Tacoma Rideshare Accident Lawyers

Helping Rideshare Accident Victims Receive the Fair Compensation They Deserve

In the past several years, rideshare services have significantly increased in Tacoma. Many rideshare passengers cite the convenience and ease of using Uber or Lyft as the reasons for their increased popularity.

However, as ridesharing services have become more popular, the chances of being involved in an accident also increase. One of the most challenging aspects of dealing with rideshare accidents is determining liability and who should be held responsible for injuries, medical expenses, and property damage.

Unfortunately, insurers providing coverage for Uber or Lyft rideshare drivers are no different from other providers looking for ways to reduce or deny claims. Trying to negotiate the confusing legal aspects of rideshare accidents requires the help of an experienced attorney who will fight to protect your rights.

If you have been involved in a ride-sharing vehicle accident, contact South Sound Law Group immediately to schedule a free initial consultation.

Why Do Most Rideshare Accidents Occur?

Like other motor vehicle crashes, Lyft and Uber accidents may occur for several reasons. One of the most common issues involves Uber and Lyft drivers being distracted by GPS. When rideshare drivers are unsure where they are going, they may pay more attention to their screens than the road, leading to an accident. Drivers are also often distracted when driving by checking their apps for upcoming rides.

Other frequently cited causes of rideshare accidents include:

Speeding
Failure to obey traffic laws
Driving under the influence
Reckless driving
Turning around in intersections

Finally, rideshare companies all too often hire young drivers who lack driving experience, which can lead to accidents in congested areas.

One benefit of hiring an experienced Uber accident lawyer is that they can determine what factors may have contributed to the crash. If you have been injured in a rideshare accident, contact our law firm and ask to speak with a Tacoma rideshare accident lawyer who will review your case. We have a proven record of obtaining favorable results in Lyft and Uber accident cases and would be honored to assist you with your claim.

What are Commonly Reported Rideshare Accident Injuries?

Just as with any motor vehicle accident, injuries can vary based on the speed of the vehicles at the time of the crash and other external factors such as road and weather conditions. Additionally, in some instances, pedestrians or bicyclists involved in rideshare accidents suffer severe injuries due to their lack of protection.

Commonly reported rideshare accident injuries include:

Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries
Fractured or broken bones
Head, neck, and back injuries
Facial injuries
Cuts, scrapes, and abrasions

However, some victims suffer life-changing catastrophic injuries that include traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries that leave them permanently disabled. Other catastrophic injuries may include damage or loss of organs, amputations, or severe burns.

If you or a family member has suffered catastrophic injuries, you will most likely require lifelong skilled nursing care that can quickly become cost-prohibitive. Sadly, many insurance companies often look for ways to blame accident victims so they can deny or pay significantly less than claims are worth.

Regardless of the type of injuries you have suffered in a rideshare accident, you must hire an accident lawyer, like those from South Sound Law Group, who will provide you with quality legal representation and fight to help you receive the justice you deserve.

Why Do I Need to Hire a Rideshare Accident Lawyer to Help Me File a Claim?

Rideshare accident cases often present legal complexities that can be challenging to navigate without the help of a lawyer. If you decide to pursue legal action after being injured in a rideshare accident, hiring an experienced Tacoma rideshare accident lawyer is in your best interest.

Some of the most significant benefits of hiring a Lyft or Uber accident lawyer include:

Professional evaluations: A lawyer can professionally evaluate the rideshare accident to determine what legal strategies will yield the best result
Determining liability: A rideshare accident lawyer can determine whether the rideshare company or the driver’s insurance company should pay for damages
Assist with legal paperwork: A Lyft or Uber accident lawyer can assist you with completing legal paperwork and ensuring they are turned in on time
Maximize compensation: An accident lawyer has the skills to evaluate your case to determine proper compensation that will cover your lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering
Negotiate with the insurance company: An insurer is usually more willing to offer fair compensation if they know that a rideshare accident victim has a lawyer working to protect their rights

South Sound Law Group has highly trained rideshare accident lawyers who are passionately committed to helping clients seek compensation for their damages. If you have been involved in an accident with a Lyft or Uber vehicle, contact our law office to schedule a free consultation with a Tacoma rideshare accident lawyer who will gladly review your case.

Who Can Be Held Liable for an Uber or Lyft Accident?

Under state law, Uber and Lyft drivers are considered independent contractors. However, rideshare companies must provide insurance coverage when drivers are “on the clock.” The coverage provided depends on the Uber or Lyft driver’s status when the accident occurs.

If the rideshare driver is signed into their app and waiting for a ride request and is involved in an accident, they are covered under the rideshare company’s insurance policy. Insurance coverage for Uber and Lyft includes:

$50,000 per person
$100,000 per accident for bodily injury
$25,000 for property damage

However, if the driver is en route to pick up or is transporting a passenger in their vehicle and is involved in an accident, coverage is increased to $1 million if they are determined to be at fault. Finally, if another driver who does not have insurance coverage is deemed responsible for the accident, you are covered under the rideshare company’s insurance.

However, if the rideshare driver was not working when the accident occurred, their personal insurance company will be responsible for damages. Suppose a rideshare driver’s negligence caused you to be injured in an accident. In that case, you must hire an experienced attorney familiar with rideshare accident law who will fight to help you get the fair compensation you deserve.

How Does Comparative Negligence Affect Rideshare Accident Cases?

Washington follows a comparative negligence doctrine, meaning that an individual may still be able to recover financial compensation even if they are determined to be partially at fault for an accident. However, under state law, a plaintiff may still be able to recover compensation even if they are 99% at fault for the accident.

After an accident, each party involved may be assigned a percentage of fault. Any settlement reached can be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to them. For example, suppose an individual is involved in an accident and is granted $50,000 in compensation but is determined to be 10% at fault. In that case, the individual would receive $45,000 for their final settlement.

However, determining liability, especially if multiple parties are involved, is among the most challenging issues with rideshare insurance claims. Due to the unique legal nature of rideshare accidents and the rules for when their insurance covers drivers, it is always best to have skilled legal representation. Our accident lawyers can determine who the negligent driver was in an Uber or Lyft accident to help you recover a fair settlement.

Insurance companies deal with countless claims against them annually and look for ways to reduce or deny compensation to victims. However, an accident lawyer can obtain witness statements and medical records to easily substantiate your claim.

The South Sound Law Group has extensive experience handling Uber and Lyft accidents, determining liability issues, and fighting to help clients receive the compensation they deserve.

What Should I Do if I Have Been Involved in a Rideshare Accident?

If you have been involved in a rideshare accident, there are several critical steps that you must follow to protect your health and well-being. The steps to follow after being involved in a rideshare accident include:

Remain on the accident scene and move vehicles to the side of the road
Regardless of whether you are a driver or rideshare passenger, check for injuries
Contact 911 to report the accident. If there are injuries, request emergency medical responders
Exchange information with the other driver(s), including driver’s license and insurance information
If you are a rideshare passenger, obtain your driver’s information, including contact information, driver’s license and insurance information, Uber and/or Lyft number, and screenshot your phone records from the app showing what rideshare company you used
Document the scene by taking numerous photos and videos, including any skid marks, lighting, terrain, and weather conditions
Obtain the names and contact information of any bystanders who witnessed the accident
Whether you believe you are injured or not, seek medical attention from a healthcare professional. Internal injuries often are not immediately evident and, if left untreated, could be life-threatening
Do not post information, including pictures or videos, on social media
Contact an experienced Tacoma rideshare accident lawyer who can review your case and assist you with filing a claim

South Sound Law Group understands that being involved in a car accident can be frightening, especially if you have been seriously injured. Contact our law firm today to schedule a free consultation to learn how we can help.

What Type of Compensation Can I Recover After Being Involved in a Rideshare Accident?

If you have been injured in a Lyft or Uber accident, you may be entitled to pursue compensation for damages. State law allows accident victims to seek economic and non-economic damages after being injured by a negligent driver.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are awarded to reimburse accident victims for out-of-pocket expenses and may include compensation for:

Past and current medical bills
Lost wages
Loss of earning potential
Property damage

Additionally, an accident lawyer may be able to recover compensation that pays for ongoing medical treatment such as rehabilitation or physical therapy.

Non-Economic Damage

Non-economic damages are awarded to accident victims to compensate them for intangible losses based on their circumstances. It is important to remember that just as every rideshare accident case differs if non-economic damages are awarded, they will also vary. Commonly awarded non-economic damages may include:

Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life
Permanent disfigurement and scarring

Our rideshare accident lawyers can help determine what damages you may be entitled to recover and maximize compensation for your injuries.

Why Should I Choose Your Lyft or Uber Accident Lawyers to Help Me Recover Compensation?

If you have been injured in a Lyft or Uber accident, you may be unsure what your first step should be to try and recover compensation. South Sound Law Group is a law firm dedicated to helping injury victims recover compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering.

When you come to us for help with your rideshare accident case, we will work to determine who the at-fault party is and if the Lyft or Uber driver or their rideshare’s insurance company should be held liable. Suppose the insurance company is unwilling to offer you a fair settlement. In that case, we will begin legal proceedings to ensure you are treated fairly and that you receive maximum compensation for the harm you have suffered.

Our attorneys have in-depth experience and will work to resolve all the legal issues that may accompany your Lyft or Uber accident case. Unlike other personal injury law firms, we never make promises we cannot keep and strive to ensure you receive a settlement that will allow you to face the future confidently.

Contact South Sound Law Group at 713-597-6435 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a Tacoma rideshare accident lawyer who will professionally assess your case.