A rideshare trip should be a convenient way to get around Tacoma, but when a Lyft accident happens, the legal side can get complicated fast. Unlike a regular car crash, there may be multiple insurance policies at play, and Lyft usually distances itself from responsibility when their rideshare drivers cause injuries.
If you were hurt in a Lyft accident in Tacoma, whether as a passenger, pedestrian, cyclist, or another driver, you may be entitled to compensation. At Freeman Law Firm, Inc., our Tacoma Lyft accident lawyers handle accident cases exclusively for injury victims—not for insurance companies or corporations. If you were injured in a rideshare accident while a Lyft passenger, talk to a Tacoma rideshare accident attorney at Freeman Law Firm, Inc. by calling (253) 383-4500 for a free consultation.
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Lyft operates differently than taxis or commercial transportation services. Their business model is designed to shift responsibility away from the company itself, which can create hurdles when filing an injury claim.
Figuring out who is responsible in a Lyft car accident can make or break a case, and having the right attorney makes sure the right parties are held accountable.
Washington law requires rideshare companies to carry significant insurance coverage, but accessing those funds can be a challenge without attorney representation. Under Washington car accident laws, determining fault in a Lyft crash involves examining multiple insurance policies, liability disputes, and potential corporate responsibility.
The coverage available depends on the Lyft driver’s status at the time of the accident:
Lyft’s policy also includes uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, which helps when the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough insurance.
With an experienced Tacoma Lyft accident attorney, you don’t have to fight the battles of the legal process alone.
If the Lyft driver caused the crash, their insurance (or Lyft’s corporate policy) will cover:
If another driver hits a Lyft vehicle, their insurance is responsible. However, if they don’t have enough coverage, Lyft’s uninsured/underinsured motorist policy may cover additional damages.
Washington follows comparative negligence laws, meaning injury victims can recover damages even if they were partially at fault. However, the compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault.
Lyft is rarely held directly liable, but exceptions exist. If a Lyft driver had a history of reckless driving and Lyft failed to remove them from the platform, there could be grounds to sue Lyft itself.
An experienced Lyft accident lawyer will gather evidence from the crash scene, analyze driver behavior, and carefully review all the facts to build a winning case for maximum compensation.
A Lyft accident can leave you in shock, which can make it hard to tell how badly you’ve been hurt. Some injuries, like whiplash, concussions, and internal damage, may not show symptoms immediately, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t serious. If you feel any discomfort, dizziness, or pain—even mild—seek medical attention.
If paramedics arrive, let them examine you. If they recommend an ambulance ride, take it. If you don’t go to the hospital immediately, see a doctor as soon as possible. A medical record linking your injuries to the accident helps prove your case and prevents the insurance company from claiming your injuries were caused by something else. Delaying treatment not only risks your health but also gives insurers a reason to question the severity of your injuries when you file a claim.
Evidence at the scene can disappear quickly, and once it’s gone, it’s much harder to prove what happened. If you are able, take a few minutes to collect information before leaving the scene.
A police report will also document the accident, but officers may not include every detail. Having your own evidence helps make sure that nothing is left out.
Lyft has an in-app accident reporting feature, but reporting the crash does not mean Lyft will take responsibility or pay for your injuries. The insurance company handling your claim will be looking for ways to reduce their payout, and anything you say can be used against you later.
When reporting the accident:
If you are contacted by Lyft’s insurance company, it’s best to let an attorney handle those conversations. Anything you say to an adjuster can be twisted to limit what they have to pay.
Once the insurance companies get involved, their priority is not making sure you’re compensated fairly—it’s protecting their bottom line. Adjusters frequently push for a quick settlement and offer a low amount before you fully understand your injuries and future medical expenses.
An attorney can:
Without attorney representation, it’s easy to accept less than what your case is actually worth. An experienced attorney protects you from being pressured into a settlement that doesn’t cover your long-term needs.
Compensation varies depending on the type and scope of your injuries. For example, traumatic brain injuries may require extensive medical treatment, cognitive therapy, and long-term care, all of which should be factored into a settlement.
Washington law determines who is responsible for paying damages after a Lyft accident and how long passengers have to take action to recover fair compensation. Insurance companies rely on these laws to reduce payouts whenever possible, so it’s important to understand how they affect an injury claim.
In Washington, pure comparative negligence rules allow injured passengers to recover compensation even if they were partially at fault for their injuries. Unlike states that bar personal injury claims when someone is more than 50 percent responsible for an accident, Washington allows claims no matter the fault percentage. However, the total compensation is reduced based on the passenger’s share of responsibility.
Insurance companies may use this rule to shift blame and limit what they have to pay. Even if a Lyft driver or another motorist caused the crash, an adjuster may argue that the passenger’s actions contributed to the severity of their injuries.
For example:
Most of the time, Lyft passengers are not responsible for crashes. That doesn’t stop insurance companies from looking for ways to apply comparative negligence. They may claim a passenger was sitting improperly, not paying attention, or contributed to the crash in some way.
A strong case strategy prevents an insurance company from unfairly shifting blame. An attorney gathers medical records, crash details, and expert analysis to show that the injuries were caused by the Lyft driver or another negligent party, not the passenger.
Passengers injured in a Lyft accident have three years from the crash date to file a personal injury lawsuit in Washington. If a lawsuit isn’t filed within that time, the court will dismiss the case, and the injured passenger loses the right to seek compensation.
Many people assume three years is plenty of time, but waiting too long can weaken a case. Insurance companies know that the longer a person waits, the harder it becomes to gather strong evidence.
Insurance adjusters use these delays to their advantage. If a passenger waits too long, the insurance company may argue that the injuries were not serious enough to justify a claim.
It’s also important to know that ongoing settlement negotiations do not pause the three-year deadline. If an injured passenger is in discussions with an insurance company but does not file a lawsuit before the deadline, they lose their legal right to sue.
Taking action early gives a claim the best chance for success. A lawyer makes sure all important deadlines are met while also pushing for a fair settlement before a lawsuit becomes necessary.
If you were injured in a Lyft accident in Tacoma, you don’t have to deal with the insurance companies alone. Our team is ready to help you recover the compensation you deserve. Call us now at (253) 383-4500 for a free consultation, or fill out our online contact form.
Disclaimer: The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Viewing or using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship with Freeman Law Firm, Inc. Case results depend on specific facts and cannot be guaranteed. For legal guidance for your individual situation, contact our office for a consultation.
