Rideshare services like Uber are great for helping people get around, whether they are commuting to and from work, traveling, or heading out for a fun night on the town. More people are using these services than ever, especially because the apps make it so easy to schedule a ride and arrive at your destination on time. However, rideshare services also have their downsides, particularly in the event of a car accident.
Rather than driving yourself to your destination, you have to rely on someone you do not know to keep you safe while en route. You do not know whether this person is a safe driver. Luckily, if you are in a crash, a Kennewick Uber, Lyft, or rideshare accident lawyer from Telaré Law can help you explore your options for compensation. Call to work with one of our dedicated car accident attorneys today.
When a passenger gets hurt in a rideshare accident, it can be difficult to determine liability for their injuries, as many people and entities are involved in these cases. For example, someone could hold companies like Uber and Lyft liable for their injuries in a Kennewick ride service accident because they brought on the drivers and connected them with passengers.
A rideshare company’s screening process for drivers could also affect their share of liability for a crash. Depending on the circumstances of a particular accident, fault could lie with another driver entirely, and questions of insurance and negligence can vary.
Injuries from rideshare accidents are often similar to those that occur in car wrecks, such as:
No matter how big or small the accident is, you should always seek medical attention and consult an attorney afterwards. Our team is familiar with rideshare accidents and can help you get compensation.
Regardless of who you end up suing for damages, your rideshare crash claim will probably be based on negligence, which holds people legally accountable for unreasonable behavior that causes injuries. Negligence claims require proving four elements:
But perhaps most importantly, you need to file your claim within the statute of limitations or risk losing your legal right to compensation. In Washington, you have three years from the date of an accident to bring your claim, as set out by Revised Code of Washington § 4.16.080.
You also might need to show that you were not partly at fault for your injuries or see your compensation reduced proportionally. Under RCW § 4.22.005, you can still recover some damages as long as you are not 100 percent responsible, though usually this negligence rule comes into play when you are also driving.
Fortunately, you do not need to figure out how to sue for negligence on your own. A lawyer in Kennewick can make sure you get your rideshare crash claim in on time and that you can prove the fault of the relevant Uber or Lyft driver.
When you get into an Uber or Lyft, you should be able to rely on the driver for your safety and that of surrounding drivers. If your ride does get in an accident, you can pursue compensation for your injuries.
With one of our Kennewick Uber, Lyft, or rideshare accident lawyers, you can document your injuries, gather evidence, and file your claim, all within the statute of limitations. Call our office to see what our professionals can do to support you and your legal claim.