Conyers
Lyft Accident Lawyer

It can take minutes to schedule a Lyft ride using your mobile device. Once you are in the vehicle, you hope that you arrive safely at your intended destination. However, accidents happen, and Lyft drivers are not immune to them. 

When you are injured in an accident involving a Lyft driver, it is in your best interest to speak with a rideshare accident attorney in Conyers as soon as possible. Founded in 2003, John Foy is “The Strong Arm” in Georgia.

What Are the Causes of Lyft Accidents?

Lyft car accidents happen throughout Conyers and the state of Georgia more often than you might think. They are caused in many different ways, including the negligence of the Lyft driver. Some of the most common causes of Lyft accidents include the following:

• Impaired driving
• Distracted driving
• Drowsy driving
• Inclement weather
• Using a GPS while driving
• Driving on unfamiliar roads or in unfamiliar neighborhoods
• Committing traffic violations
• Speeding or aggressive driving behavior (tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, failing to use a turn signal, etc.)

It is not uncommon for Lyft passengers, who typically ride in the backseat of the vehicle, to fail to wear their seatbelts. If you are injured in a Lyft accident and weren’t wearing your seatbelt, it does not mean you forfeit your right to compensation. However, the compensation you receive could be reduced if it is found that wearing a seatbelt could have reduced the severity of the injuries you suffered in the Lyft accident.

Injuries Caused by Lyft Accidents

As with any type of car accident, the injuries you suffer in an accident with a Lyft driver can range from minor cuts and scrapes to serious head trauma and even death. The most common Lyft accident injuries our Conyers Lyft accident lawyers see from clients include the following:

• Broken bones
• Amputation
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Lacerations
• Road rash
• Internal bleeding
• Organ damage
• Spinal cord injuries

This is not an exhaustive list, which is why you should seek immediate medical attention when involved in a Lyft accident. Even if you do not think you have suffered an injury, you should be examined at a hospital. Having it on record that you were medically evaluated will help your claim move forward.

Compensation You Can Recover in a Lyft Accident

If you were injured in an accident involving a Lyft driver in Conyers, or anywhere else in Georgia, you are entitled to seek compensation for those injuries. In most accident cases, the victim will file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to recover compensation. However, there are times when insurance coverage might not be sufficient. 

Depending on the circumstances of the crash and the severity of your injuries, you might be able to claim full compensation from the Lyft commercial insurance policy. A Lyft accident lawyer in Conyers will fight to help you recover compensation for the following:

• Current, past, and future medical expenses
• Physical therapy
• Rehabilitation
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earning potential if you can no longer work
• Damages for the wrongful death of a loved one if the accident resulted in a fatality

The legal process is intimidating, especially for victims of accidents. We will simplify that process for you, ensuring that you are compensated for your injuries so you can focus on the recovery process.

Georgia Laws for Rideshare Drivers

According to Georgia’s Motor Vehicles and Traffic Law §40-5-39, no person is permitted to drive a for-hire vehicle unless they obtain an endorsement of for-hire on their driver’s license or obtain a background check. The driver must also have the required minimum liability insurance limits.

In order to acquire the endorsement, the driver must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18
• Have a valid Georgia driver’s license with no current limitations
• Must not have a felony conviction on their record
• Submitted their fingerprints for a background check
• Be a citizen of the United States

If the driver underwent a private background check conducted by the rideshare company and it meets the requirements of the state of Georgia, the driver will not be required to obtain an endorsement for their driver’s license.

What Are the Georgia Auto Insurance Limits?

Georgia requires all drivers in the state to have some form of automobile insurance that meets the state minimum. The minimum limits for liability auto insurance are as follows:

• Property damage liability: $25,000 per incident
• Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per incident

Drivers who apply to drive for Lyft in Georgia must have both of the state minimums on their auto policy, or else they will be denied an application to drive for the rideshare company. Lyft also has a $1 million commercial liability policy for its drivers, but it is only per incident and not per person, which means if you are traveling with someone else in your family or a friend, you will have to split the insurance money.

How Long do I Have to File a Claim?

In Georgia, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a claim against the at-fault driver. If the victim of the Lyft accident is under the age of 18, the statute of limitations does not take effect until they turn 18. This means that if your child was riding in a Lyft at the age of 15 and is injured in a crash, the two-year statute of limitations won’t kick in until they turn 18. They would have until their 20th birthday to file a claim against the Lyft driver.

Call a Conyers Lyft Accident Attorney Today

Were you injured in an accident involving a Lyft driver? Whether you were a passenger in a Lyft or riding in a vehicle struck by a Lyft driver, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries. Call the office of John Foy & Associates or complete our contact form to schedule a consultation with a member of our team today.