Ridesharing services have become huge in recent years, and they keep growing in Dunwoody. Uber and Lyft are the most common ones you see throughout Georgia. Unfortunately, ridesharing drivers are not immune to accidents. If you were hurt in one of these crashes, you might wonder what to do.
Ridesharing accidents are complicated. Insurance coverage depends on how and when the collisions occurred. One thing’s for sure, though: you can hold the at-fault driver responsible and seek compensation.
A Dunwoody ridesharing accident lawyer can uncover who was at fault and help you file a personal injury claim. To learn more, contact John Foy & Associates at (404) 400-4000 or online for a free consultation.
Lyft and Uber Can Deny Responsibility for an Accident
Rideshare companies handle accidents differently than anyone else. Basically, the company can usually deny liability when a rideshare driver causes an accident.
Uber and Lyft drivers are independent contractors, not employees. Essentially, drivers are their own bosses. That means it’s nearly impossible to sue the company after an accident, even if the driver was at fault.
It’s important to understand your legal options after a ridesharing accident. You have ways to recover damages, but it will be different than other types of claims. An experienced Dunwoody ridesharing accident lawyer can help if you have injuries from one of these accidents.
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How Insurance Covers Ridesharing Accidents
Rideshare companies do carry insurance, but it only covers an accident in specific situations. Here’s how it works based on Uber’s insurance policies.
Driver Is Offline
Ridesharing drivers use their personal vehicles most of the time. The driver must log in to an app to show that they’re available for rides. If the driver is not available in the app, the driver’s own auto insurance applies.
All Georgia drivers must carry insurance that covers at least:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 per accident for property damage
If the driver caused your accident while offline, you’d file a claim with their personal insurance.
Available to Take a Ride
Lyft has contingency insurance if a driver is available in the app but hasn’t yet accepted a ride. So, the driver’s own insurance applies first. If the driver’s insurance won’t cover the accident, Lyft provides:
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury
- $100,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 per accident for property damage
Insurance claims are tricky in this situation. The driver’s insurance, Lyft’s insurance, or both might apply. Talk to a Dunwoody ridesharing accident lawyer to understand where to file your claim.
Picking Up or Carrying a Passenger
Once a driver accepts a ride request, Lyft’s primary insurance—covering $1 million in liability—applies. Lyft also provides uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) coverage as outlined under Georgia Code § 33-7-11.
If the Lyft driver caused your accident in this situation, Lyft’s policy should cover your damages. If an uninsured driver caused the accident while you were a Lyft passenger, Lyft’s UM/UIM coverage can help pay for the costs.
Compensation to Expect in a Dunwoody Ridesharing Accident
If you didn’t cause the accident, you have a legal right to seek compensation. You can file a claim to recover costs like:
- Emergency medical services
- Medical bills
- Prescription medications
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Vehicle repairs
- Pain and suffering
If a loved one died in a ridesharing accident, you could have a wrongful death claim. Talk to an experienced lawyer to know the full options for you and your family.
To go over your accident with a qualified car accident lawyer, contact John Foy & Associates today. Call us at (404) 400-4000 for a free consultation.
What to Do Right After a Collision
After a ridesharing accident, you should report the crash to:
- The police
- The ridesharing company
- Your insurance company
When speaking with any insurance adjuster, be very careful. It’s actually best to hire a lawyer before you talk to the driver’s or company’s insurance people. Insurance adjusters are skilled at using anything you say against you.
Also, be sure to see a doctor as soon as possible. If you have life-threatening injuries, call 911 for an ambulance at the scene. Even if you feel okay, have a doctor check you for injuries immediately.
Get Information at the Scene
After calling the police, gather evidence like:
- All drivers’ names, contact information, and insurance information
- Pictures of your injuries and the accident scene
- Contact information for any eyewitnesses
You can also take notes on what you remember about the other drivers’ actions. Anything you can record at the scene will help your case.
Always Document Your Damages
Keep track of all costs you have from the accident:
- Save all medical bills.
- Record how many days and hours you miss work.
- Save any quotes for auto repairs or other costs.
- Write down what the accident has taken away from your life.
An experienced lawyer will help with all of the above and more. Ridesharing accidents are complicated, and it’s easy to leave money on the table. Plus, the ridesharing company and the insurance company will probably push back against your claim.
Call a lawyer today to learn your options. At the very least, it’s helpful to schedule a free consultation. You can know your options and understand how a fair settlement looks. If you need to sue for your damages, your lawyer will help you get started.
Talk to a Dunwoody Ridesharing Accident Lawyer for Free Today
If you were hurt in a ridesharing accident, talk to an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. You and your family deserve the fullest compensation possible. A legal professional will know how to fight for it.
Our lawyers at John Foy & Associates have over 20 years of experience. We know what it takes to build strong cases and win. We’re also not afraid to take your case as far as necessary.
Call us today for a free, no-risk consultation. There is no charge to you unless we win your case. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online today.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
