Abogado de accidentes de Uber y Lyft en Spokane

Los conductores de viajes compartidos tienen la misma probabilidad de sufrir accidentes

Los conductores de Uber y Lyft no se enfrentan a un escrutinio estricto por parte de las empresas para las que trabajan. Para convertirse en conductor de Uber o Lyft en Spokane, solo se necesita una licencia de conducir válida, ser mayor de 21 años y que el vehículo sea inspeccionado y aprobado. Estos conductores no tienen formación especializada. En resumen, un conductor de Uber o Lyft tiene las mismas probabilidades de causar un accidente que cualquier otro conductor en la carretera.

Según el Departamento de Transporte de Washington, se registraron casi 4400 accidentes dentro de los límites de la ciudad de Spokane durante el último año con datos disponibles. De estos incidentes, se reportaron más de 1500 accidentes con heridos.

El seguro de Uber y Lyft es confuso

La parte más complicada de un accidente con un vehículo de Uber o Lyft es gestionar el seguro después del incidente. Ambas compañías gestionan los accidentes con diferentes niveles de seguro.

• Si un conductor de Uber o Lyft provoca un accidente cuando no ha iniciado sesión en la aplicación para trabajar, se lo considera fuera de servicio y su compañía de seguros personal puede ser responsable de cualquier gasto.
• Si un conductor de Uber o Lyft causa un accidente cuando está conectado a la aplicación para trabajar, pero aún no tiene un pasajero, su aseguradora personal seguirá siendo la principal responsable de los gastos. Sin embargo, tanto Uber como Lyft ofrecerán cobertura complementaria en caso de que la reclamación sea denegada o se agoten los límites de cobertura.
• Si un conductor de Uber o Lyft se ve involucrado en un accidente cuando tiene un pasajero o está en camino a recoger uno, ambas compañías tienen una póliza de seguro de responsabilidad civil de $1 millones diseñada para cubrir a todas las partes involucradas.

Permítanos ayudarle: llame para una consulta gratuita

Si usted o un ser querido ha resultado herido en un accidente que involucra un vehículo Uber o Lyft en Spokane, comuníquese con el equipo en Russell & Hill – Abogados de lesiones y accidentes Para obtener ayuda con su caso de inmediato. Nuestros abogados comprenden que estos casos pueden complicarse, pero no descansaremos hasta que obtenga la compensación que le corresponde. Esto puede incluir:

• Cubre tus facturas médicas
• Pérdida de salario si no puede trabajar
• Cualquier gasto de bolsillo en el que incurra
• Daños por dolor y sufrimiento
• Daños por pérdida de disfrute personal

Cuando necesitas una Abogado de lesiones personales de Spokane, puede contactarnos para una Consulta gratuita de tu caso haciendo click aquí o llamando 800-529-0842.

Aspectos destacados clave

• If you have been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Spokane, then you may potentially receive compensation under the driver’s insurance or from Uber or Lyft’s $1 million liability policy. 
• However, rideshare accident claims are much more complicated than standard car accident claims as the amount of coverage will depend on whether the driver was waiting for a passenger, en route to pick-up a passenger, or has a passenger in the vehicle. 
• Claims for injuries sustained by passengers, pedestrians, cyclists or other drivers can be made against either a negligent rideshare driver or a non-driver at-fault parties. 
• Washington follows a pure comparative fault rule, therefore, you will still be able to recover damages even if you were partially responsible. 
• Russell & Hill Law Firm assists Spokane families in fighting back against the huge insurance companies and ridesharing companies after suffering serious injuries or having been harmed.

Spokane Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer Helping Injured Victims Seek Justice

If you were hurt in an Uber or Lyft crash in Spokane, Washington your health, wage potential, and long-term financial security are all at risk of serious consequences. Insurance companies tend to act quickly to protect their own interests rather than yours, and what may appear to be a minor crash may lead to devastating medical problems.

I am Matthew Russell, an attorney who represents people injured in rideshare accidents in Washington caused by Uber and Lyft drivers. Many clients come to me feeling lost or confused about where to turn for help. Many of them worry that large corporations will not fairly compensate them, or that an insurance company will try to deny their claim altogether.

Every Spokane rideshare accident case we handle at Russell y Hill Bufete de abogados is approached with urgency and precision. We use every legal option available to us to protect your rights and help you recover your life after a Spokane rideshare accident by doing things.

Injured in a Rideshare Accident in Spokane? What Happens Next?

If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident in Spokane, you are likely wondering what happens next. After an Uber or Lyft accident, many people ask themselves.

Who is going to pay for this?

Rideshare accidents differ from a regular vehicle accident because there are many different insurance providers involved for a rideshare accident, including:

• The personal auto insurance of the rideshare driver 
• The commercial insurance coverage of Uber or Lyft, 
• The insurance coverage of all other motorists involved in the accident 
• The motorist’s insurance if the motorist was not insured or not adequately insured

A Spokane rideshare accident attorney will identify which insurance company is responsible. The sooner you get in touch with an experienced Uber accident lawyer, the better chance you will have of recovering full compensation for your injuries.

Why Are Uber and Lyft Accident Cases More Complicated?

Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. These companies therefore, often try to avoid liability.

However, both companies have substantial insurance policies that address their liability under the specific circumstances of the accident, based on what the driver was doing in relation to Uber and the Lyft mobile app.

The 3 Insurance Phases in Washington Rideshare Accidents

These are covered in 3 step by step phases:

Phase 1: Driver Logged In, Waiting for a Ride

The driver is logged into the app but has not accepted any rides and is simply waiting on a customer.

• Personal Auto Liability Policy 
• Uber/Lyft only provide Speculative Liability Insurance

This grade has more disputes than the other grades.

Phase 2: Ride Accepted, Driver En Route

The driver has accepted a ride request and is en route to pick up a customer 

• Uber and Lyft provide a $1,000,000 Liability Insurance Policy while the passenger is in the vehicle.

• Corporate insurance becomes active

Phase 3: Passenger in the Vehicle

The driver has a customer in his/her vehicle and is in the process of taking the customer to his/her destination (applicable insurance).

• Passenger is protected under the full $1,000,000 Liability Insurance Policy
• Also provides Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage, if applicable. 

Uber & Lyft Insurance Coverage

Driver Status	Coverage Available	Who Pays
App Off	Personal auto policy	Driver’s insurer
Waiting for ride	Limited coverage ($50K/$100K)	Driver, then Uber/Lyft
Ride accepted or passenger onboard	Up to $1 million liability	Uber or Lyft policy

Understanding these phases is why working with an experienced rideshare accident attorney near me matters so much.

Spokane Rideshare Accidents Are Increasing

Currently the number of rideshare accidents in Spokane has grown, primarily due to increased traffic at : 

• Spokane Valley on I-90
• Downtown Entertainment Districts on Division St.
• Gonzaga University corridors
• Rideshare zones at Spokane International Airport.

Statewide the Comisión de Seguridad del Tráfico de Washington stated the main causes of serious injury accidents are distracted driving and speeding by all drivers. However, rideshare drivers are vulnerable to distractions inherently due to their constant interaction with: 

• GPS navigation
• Passenger pickup alerts
• App-based communication

A Spokane Uber accident attorney could assist in demonstrating these elements as contributing to negligence.

Common Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents in Spokane

Spokane’s common causes for accidents involving Uber and Lyft passengers are:

• Uber or Lyft Driver Distractions while at the wheel.
• Fatigue from long hours of driving.
• Passengers picking up unsafe locations.
• Drivers speeding to meet deadlines.
• Driving under the influence – a problem with Uber and Lyft drivers (not often but serious).
• Icy roads and snowy weather (especially during winter months) in Spokane County.

In most instances, filing a claim against your accident involves determining how your rideshare accident was caused.

Can You Sue Uber or Lyft After an Accident?

In some cases, rideshare related claims can be determined by the courts, but the most common types of claims are handled solely through the insurance system unless one or more of the following is present: 

• Liability dispute or disagreement by the parties involved.
• The injured party has experienced a serious injury.
• The rideshare service (Uber or Lyft) is unwilling to pay a fair amount to settle the claim.

Can You Sue Lyft if You Get Into an Accident?

Yes, you can. There are plenty of retailers who have a great deal of insurance but the companies’ insurance companies typically do everything possible to reduce the amount of the payout on any liability claims.

What Evidence Is Needed to Sue Lyft or Uber?

Ridesharing claims involve collecting enough substantiated evidence including but not limited to:

• Police Reports,
• Trip History and Application Logs,
• Verification of Driver Status,
• Medical Records, 
• Witness Statements, 
• Any Video Footage from the accident. 

Because of this you should retain the services of a rideshare accident attorney near you. 

How Much Is the Settlement for an Uber or Lyft Accident?

Many people ask for a ballpark number; however, that is impossible to give anyone as every claim is unique. Factors that will be considered when establishing the total of your potential settlement include:

• Severity of injuries,
• Total medical bills associated with the injuries,
• Total amount of income lost along with income that may be lost in the future due to the injuries,
• Pain/suffering damages,
• Permanent disability and;
• The amount of insurance available.

Typical Settlement Ranges in Washington

A best rideshare accident lawyer will evaluate the long-term financial impact, not just immediate bills.

Tipo de lesión	Approximate Range
Minor injuries (whiplash)	$15,000 – $50,000
Fractures or surgery	$75,000 – $250,000
Severe trauma or disability	$500,000 – $1M+

How Long Does It Take to Settle a Lawsuit With Lyft?

The timeline will differ depending upon the situation:

For Minor injuries: 

• The settlement will take approximately 3 – 6 months.
• Moderate Injury claims generally deliver an outcome within 6–18 months.
• Serious Injury Claim settlements typically take 1– 2 years.

Insurance companies like to delay when the insured party does not have legal representation. Having an experienced lawyer handle your Uber crash case will facilitate the process.

What If You Were Partially at Fault?

Washington state follows a comparative negligence system according to  RCW 4.22.005.

This means:

•  You can recover damages if you are partially at fault.
• If you are receiving damages, your total damages will be based on your total fault percentage.

Compensation Available After a Spokane Rideshare Accident

These are of two types:

Daños económicos

• Emergency Room Visit
• Hospital Bills
• Surgery/Rehab
• Salarios perdidos
• Losses from Future Wages
• Future Transportation Needs/Homemaking 

Daños no económicos

• Pain/Suffering
• Angustia emocional
• Loss of Capacity to Enjoy Life
• Long-Term Trauma. 

Rideshare Law Firms will ensure the complete documentation and prevent your damages from being minimized.

Case Study: Compensation Recovered After a Spokane Lyft Accident

By a Rideshare Accident Attorney at Russell & Hill Law Firm

A woman was badly hurt as a passenger in a Lyft near downtown Spokane after her driver made an unsafe turn and hit another car at a busy intersection; however, the insurance company initially claimed that liability was unclear and tried to diminish the extent of her injuries, causing her to worry about her growing medical bills, lost time from work, and long term recovery.

At Russell & Hill Law Firm, we immediately began a full investigation. We gathered the Lyft trip data, reviewed police reports, obtained video from the intersection, and consulted with medical professionals to document the full extent of the injuries. Finally, we prepared the case to be litigated in Spokane County Superior Court so we could push the insurer into fair negotiations.

Resultado

Given the evidence’s strength, the blatant negligence found in the specific instance, as well as other factors, we were able to achieve a settlement that provided our client with financial resources to cover medical expenses associated with injuries suffered in the accident, lost wages from being unable to work, and pain and suffering. She was able to achieve peace of mind and financial stability due to this settlement.

Speak With a Spokane Uber Lyft Accident Lawyer Today

Russell & Hill has provided quality legal representation for injured people in Washington for over 35 years. Our attorneys have full knowledge of how difficult and complicated it can be when someone has been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, and we know how to seek accountability from rideshare companies as well as recovering from their insurance carriers when people are injured.

If you would like to speak to a Spokane Uber Lyft accidente automovilístico attorney, call 800-529-0842 Russell & Hill Law Firm for a consulta gratuita. You don’t pay until we get money for you.

Preguntas frecuentes

Can you sue Lyft if you get into an accident?

Yes, if you are an injured passenger or third party you can file a claim based on liability as well as insurance coverage.

How much is the Lyft accident settlement?

The reason the average Lyft accident settlement varies is due to the many factors involved in each case such as the severity of injury, liability and/or the amount of available insurance coverage.

How hard is it to sue Uber?

There is a lot of complexity when pursuing a claim against Uber because of how much Uber uses many different layers of corporate insurance, however, an experienced rideshare attorney frequently works with cases against Uber or Lyft.

What evidence is needed to sue Lyft?

The following types of documents should be collected when pursuing your claim: trip logs; police report; medical records; witness statements and proof of your driver’s status.

Can I sue Uber in small claims court?

Your claim can be taken to small claims court only if your claim is for minor damages. If you have sustained serious and/or permanent injuries the amount of your claim will exceed the small claims court limits.