Who Is Responsible for Injuries Suffered in a DC Rideshare Accident?

Get Maximum Compensation for Rideshare Accident Injuries

Rideshare services have revolutionized transport in the DC Metro area, but as their use has increased, so have the number of motor vehicle accidents. Passengers and bystanders can be left with injuries, medical bills, and confusion about who is responsible – and this is where Regan Zambri Long’s Washington, DC rideshare accident lawyers can help. If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, our highly respected attorneys can help you navigate the complicated process of injury liability.

Our lawyers have almost 200 years of combined experience in protecting the rights of motor vehicle accident victims and ensuring they are compensated fairly. Our tireless efforts have recovered multi-million-dollar results, such as $15 million, $14 million, and $10 million settlements and verdicts. All six partners have been named to Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers list, recognizing their advocacy for clients and their trial excellence. Our commitment to justice has also garnered more than 100 five-star Google reviews.

If you’ve been injured, contact Regan Zambri Long today for a free consultation, and one of our DC rideshare accident lawyers will call you back. We’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There’s no fee unless we win your case.

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What Should I Know About DC Rideshare Accident Injuries?

Ridesharing services, while convenient, have opened up an unwelcome realm of risk on Washington, DC’s streets. Rideshare injuries range from minor bruises and whiplash to more serious cases such as traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord damage. Anyone involved in an accident must be familiar with these injuries as well as their causes and impacts to help make informed decisions at the time. That said, the first and most important thing to do if you’re involved in a rideshare accident is to seek medical attention, even if your injuries do not appear to be severe, and ensure you keep medical records of your injuries.

What Are the Types and Causes of Rideshare Injuries?

Rideshare accidents often produce the same injuries as traditional vehicle collisions. The most common of these include:

 

  • Back injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Internal bleeding and organ damage
  • Neck injuries
  • Emotional trauma
  • Soft tissue damage
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Whiplash
  • Death

However, the context of a rideshare accident often magnifies them. Factors like driver urgency to complete rides quickly; potential distraction due to ridesharing apps; or unfamiliarity with DC roadways all increase the severity and frequency of these incidents.

What Are the Emotional and Financial Impacts of Rideshare Accidents?

Victims of rideshare accidents in DC often bear emotional and financial costs that go beyond physical harm. Being involved in an accident may lead to:

 

  • Long-term financial stress to cover medical care and rehabilitation services costs.
  • Psychological repercussions like anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and debilitating depression.

Our experienced personal injury attorneys can help you understand the full impact of rideshare injuries.

What are the Insurance and Liability Challenges in DC Rideshare Accidents?

One of the more complex aspects of rideshare injuries in DC involves navigating insurance and liability issues. Determining who is at fault – the rideshare driver, company, or another involved party – can be challenging. Different policies from each individual involved often come into play making matters even more convoluted. An experienced DC rideshare accident lawyer is invaluable in managing these obstacles effectively.

How is Liability Determined in Rideshare Accidents?

Due to their unique business models and the intricacies of DC traffic and insurance laws, establishing fault and responsibility can often prove challenging. Different parties may be liable for a rideshare motor vehicle accident in Washington, DC. For example:

 

  • If the driver was negligent, they can be liable for the accident.
  • The ridesharing company may be liable if the driver was on route to pick up a passenger or if they had a passenger at the time of the accident, although it would not be liable if the driver was waiting for a ride request.
  • Other liable parties may include a company employing a negligent driver, the entity responsible for road maintenance, or another driver.

Our award-winning attorneys will review your case and determine liability for the accident in which you were injured. We will bring claims against all those who are liable.

What Do I Need to Know About DC Liability Laws?

Washington, DC uses pure contributory negligence for motor vehicle accidents; under this rule, victims cannot recover any funds if any percentage of the blame belongs to them. There may be exceptions when an accident involves non-motorized vehicles or pedestrians, such as those found in § 50–2204.52. of the Code of the District of Columbia. See contributory negligence limitations.

What About Rideshare Drivers’ Personal Insurance?

In the event of an accident, rideshare drivers’ personal car insurance policies may first come to mind as an insurance plan is assessed; however, such policies may not cover incidents occurring while transporting passengers for payment. Tnahis coverage gap becomes relevant when considering ridesharing companies’ policies as a possible solution.

What Coverage Do Rideshare Companies Provide Drivers With?

Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft provide their drivers with a commercial insurance policy, which typically includes:

 

  • Liability
  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
  • Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage

Coverage could differ depending on a driver’s status at the time of an accident – such as waiting for ride requests, en route to pick up passengers, or while taking trips with passengers in their vehicle.

How is Third-Party Liability Determined?

Parties other than the rideshare driver may be liable. This includes:

 

  • Other drivers involved in the accident
  • Manufacturers of faulty vehicle parts
  • Municipal entities responsible for unsafe road conditions

Determining third-party liability requires a thorough investigation of the accident circumstances.

Navigating these multiple layers of potential liability requires expertise in both rideshare regulations and local traffic laws. This is why DC rideshare accident lawyers play such a vital role. Their specialized knowledge helps unravel complex situations, exploring all avenues for compensation for injured parties.

This image captures the aftermath of a rear-end car accident on a suburban road, where one vehicle has slammed into the back of another. Often linked to delayed reaction times or misjudgments, car accidents caused by elderly drivers can result in serious property damage and injury. If you or a loved one has been involved in a crash like this, legal support is available. Regan Zambri Long PLLC represents clients in Washington, DC and beyond in personal injury claims involving older drivers. Contact us at (202) 937-3310 to discuss your options for compensation.

What Should I Do After a Ridesharing Accident?

The steps you take after being involved in a ridesharing motor vehicle accident can have an impact on how liability is determined and the success of your personal injury claim. If you’re involved in a rideshare accident in Washington, DC, you should:

 

  • Call for help: All drivers involved in a motor vehicle accident are required to pull over, according to the Code of the District of Columbia 50–2201.05c. Assess the scene and call 911 or another emergency service if anyone is injured, remaining at the scene until the police arrive. If anyone leaves the scene before law enforcement arrives, they may be incarcerated or fined.
  • Seek medical attention: Ensure you receive medical attention for your injuries, even if they don’t look serious. Obtain a medical treatment record, as this enables you to link your injuries to the rideshare accident if you file a claim.
  • Report the accident to the rideshare company: Screenshot your ride in the app if you were a passenger, proving you were in the vehicle at the time. Use the app to report the accident to the rideshare company, which may contact you for more information before initiating its own investigation. Be honest with the company without providing additional information or explaining answers. Speak to one of our Washington, DC rideshare accident lawyers before speaking to the company, if possible.
  • Report the accident to your insurance provider: Report the rideshare accident to your insurance as soon as possible. Your provider should cover your medical bills and property damage according to your policy limits. Be honest with the company without explaining answers or volunteering additional information. If possible, speak to one of our rideshare accident attorneys before giving your statement to your provider.
  • Limit conversation and don’t admit fault: Limit your conversation with other parties involved in the accident. Exchange the necessary information only, without discussing accident details or admitting fault, as this may be used against you later.
  • Gather evidence: Gather as much evidence from the accident scene as possible, including driver, passenger, and witness contact details, insurance information of all parties involved, photos of the vehicles involved, visible injuries, and location, and a copy of the police report (if applicable).
  • Document your experience: Keep a detailed record of your experience for your lawyer following the rideshare accident. The record should include medical treatment, ongoing care, missed work, and other expenses or impacts on your life, as this will help your lawyer assess claim value and fight for fair compensation.
  • Contact a Washington, DC rideshare accident lawyer: Speak to a reputable lawyer who specializes in rideshare accidents before filing a claim. Your lawyer can help you understand your rights, guide you through the process, investigate the accident, negotiate with insurance companies, and ensure you are compensated fairly.
  • File a claim within DC’s statute of limitations: According to DC’s statute of limitations, you have up to three years from the date of accident/injury to file a motor vehicle accident or personal injury claim to recover damages, and up to two years to file a wrongful death claim with the local court.

Most DC motor vehicle accident claims settle out of court. However, if the rideshare company refuses to do this, Regan Zambri Long’s board-certified trial attorneys will pursue a jury verdict.

Why Should I Choose Regan Zambri Long as My Washington, DC Rideshare Accident Lawyer?

Washington, DC rideshare accidents present  legal, insurance, and personal challenges. Understanding who is responsible for injuries in such accidents requires evaluating the nature of the injuries, the liability laws of DC, the roles of personal and commercial insurance, and the potential involvement of multiple parties.

The DC rideshare accident lawyers at Regan Zambri Long offer expert legal counsel in these circumstances, helping victims through the maze of determining liability. Their understanding of DC rideshare injuries and liability goes beyond legal considerations.  They recognize how such accidents have an enormous effect on individuals’ lives.

When you turn to us for support as you seek justice, you receive reliable, effective support. Three of our partners have been named Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers, and our three named partners all have AV ratings by Martindale-Hubbell, one of the oldest law firm directories in the U.S. Senior partner Salvatore Zambri, a board-certified attorney who focuses on motor vehicle accident claims, has been named to the Top 10 Super Lawyers in Washington, DC by Super Lawyers. He has recovered millions in settlements and verdicts for accident victims, one of them being a $15 million settlement. Partner Christopher Regan has the distinction of having handled the leading local case establishing how rideshare companies can be held liable when their drivers are responsible for accidents.

As soon as a rideshare accident occurs in DC, the victim should be seek legal advice immediately. The aftermath of an accident without professional representation can be daunting and risky. DC rideshare accident lawyers possess both knowledge and experience to advocate on their client’s behalf and could significantly improve case outcomes.

Regan Zambri Long offers no-committal, free consultations for anyone involved in rideshare accidents in DC. Call our rideshare accident lawyers now.

Contact Our DC Rideshare Accident Attorneys Today

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Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.

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