You enjoy traveling in a Lyft as you make your way around Seattle. However, if a Lyft driver gets into an accident and you suffer injuries, you may have no idea how to respond. In this instance, treat your injuries, then ask for legal help from a Seattle Lyft accident lawyer. From here, your attorney can build your case for compensation from the liable party.
Premier Law Group has provided legal services to thousands of clients. Our Seattle rideshare accident lawyer can position you to get the compensation that you deserve from anyone responsible for your Lyft crash. To find out more, schedule a free case review.
Don’t Take the Blame for a Lyft Accident Caused by Someone Else
Your Seattle Lyft accident attorney wants you to hold anyone at fault for your rideshare collision accountable for their actions. Initially, your attorney can learn about your accident with a Lyft. They can identify any liable parties and pursue compensation from them via an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
Generally, your Seattle car accident lawyer will seek compensation from the insurance company of Lyft or the rideshare driver involved in your crash. They can keep you informed about settlement negotiations.
If you get a fair offer, you can accept and close your case. Alternatively, if no such offer is provided, you may have to take your case to trial.
Premier Law Group gives you access to a legal team with over 55 years of combined experience. Our Seattle personal injury lawyer can guide you through the process of requesting compensation through a Lyft accident claim or lawsuit. To learn more, request a free case review.
What to Expect if You Proceed with a Seattle Lyft Accident Claim
You should report your accident to Lyft promptly through the rideshare company’s app. This will initiate the insurance claims process. If you were driving when a Lyft driver crashed their car into your vehicle, you should notify the rideshare company and your insurer about the incident.
After your accident is reported, an investigation will get underway. All of the insurance companies involved in this investigation will work together to determine who’s liable.
Ideally, the insurer of the party at fault for your accident will make you a reasonable settlement offer. Of course, if this doesn’t happen, your Lyft accident lawyer in Seattle can describe how to sue.
In alignment with the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 4.16.080, you may have up to three years from the day of your Lyft accident to request compensation from any at-fault parties. If you wait too long to take legal action against a liable party, you may be responsible for your accident losses.
How Much a Lyft Accident Case Is Worth
As your lawyer looks for ways to get you the optimal Lyft collision case results, they will consider your economic and non-economic damages. Your attorney wants you to receive compensatory damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other tangible and intangible losses.
Your lawyer knows the value of your case as they enter insurance settlement negotiations. Ultimately, a liable party’s insurer may offer you a lowball settlement.
If you approve this, you could be responsible for most of your accident losses. Thankfully, your attorney can negotiate a settlement that provides you with adequate compensation or bring your case to a judge or jury.
If your Lyft accident case reaches trial, your lawyer can argue as to why damages are warranted. They may use witness statements, Lyft app data, and other evidence to validate their argument. If your lawyer’s argument resonates in court, a judge or jury may see that a liable party acted negligently and award damages.
For a FREE legal consultation with a lyft accident lawyer serving Seattle, call (206) 285-1743
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The Role of Negligence in a Lyft Accident Lawsuit
Your car accident attorney can teach you about negligence and how it can dictate the outcome of your Lyft collision case. They may account for the following elements of negligence as they get your case ready for trial:
- Duty of Care: Lyft and its drivers have a legal obligation to avoid any acts that could put you and others in danger.
- Breach of Duty of Care: A duty of care is violated when a party commits a careless or reckless act.
- Causation: In your case, a party does something that results in your Lyft accident.
- Damages: You are dealing with losses because of your accident.
Per Chapter 4.22 RCW, Washington has a contributory fault law that applies to negligence in personal injury cases. If you’re found to be in any way liable for your accident with a rideshare, the court has the right to reduce your damages based on your percentage of fault.
For instance, if a judge or jury says that you’re 20% liable for your Lyft crash, you may get 80% of the damages you requested.
Who Can Be at Fault for a Lyft Accident
Typically, Lyft or a rideshare driver can be liable for an accident. If a driver is working for Lyft at the time of your accident, they may be covered under the rideshare company’s insurance policy. On the other hand, if a driver doesn’t have their Lyft app on, they may be protected financially under their auto insurance coverage.
Your personal injury attorney will consider the facts of your rideshare accident as they determine liability. They may help you submit a claim, but will remain open to going to trial if a liable party’s insurance company chooses not to provide you with adequate compensation for your losses.
In Washington, rideshare drivers and other motorists are subject to the state’s mandatory insurance requirement. Thus, if a Lyft driver claims that they don’t have auto insurance, they may be breaking the law.
In this situation, you may sue the driver for damages, and your lawyer can help you get money from this individual as part of a lawsuit.
Our Law Firm Is Big Enough to Win and Small Enough to Care
The Premier Law Group team is here to help you with your Lyft collision case in any way possible.
Allow our Lyft accident attorney in Seattle to serve as your legal representative and advocate. Contact us for more information.
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.