Rideshare accidents can leave victims physically injured and frustrated, with growing medical bills and missed work. If you’re in this situation, handling insurance companies and determining who’s responsible can only add to your stress.
While you focus on healing, you can rely on Premier Law Group to handle your entire case. Our Federal Way car accident lawyers can manage your claim and work to secure the compensation you deserve.
We have been helping clients across Washington State for more than two decades. With nearly 60 years of combined experience, we will guide your injury case, manage complex liability and insurance issues, and identify who owes you damages. Call today for a free case review.
Why Liability Is a Challenging Issue in Rideshare Accident Cases
While many rideshare crashes involve regular passenger vehicles, they are far different from typical passenger accidents. Injured riders can run into issues regarding liability because it’s not always clear who is responsible for covering the damages.
Here are a few reasons why:
- The accident involves multiple parties: Liability can involve the rideshare driver, other drivers, the rideshare company, and even third parties like pedestrians or cyclists in a rideshare accident.
- Rideshare company insurance policies: Companies like Uber and Lyft have high-limit insurance policies that apply only in certain situations. Coverage depends on whether the driver was logged into the company’s app, waiting for a ride, or actively transporting riders.
- Independent contractor status: At many rideshare companies, drivers are independent contractors, not full–time employees. This distinction can complicate claims against the rideshare company itself.
- State and local laws: Different laws apply to rideshare accidents depending on where the crash happened, which can further complicate the case.
All these factors can complicate determining who owes you compensation. Our Federal Way personal injury lawyers will clarify these issues and determine how to proceed with your case.
How Rideshare Insurance Policies Work
Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have special insurance policies that depend on what the driver is doing at the time of the accident. Here’s how it works:
- Driver not using the app: If the rideshare driver is not logged into the app, their personal car insurance applies, and the rideshare company’s insurance does not cover the accident.
- Driver waiting for a ride: If the driver is logged into the app but doesn’t have a passenger yet, the rideshare company provides limited coverage. This includes some liability insurance, but it may not cover everything.
- Driver picking up or transporting a passenger: When the driver is on their way to pick up a passenger or already has one in the vehicle, the rideshare company’s full insurance policy applies. This can cover things like medical bills and property damage.
Understanding the driver’s status throughout a ride can help you determine which insurance policy might cover the crash. We will help you determine which insurer to file your claim with.
How Our Federal Way Rideshare Crash Lawyers Can Help You
You deserve to recover compensation from the right parties. When you come to Premier Law Group, you can expect a conversation, not just a consultation. We will listen to you and determine how we can manage the legal issues from the crash so you can focus on healing.
We will handle your entire case on a contingency fee basis, so you don‘t pay a penny unless we win. As our case results show, we care about our clients’ compensation; we have recovered thousands of dollars in car accidents and other injury cases.
When we represent you, we will:
- Investigate the crash: We will gather evidence to support your claims, which can include police reports, witness statements, medical records, and available video footage. These can help us build your case and determine exactly how the accident happened.
- Determine liability: Whether the rideshare driver or another party caused the accident, we will investigate and establish who is at fault.
- Handle insurance issues: Rideshare companies have unique insurance policies, so it’s important to understand when these apply. We will handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance companies.
- File your insurance claim on time: You only have a limited amount of time to file a claim. Our rideshare injury lawyers in Federal Way can ensure you meet all necessary deadlines.
- Seek compensation: You may be eligible for compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Your lawyer will fight for fair compensation.
You can get started on your recovery today. Call us today for a free consultation.
Recoverable Damages in a Rideshare Crash in Federal Way, WA
Damages are unique to each case, so the ones you can claim will depend on the specifics of your situation. Generally, you may be able to seek:
- Medical expenses: Compensation for hospital bills, doctor visits, medications, surgeries, and any ongoing rehabilitation or therapy you need.
- Future medical and rehabilitative therapy costs: If your injuries require long-term care or future medical treatments, you may seek damages to cover these anticipated expenses.
- Lost income: If your injuries prevent you from working, you can seek compensation for the pay you lost during recovery. You can also request future lost earnings if you cannot return to work.
- Pain and suffering: This includes compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and how the collision has affected your quality of life.
- Property damage: If your personal belongings, such as your car or other property, were damaged in the accident, you may be compensated for repair or replacement costs.
For a free legal consultation with a rideshare accident lawyer serving Federal Way, call (206) 285-1743
GET A FREE CASE EVALUATION
Filing Deadlines Apply to Washington State Personal Injury Cases
If you must seek recovery for a rideshare in civil court, filing deadlines apply. You typically have three years from the accident date to file a lawsuit, as state law outlines.
Don’t miss this deadline to protect your right to sue for damage. If you do, you may lose your right to seek compensation. We urge you to contact us now. Our rideshare collision attorneys in Federal Way can advise you once we have more information about the accident.
How Long Will Your Rideshare Accident Case Take?
The timeline for resolving a rideshare accident case can vary widely depending on several factors. Some of these include:
- Severity of Injuries: If you have serious injuries, the case may take longer because we must assess your medical treatment and recovery needs before determining a fair settlement amount to pursue.
- Liability disputes: If there’s disagreement about who is at fault, the case can take longer to resolve as several parties conduct their investigations.
- Insurance negotiations: Dealing with multiple insurance companies, including the rideshare company’s policies, can prolong the process, especially if they are slow to respond or deny liability.
- Court proceedings: If we cannot reach a settlement and your case goes to trial, it may take even longer to resolve, possibly months or more than a year.
We will give you a more specific estimate based on the details of your case and update you on all developments. We are here to support you and will promptly answer your questions and concerns.
Our Federal Way Rideshare Accident Lawyers Are Ready to Help
Accidents happen, but when it comes to rideshare accidents, figuring out who should pay for the damages isn‘t always clear. While insurance generally covers these crashes, securing the compensation you deserve can be challenging.
Premier Law Group is up for the challenge and here to help. As your Federal Way rideshare accident lawyer, we will handle your case while you focus on healing. Call us today for a free review of the accident, your legal options, and the next steps. We are ready to represent you.
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.