When you hail an Uber, Lyft, or Sidecar ride, you’re trusting the drivers with your life. The last thing you expect is your ride ending in an accident. Rideshare drivers aren’t specifically trained for the job they do. In Georgia, they only need a standard driver’s license.
What Makes Rideshare Accidents Different from Other Accidents?
Accidents involving rideshare vehicles often present unique circumstances to all parties. Generally, these vehicles differ from regular passenger vehicles. Rideshare drivers usually use personal vehicles to provide transportation services to riders via online apps.
A normal day in the life of a rideshare driver involves working for long hours and navigating unfamiliar roads. Drivers don’t need to carry commercial auto insurance or have a commercial driving license. For this reason, determining the responsible party for any injuries or losses resulting from a rideshare accident can be difficult.
As cynical as this sounds, you should be wary of the possibility of an accident when you hail a ridesharing cab. If you get injured in a rideshare accident, the skilled attorneys at the law offices of John Foy can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
Get the strong arm
What to Do After Getting Involved in a Rideshare Accident
After getting involved in a rideshare accident, you should first ensure your safety. Check whether you’ve sustained any injuries and contact the authorities if anyone is injured. It’s best to seek medical attention immediately since the doctor’s report will prove your injuries resulted from the accident. The report is vital when pursuing compensation.
If possible gather evidence from the scene, including the driver’s name, license, insurance information, and witnesses’ contact details. Also, photograph visible injuries and damages to vehicles involved in the crash. Afterward, contact our attorneys and leave everything to them. We will advise you on the available legal options and the steps to take.
Are Rideshare Drivers Insured?
Georgia requires drivers to carry liability insurance before they get on the road. Rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft also require drivers to meet several basic criteria. Drivers must be older than 21 years, have their own registered vehicles, pass standard background checks, have a valid driving license, and carry liability insurance.
Typically, rideshare drivers use their vehicles for work. However, their private insurance policies don’t cover the accidents they get involved in while on the job. In special cases, companies like Uber cover drivers with a liability insurance policy. Therefore, you can recover damages for your injuries and losses depending on the circumstances of your rideshare accident.
Things to Remember When You Get Injured in a Rideshare Accident
From a legal standpoint, rideshare accidents are complex. Things tend to get even more complicated when passengers and other parties are involved. Determining who’s at fault and responsible for paying damages is usually complicated, which is why you need an experienced Dawsonville rideshare accident by your side.
If a rideshare driver is negligent and causes an accident, they can’t use their insurance policies to pay for the victims’ injuries and losses. Nonetheless, a rideshare company may provide underinsured/uninsured motorist insurance coverage to passengers injured in an accident.
Third parties involved in an accident, including pedestrians and other motorists, may find it even more challenging to recover damages after getting involved in an accident with a rideshare car. If you find yourself in this situation, the personal injury attorneys at John Foy can fight for your rights and ensure you get fairly and promptly compensated.
Recoverable Damages After a Dawsonville Rideshare Accident
Thanks to the complexity of rideshare accidents, it’s best to have a car accident lawyer fighting in your corner. Rideshare accident lawyers in Dawsonville can evaluate the case to identify the responsible parties and insurance companies involved. In doing so, they’ll find the best compensation source for you.
As with other car accidents, the damages you can recover after a Dawsonville rideshare accident depend on the circumstances of your case. Nonetheless, you’re entitled to one or more of these forms of compensation:
- Loss of income or profits
- Property damage
- Cost of medical treatment
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium and reduced quality of life
When you come to us, our Dawsonville rideshare accident attorneys will identify the compensation types that apply to your circumstances. Afterward, they’ll file a compensation claim/lawsuit against the responsible party so that you recover damages as early as possible.
Can I Sue a Rideshare Company After an Accident?
After getting injured and suffering losses, you consider suing the rideshare company directly. For a long time, rideshare companies maintained that their drivers are independent contractors rather than employees. Therefore, the drivers are responsible for everything that happens in and with their vehicles, including accidents.
However, the enactment of the California Assembly Bill 5 changed the relationship between accident victims, rideshare companies, and their drivers. Given that this law is relatively new, you may not know how to proceed after a Dawsonville rideshare accident. That’s why you need our experienced rideshare accident attorneys in Dawsonville for legal advice and representation.
Contact Our Skilled Dawsonville Rideshare Accident Lawyers
When you hail a ride, a rideshare driver is mandated to get you to your destination safely. Unfortunately, accidents do happen, resulting in severe injuries and losses. If you get injured in a rideshare accident in Dawsonville, you need the help of the aggressive attorneys at John Foy.
We’re here to stand up for your rights and fight for the best possible compensation for you. Our track record speaks highly of our expertise in car accident law. We have a “no fee until we win” policy, which attests to the quality of legal services we provide. You’ll only pay us after we recover damages for you. So, call us today for a free case consultation.
706-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form