Rideshare Accident Lawyers Serving Georgia
Since Uber came on the scene in 2009, ride-sharing services have become increasingly popular. A major competitor, Lyft, started operating in 2015. Georgia has embraced ride-sharing services, with Atlanta becoming the country’s fifth most popular ride-sharing city. The number of ride-sharing drivers in Georgia has exploded recently. Ride-sharing offers affordable and quick transportation services. Unfortunately, obtaining compensation can be complicated if you have become injured in a ride-sharing accident.
The Insurance Options for Victims of Georgia Rideshare Accidents
If you have been injured in a rideshare accident, you will probably not be able to sue the rideshare company directly. Lyft and Uber’s insurance policies and the entire aspect of plausible deniability can create a gray area for those who try to file claims against them. You will benefit from hiring an experienced rideshare accident attorney to help you navigate the claims process.
Will Uber or Lyft Insurance Cover My Damages?
Uber and Lyft provide commercial auto insurance coverage for victims involved in accidents. However, the amount of insurance coverage available depends on the phase of the rideshare in which the accident occurred. There are three different phases while a rideshare app is on:
- Available: The driver has the app turned on and is waiting to pick up a passenger
- En route: The driver has accepted a ride through the app and is on their way to pick up the passenger
- On the trip: The driver has picked up a passenger and is driving toward the passenger’s destination
When the Uber or Lyft Rideshare app is turned off, Uber and Lyft insurance policies will not cover any injuries. Instead, the victim will need to pursue compensation through the driver’s personal auto insurance coverage. Once the driver turns on the app, Uber and Lyft provide some coverage.
When the app is turned on, and the driver is waiting for a ride request, Uber and Lyft provide $50,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $100,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 in property damage per accident.
When the app is on, the driver has accepted a passenger, and they are headed to pick up the passenger, a $1,000,000 liability coverage will apply. Both companies also offer uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage. They also offer contingent comprehensive and collision coverage up to the actual cash value of the car with a deductible.
Finally, when the rideshare app is turned on, the driver has picked up a passenger, and they are headed toward the passenger’s destination, the $1,000,000 liability coverage policy will apply. Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage and first party coverage will also apply along with comprehensive and collision coverage.
Determining Liability in a Rideshare Accident
In order to recover compensation after a rideshare accident, you will need to prove that the responsible party is at least 50% at-fault for the accident. If you were the passenger in a rideshare accident, you will not be at fault for the accident and will likely be eligible to recover damages from the at-fault party. Rideshare drivers must have personal auto insurance policies that will cover at least some of their damages if the rideshare company’s insurance does not apply. Proving that one or more parties were at fault for the accident requires a thorough investigation.
Attorney James Rice has the resources and experience needed to thoroughly investigate your case to determine who was at fault. In some cases, multiple parties are at fault. For example, the Uber driver, a third-party driver, and Uber itself could potentially be liable for your damages. The sooner you speak to an attorney, the better. Evidence can disappear and witnesses can forget what they saw. You will benefit from an attorney investigating quickly after an accident.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover After a Rideshare Accident?
For most victims of rideshare or accidents, it is important to prove that the accident occurred after the driver had accepted a rideshare request. Typically, Uber and Lyft’s $1,000,000 insurance policy is higher than the driver’s personal auto insurance policy. Victims will be able to recover more through the Uber or Lyft policy.
Rice McGowan & Brandt is committed to helping anyone who has been injured or suffered losses due to a rideshare accident recover compensation. He will exhaust all available legal options to ensure you have the best likelihood of success in your case. With the help of an experienced attorney, you can recover compensation for your current and future damages. Depending on the nature of your injuries, an attorney can help you pursue financial compensation for:
- Your emergency medical transportation and care
- Ongoing hospital visits and associated expenses
- Extended hospital or rehabilitation accommodation expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages over the duration of your injury
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Wrongful death
Suing Uber or Lyft After a Rideshare Accident
After getting into a rideshare accident, your first thought may be to sue Uber or Lyft directly. Unfortunately, it is challenging to sue Uber and Lyft. Their drivers are considered independent contractors, so they are not directly liable for their drivers causing an accident. However, there are rare circumstances in which you may be able to sue Lyft or Uber directly.
What Happens if I Get in an Accident While Driving for Lyft or Uber?
If you are an Uber or Lyft driver and had the app turned off when the accident occurred, you will need to handle the damages through your personal insurance policy. This is also the case if you have just dropped a passenger off. If an accident occurs when you have a passenger in your vehicle, you may be able to recover compensation through Uber or Lyft’s insurance policy.
Discuss Your Case With Atlanta Rideshare Accident Attorneys Today
Recovering compensation can make victims of rideshare accidents frustrated, and understandably so. In the case of an accident, there are usually multiple legal options you can explore for compensation. Attorney James Rice can advise you on the best way to pursue the compensation you deserve after a Rideshare accident. Contact Rice McGowan & Brandt, today to schedule your free initial consultation.
