Seattle Rideshare Accident Law Firm
More and more people are seeing the benefits of traveling through a rideshare service instead of driving their car or even using public transportation. Rideshare services allow patrons to travel their city without worrying about stressors like finding a good parking spot or filling up on gas. You can just tap a few buttons, wait a few minutes, get in, and go.
However, rideshare trips are still susceptible to car accidents like regular car trips. The main difference, in this case, is that accidents involving rideshare drivers can develop into complicated legal matters. Regular car accidents are already overwhelming, but the added complexity of a rideshare accident could be too much to handle on your own. Reaching out to a knowledgeable Seattle rideshare accident lawyer can be helpful when dealing with the fallout after an accident.
What Happens if I’m a Passenger During a Rideshare Accident?
For most people, the procedure for making claims and pursuing compensation when you are a passenger in a rideshare accident is not apparent. You don’t own the car and weren’t even driving, yet you may be injured and suffer losses due to this accident. Certainly, that should entitle you to something?
Under normal circumstances, injured car accident victims would make a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance provider. Since you are riding in the driver’s personal vehicle when you use a rideshare service, your injuries may be covered by their personal insurance.
Passengers are protected in covered accidents because Uber maintains auto insurance on behalf of their drivers. In many circumstances, you are likely covered by the ridesharing company’s third-party liability insurance. Like Uber, Lyft offers drivers and customers comprehensive auto insurance coverage.
Uber Insurance Coverage for Passengers
In terms of coverage, Uber must have $25,000 in property damage insurance and $50,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $100,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident. Also, Uber has $1,000,000 in third-party liability insurance in case a driver is in an accident while on the way to pick up a passenger or in the middle of a trip.
Third-party liability insurance covers bodily injury and property damage to things or people other than the driver and their vehicle. When rideshare drivers cause accidents that injure someone, their bodily injury insurance will pay the victim’s damages.
Lyft Insurance Coverage for Passengers
While a driver is active on the app and awaiting a ride request, Lyft covers them under contingent liability insurance. The bodily injury and property damage coverage limits under this contingent liability policy are $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injuries, and $25,000 for property damage.
Depending on state or local restrictions, the policy limit could be different. Lyft also requires drivers to carry a personal auto insurance policy with collision or comprehensive coverage.
What Leads to Accidents Involving Rideshare Drivers in Seattle?
Ridesharing services relieve users of all the downsides of driving their own car, like navigating traffic, refueling their vehicles, and finding parking. Additionally, many drivers love traveling across cities to pick up and drop off passengers. However, there are drawbacks to Uber and Lyft that increase risks you might not encounter when operating your own vehicle.
Ridesharing accidents happen for many reasons, such as:
- Notifications from rideshare apps distract the driver
- The driver is inexperienced or has reckless driving habits
- Drivers making mistakes on roads they are unfamiliar with
- Riders requesting pickups and drop-offs at unsafe locations
- Driver fatigue is brought on by taking on numerous rides without rest
- Drivers breaking traffic laws to shorten travel times
To increase their profits, Uber and Lyft drivers are frequently urged to complete many trips within a short period. This mindset has the unpleasant consequence of encouraging careless drivers to engage in risky behaviors, including speeding, staying behind the wheel for extended periods, and continuously checking their phones while driving.
For a free legal consultation with a rideshare accident lawyer serving Seattle, call (206) 285-1743
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What Is Seattle’s Rideshare Accident Statute of Limitations?
After an auto accident, you only have a limited time to submit a claim. In Washington, you will be subject to the same statute of limitations for personal injuries sustained in your rideshare car incident as in any other auto accident. You have three years from the date of your accident to initiate a personal injury case.
When involved in a collision, it’s imperative to act as soon as you can. If you miss this deadline, the court can decide not to consider your case, prohibiting you from getting compensation for your losses.
Discuss Your Rideshare Accident With a Top-Rated Seattle Lawyer
Considering how new ridesharing is compared to other modes of transportation, most travelers are still unsure how to handle accidents. Rideshare accidents can be more challenging to address than typical auto accidents. You may need an experienced rideshare accident lawyer to intervene.
Premier Law Group houses a staff of top-rated Washington personal injury attorneys and car accident lawyers. Our legal staff can help you file a claim for damages and fight for your rights to fair compensation. Our attorneys are committed to providing clients with the proper legal guidance and we do not charge a fee unless we win. Call (206) 880-7518 or contact form straight away to schedule a free consultation for your accident case
Jason at premier law group is truly an outstanding individual. Our particular case was not something that their firm usually sees but they were more than willing to help us and give us all of the information they had available. I can't recommend them enough.