Yakima Uber
Accident Lawyer

Were you injured in an Uber accident in Yakima, Washington? Contact Montoya Hinckley Injury Lawyers at (509) 895-7373 for a free consultation today. An experienced Yakima Uber accident lawyer can help you navigate the complex insurance issues and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Our attorneys have the tools to handle all of the complications likely to arise in your case. We have over 56 years of experience–and we’ve recovered tens of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. We’re passionate about helping our injured clients pursue justice. Call our law offices today to learn about how we can help you pursue compensation.

Why Should I Call Montoya Hinckley Injury Lawyers To Help Me Fight for Compensation After an Uber Accident in Yakima?

Uber accident claims in Yakima, WA, aren’t like typical car accident cases. Rideshare companies must purchase high-dollar commercial insurance policies. They also have a team of defense lawyers and insurance adjusters prepared to protect their profit margin. Montoya Hinckley Injury Lawyers can help level the playing field.

Here are just a few of the reasons injury victims trust our Yakima personal injury lawyers:

• We have a proven record of standing up to powerful insurance companies–and winning
• We bring over five decades of legal experience to the table
• Our clients get hands-on service, working directly with their attorney at every stage

When you trust our Yakima personal injury attorneys to pursue compensation on your behalf, we won’t rest until you’re made whole. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help you get the money you deserve. 

How Do I Know How Much My Yakima Uber Accident Case Is Worth?

No two cases are exactly the same. Some injuries heal quickly and allow victims to move on with their lives with relatively little impact. Others can last a lifetime.

Prominent factors that will impact your case value include:

• The severity of your injuries
• Your total medical costs, factoring in anticipated future needs
• Your expected recovery period and prognosis
• Whether a permanent injury will have a long-term impact on your earning capacity
• The mental and physical suffering you’ve endured
• The amount of insurance coverage
• The Uber driver’s status at the time of the wreck
• Your role in the crash, when shared fault is an issue

It can be very difficult to know how much your case is worth without legal advice. Insurance companies often offer tempting settlement deals–and quickly. These offers are rarely fair.

Our attorneys have the skills to accurately value your case. When needed, we work with experts to document the full scope of your losses. Your case is unique–and there’s no standard settlement amount. 

What Types of Damages Are Available to Uber Accident Victims in Yakima?

Accident victims in Washington state can demand compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages.

Examples of available damages may include:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical costs if you need long-term or ongoing care
• Rehabilitation and therapies 
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning potential
• Property damage if the rideshare driver hit your vehicle or bicycle
• Pain and suffering
• Mental trauma and distress
• Diminished quality of life
• Physical disfigurement and scarring
• Lost ability to enjoy life
• Depression and other mental health issues
• Loss of consortium

Obviously, some damages are easier to prove than others. The insurance company will try to minimize your damages. You don’t have to take a lowball deal. Our Yakima Uber accident attorneys will start working immediately to establish your losses. 

What Are My Options for Pursuing Compensation After an Uber Accident in Washington?

Washington is an at-fault, or tort, state when it comes to car accidents. That means the at-fault party is responsible for covering a victim’s damages. In your typical car accident case, you start by filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance policy.

Say that the driver was an Uber driver. Their personal insurance may deny the claim because personal auto policies can exclude coverage for rideshare activity. Depending on the driver’s status in the Uber app at the time of the crash, Uber’s insurance may provide coverage. Multiple insurance policies may be available.

Insurance Period One: Driver Is Logged Out

If the driver is not logged into the Uber app, their personal insurance should apply. Uber’s insurance is not available if the driver’s personal insurance company accepts your claim–even if the driver does periodically drive for Uber. 

Insurance Period Two: Driver Is Logged Into Uber’s App

Uber provides limited coverage if a driver is logged into their app and available to take rides:

• $50,000 in bodily injury per victim
• $100,000 in bodily injury per accident
• $30,000 in property damage coverage per accident as required by Washington law

This coverage is significantly higher than the minimum requirements for private car insurance in Washington state.

Insurance Period Three: Driver Has Accepted a Ride Request

Uber’s $1 million car insurance policy is available once the driver has accepted a passenger request. It covers injuries that occur while the Uber driver is en route to pick up a passenger. It also applies when the rideshare driver has a passenger in the vehicle.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer After an Uber Accident in Yakima?

Contingency fee arrangements are the most common fee structure for personal injury law firms. Instead of paying upfront, your attorney deducts their fees from your settlement or verdict. 

This is the fee structure we use at Montoya Hinckley Injury Lawyers. Our legal services won’t cost you a dime upfront. You’ll agree to pay a fixed percentage of the compensation we recover. Bottom line–you don’t pay unless, and until, we win.

What Happens to My Compensation if I Was Partly Responsible for an Uber Accident in Washington?

Your compensation award will be reduced under Washington’s pure comparative negligence law. Unlike in other states, you don’t lose your right to damages completely.

Washington law recognizes that multiple parties can share blame for a crash. That includes the victim. Fault is divided between all parties, based on their actions. Each party is responsible for its share. 

Our Attorneys in Yakima Represent Clients With All Types of Uber Accident Injuries

Rideshare crashes can result in serious injuries. We help injury victims recover compensation after suffering:

• Broken bones and complex fractures
• Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
• Soft tissue damage, including whiplash 
• Spinal cord injuries and other back injuries 
• Head and neck injuries
• Eye and facial injuries
• Nerve damage
• Chest injuries 
• Internal bleeding
• Organ damage
• Burns
• Amputations
• Paralysis
• Catastrophic injuries
• Wrongful death of a family member in fatal accident cases

Not all injuries are physical. The mental and psychological impact of a serious accident can remain with you for months or even years. When you hire our attorneys, you’ll have a team dedicated to securing compensation that accounts for all aspects of your suffering.

What Are the Leading Causes of Uber Accidents in Yakima?

Like any motor vehicle accident, Uber accidents typically occur because of driver error, poor conditions, or a mix of both. That said, rideshare drivers do face unique conditions.

Some common causes of Uber and Lyft accidents include:

• Drivers who are distracted by GPS and cell phones
• Fatigued Uber drivers who spend long hours behind the wheel
• Speeding and aggressive driving when drivers are trying to maximize the number or rides they complete
• Failure to yield the right-of-way 
• Tailgating 
• Failure to check blind spots
• Running a red light or stop sign
• Drunk driving or driving while using drugs
• Dangerous road conditions 

Uber is often a supplemental income source for drivers–many start driving after they’ve already finished a full day of work. The Uber driver, by definition, has to pay attention to their phone. The risk of distraction and fatigue is very real. Still, it can be tough to prove exactly what caused your Uber accident. 

What Do I Have To Prove To Recover Compensation After an Uber Accident in Yakima?

Victims always have the burden of proof. You’ll have to prove that the defendant caused your injuries to recover damages.

Most victims must prove negligence, meaning:

• The defendant had a duty of care (driving carefully, obeying traffic laws, etc.)
• They violated, or breached, that duty
• The breach directly caused your accident
• You were injured and suffered actual damages

While you’re working toward recovery, our attorneys will be collecting evidence to prove these and other aspects of your case. 

What Is the Deadline for Demanding Compensation After an Uber Accident in Washington?

The statute of limitations in Washington personal injury cases is three years. You have three years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. If you wait longer, you lose your right to pursue compensation in court. 

Call a Top-Rated Yakima Uber Accident Lawyer for a Free Case Review Today

You don’t have to face the insurance companies alone if you were injured in an Uber accident in Yakima, WA. At Montoya Hinckley Injury Lawyers, we have the tools and experience to fight back–and win. Contact us today to learn more about how an experienced Yakima Uber accident attorney can help you maximize your case value.