Group, our Washington auto accident lawyers have the skills, experience, and specialized knowledge to handle the full range of ridesharing accident cases. If you or your loved one was injured in an Uber accident or a Lyft accident, we can help. From our offices in Seattle, Renton, Federal Way, and Bellevue, we handle ridesharing accident claims throughout Washington. To arrange a no fee, no strings attached consultation, please contact our law firm now by filling out our contact form or calling (206) 880-7518.