Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft are responsible for changing the landscape of personal transportation. Those who need a ride can request a ride through the app on their phone. They can put in payment information and request a ride. While this is a convenience, it does come with a cost. Drivers can make careless decisions while driving or don’t properly maintain their vehicles, leading to dangerous and fatal accidents.
If you are the victim of a rideshare accident, it is best to consult with an attorney who can navigate these complex claims. Rideshare accident lawyers in Tucker can also advise you on your next course of action.
The Tucker personal injury attorneys at John Foy & Associates answer some of the most common questions about rideshare accidents.
When Should You Hire a Tucker Rideshare Accident Attorney?
If you are dealing with injuries or damage that directly result from a rideshare accident, you need to start learning all you can about hiring an attorney. Doing so can benefit you in many different ways. Rideshare accident attorneys in Tucker can help determine who is responsible for covering damages and bills. They also take the lead on all communications with your case.
The question remains, though, should you hire an attorney? The following are signs that you need professional and legal help:
- There are signs of negligent driving.
- There is excessive finger-pointing.
- You have physical injuries. You are not sure how much compensation you need.
- You don’t know what to do next.
Use the information wisely and take the time to browse our website for more about hiring one of our Tucker rideshare accident attorneys at John Foy & Associates.
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What a Rideshare Accident Attorney Can Do for You
Personal injury attorneys do more than push paperwork through; they advocate for every one of our clients. It can be a rather tricky case to take on alone when in a rideshare accident. Our Tucker rideshare accident attorneys, John Foy & Associates, can handle the frustrating aspects of your claim while you focus on healing and recovering.
Our job is to protect clients and their rights from dishonest insurance company schemes, investigate the facts of the accident, and gather all relevant evidence, including medical records, police records, and witness statements. At the same time, John Foy & Associates strive and work hard to build a strong case for negligence against at-fault parties.
Furthermore, rideshare drivers have the rideshare company’s insurance companies and legal teams on their side. That doesn’t intimidate our experienced attorneys. They fight to ensure that victims receive the compensation they deserve for injuries and losses due to the accident.
How a Rideshare Accident Claim Works
You may not know or be aware that rideshare drivers are not employees of the companies. Instead, they are independent contractors. As a result, rideshare companies may try to evade their responsibility following an accident that involves one of their drivers.
Many rideshare drivers operate with a personal policy. Unfortunately, individual policies exclude coverage when the vehicle’s use is commercial. Some states have ridesharing endorsements or special coverages available to fill coverage gaps. This coverage is not something the ridesharing company mandates, though. Due to this, complete protection is not available to some drivers.
Rideshare Insurance Periods
Rideshare companies do not extend insurance coverage for their drivers. The commercial range they offer, for example, is limited though. For instance, the rideshare companies may have a $1 million insurance policy.
However, it doesn’t cover each period of the rideshare process the same way.
- Period 0: When a driver is not logged into the rideshare app, the driver’s insurance policy offers coverage.
- Period 1: When in Drive Mode but not currently driving a passenger, Primary Auto Liability coverage protects against an accident that is the driver’s fault. This is up to $50,000 per person and $100,000 total liability per accident.
- Period 2: When a driver accepts a ride request and is on the way to pick up the passenger, protection increases to $1 million per accident.
- Period 3: Coverage up to $1 million applies when the passenger is in the car until they exit the vehicle.
Common Rideshare Accident Cases We Handle
The most common rideshare accidents John Foy & Associates handles include:
- Distractions
- Illegal turns
- Sudden stops
Distracted Drivers
In terms of a distracted driver, most rideshare drivers keep their phones on the dashboard since they require GPS to get from one destination to another. They glance at their phone, which is a visual distraction. These distractions occur when drivers receive notifications regarding new passengers. They can also happen when the rideshare driver is looking towards the sidewalks to scan for their passenger. A few seconds is enough of a distraction to cause a crash.
Illegal Turns
Illegal turns is another claim we see often. Drivers may be familiar with road laws, but they don’t always abide by them. Drivers want to get from one passenger to another to make as much money as possible. This could mean dropping off a passenger quickly or picking up the next one in a rush. In doing so, drivers may make illegal turns.
Sudden Stops
One of the last common cases we see involves sudden stops. Drivers sometimes approach their passengers without notice and stop suddenly in the middle of the road. The lack of indication can cause rear-end accidents with the driver behind them.
Proving Negligence in a Rideshare Accident Case
You can prove negligence in a rideshare accident by showing how a driver violates a law or ordinance that is in place to prevent such an accident. To win a negligence case, the plaintiff must prove the following four aspects: duty, breach, causation, and damage.
Contact a Tucker Rideshare Accident Lawyer at John Foy & Associates
Sustaining injuries and damages from a rideshare accident can be severe and cost many treatments. You need to contact a Tucker rideshare accident attorney at John Foy & Associates. Our team specializes in personal injury representation, claims support, settlement, litigation, and trial.
Clients can expect superior service for all types of accidents from our firm. No matter your legal goals, we fight to help you achieve the best outcome. Contact us today to set up your free initial consultation.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form