Uber and Lyft have changed the private person transportation industry. Waiting for a cab is no longer the only option. A quick swipe on your cell phone can hail a driver from either ridesharing company to come give you a quick lift to your destination. While these services are convenient, the drivers are not always as vigilant as they should be when it comes to safety.
If you are injured in an automobile accident while riding with Uber or Lyft, you need to know your rights. Our Atlanta car accident lawyer can help you identify the liable party, navigate the complex insurance policies of rideshares, and seek the maximum compensation possible for your injuries. Call the Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown for a free consultation and learn how our Atlanta Uber and Lyft accident lawyer can help.
Your Recoverable Damages Following an Accident With Uber or Lyft
If your Uber or Lyft accident was caused by negligence, you have the right to receive compensation for the injuries and losses you suffered. Your compensation, though, could be influenced by:
- The severity of your injuries
- The time to recover
- The strength of the evidence in your case
- The liability coverage available
Let’s take a look at each of these one at a time.
Your Medical Care Costs May Be Your Largest Expense
The severity of your injuries will obviously affect your settlement value. Catastrophic injuries like the following could require costly medical treatment:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
Victims often require care at a level-one trauma center like Grady Memorial Hospital.
Lost Income While You Recover
Even when injuries are minor, you could be away from work for months. With more severe injuries, it’s possible that you may never have the same career. You may be left with disabling conditions that reduce your earning potential and require retraining in a new profession.
Your Atlanta Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer Will Collect Evidence
You will need to prove negligence in your automobile accident. That means demonstrating that four key elements existed:
- Duty of care: The other driver’s legal responsibilities
- Breach of duty: The other driver’s failure to follow traffic laws
- Causation: The resulting accident and your injuries
- Damages: The financial, physical, and emotional losses you have
Thankfully, we live in a digital age, so smartphones make collecting evidence easier. In addition to any photos or videos of the accident, we will need to collect such evidence as:
- The police report
- Your medical records
- Eyewitness statements
- Physical evidence from the accident scene
Expert testimony can be quite beneficial in car accident cases since it can be used to clarify complex legal issues.
The more evidence that you can connect the at-fault driver to the accident and your injury, the stronger your case is for compensation.
Rideshare Auto Insurance Liability Policies
One of the more complex aspects of a car accident involving a rideshare is determining which insurance policy to file a claim against. Ridesharing drivers are usually independent contractors, not employees, and they must carry their own auto insurance coverage. However, which insurance policy is active depends on the status of the driver.
- When the driver is offline, the driver’s personal auto insurance is active.
- When the driver is online waiting for a ride request, then Uber or Lyft will cover $50,000/$100,000 per person/accident for bodily injury and $25,000 per accident for property damage.
- When the driver accepts a ride, then Uber or Lyft will cover $1 million in third-party liability.
An Atlanta personal injury lawyer can help you determine which policy was in place at the time of your accident and file the appropriate car accident claims with the rideshare company’s insurer.
Our Atlanta Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer Will Seek All Damages
Your damages will be more than just medical bills and lost wages. When we take on your case, we will compile a complete list of your damages, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
We will seek compensation that addresses your current hardships and your future needs.
We have been helping injury victims for 30 years. Call the Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown today for the help you and your family deserve.
You Must Get Started on Your Uber or Lyft Car Accident Claim As Soon As Possible
Under Georgia’s statute of limitations, O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, you typically have two years after the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit with either the Fulton or DeKalb County courthouses. If you miss this statutory deadline, you may lose your opportunity to receive a fair settlement. Here’s what may happen.
First, you could lose your right to sue if the courts bar your case. Second, the insurance companies will most likely be unwilling to negotiate if you lose the right to sue. Without either of those two, our chances of helping you are limited, and you may be left covering your losses.
However, if you contact us as soon as possible, we can stay on top of your deadlines and, incidentally, preserve evidence before it is lost or destroyed.
What to Do After Your Atlanta Uber or Lyft Accident
If you have been in an auto accident, you can take steps that could strengthen your claim and protect your health. We advise clients to do the following:
- If you can move, move to a safe location away from traffic
- Check for yourself and others for any injuries
- Call 9-1-1 and let the operator know what has happened
- Take photographs of the accident scene
- Collect any contact information from witnesses and drivers
- See a doctor immediately and follow their orders
Additionally, you should avoid talking to the insurance companies until you speak with us first.
Connect With an Atlanta, GA Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer Today
Contact the Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown or complete our online form. Our legal staff will give you advice on your legal options during a free initial case consultation. Plus, we work on contingency. You pay nothing up front for our service. Our law firm only collects attorney’s fees when you win a settlement or court award.
Call us today and learn how our Atlanta Uber and Lyft accident lawyer can help you recover from this tragic event.
Atlanta Uber and Lyft Accident FAQs
How are rideshare accident claims different from car accident claims in Atlanta?
Rideshare accident claims in Atlanta often involve additional parties like Uber or Lyft, potentially complex insurance coverage issues between the driver’s personal policy, the rideshare company’s policy, and your own, and specific state laws regulating Transportation Network Companies (TNCs). This can make liability and compensation more intricate than a typical two-driver car accident.
How do I seek compensation after a rideshare accident in Atlanta?
To seek compensation after a rideshare accident in Atlanta, you should report the accident to the rideshare company and the police, gather all evidence (photos, driver info, witness details), seek immediate medical attention, contact your own insurance company, and consult with a DLB Law rideshare lawyer to navigate the complexities of insurance coverage and liability.
Who is liable for damages if I’m injured as a passenger in an Uber or a Lyft in Atlanta?
Liability in an Atlanta Uber or Lyft accident as a passenger can fall on the at-fault driver (whether the Uber/Lyft driver or the other vehicle’s driver), Uber/Lyft’s insurance under certain circumstances (depending on the driver’s status and app activity), or potentially your own insurance (like MedPay or Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage). Determining the responsible party requires a thorough investigation of the accident details.
What are my legal options if an Uber or a Lyft hit my car and I’m injured in Atlanta?
If an Uber or Lyft hits your car and you’re injured in Atlanta, your legal options usually involve claims against the liable driver’s insurance, Uber/Lyft’s insurance (depending on the driver’s status), and potentially a personal injury lawsuit. An Atlanta DLB Law rideshare lawyer can help navigate these claims.
Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown
Address: 3390 Peachtree Rd NE, Suite 1100 Atlanta, GA 30326
Phone: (404) 476-8462
Opening Hours: Available 24/7
