Acworth
Rideshare Accident Lawyer

If you are in an accident with a rideshare vehicle, contact a personal injury lawyer in Acworth. You may be entitled to financial damages for injuries and property damage sustained in the accident.

Proving Negligence in a Rideshare Accident

To collect compensation from at-fault parties after an accident, you first have to prove that party’s responsibility for the accident and your injuries. 

You must show the party owed you a duty of care, or an obligation to act in a way to preserve your safety. Then, you must show they breached that duty through their actions or failure to act. Finally, you must show that this breach caused the accident, your resulting injuries, and the damages related to those injuries.

While these same requirements apply to rideshare accident victims, the process for proving negligence in these cases can be more complicated, which is why it is vital to have an Acworth rideshare accident lawyer from John Foy & Associates handling your case. 

Special Considerations for Rideshare Accidents in Acworth

Regulations for rideshare companies and drivers and rideshare drivers’ insurance add to the complexity of rideshare vehicle accidents.

Rideshare Regulations

According to Georgia Code §40-1-193, rideshare companies must complete background checks on their drivers and maintain a zero-tolerance policy for drivers who drive while impaired, among other regulations.

Drivers must comply with state vehicle inspection and insurance regulations and have specific personal and car identification information on their smartphones while working.

If you are a passenger or driver of another vehicle involved in the accident, your lawyer will investigate both the company’s and driver’s compliance with these regulations. 

Rideshare Insurance

One of the most frustrating elements of an accident’s aftermath is dealing with insurance companies. For the most part, insurance companies do not want to pay out settlements, even when it is clear the party they represent is at fault. Sadly, some adjusters use dishonest tactics to convince victims to accept low settlements or stall or deny payments.

When a rideshare vehicle is involved in an accident, you have to communicate with multiple insurance companies as rideshare drivers have their personal car insurance and coverage through the rideshare company.

• When drivers have the rideshare app activated and are waiting for a ride request, rideshare companies generally cover third-party injuries or property damage, but not the rideshare driver or vehicle. That first-party coverage comes from the driver’s personal insurance.
• When driving to a pickup or transporting passengers, rideshare companies usually provide first- and third-party coverage, as well as some coverage for the driver’s vehicle damage.
• When the app is not activated, drivers are covered only by their personal car insurance.

Of course, not every accident falls neatly into these categories, and insurance companies will look for murky details to help them avoid payouts and claim the “other party” is responsible. Do not fight these insurance battles alone. It just is not a fair fight. Your lawyer from the Strong Arm of Georgia, however, is well-equipped to take on these companies and protect your interests. 

The Amount of Financial Compensation You Can Expect

Every injury case is unique. The amount of compensation collected depends on a variety of factors, including

• The severity of your injuries, prognosis, and necessary medical care
• The amount of work you have missed, your ability to work in the future, and how these factors affect your financial security
• The effects of your injuries on your quality of life and the extent of emotional suffering they have brought you and your loved ones. 
• The damage or destruction to your property

Your Acworth rideshare accident lawyer will consider these and any other relevant factors when determining the financial value of your case.

Georgia’s Modified Comparative Fault Laws

According to Georgia law, those at fault for an accident are held accountable for paying victims compensation. However, under Georgia’s modified comparative code, different parties can share fault.

If plaintiffs, those filing the injury case, bear more than 49% of the fault for the accident, they are not entitled to compensation. If they are less than 49% at fault, but still bear some responsibility, compensation is reduced in proportion to their percentage of fault. A plaintiff found 30% responsible for the accident can receive only 70% of the calculated settlement. 

Insurance companies will do whatever they can to put as much responsibility for the accident on you, the plaintiff. Protect yourself from these tactics through representation from an Acworth rideshare accident lawyer from John Foy & Associates. 

Why You Should Contact an Acworth Rideshare Accident Attorney Right Away

The time after an accident can be hectic and disorienting. Speaking to one more person may feel like the last thing you want to do. However, by securing legal representation quickly, you will not have to do much talking anymore–except to your doctors. Your lawyer will take care of all legal proceedings and communications.

• Statute of Limitations: By consulting with your lawyer soon after your accident, you can ensure your case will be filed within Georgia’s two-year statute of limitations.
• Evidence: Your lawyer can speak to witnesses and collect other valuable evidence while the information is still fresh.  
• Negotiations: The back-and-forth with insurance companies can take time. By starting early, you will see earlier financial relief.
• Trial: If responsible parties refuse to make a reasonable offer, you may have to take your case to trial, a process that can easily take a year or more. Again, the sooner you start the process, the sooner you can expect a result.

Speak with a Rideshare Accident Attorney in Acworth Today

Scheduling a consultation with an Acworth rideshare accident lawyer is easy and comes with absolutely no risk to you. The consultation is free, and you will not pay for our services until you collect a settlement. Visit our contact page today to set up a meeting with one of John Foy & Associates’ expert lawyers.