Seattle Rideshare Accident Attorneys
Helping Victims of Uber & Lyft Accidents Throughout Washington
Rideshare accidents present a set of challenges that are unique from a typical car accident and the legal process that follows. If you’ve been involved in an Uber or Lyft accident in Seattle, it is crucial to secure the right legal counsel by your side. That's where our team of rideshare accident attorneys at Carpenter & Zuckerman comes in. Based in Seattle, we are committed to serving clients across Washington State and providing comprehensive legal support that simplifies the complexities of rideshare accident claims. With over three decades of experience by your side and leading the way, you can focus on your recovery while we handle all aspects of the legal process from start to finish.
Get legal counsel for a Seattle rideshare accident claim today. Our rideshare accident attorney in Seattle represents clients across Washington. Dial (425) 585-4009 to request a FREE case consultation.
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$131 Million Dram Shop Liability
Our client was injured in a car accident caused by a driver who was over-served at a restaurant/bar.
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$10,500,000 Distracted Driving Accident
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$10,500,000 Car Accident
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$2,100,000 Hit-and-Run Accident
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$1.34 Million Spinal Injury
Secured a verdict against State Farm for an accident resulting in a spinal injury.
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$1,230,000 Spinal Injury
Washington Rideshare Laws
Washington state has implemented robust regulations to protect both passengers and third parties involved in rideshare accidents. Under RCW 46.72B, Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft are required to follow strict insurance and safety guidelines.
Most notably, Washington law requires these companies to maintain primary liability insurance that covers the driver from the moment they log into the app. Furthermore, in 2022, Washington passed HB 2076, which solidified certain protections for drivers while ensuring that victims have access to personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage in many circumstances.
In Seattle, additional municipal codes mandate that TNC drivers undergo background checks and vehicle inspections. Despite these safeguards, the legal "status" of the driver at the time of the crash remains the most critical factor in your personal injury claim.
Who is Liable for an Uber or Lyft Accident?
Liability in a standard car accident is usually straightforward: you look to the driver who caused the crash. In a rideshare accident, liability is "phased" based on the driver’s activity within the app. Carpenter & Zuckerman investigates digital logs to determine which of the following categories applies to your case:
The Driver is Logged Off the App
If an Uber or Lyft driver is driving their car but is not logged into the digital platform, they are legally considered a private citizen. In this scenario, Uber or Lyft has no legal or financial responsibility for the accident.
- Insurance Coverage: The driver’s personal auto insurance policy is the only source of recovery.
- Liability: Standard Washington negligence laws apply.
The Driver is Logged On but Has Not Accepted a Ride
This is often the most contentious phase, known as "Period 1." The driver is "active" and waiting for a ping. While they are searching for a fare, they may be distracted by their phone or driving slowly in high-traffic areas like Capitol Hill or South Lake Union.
- Insurance Coverage: Washington law requires Uber and Lyft to provide contingent liability coverage if the driver’s personal policy does not apply. This typically includes $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
The Driver Has Accepted a Ride or Is Transporting a Passenger
Once a driver hits "Accept" on a ride request or has a passenger in the vehicle, the "commercial" phase is fully active. This phase remains in effect until the passenger is dropped off and the ride is ended in the app.
- Insurance Coverage: During this period, Uber and Lyft provide a $1 million third-party liability policy. This is significantly higher than standard personal policies and is designed to cover major injuries, lost wages, and long-term care for victims.
- Liability: Because the driver is performing a commercial service for the TNC, the $1 million policy acts as the primary coverage for injured passengers, other motorists, and pedestrians.
How Do Rideshare Accidents Happen?
Rideshare accidents can occur due to various factors and can involve multiple parties. Potential sources of liability in a rideshare accident may include the rideshare driver, the rideshare company that contracts the driver, another motorist involved in the accident, or even a third-party entity such as a vehicle manufacturer or a city municipality if poor road conditions contributed to the accident. When you hire our Seattle rideshare accident lawyers, part of our role is to investigate the crash to determine why it happened and which parties could be named as liable defendants.
Several forms of negligence can contribute to a rideshare accident, such as:
- Driver Error: Driver mistakes are among the most common causes of rideshare accidents. Simple errors like speeding, reckless driving, or distracted driving (such as using a phone or GPS while driving) can be enough for a rideshare driver to cause a crash.
- Rideshare Company Negligence: If the rideshare company failed to conduct thorough background checks on its drivers, it could be held liable for any accidents caused by its drivers. There have also been arguments that Uber and Lyft require their drivers to be distracted behind the wheel because they must use a smartphone app while picking up and ferrying passengers, which could add to the companies' liabilities.
- Third-party Driver Negligence: Another motorist's negligence, such as failing to yield the right of way or running a red light, can cause an accident involving a rideshare vehicle.
- Poor Road Conditions: Potholes, insufficient signage, or lack of proper lighting can contribute to an accident. In these situations, a government entity could potentially be held liable for failing to maintain safe road conditions, which will only add complications to the legal proceedings that follow.
Their Words. Their Wins.
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"I never felt like I was battling my own attorney"Well-oiled and efficient machine- Tim U.
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"Honest and helped me every step of the way"They were honest with me from the start and let me know they'd be able to help me.- Karen V.
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"Really fast communication and took care of the case as promised"They always respond fast and keep in touch throughout the whole process.- Anelia D.
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"I would highly recommend Lance and his associates"Lance was always professional and courteous to me and fought hard on my behalf.- Tyler R.
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"Had a great experience CZ handling my case."They worked tremendously fast in settling my case- Lupita E.
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"They did the heavy lifting and took care of me like family."Lance took all those fears and concerns away and allowed me to focus on getting better.- Benjamin W.
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"You're in good hands! I wouldn't go anywhere else."Had an amazing experience after our vehicle accident.- Former Client
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"Very informative, consistent, and always pleasant to speak to"CZ made the process very smooth and pain-free.- Former Client
rideshare accident FAQs
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Will Uber or Lyft use an insurance policy to cover my losses?
Both Uber and Lyft have insurance policies in place that can cover losses after a rideshare accident. In some situations, up to $1,000,000 in coverage could be available to pay for the damages of a rideshare accident. However, you aren’t guaranteed anything from these policies, and rideshare companies often try to minimize what coverage is provided after a crash.
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Should I talk to Uber’s or Lyft’s insurance policy provider about the claim and compensation?While it may seem logical to discuss your accident and potential claim with Uber's or Lyft's insurance provider, it's not recommended to do so without legal representation. Insurance companies are businesses aiming to minimize payouts, and their representatives are trained to gather information that could potentially limit or deny your claim. Therefore, you should let an experienced rideshare accident attorney from our firm handle all communications with the insurance company.
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Can I file a claim if I was a nonpaying passenger in a rideshare accident?If you were a nonpaying passenger in a rideshare vehicle at the time of the accident, you still have the right to file a claim for damages. You don’t have to be the rideshare customer who paid for the service to have the right to seek compensation after a rideshare accident.
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How can liability be split in a rideshare accident claim?Liability in a rideshare accident can be split in several ways, depending on the circumstances of the incident. The rideshare driver, the rideshare company, another motorist, or an automaker—or any combination of these parties—can be liable for the accident and the resulting damages.