The minutes and hours after a car crash are a blur of adrenaline, flashing lights, and confusion. Now you are home, the initial shock is wearing off, and the reality of the situation is setting in.
You are in pain, your own vehicle may be damaged, and you are facing a mountain of questions about what comes next. When you were hurt in an accident involving a rideshare vehicle, the path forward is often more complex than a typical car wreck.
Securing the guidance of a Tacoma rideshare accident lawyer provides you with a dedicated advocate to handle the legal complexities while you focus on your recovery. The corporations behind these apps have powerful legal and insurance teams; you deserve the same level of determined representation.
Your well-being is the priority. Dealing with insurance adjusters and legal procedures stresses an already difficult time. A legal professional steps in to manage these burdens for you.
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The Unique Challenges of a Tacoma Rideshare Accident Claim
An accident involving an Uber or Lyft is not just a standard two-car collision. These cases involve layers of corporate insurance policies that change depending on what the driver was doing at the moment of the crash.
The driver's personal auto insurance company will almost always deny the claim, stating their policy does not cover commercial activities like driving for a rideshare service. This is where the rideshare company's massive commercial policy is supposed to apply, but accessing it requires proving the driver's status at the time of the collision.
It creates a complicated situation where insurance companies may try to point fingers at each other, leaving you caught in the middle.
Whether your accident happened on a congested part of I-5 during rush hour or on a quieter street near Point Defiance Park, the legal principles are the same. The driver's activity determines which insurance policy is active.
- Driver is Offline: If the driver's app was off, they were not working for the rideshare company. In this scenario, the crash is treated like any other car accident, and you would file a claim against their personal auto insurance policy.
- Driver is Available and Waiting for a Ride Request: The driver has the app on and is waiting for a passenger. During this period, a lower-level of liability coverage provided by the rideshare company applies if the driver's personal insurance denies the claim.
- Driver is On the Way to Pick Up a Passenger or is Transporting a Passenger: This is when the full commercial liability insurance policy from the rideshare company, often valued at $1 million or more, is in effect. This policy covers injuries to the passenger, people in other vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists.
A Tacoma rideshare accident lawyer helps identify which of these phases the driver was in, a step that dictates the entire direction of your case.
How a Tacoma Rideshare Accident Lawyer Builds Your Case
From the moment you decide to seek legal assistance, your Tacoma rideshare accident lawyer begins the methodical process of building a strong claim on your behalf.
This is not just about filling out paperwork; it is a comprehensive investigation designed to gather all the facts and present them in a way that clearly demonstrates what happened and what you have lost as a result.
- Evidence Collection: This is the foundation of your claim. We work to gather every piece of relevant information, including the official police report, photos and videos from the scene, and data from the rideshare app itself. We also identify and interview any witnesses who saw the crash.
- Communication Management: You will not have to speak with any insurance representatives. All calls, emails, and requests for information are routed through your legal team. This protects you from saying something that an adjuster could twist to devalue or deny your claim.
- Case Development: We meticulously document your injuries by collecting all medical records and bills. We consult with your doctors to understand the full extent of your injuries, your prognosis (your likely medical future), and any future care you may need. We also document your lost wages and any other financial losses.
Proving Fault in the Collision
In a rideshare crash, we investigate all potential parties to determine who was negligent.
These parties might include:
- The Rideshare Driver: They may have been speeding, distracted by their phone, driving under the influence, or violating other traffic laws.
- Another Driver on the Road: Perhaps another vehicle ran a red light and struck the Uber or Lyft you were riding in. In that case, the claim is against that driver's insurance.
- The Rideshare Company: In some specific situations, the company itself could hold some liability. This may happen if they allowed someone with a known dangerous driving record or a criminal history to become a driver and that person caused harm.
Calculating the Full Value of Your Claim
One of the most significant roles of a personal injury lawyer is to calculate the full and fair value of your claim accurately. Insurance companies will often make a quick, low settlement offer that fails to account for the true, long-term impact of your injuries.
Economic damages are the direct, verifiable financial losses you have suffered. They have a clear dollar amount attached.
- Medical Expenses: This includes everything from the initial ambulance ride and emergency room visit to surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, prescription medications, and any future medical care you will require.
- Lost Wages: We calculate the income you have lost from being unable to work. If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or reduce your ability to earn income in the future, we also calculate this loss of earning capacity.
- Property Damage: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the crash.
Non-economic damages compensate you for the intangible, personal losses that do not have a simple price tag but have a profound effect on your life.
- Pain and Suffering: This accounts for the physical pain, discomfort, and emotional distress you have endured because of the accident and your injuries.
- Emotional Anguish: This includes the fear, anxiety, depression, and trauma resulting from the crash.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injuries prevent you from participating in hobbies, activities, or family life that you previously enjoyed, you are entitled to compensation for this loss.
Why Choose Pendergast Law as Your Tacoma Rideshare Accident Lawyer
When you are choosing a legal representative, you are choosing a partner for a difficult journey. You need a team that is not only knowledgeable and skilled but also compassionate and dedicated to your well being.
At Pendergast Law, we provide strong, unwavering support for our clients. Here is what sets the Pendergast Law team apart:
- Client-Centered Philosophy: You are not a case number to us. We take the time to listen to your story, understand how the accident has affected you and your family, and learn what your goals are. We keep you informed at every stage of the process, ensuring you always know the status of your case and what to expect next.
- Determined Negotiation and Litigation: We prepare every case as if it will go to trial. This thorough preparation gives us a position of strength when negotiating with large insurance corporations. While most cases settle out of court, our readiness to go to trial sends a clear message that we will not accept an inadequate offer.
- Deep Local Knowledge: Our attorneys have extensive experience navigating the legal landscape right here in Pierce County and across Washington State. We are familiar with the local court procedures, judges, and the tactics employed by insurance companies in our area.
This familiarity with the community, from the traffic patterns on Schuster Parkway to the workings of the local judiciary, is an advantage in building your case.
Washington State Laws and Your Rideshare Accident
The legal system has specific rules that apply to personal injury claims, and your Tacoma rideshare accident lawyer navigates these for you. These rules govern how fault is assigned and the deadlines for taking legal action.
Two of the most relevant legal principles are:
- Comparative Fault: Washington follows a "pure comparative fault" rule. This means you can still recover damages even if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident. For example, if you are found to be 10% at fault, your total compensation award would be reduced by 10%. Insurance companies often try to use this rule to shift blame and reduce their payout, making it vital to have an advocate who can fight back against unfair accusations of fault.
- Statute of Limitations: This is a legal term for the deadline to file a lawsuit. In Washington State, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to pursue compensation in court forever. This is why it is beneficial to speak with an attorney sooner rather than later to preserve your legal rights.
Your legal team manages all these deadlines and procedural rules. You do not have to worry about missing a critical date or making a procedural error. Your job is to get better; our job is to handle the rest.
Your Questions, Answered with Clarity
What is the first thing I should do now that I am home?
Your health is the top priority. Your focus should be on your physical and emotional recovery.
- Get Medical Attention: Even if you feel your injuries are minor, see a doctor. Some serious injuries, like internal bleeding or concussions, do not show immediate symptoms. A medical record from soon after the accident also creates a clear link between the crash and your injuries.
- Gather Documents: Keep a file with everything related to the accident. This includes any information you exchanged at the scene, the police report number, photos you took, and any receipts for expenses you have incurred, like prescriptions or transportation costs.
- Do Not Speak to Insurance Adjusters: An adjuster from the rideshare company or another driver’s insurance company will likely call you. They may sound friendly, but their job is to minimize the amount their company has to pay. It is best to decline to give a recorded statement and direct them to your attorney.
Do I have a case if I was a passenger in the Uber or Lyft?
Yes. As a passenger, you are not at fault for the collision. You have a right to seek compensation for your injuries. The claim would typically be made against the insurance policy of the at-fault driver, whether that is your rideshare driver or the driver of another vehicle. The complex part is determining which insurance policy applies, which is where a lawyer provides significant help.
How much does it cost to hire a Tacoma rideshare accident lawyer?
Personal injury lawyers at Pendergast Law work on a contingency fee basis. This arrangement is designed to provide everyone with access to quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation.
What if the other driver was uninsured?
This is a very stressful situation, but you still have options. If the at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured, you may be able to make a claim under the rideshare company's Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UIM) policy.
This is a specific type of coverage designed for exactly this scenario. Your own auto insurance policy might also have UIM coverage that could apply.
The legal system is complex, and the insurance companies involved have one goal: to protect their bottom line. The team at Pendergast Law is ready to stand up for you, handle the legal battle, and fight for the resources you need to heal and move forward.
Contact Pendergast Law today at (253) 238-2410 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free, confidential consultation. Let us listen to your story and explain how we can help.