Olympia Lyft Accident Attorney

Using rideshare services like Lyft has become a way of life for many, especially those living in the Puget Sound. Rideshares are convenient and allow people to escape many of the risks associated with driving and owning their own vehicle. When accidents happen, the illusion of risk avoidance by using these services is shattered, and people can be left with significant injuries.

If you were involved in a car accident involving a rideshare service, you need help from our Olympia Lyft accident attorney. At Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey, our Olympia Lyft accident attorney has been representing clients in the area since 1980. We have what it takes to represent injury victims against large corporations like Lyft.

Common Lyft Accidents and Incidents in Olympia, WA

Any vehicle on the road is at risk of an accident, and rideshare vehicles are no different. While Lyft reports often about safety upgrades and implementing new policies to reduce accidents, they are still vulnerable to accidents occurring with other vehicles, with animals running into the road, car manufacturer defects, drowsy drivers, and other hazards.

Data from the Washington Department of Transportation reveals a growing trend of road safety issues in Olympia, including a significant rise in car accidents, resulting in severe injuries and fatalities. Further statistics for the city show:

Total of 940 car accidents
231 accidents involving an injury and two fatalities
102 crashes involving distracted drivers
50 accidents included a driver who was under the influence of drugs or alcohol
46 crashes involving commercial trucks or semis
27 collisions involved bicyclists or pedestrians

One commonly known use for rideshare apps is for people under the influence to receive a safe ride home or to their next destination. Ideally, rideshares will help the community reduce the number of accidents, but data on this has not been reported.

Lyft’s Safety and Transparency Report

According to Lyft’s CEO, David Risher, safety is a huge priority for their company. He backed this statement by releasing a Safety and Transparency Report in 2024, which is set to be released with updated information on a regular basis. The report states that only .0002% of rides in a two-year time frame experienced a situation necessitating a safety report, whether a sexual assault or a fatal car crash.

The report indicates that, overall, Lyft riders experience fewer fatal car crashes per 100 million vehicle miles traveled than the national statistics suggest. It also reports that 111 individuals were involved in fatal Lyft accidents in a three-year time period. While there is some data to support the safety of these rideshare vehicles, riders are still vulnerable to accidents that cause severe injuries and fatalities.

If you were involved in an accident with a Lyft vehicle, whether as another driver or as a rider, you may be eligible for compensation for your losses. Work with an Olympia Lyft accident attorney from Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey to hold this company responsible. We will hold Lyft to the high standards they claim to follow for the safety of their passengers.

File Your Lyft Claim Promptly to Avoid Missing the Deadline

In Washington state, the statute of limitations to file a claim is three years from the date of the accident. This means that in general, if you are three years and one day after your accident, you have lost the right to pursue any amount of compensation for your losses. There are specific situations where this deadline may be extended, but it is better to be safe than risk missing out.

Why You Should File a Lyft Accident Claim as Soon as Possible

Working with a Lyft accident attorney as soon as possible after the crash may raise your chances and help you win your case. After all, evidence is fresher the sooner you gather and preserve it. Eyewitness testimony is best within the first few days or weeks after an accident, as memories fade with time and vital details can be lost. Surveillance footage from nearby stores or traffic cams may be erased and written over after being stored for weeks or months.

Getting started as soon as you can after your crash can help you maximize your chances of building a successful claim. If you have had a significant delay due to recovering from your injuries or other factors, be sure to still reach out to our Lyft accident lawyers in Olympia to determine if any legal options still exist for you to pursue compensation for your losses.

Potential Challenges With Lyft Accident Claims

When bringing a legal claim against any large organization, injury victims may experience major complications. Rideshare drivers are often hired as independent contractors, which separates them from Lyft in a few important legal ways. However, it is unlikely that you will be able to file a claim against the driver’s personal car insurance if the accident occurs during their time on the clock with Lyft.

Instead, the company itself holds a massive third-party insurance plan to cover drivers when issues arise regarding bodily injury and property damage to someone during an accident. This coverage kicks in during certain times, like when the app is tracking a ride, the driver is en route to a rider, or in other specific situations.

To understand rideshare injury and accident lawsuits like these, it is best to work with a Lyft accident lawyer who has experience with these specific types of claims. At Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey, our Lyft accident lawyers in Olympia can help you build a solid personal injury claim with strong evidence and thorough documentation.

Common Causes of Lyft Accidents in the South Puget Sound

Similar to traditional car accidents, Lyft accidents can occur due to driver negligence, reckless actions by the driver of another vehicle, faulty vehicle manufacturing or defective parts, poor road conditions, and inclement weather. Other common causes of Lyft accidents include:

Distracted Driving: Lyft drivers may use their cell phones during a route to confirm they can pick up another customer after they drop off their current one. They may also be distracted by GPS mapping while driving.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI): While Lyft does its best to discourage drivers who drink or use other substances that could affect driving, rideshare drivers may still engage in this particularly dangerous behavior.
Speeding: The more rides a Lyft driver can fit into one day, the more money they can make. Driving over the speed limit may be tempting to a Lyft driver who wants to serve their customers more efficiently, but excessive speed can create dangerous situations and potentially lead to auto accidents.

Ignoring Traffic Laws and Signals: As with speeding, Lyft drivers may try to cut corners by ignoring traffic laws, signs, and signals. Driving through a light that is about to turn red could get them to their destination faster, but also dramatically increases the chances of an accident.

Driver Fatigue: Lyft drivers also share a common problem that occurs with commercial truck drivers and others who drive for a living—drowsy driving. Rideshare drivers often clock in after working a full day elsewhere, which can only be discouraged by the company, not completely prevented.

If you were in a car accident as a result of someone else’s negligent behavior, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses. One of our Lyft accident attorneys can help you evaluate the situation surrounding your accident and determine the liable party. After liability is established, they can then file a claim for compensation.

Who May File a Claim for a Lyft Accident in Washington?

At Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey, our Olympia Lyft accident lawyers see a variety of types of injury victims wanting to file a claim for their injuries. These can include:

Drivers, Pedestrians, and Bicyclists Hit by a Lyft Driver: These claims traditionally are filed directly against Lyft and their insurance coverage, but it must be established that the rideshare driver was actually en route to pick up a customer, currently driving a customer to a destination, or in some other way working for Lyft when the accident happened.

Passengers Injured While in a Rideshare Vehicle: If your driver was negligent and caused an accident you were in, our Lyft accident lawyers can help you file a claim against Lyft. However, if another driver was negligent and hit the rideshare vehicle you were in, this may be more complicated.

Rideshare Drivers Who Were Hit by Negligent Drivers: Drivers of Lyft vehicles can also find themselves in a situation where they need to file a claim against another negligent driver. We can help file the paperwork and make sure that you are compensated for your car’s damage, your injuries, and any work you have missed due to the accident.

Our Lyft accident attorneys in Olympia help injury victims file claims for compensation after someone else’s negligence causes an accident. No matter your association with Lyft or other rideshare companies, we can help you determine the best course of action on the path to receiving justice.

Injuries Suffered in Lyft Accidents

It is important to get checked out by a medical professional as soon as you can after an accident. Even if you do not feel injured, the adrenaline from the crash may mask your symptoms for a while. A medical professional can check you for injuries such as:

Whiplash and neck injuries
Concussion and head injuries
Broken or fractured bones
Back and spine injuries
Internal bleeding or organ damage
Lacerations and cuts

If you suffered injuries in a rideshare accident in Olympia, WA, the liable party should be held responsible for their negligence. You may be eligible to recover economic and non-economic damages to cover medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering under RCW 4.20.046.

Wrongful Death Claims for Fatal Lyft Accidents

If you have lost a loved one in an accident involving a Lyft driver, you need to contact our legal team to pursue a wrongful death claim for your losses. While financial compensation cannot even come close to truly compensating for the loss of a loved one, pursuing a wrongful death claim can provide you and your family a sense of justice, as well as repay the bills you have to pay associated with the loss. In Washington State, you can have the legal right to file a wrongful death claim under RCW 4.20.020.

Compensation in wrongful death claims can include economic losses associated with the death, such as end-of-life medical bills, funeral and burial services, and lost wages. Non-economic losses compensate for the felt loss of the loved one, the support they provided, and the traumatic effect the loss has had on the family.

While not often awarded by Washington state courts, punitive damages may be considered in situations of extreme negligence that result in wrongful death. These damages do not compensate for any specific losses, but rather are intended to punish the liable party and serve as an example to discourage others from negligent behaviors. Speak with our Lyft accident attorneys in Olympia to help you recover the maximum amount possible for your family’s losses.

Contact Our Experienced Olympia Lyft Accident Attorney Location Today

Founded in 1980, Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey works hard to help clients take the insult out of injury. We take our role as your legal advocate seriously and want to ensure you have the best possible chance of receiving the compensation you deserve.

Contact our team today to set up a free case consultation so we can evaluate your Lyft accident, determine where liability lies, and begin to build a strong case for your claim. We will answer any questions you may have about filing a claim against Lyft or what possible compensation you may be able to receive.