Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have become increasingly popular in Snohomish County, but accidents involving these vehicles can be complicated and challenging to handle. If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, you may be facing medical bills, lost wages, and uncertainty about your legal rights. The experienced Snohomish rideshare accident attorneys at Walton Law can help you hold the responsible parties accountable and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Snohomish County Rideshare Accident Guide
Why Choose Walton Law for Your Rideshare Accident Case?
Walton Law is a top-rated personal injury and employment law firm with offices in Snohomish County.
Our founding attorney, Christopher C. Walton, is an award-winning trial lawyer who has been recognized as a Super Lawyer every year since 2013.
At Walton Law APC, we have extensive experience representing clients who have been injured in all types of motor vehicle accidents, including those involving rideshare vehicles. Our knowledgeable attorneys have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for accident victims and their families. We have the experience, resources, and dedication to take on even the most complex cases and well-funded defendants, including major rideshare companies and their insurers.
Our Snohomish County office is conveniently located at 6100 219th St SW #480 in Mountlake Terrace, just minutes from I-5 and the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center. We also have an office in Bellingham to serve clients in the northern part of the county. No matter where you are located, our team is ready to come to you for a free consultation at your home, hospital room, or any other location that is convenient for you.
Compensation in Rideshare Accident Cases
If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover damages for:
Medical expenses, including emergency care, surgeries, and rehabilitation- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Property damage
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages (in fatal cases)
The value of your rideshare accident claim will depend on factors like the severity of your injuries, the extent of your financial losses, and the strength of the evidence against the responsible parties. Our seasoned personal injury attorneys in Snohomish will carefully assess your case to determine the full compensation you are owed and aggressively pursue the best possible outcome for you.
Unique Challenges in Rideshare Accident Cases
While rideshare accidents may seem similar to other types of motor vehicle crashes, there are some unique challenges that can arise in these cases, such as:
- Multiple potentially liable parties, including the rideshare driver, the rideshare company, and other motorists involved in the accident.
- Complex insurance issues, as rideshare companies provide different levels of coverage depending on whether the driver was actively transporting a passenger at the time of the crash.
- Disputes over the driver’s status as an employee or independent contractor, which can affect the company’s liability.
- Difficulty obtaining evidence from the rideshare company, such as driver background checks, vehicle inspection records, and data from the app.
At Walton Law, we have the knowledge and experience to handle these challenges and build strong cases on behalf of rideshare accident victims. We work to identify all potentially liable parties, uncover critical evidence, and hold the responsible parties accountable.
Proving Liability in a Rideshare Accident Case
To win a rideshare accident case in Washington, you must typically prove the following elements:
Duty of Care in Rideshare Accidents
The first element in a rideshare accident case is establishing that the defendant owed you a duty of care. This means they had a legal obligation to act in a way that a reasonable person would in order to prevent foreseeable harm to others.
In the context of rideshare accidents, multiple parties may owe you a duty of care:
- Rideshare drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles safely, follow traffic laws, and exercise reasonable care for the safety of their passengers and others on the road.
- Rideshare companies have a duty to ensure their drivers are properly screened, trained, and supervised and to implement policies and procedures that promote safe driving.
- Other motorists have a duty to drive safely and avoid causing accidents.
Establishing the applicable duties of care is crucial for determining whether the defendants’ conduct was negligent or wrongful.
Breach of Duty in Rideshare Accidents
The second element in a rideshare accident case is showing that the defendant breached their duty of care through negligent or wrongful conduct. This means they failed to act as a reasonable person would under the circumstances, and their actions or inactions put others at risk of harm.
Examples of breaches of duty in rideshare accidents may include:
- A rideshare driver texting while driving, running a red light, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- A rideshare company failing to properly screen drivers for criminal backgrounds or safety records.
- Another motorist speeding, making an unsafe lane change, or failing to yield the right of way.
To prove a breach of duty, your attorney will gather evidence such as accident reports, witness statements, video footage, and expert testimony to demonstrate how the defendants’ conduct fell short of the applicable standards of care.
Causation in Rideshare Accidents
The third element in a rideshare accident case is proving that the defendants’ breach of duty directly caused your injuries. This is known as causation, and it requires showing that your harm would not have occurred but for the defendants’ negligent or wrongful conduct.
Causation can be complex in rideshare accidents, especially if multiple parties were at fault or if there were pre-existing medical conditions. To establish causation, your attorney may use evidence such as:
- Accident reconstruction analysis demonstrating how the defendants’ actions led to the crash.
- Medical expert testimony linking your injuries to the forces and mechanisms of the accident.
- Imaging scans, surgical reports, and other medical records documenting the nature and extent of your injuries.
Damages in Rideshare Accidents
The fourth and final element in a rideshare accident case is proving that you suffered actual harm and losses as a result of the defendants’ actions. This is known as damages, and it can include both economic and non-economic losses.
Economic damages are the quantifiable financial losses resulting from the accident, such as:
- Medical expenses for emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment.
- Lost wages and benefits from missing work due to your injuries.
- Reduced earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job.
- Property damage to your vehicle or other personal property.
Non-economic damages are the intangible losses that affect your quality of life, such as:
- Pain and suffering from your physical injuries and emotional trauma.
- Emotional distress and mental anguish, such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD.
- Loss of enjoyment of life if your injuries prevent you from participating in activities you once enjoyed.
- Loss of consortium, which refers to the impact of your injuries on your relationships with your spouse or family members.
To prove damages, we will gather extensive documentation of your losses, including medical bills, pay stubs, repair estimates, and expert opinions. We will also work with medical and economic experts to calculate the full value of your current and future damages.
Proving these elements can be challenging, especially when dealing with powerful rideshare companies and their legal teams. At Walton Law, we have the skills and resources to thoroughly investigate your accident, gather evidence, and build a compelling case on your behalf. We work with top accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and other specialists to demonstrate liability and the full extent of your damages.
What to Do After a Rideshare Accident
If you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident in Snohomish County, taking the right steps can protect your health and your legal rights. Here’s what you should do:
- Seek medical attention right away, even if your injuries seem minor.
- Call the police and file an accident report.
- Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and your injuries.
- Get contact and insurance information from all parties involved, including the rideshare driver.
- Report the accident to the rideshare company.
- Keep detailed records of your medical treatment, expenses, and other losses.
- Avoid giving statements to insurance companies or accepting settlement offers without consulting an attorney.
- Contact an experienced rideshare accident attorney as soon as possible for guidance on your legal rights and options.
At Walton Law, we offer free consultations to help rideshare accident victims understand their rights and make informed decisions about their cases. The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner we can start building your case and fighting for your recovery.
Contact a Snohomish County Rideshare Accident Lawyer
Christopher C. Walton, Snohomish County Rideshare Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a rideshare accident in Snohomish County, we are here to help. Call us today at 866-338-7079 for a free consultation with one of our skilled rideshare accident attorneys. We’ll listen to your story, answer your questions, and discuss how we can help you seek maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.
Don’t wait – the sooner you call, the sooner we can start working on your case. Call 866-338-7079 now to take the first step toward justice.
Walton Law, A.P.C. – Snohomish Office Location
6100 219th St SW #480
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
Phone: (866) 338-7079