Failing to drive responsibly can cause severe injuries to rideshare passengers along with occupants of other vehicles and the rideshare driver may be held responsible for compensation. To get the compensation you deserve, it is important to get help from a skilled Decatur rideshare accident lawyer that specializes in rideshare accident claim collisions.
Who is Liable for Your Injuries After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Georgia?
You may not see any one party to be fully liable for your injuries caused by the accident involving the rideshare car. Someone other than the driver may have been at fault, perhaps another motorist drove through a red light, prompting various cars to collide with each other. You can bring negligence charges against the driver regardless of whether you were an occupant inside the Uber or Lyft car or driving another vehicle.
The leading causes of car accidents are typically due to driver mistakes. Examples of rideshare car accident triggers include:
- Tailgating
- Making dangerous lane switches
- Driving while tired
- Driving too fast.
- Failing to give way to other vehicles.
- Driving while not paying attention
- Operating a vehicle while intoxicated
Having been in a collision with a rideshare vehicle, many victims find themselves asking who should pay for their losses after filing a personal injury claim. While it may seem obvious to approach Uber or Lyft as companies, it's important to note that they do not take responsibility for the drivers.
Uber and Lyft drivers are classified as independent contractors, meaning that if they cause harm, the company may not have to cover the costs. Oftentimes, in these types of incidents, the driver's personal insurance is liable for the damage.
Driving for a ride-sharing service provides accident insurance coverage of up to $50,000 for bodily injury and $100,000 for the event of an accident. Due to the complexity of each accident, it can be tough to find out who should cover your medical expenses unless you have an experienced personal injury lawyer.
How to Protect Yourself After an Uber or Lyft Accident
There are a few easy things to do when using Uber or Lyft to avoid an accident scene. Taking these preventative steps can assure that you won't become just another rideshare accident victim. For more information on the claims process, legal process, or insurance claim contact an experienced rideshare accident lawyer today!
Review Your Auto Insurance Coverage
If you have a car and valid auto insurance, look over your policy to determine what kind of coverage applies in case of a rideshare crash.
If you don't own a car or are not driving, consider getting non-owner car insurance. This coverage provides protection if you're injured in an accident you didn't cause, and it may be a good option if you use rideshare services regularly.
Check Your Ride and Driver When They Show Up
When you book a ride by either Uber or Lyft, remember to be prepared and check the driver's profile. Confirm the vehicle's make, model, and color, and compare it with the driver's picture and license plate number for your safety - if something looks different do not get into the vehicle.
Enter and Exit the Vehicle on the Sidewalk or Parking Lot
When entering or leaving a rideshare car, always move to the sidewalk, curb, or another safe area. Don't try to cross the street - wait for the driver to come to pick you up instead. This will reduce your risk of being struck by other vehicles on the road.
FAQ: How much does Uber pay for rideshare accidents in Atlanta?
When leaving a rideshare vehicle, exit from the side that is nearest to the sidewalk or shoulder. If you cannot do this, be sure to look behind you before opening your door to make sure that it is safe.
Secure Your Belongings and Fasten Your Seatbelt
When riding in a rideshare, the first thing that must be done is fastening your seatbelt. Additionally, it is important to store larger bags and luggage
After an Accident, Contact 911 and Seek Medical Attention
When participating in a crash, you must follow the same protocol that you would for any kind of accident. This consists of calling emergency services, reporting the wreck, and receiving medical aid. Do not allow the driver to stop you from doing any of these steps, no matter how insignificant the incident seems. If you do not make an announcement about the collision and your wounds don't heal or become worse, it could be impossible to seek compensation.
Notify Your Insurance Provider About the Accident
Make sure to tell your auto insurer about the crash as soon as it happens, so you can be eligible for any compensation that you’re entitled to. Most car insurance companies want to be informed about the crash within a day or two, so don’t delay!
What are my Options if the Uber or Lyft Driver Caused the Accident?
After a car accident scene involving a rideshare vehicle, it is crucial to determine which phase of policy applies in order to figure out what type of car insurance coverage is relevant. Generally, these phases are three in number.
During phase one, the app won't be on. If a rideshare driver gets into an accident, their own insurance policy will take effect.
During phase two, the rideshare driver is available on the app but awaiting a passenger to book a ride. The rideshare company's policy will offer third-party liability protection equal to that mandated by local laws. This generally equates to:
- Property damage is covered up to a fair compensation of $25,000 per accident.
- A maximum compensation of $50,000 in damages per person is available for injury cases.
- Up to $100,000 per accident for injuries is available.
Remember, third-party liability coverage only covers damages to someone else as a result of an accident. This means it won't cover the rideshare driver's own injuries or car damage. Additionally, this policy only applies if the driver's personal insurance does not provide enough coverage.
During phase three of ridesharing, the driver is either taking a passenger to their destination or headed towards picking them up. The corresponding car insurance policy generally offers the following coverage:
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage
- A $2,500 deductible for comprehensive coverage, in addition to a contingent collision.
- third-party liability coverage reaching $1,000,000 or millions of dollars.
When a fault driver is in an accident involving a rideshare vehicle, underinsured motorist coverage can potentially protect the rideshare driver if the other driver has insufficient car insurance coverage.
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The comprehensive and collision policies are available regardless of fault in a car accident and will pay for damage to the rideshare driver's vehicle. However, they must already have these two coverages through their personal car insurance.
What Sort of Compensation Is Available for My Claim?
Contacting an Uber accident lawyer can provide you with compensation for medical care expenses, property damage, and other common causes of action in connection with such a lawsuit.
Physical Injuries
Victims of serious physical injuries such as broken bones, cuts, disfigurement, paralysis, soft tissue damage, or brain trauma may find their quality of life irreversibly altered. An experienced lawyer can help a victim seek compensation for medical bills and other types of damages.
Financial Losses
Injury victims are all too often left with lost wages, reduced productivity, and untapped future potential earnings. Compensation should take these losses into account in addition to medical treatment expenses associated with the Uber accident.
Mental Anguish
Your lawyer can look into your emotional distress, such as PTSD, trauma, and anxiety, so they can better understand how it has impacted your life. Evidence will be gathered and analyzed to determine the effects of these issues.
Loss of Quality of Life
An experienced personal injury lawyer knows the laws surrounding these accidents and can help you pursue compensation for losses like strained personal relationships, damaged consortium, or a diminished quality of life. With their assistance, expert reports, a comprehensive collection of evidence, and strategic meetings may be used to support your case.
Call a Rideshare Accident Lawyer Today!
Contact the legal team at Marks Law Group to discuss your uber driver accident case and seek legal counsel with an experienced personal injury attorney for a free initial consultation. Call [(678)251-9309](tel: (678)251-9309) to speak to their personal injury attorney for legal advice as an accident victim today.