Rideshare services can be a great transportation alternative, but when things go wrong, and you find yourself a victim of a rideshare crash, knowing who is to blame and who will likely pay for your losses is not an easy task.
You should not have to bear the losses that arise because of the negligence of someone else. Whether an accident is the fault of the rideshare driver or another driver, you are likely eligible for compensation.
What Options does a Rideshare Victim Have to Seek Compensation After an Accident?
If you are a passenger in a rideshare vehicle that is in a collision or the occupant of another vehicle that is hit by a rideshare driver, you may have several options to hold the parties at fault responsible for the accident and your subsequent damages. In most instances, there is insurance coverage that will apply to the accident and your first opportunity for compensation will likely be through an insurance claim.
If an insurance claim is unsuccessful in meeting your needs, there is also the potential for a lawsuit against the parties liable to you for the crash.
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Rideshare Accident Liability in Newnan
Determining who will pay for the loss of a rideshare accident victim is complicated. Rideshare drivers are often regarded as contractors or self-employed individuals that are responsible for their own actions and thus personally liable when their negligence leads to an accident and injuries to others.
However, rideshare companies and drivers have certain rideshare insurance coverages in place that may be available to the parties to a crash depending on the circumstances leading to the collision.
Liable parties for an accident involving a rideshare vehicle might include:
- The rideshare driver
- The rideshare company
- The driver of another vehicle
- The employer of a driver if another commercial vehicle is involved
Will a Rideshare Company Pay for Your Damages?
When seeking compensation from a party for their damages, a victim and their attorney will consider the possibility and likelihood that a plaintiff will pay for the losses. The reality is that rideshare drivers may not have sufficient assets or money available to pay for the damages directly if they are the party primarily at fault for the accident.
Instead, many victims will attempt to recover their losses directly from the rideshare company as they are more likely to have the financial resources to meet their monetary damages, particularly in cases of severe injuries.
Rideshare companies themselves are not likely to pay for your losses after an accident caused by a rideshare driver’s negligence. However, each rideshare company, including Uber and Lyft, provides third-party liability insurance coverage in the event a rideshare vehicle is part of an accident while a driver is in the process of a rideshare service, such as awaiting a ride request or when fulfilling a ride request.
Damages a Rideshare Accident Victim Can Get Compensation for After a Crash
As the victim in a rideshare crash, you are vulnerable to sustaining injuries that may cause you to require emergency medical care and miss time from work. The financial implications of a rideshare accident can become an overwhelming burden to the victim of another party’s negligence.
Whether it is the rideshare driver or driver of another vehicle that causes you harm, there are damages that you are eligible to pursue in any rideshare accident case so long as you can provide sufficient proof to support your claim and the amount of losses you are seeking.
The damages you can receive money for after a rideshare collision include:
- Your medical expenses for any care related to your injuries
- Your income losses that occur because of missed work after a crash or the long-term impacts from your injury
- The pain and suffering you endure due to the physical injuries and any emotional or mental trauma you develop after the accident
- Any damage to personal property you may have sustained during the crash
The Statute of Limitations for Rideshare Cases in GA
In Newnan, the statute of limitations that applies to personal injuries from a rideshare accident is two years from the date of the accident. A plaintiff that intends to seek compensation from the parties at fault for a rideshare collision must initiate a lawsuit within this time frame to preserve their case and rights. If a victim does not file on time, the court will bar them from the recovery of their losses.
Do You Need a Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Newnan for Your Case?
Yes, and you should look for one as soon as you can after the rideshare accident. Not all attorneys know how to successfully represent a client in a rideshare accident. Rideshare collisions require an attorney that understands the insurance coverage offered by these companies and the complex relationship between rideshare drivers and the rideshare company.
A rideshare accident attorney can help you protect your rights to compensation under the law when you are a victim of rideshare-related negligence. When you hire an attorney, they will manage your case from the days following the crash through its resolution.
Responsibilities of a Newnan rideshare accident attorney include:
- Evaluation of your case
- Investigation of the accident and potential liability
- Files insurance claims and follows its progress on your behalf
- Gathering of evidence to prove who is at fault and your injuries
- Calculation of your damages and accounting of potential future damages
- Negotiating a settlement for you with the insurance company or party at fault
- Preparation of the case in the event you must file a lawsuit
- Represent you in court for proceedings or trial if needed
Contact a Rideshare Accident Attorney in Newnan
When you or a loved one are the victims of a rideshare accident, call a Newnan rideshare accident lawyer for a free case evaluation. One of our attorneys will discuss your case and what options you may have to seek compensation for the losses you deserve following a rideshare crash due to negligence.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form