Helping Uber and Lyft Accident Victims in Portland
Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft have taken the nation by storm in recent years.
Today, the industry is one of the largest markets in the world, with a net worth exceeding $75 billion. Although these apps provide Portland residents and visitors with affordable, convenient transportation options, trusting a stranger with your safety doesn’t always pan out the way you hope it will.
Uber and Lyft accidents can happen throughout Portland, from busy downtown streets near Pioneer Courthouse Square, SW 5th Avenue, and SW Morrison Street to major routes across the city.
These collisions often involve complex questions about fault, insurance coverage, and whether the rideshare driver, rideshare company, or another party may be responsible.
If you or someone you care about has been in an accident involving an Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare driver, contact Rizk Law rideshare accident attorneys to help recover compensation for your damages today.
Visit Our Portland Office
Come visit Rizk Law at our Portland office in the Johns Landing area. Our office is conveniently located at 434 South Iowa Street, Portland, OR 97239.
We represent rideshare accident victims throughout Portland. Our office is easily accessible from major routes including I-5, SW Macadam Avenue, the Ross Island Bridge, and the Sellwood Bridge.
Why Choose Rizk Law?
- Decades of Experience — Serving Portland since 2001
- No Fees Unless We Win — You pay nothing unless we recover compensation
- Free Consultation — Get clear answers with no obligation
- Proven Guidance — We handle every step of the legal process for you
- Trusted Locally — Led by a recognized member of the South Portland business community
Meet Our Senior Attorney
Richard Rizk
- Education: Lewis & Clark Law School, Portland, Oregon.
- 30+ Years of Oregon Legal Experience: Richard Rizk has represented injured clients in Oregon, including those injured in Uber, Lyft, and other ridesharing accidents.
- Insurance Defense Background: As a former insurance defense attorney for Nationwide Insurance affiliates, Richard understands how insurers investigate liability, evaluate damages, and handle rideshare accident claims involving multiple insurance policies.
- Oregon Legal Community Leadership: Richard has served as Portland’s delegate to the Oregon State Bar, contributing to discussions and decisions affecting Oregon’s legal community.
Recent Case Results
$92,000 Settlement for Client Injured in T-Bone Collision
A client was injured in a T-bone collision after another driver pulled in front of his vehicle at an intersection, totaling his car.
Although the client had a pre-existing condition affecting his left side, the crash caused new right-sided sciatica and a ruptured spinal disc. The case was resolved through a settlement after a demand letter was submitted.
$240,000 Settlement for a Car Rear-ended by a Police Vehicle.
Client, a seat-belted passenger, suffered a brain injury, headaches, vision problems, and lumbar disc herniations.
$166,461 Settlement for a Rear-end Car crash Caused by an Underinsured Driver
PIP initially denied the claim, labeling it a minor impact. After a lawsuit, an ERISA lien of $50,000 was paid, along with $5,000 in attorney fees and $1,461.50 in wage loss. Third-party settlement was $50,000 and UIM settlement was $110,000.
See What our Clients are Saying
Over 60 Google Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jaqueline and the team did an awesome job with my insurance claim after a pretty bad car wreck.
They were very knowledgeable and took care of everything from start to finish. They maximized my settlement and Took all of the stress and worry off me and were very very thorough. I Will definitely refer any of my friends and family that need any help like this in the future. Thank you again.
– TheWesthammatt
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Following a car accident in Oregon back in 2019, I contacted Richard/Rizk Law for a free consultation. Being a Brit who has never resided in the US, I had no idea about Oregon State Law and clearly needed an expert legal opinion. Due to the circumstances of my case, it was ultimately decided that there would not be a financial benefit for Rizk Law to work on it; however the advice that was offered to me was enormously helpful in providing me with the knowledge & insight that I needed.
I would highly recommend reaching out to Richard and his firm if you require sound legal advice.
– Ollie Smith
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Alex Pletch and the Rizk Law Team recently represented me in a David and Goliath battle with auto-insurance companies and we won! Setting a precedent for Oregon.
They went above and beyond the original court case, fighting for me to receive the second year of PIP for an accident that created life-changing injuries.
Now accident-survivors in Oregon will no longer be denied their second year of PIP. It’s still sinking in how big this is for so many people moving forward. Thank you to Richard Rizk, Alex Pletch, and the Rizk Law Team!
– Katina Andoniadis
Common Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents in Portland, Oregon
Rideshare apps have been praised in the past for their potential to cut down on drunk driving, but some studies suggest that instead of making the roads safer for everyone, these apps could be making them more dangerous.
With Uber and Lyft drivers now clogging up our roadways, there are more cars than usual on the streets. Inevitably, when the number of cars on the roads rises, unfortunately, so do the number of accidents.
Rideshare accidents can occur anywhere, but are more common in areas with heavy traffic, pedestrian activity, and frequent passenger pickups.
These include Downtown Portland near Pioneer Courthouse Square, SW 5th Avenue, SW Morrison Street, major corridors like I-5 and I-405, and busy bridge routes such as the Burnside Bridge and Hawthorne Bridge.
Although rideshare companies have screening requirements, accidents can still occur due to driver negligence, including distracted driving, speeding, and unsafe driving behaviors.
If a rideshare driver is partaking in any of the following behaviors when they cause an accident, they could be found negligent and determined to be at fault for the crash:
- Texting while driving
- Driving while distracted by their GPS
- Speeding while rushing to their next fare
- Illegally passing
- Stopping abruptly to pick up passengers
- Driving aggressively
- Failure to obey traffic signs or signals
- Eating while driving
- Driving under the influence
- Swerving
- Tailgating
- Drowsy driving
- Reckless driving
The knowledgeable Portland car accident lawyers at Rizk Law understand the challenges and frustrations that come with these types of accidents and can help hold any at-fault party responsible for the harm they have caused.
Our team has helped many clients within Portland and the surrounding areas recover more than $15 million in personal injury claims over the years, and we would be honored to help you and your family.
Who Could Be Held Liable for an Uber or Lyft Accident in Portland, Oregon?
When it comes to rideshare accidents, the determination of liability can be incredibly complex.
Multiple parties could be found liable for these types of accidents. Hence, accident victims must partner with a rideshare accident attorney with the skills required to pinpoint any parties that could be held responsible for the losses of victims.
Liability for an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare accident could fall on any of the following parties:
- The driver
- The rideshare company
- Other drivers
- Other third parties
- Other passengers
As is typical with almost any corporation, ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft do their best to maximize their profits by minimizing their responsibility in the event of an accident. A couple of strategies rideshare companies like to use to minimize their accountability for an accident include:
Forced Arbitration
Arbitration is a way to settle a dispute outside of court. For rideshare accidents, consumers are required to submit their disputes to binding arbitration as a condition of using the service.
This usually means forcing an injured passenger to go before a panel of arbitrators that have been hand-picked by the rideshare service in order to plead their case. However, forced arbitration can only be used by the party using the app–meaning pedestrians and other drivers are not bound by forced arbitration and are free to sue the ridesharing service.
Independently Contracted Drivers
Many companies attempt to minimize their liability in the event of an accident by labeling their employees as “independent contractors.”
The intention here is that if their drivers are considered independent, then the rideshare company will be absolved of any wrongdoing. However, this tactic is rarely successful as they are usually found to be responsible for the actions of anyone engaging in activities that benefit the company under their direction.
What Should You Do After a Rideshare Accident in Portland?
After a Portland Uber or Lyft accident, you should:
- Call 911 for emergency help, especially if someone is injured.
- Seek medical treatment for any injuries as soon as possible
- Document the accident scene, the vehicles, and your ride receipt.
- Get information from the Uber or Lyft driver and anyone else involved.
- Contact an attorney to help you navigate the rideshare claims process.
Oregon Rideshare Accident Reporting Requirements
Reporting the accident is a crucial – and potentially legally required – step after a rideshare crash in Portland.
Oregon law requires drivers to file an auto accident report with the Oregon DMV within 72 hours when the crash causes injury, death, or qualifying property damage.
Reporting the accident to the police doesn’t absolve the driver of this responsibility.
Passengers ordinarily have no DMV reporting duty unless the driver is incapacitated or otherwise unable to file a report. In most cases, you should instead report the collision to the rideshare company through Uber’s website or Lyft’s online accident form.
Either way, avoid giving any statements before speaking with an Oregon Lyft or Uber accident lawyer.
Common Mistakes to Avoid After an Uber or Lyft Accident
Knowing what to do after a rideshare accident – and what not to do – can make a difference in the outcome of your case. With this in mind, you should avoid making these common mistakes that could weaken your Lyft or Uber car accident claim:
- Don’t delay getting medical care, even if you think your injuries are minor.
- Don’t leave the scene without gathering information from the involved drivers and any eyewitnesses.
- Don’t post about the collision or your injuries on social media.
- Don’t give recorded statements to insurers without your attorney present.
- Don’t accept a settlement offer without your lawyer’s input and counsel.
What Evidence Can Help Prove Liability in a Rideshare Accident?
Multiple parties may share rideshare accident liability. When pursuing a claim, you need evidence showing how the collision occurred and whether the driver was logged into the Uber or Lyft app.
Our Portland rideshare accident attorneys may utilize evidence such as:
- Police reports and traffic citations
- Photos or videos of the scene
- Dashcam or surveillance footage
- Rideshare app status and GPS data
- Witness statements
- Uber or Lyft trip records
- Rideshare vehicle maintenance records
- Vehicle damage reports
- Medical records connecting your injuries to the collision
Frequently Asked Questions About Rideshare Accidents in Oregon
Here are brief answers to some of the questions our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers often hear from clients injured in rideshare collisions.
Can I recover financial compensation if I was partly at fault for the rideshare accident?
Oregon follows a rule called modified comparative negligence. Under state law, you may still recover compensation if your share of blame for the accident is not more than 50 percent.
However, your award will be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault.
How long do I have to file a rideshare accident claim in Oregon?
Deadlines may vary based on the circumstances of your case. Speak with a Portland rideshare accident lawyer promptly to preserve evidence and protect your right to pursue compensation.
Can pedestrians, bicyclists, or other motorists file claims after a rideshare accident?
Anyone who gets hurt due to an Uber or Lyft driver’s negligence may have a valid claim, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and occupants of other vehicles.
A rideshare accident claim could provide compensation for related losses, including medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
However, the available insurance coverage may depend on the rideshare driver’s status at the time of the collision.
