Since 1948, CCD Law has helped car accident victims in Spokane. Every car accident in Spokane has the potential to leave you injured, but a Lyft accident puts you in an even more vulnerable position, especially if you were a passenger. Despite this, you still have rights and options. To learn more about your legal options in this situation, contact us today for a free consultation.
Should You Get a Lawyer After a Lyft Accident?
You don’t need a lawyer for an injury claim in Washington, but Lyft accidents can be more complicated than regular car accidents. Having our Spokane team by your side can make things easier.
We handle Lyft accidents like other car accidents, but we also focus on:
- Explaining your rights and options in simple terms
- Figuring out who’s responsible and sorting out insurance issues
- Helping you gather important details and information from Lyft
- Negotiating with insurance companies for you
Our overall aim is to make this process as easy as possible for you. Recovering from injuries is already hard, and you shouldn’t have to deal with the legal process on your own. Plus, we work on a contingency-fee basis, so you don’t pay anything upfront.
What Legal Options Do You Have After a Lyft Accident?
Being involved in an accident during a Lyft ride is obviously pretty stressful. But at least in legal terms, it’s the same as any other car accident when it comes to your options. You still get to file an injury claim, and you do this in two ways:
- Filing an insurance claim
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit
Usually, the process starts with an insurance claim, where the company investigates, collects their own evidence, and may offer you a settlement. When Lyft or the driver’s insurance company presents a settlement offer, keep in mind that you don’t have to accept it. Initial settlement offers are usually lower in the hopes that you’ll just accept it and move on.
While it’s your choice whether to accept or reject the offer, moving forward with a lawsuit could lead to higher compensation. A Lyft accident claim can cover many types of damages, including:
- Medical bills from the accident
- Lost wages due to your injury
- Loss of future earnings, especially if you’re dealing with a long-term injury
- Costs to fix your car or other damaged property
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma caused by the accident
- Reduced quality of life
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Expenses related to wrongful death, if the accident was fatal
A couple of things to remember: Washington follows “comparative negligence” rules. This means if you’re partly at fault for the accident, your compensation may be reduced based on your share of the blame. As a Lyft passenger, your fault is likely minimal, but it can still be argued.
Also, there’s a time limit to file your claim. In Washington, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. All of this is an important part of your recovery, but with a Lyft accident, a key part is figuring out who’s responsible.
Who’s Liable in a Lyft Accident?
Probably the major difference between a Lyft accident and a regular car accident involves the legal concept of liability. This is just the legal term for figuring out who’s responsible for causing the accident and actually paying for your damages. While it’s a bit different, the legal standard is actually the same: showing negligence.
In reality, this can be extremely challenging, especially in a Lyft accident. They’re usually caused by factors like:
- Distracted driving
- Reckless driving
- Driver fatigue
- Lack of experience
- Mechanical problems
- Bad weather
- Dangerous road conditions
Then, there’s insurance considerations. In Washington, a Lyft driver is considered an “independent contractor”, but their personal auto coverage actually doesn’t apply in situations where they’re using their car to make money.
So, Lyft has to provide auto insurance to its drivers. However, this coverage is extremely limited, meaning it likely won’t cover all of your needs.
Further, with others involved (like other drivers, car makers, or even the local government) more insurance companies are going to be involved. This makes the process more complicated, but it also means that you need to know how to respond after the accident to protect yourself.
What Steps Should You Take After a Lyft Accident?
Going through the claims process after a Lyft accident in Spokane is a key step in recovering damages. It’s important to show how much the accident has affected you, so knowing what to do right after the incident is critical:
- Call 911 – If you’re injured, call 911 for an ambulance right away. After getting care at the scene, it’s a good idea to go to a hospital or urgent care center for further medical care.
- Tell Lyft about the accident – Report the accident through the Lyft app and take note of the driver’s information. While Lyft saves this data, it can sometimes be difficult to access.
- Gather evidence at the scene – Take photos of the scene, vehicles, and any injuries. Also, get contact information from any witnesses who can provide statements later.
- Call the police – Call the Spokane Police Department (SPD) or local authorities. When they get there, make sure they get an accurate account of what happened and request a copy of the police report if one is filed.
- Keep any documentation or communications – Keep any documents related to the accident, including medical bills and communication with Lyft or insurance companies.
- Call your insurance – Tell both your insurance provider and the Lyft driver’s insurer to start the claims process.
- Keep track of your expenses – Keep a record of all accident-related expenses, such as medical treatments, therapy, and any other costs you have to pay for.
- Be careful – Be cautious about what you say, especially on social media, as insurance companies may try to use your statements against you.
Obviously, you never want to be involved in an accident with a Lyft driver. Yet, given that this is a popular option around Spokane, it’s something that happens. When it does, taking these steps are crucial to how your claim plays out.
When Do Lyft Accidents Happen in Spokane?
For as challenging and frustrating as a Lyft accident can be, they usually only happen in certain conditions. But at the same time, one can happen during any Lyft ride. However, the fact is that Lyft rides happen more frequently in the following scenarios:
- Holidays and weekends – Spokane has a lot of events and festivals, especially on weekends. During these times, traffic increases, and more people use Lyft to get around. Similarly, Lyft rides spike during holidays when people are celebrating and need transportation.
- Rush hour – Accidents often happen during morning and evening rush hours, when many people are commuting to or from work and school.
- Late night – Spokane’s nightlife, with its bars and clubs, leads to an increase in Lyft rides. While using Lyft is a responsible alternative to driving after drinking, accidents are still common during these late hours.
Though it’s impossible to know exactly when a Lyft accident will happen, these are some of the most common scenarios in Spokane. If you do find yourself in a Lyft accident, our lawyers are here to help.
Work With Our Spokane Lyft Accident Lawyers
Any car accident in Spokane can be difficult, but a Lyft accident comes with its own set of challenges. At CCD Law, our team of Lyft accident lawyers is dedicated to helping you get the care and financial support you need. Contact us today for a free consultation to get your recovery process started.
