Ridesharing companies such as Uber make getting around the city more convenient, but the risk of Seattle car accidents increases as more drivers take to local roads. If you are hit by an Uber driver, it can leave you and your passengers suffering serious harm. At Washington Injury Law, our Seattle rideshare accident attorney helps victims get the compensation they need to recover.
Unfortunately, filing an Uber injury claim is typically more complicated than in other car accident cases, as disputes over insurance coverage, liability, and whether the driver was on the app at the time of the crash are common. If you or a loved one is injured, find out what you need to know to avoid out-of-pocket costs.
An Uber Driver Hit My Car In Seattle: Key Questions Concerning Liability
Uber’s Safety Reports claim the company saves the lives of more than 600 people each year by preventing drunk driving crashes. There’s no doubt that relying on ridesharing is safer than driving yourself if you’ve been drinking, but a high demand for the service and the increased number of ridesharing drivers on the road increase traffic safety risks.
What happens if a Seattle Uber driver hits your car? Uber promotes million-dollar insurance policies designed to protect passengers and other road users, but determining liability and whether coverage applies can present challenges. Even if the Uber driver is obviously at fault, the ridesharing company may attempt to deny or downplay your claim.
In determining liability for Uber accidents in Seattle, one of the key questions is whether the driver was logged into the app at the time of the crash. Here’s how this can impact your rights in a claim:
- If the driver was not logged into the Uber app, they are liable in the event of a crash. You may be entitled to compensation either through their insurer, your own coverage, or by taking your case to court.
- If the driver was logged into the app but didn’t have an active fare, Uber provides only limited insurance benefits. You may have to go after the Uber driver or others involved to get the total amount needed to cover your losses.
- If the driver is logged onto the app and on the way to pick up a customer or in the middle of a trip, you may be covered under Uber’s $1 million commercial policy.
Unfortunately, even if Uber’s coverage applies, you will likely face other challenges that can result in denied or downplayed claims.
Hit by an Uber Driver In Seattle? Common Challenges In Getting Compensation
What happens when an Uber driver hits your car in Seattle? Even a relatively minor crash could leave you suffering serious personal injuries, and medical bills, lost income, and other costs can quickly pile up in the aftermath.
These are often complex claims, as the ride-sharing driver, the company they work for, and other motorists may all share some of the blame. Common challenges injured victims often face in the aftermath that can impact their rights to compensation include:
- Disputes over how the crash happened and who is responsible.
- Confusion over coverage limits, based on whether the driver was logged in and working at the time.
- Downplaying the severity of the crash and your injuries.
- Lowball settlement offers fail to cover all current and future costs.
- Delayed payouts create additional stress and financial insecurity.
To make matters even more complicated, the Washington State Insurance Commissioner warns that a driver’s personal auto insurance policy generally will not cover collisions if a driver is engaged in ride-sharing. To protect yourself and your rights to compensation, get professional legal help from a Seattle car accident attorney with experience in Uber claims.
How To Protect Your Rights If You Are Hit By An Uber Driver in Seattle
Uber accidents in Seattle often happen due to negligence on the part of the Uber driver or others involved. Uber itself may share responsibility for failing to vet or monitor employees and other reckless behavior. Under Washington State law (RCW 5.40.050), you have the right to hold those at fault liable through insurers or by filing a lawsuit through the civil court system.
“An Uber driver hit my car in Seattle. What can I do to get a quick settlement?” This is a common concern among victims. Taking quick action in the aftermath helps build a strong case and reduce wait times. Our Seattle car accident lawyer recommends taking these steps:
- Call 911 immediately. Once the police arrive at the scene and complete an accident report, request a copy. It should include details about the crash site, damage to each vehicle, and insurance information for the Uber driver and other motorists involved.
- Gather evidence: Use photos and videos to document the scene, your injuries, and property damages. The more evidence you gather, the harder it will be for insurers to dispute your claim.
- Seek medical attention immediately. Even if you don’t appear to suffer serious harm, seek medical attention and document everything. Symptoms of soft tissue injuries, whiplash, and concussions often don’t appear until hours or days later.
- Get legal help: Before making any statements to insurers, signing any documents, or accepting a settlement, get the professional legal help you need from Washington Injury Law.
Request a Consultation Today With Our Experienced Seattle Car Accident Attorney
What happens if an Uber driver hits your car in Seattle? You could be left facing serious personal injuries that impact you for long after, along with property damages, medical expenses, and other costs that can quickly total six figures. Questions concerning liability make these types of cases particularly challenging. To protect your rights, get Washington Injury Law on your side.
While you focus on recovering from what happened, our experienced Seattle car accident attorney fights to get you the maximum compensation you are entitled to in a claim. Serving clients throughout Seattle and King County, including neighborhoods and zip codes such as 98101 (Downtown Seattle), 98103 (Fremont/Green Lake), and 98144 (Mount Baker and Rainier Valley), call or contact our office today and request a consultation.