Uber and Lyft rides have changed the way Washingtonians travel, including in Vancouver. Visitors to the state also rely heavily on Uber & Lyft ridesharing to reach their destinations. With fewer bus passengers, more individual cars traverse the roadways, leading to a three percent rise in overall traffic fatalities.
If you’ve suffered injuries as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft accident or as a motorist in a collision with an Uber or Lyft vehicle, you need the experience and expertise of a Vancouver car accident attorney on your side. Call Sears Injury Law at (360) 854-3696 to learn about your options for financial recovery.
Why Choose the Vancouver Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers at Sears Injury Law?
The Vancouver injury attorneys at Sears Injury Law have two decades of experience navigating Washington car accident claims with a strong record of success through compassionate legal advocacy. Representation by Sears Injury Law brings your case the following advantages:
- Assertive legal counsel at your side throughout the claim process
- An in-depth understanding of complex rideshare insurance requirements
- A compassionate Vancouver Uber & Lyft accident attorney dedicated to strategizing the best way forward to recover the maximum compensation available to you
- An entire legal team and staff working to advance your case to a favorable outcome
The attorneys at Sears Injury Law understand that no one puts money aside to fund an accident attorney. With a free evaluation of your case and contingency-based payment, you pay nothing until you have your compensation.
What Causes Uber & Lyft Accidents In Vancouver, WA?
Rideshare drivers have a financial incentive to accomplish as many trips per shift as possible. Often, they work in the rideshare industry as a second source of income after a day job or night shift. They often use their rideshare apps to look for their next booking while driving. Together, these factors may contribute to a higher likelihood of accidents. The most common causes of Uber and Lyft accidents in Vancouver, Washington, and elsewhere include the following:
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Distracted driving
- Tailgating
- Unsafe lane changes
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Improper merging
- Drowsy driving
- Intoxicated driving
- Inexperienced driving
Inadequate vehicle maintenance and mechanical failures also cause or contribute to Uber and Lyft accidents. In some cases, the investigation shows that factors unrelated to the rideshare driver caused the accident, such as another driver or negligent road maintenance. Your Vancouver Uber & Lyft accident attorney from Sears Injury Law will pursue all available avenues for your compensation.
Complex Liability In Uber & Lyft Accident Claims in Vancouver
Rideshare companies protect themselves from liability by using independent contractors instead of hiring employee drivers. Instead, they require drivers to carry rideshare insurance with the following coverages in place, depending on the stage of the rideshare:
- When an Uber or Lyft driver uses their vehicle for private purposes, their private auto insurance policy is in effect
- When a driver turns on their rideshare app, the lower level of coverage takes effect with coverage for up to $25,000 in property damage and $50,000 per person for injury coverage, or $100,000 total injury coverage per accident
- Once a driver books a rideshare, during the drive to the pick-up location, and throughout the trip with the passenger in the car, the top-tier coverage is in place with up to $1 million in coverage per accident
Unfortunately, insurance companies commonly dispute Uber and Lyft accident claims and assert that their policy wasn’t in place during the accident. This makes the assistance of a Vancouver rideshare accident attorney essential.
What Can I Get From an Uber or Lyft Accident Claim In Vancouver?
Injuries are costly as well as painful and sometimes temporarily or permanently debilitating. Each claim is unique, but common damages in rideshare accident claims include the following:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future income loss
- Lowered future earning ability
- Compensation for pain and suffering and any other non-economic damages that apply, such as loss of limb, the loss of one of the senses, scarring, disfigurement, or diminished quality of life
If an Uber or Lyft Accident in Vancouver results in a fatal injury, a wrongful death claim can recover compensation for the closest surviving family member. Contact our Vancouver wrongful death lawyers to learn about your legal rights and options,
Contact Our Vancouver Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers Today
Few accident claims are as complex as rideshare claims. Instead of leaving your financial future in the hands of an insurance company with profits as their motive, contact the experienced Vancouver Uber & Lyft accident lawyers at Sears Injury Law for assertive legal representation. We will prioritize your best interests and fight to get the compensation you deserve.