Uber has distinguished itself as the go-to rideshare company in cities like Marietta. Rideshare services are convenient and generally safe. However, accidents often occur due to driver negligence, among other factors.
If you or a loved one gets involved in an Uber accident, you may be able to recover damages for your injuries and losses, depending on the nature and circumstances of the accident. The Marietta rideshare accident attorneys at the law offices of John Foy are there to help you get fully compensated.
Common Causes of Uber Accidents
When you board an Uber, the least you expect is to arrive at your destination safely. However, Uber drivers also make mistakes that put their passengers at risk. Often, these mistakes result in accidents. Most Uber accidents are caused by:
- Driver fatigue
- Over speeding
- Distracted driving
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Vehicle defects
- Failure to yield
- Unsafe lane changes and turns
It’s common for Uber drivers to work for long hours or late into the night. As such, they’re more vulnerable to fatigue. Moreover, distracted driving is a norm because drivers tend to check on their mobile phones for new passengers or directions. Thus, it isn’t surprising that distracted driving and driver fatigue are the leading causes of Uber accidents.
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Who’s Responsible for an Uber Accident?
For years, Uber and other rideshare firms held that their drivers are contracted service providers responsible for their cars. The recent passage of the California Assembly Bill 5 places more responsibility on the firms. However, determining who’s at fault for Uber accidents is still difficult.
Uber accidents are different from other crashes because drivers use their cars and drive for a profit. As such, the at-fault driver’s insurance company may not compensate accident victims. Fortunately, Uber has insurance cover for its drivers, which can pay for some of your losses.
When Uber Drivers Are at Fault
Rideshare drivers are generally expected to drive safely because they owe a duty of care to their passengers. However, they sometimes breach this duty by driving carelessly or even sleeping on the job. When this happens, the results are often catastrophic.
If an Uber driver is at fault for a crash, the compensation you can claim depends on whether the Uber app was in use at the time of the accident. If the driver wasn’t using the app, their insurance policy will cover the damages. Hence, the crash will be regarded as any other conventional accident that entails car accident claims.
Insurance Premiums in Uber Accidents
If your Uber driver was logged onto the app when the crash happened, you can get compensated by Uber’s insurance policy. Like other policies, the policy has coverage limits, including bodily injuries per person, property damage per accident, and bodily injury coverage per accident. These limits tend to be higher than those that apply to conventional car accident claims.
Uber’s insurance policy limits will even be higher if passengers are involved in a crash. This is regardless of whether the passengers had hailed a ride via the Uber app or had merely accepted a free ride. In such cases, Uber provides a third-party liability cover worth $1,000,000.
It’s clear to see that the rules regarding Uber’s insurance policies are complicated. As an accident victim, you may now know how to proceed in your quest to get compensated. For this reason, our Marietta Uber accident attorneys want you to worry more about regaining your health as they pursue your compensation for you.
Third-Party Involvement in a Marietta Uber Accident
Sometimes, the Uber driver isn’t the only party responsible for crashes. An accident may also involve third parties whose negligence contributed to the crash and the subsequent injuries and losses. Potential third parties in an Uber accident include pedestrians, bus/truck drivers, motorcyclists, and manufacturers of defective car parts.
As soon as you contact us following an Uber accident, we’ll get down to work and determine who’s at fault for your accident. This may be multiple parties rather than the driver alone. A Marietta Uber accident lawyer has the skills to identify each liable party and pursue compensation from each.
What Damages Can I Recover?
During the initial case consultation with an Uber accident lawyer in Marietta, you’ll undoubtedly want to know about the damages you can recover. Under Georgia Law, Uber accidents are similar to other personal injury and car accident cases. You may get compensated for punitive, economic, and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are also referred to as special or monetary damages. Liable parties are required to cover a specific monetary amount following an accident. Recoverable economic damages include medical expenses, cost of ongoing treatment, lost wages/reduced earning capacity, property damage, and rehabilitative care expenses.
Non-economic damages are also referred to as general or non-monetary damages. They are harder to calculate, thanks to their intangible nature. These damages involve victims’ experiences after an Uber accident and include pain and suffering, loss of consortium/companionship, and mental distress. On the other hand, punitive damages punish the negligent party rather than compensating the victim.
The Statute of Limitations for Uber Accident Claims in Georgia
As with other types of accidents, Uber accidents in Georgia have a two-year statute of limitations. You must file your lawsuit or compensation claim within two years of the crash. Contacting the experienced attorneys at the law offices of John Foy is advisable since your claim will get filed within the statute of limitations.
If You Were Injured in an Uber Accident, Contact Us Today
Hundreds of Marietta residents use Uber to get around. If an accident occurs while you’re riding an Uber, or you get knocked down by an Uber, you deserve to receive compensation for your injuries and losses. Contacting the law offices of John Foy increases your chances of getting compensated.
We are a team of skilled and aggressive Uber accident lawyers in Marietta who understand the complexities of Uber accidents. Over the years, we’ve helped dozens of clients to pursue compensation after suffering injuries and losses in car accidents. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form