If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, call the Douglasville Uber Accident Lawyers at Hartley, Rowe & Fowler to schedule a free consultation session. Uber accidents tend to come with their own unique issues. Fortunately, our lawyers have extensive experience dealing with these cases. Our team of Douglasville personal injury attorneys will work as hard as they can to get you the compensation you deserve.
How Insurance Policies Work for Both Under and Lyft
For ridesharing companies like Lyft and Uber, insurance policies have some specific requirements. The policies themselves are dependent on certain factors and will provide coverage depending on things like the time of the accident and the driver’s location.
When the Uber Driver Is Not on Duty
In such a case, the driver is considered responsible for the damages and any injuries suffered in case of a wreck. When this happens, the insurance providers will typically deny covering such damages.
When the Driver Was on Active Duty
In case the driver was involved in the accident while on duty, the insurance provider would provide coverage. If the driver is available to pick up a rider but has not connected with a rider yet, the Uber or Lyft policy covers $100,000 in liability and uninsured coverage. Once the driver has connected to a passenger, the policy provides $1,000,000 in liability insurance and underinsured motorist insurance.
Probable Problems With the Ridesharing Companies
Lyft and Uber drivers need to understand that passengers are also covered under certain insurance policies. These policies offer liability coverage of up to $1 million. Still, this doesn’t prevent some issues from cropping in.
One of the common issues is the ability to determine whether the Uber or Lyft driver was off duty during the time of the accident. These details are important to determine whether the driver was actually logged into the app for work and that you were involved in the accident as a passenger while on a ride. This information will help to establish the amount of coverage you should receive as the victim. You should also be ready to answer questions that the ridesharing company may raise.
Another key issue is dealing with accidents where the damages exceed the insurance coverage limit. Such cases will usually happen when there are multiple entities involved in the accident. For instance, there might have been more than one passenger on the ride when the accident occurred, meaning the $1 million might not be enough to cover for all the injuries. Moreover, the amount might even be much less in case the Lyft or Uber driver was solely responsible for the accident. In such a case, the driver will have to explore other affordable alternatives through at-fault insurance policies.
What Should I Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident?
When an Uber/Lyft accident occurs, the first thing you should do is contact the authorities. The police will then file an official report and contact an emergency response team to attend to any injured victims. Seeking medical attention is crucial, especially if there are any injuries. It’s also wise to take pictures of the accident scene and collect contact details from the eyewitnesses.
If you are involved in an accident caused by a rideshare driver, you deserve compensation. However, for this to happen, you need to demonstrate that the other driver was negligent or reckless so that you can be compensated for your injuries. Ensure that you leave no details behind considering that the amount you will be awarded as compensation will largely depend on the actions of the driver at the time of the accident.
Both Lyft and Uber can try negotiating the matter for it to be settled promptly. However, don’t accept any offers until you consult with an attorney specializing in these cases.
To build a strong case, your lawyer will have to work together with both the insurance companies and the ridesharing companies. All the parties typically start the matter by choosing which insurance coverage will apply to your case. Some of the platforms, including Uber and Lyft, might not be willing to pay for your claim in full, especially if the driver’s status was questionable at the time of the accident. A key challenge is determining who’s responsible for the accident and whether both drivers took action in trying to avoid the accident.
What If I Was the Driver in a Car and Have Been Hit by an Uber or Lyft Car?
The good thing about Uber and Lyft accident cases is that the drivers are required to carry personal insurance, and they are also covered by their respective company policies.
In Georgia, however, you have to prove that the responsible driver was more than 50% responsible for the accident. As a rule of thumb, you shouldn’t try to attempt such a case without the presence of a lawyer. Get in touch with us at 678-825-6004 to learn more about how we can help.
What If My Georgia Uber Driver Didn’t Have Insurance?
Georgia Uber/Lyft drivers might not always be diligent in terms of their insurance obligations. Just as there are many cases of drivers operating their cars on highways and roadways without the right forms of insurance and licenses, the same applies to ridesharing services. People always tend to find ways to go around the rules put in place.
In case the ridesharing driver doesn’t have the right insurance coverage, it could be a concern if you have a substantial medical bill as a result of the accident. However, the only thing that you should be concerned about is making a full recovery from the accident.
Working with a ridesharing accident lawyer will help make this possible, as they will fight hard on your behalf to get you the justice you need and deserve. In a case where the Uber driver doesn’t have insurance, your Douglasville Uber accident lawyer will find a way to deal with the issue. They are practically your best bet to pursue legal action and compensation from the driver, the insurer, the ridesharing company, and any other party involved.
What Types of Damages Can Be Recovered From Uber Accident Lawsuits?
If you got injured in an accident caused by an Uber driver, you can receive compensation based on the following factors:
- Whether the actions of the at-fault party are deemed intentional
- The amount of property damage involved
- The extent and severity of the injuries sustained during the accident
- Whether you can still work following the accident and the injuries you suffered
- Your past, current, and future medical expense following the accident
The courts and the jury will assess these factors to help them determine the amount of compensation award for damages listed below:
- Past, current, and future medical bills, including rehabilitation costs
- Pain and suffering suffered as a result of the accident
- Any property damage sustained, including car replacement or repair
- Any loss of potential earning capacity such as in situations where the individual is left disabled by the accident
Who Can I Sue For Lyft or Uber Accidents in Georgia?
Both the driver of the ridesharing service and the passenger have their own protections in such accidents. If the Uber driver is not responsible for the collision, the ridesharing company usually offers uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance coverage for both the passenger and the driver. In case the driver is found responsible for the accident, the ridesharing company will only provide liability insurance to protect the passenger as well as the other third parties involved in the accident.
How Can an Uber or Lyft Accident Attorney Help Me?
Without a personal injury lawyer to help you handle the Uber accident case, you will solely be at the mercy of a large corporation that doesn’t really care whether you’re taken care of. They use tactics like offering small settlements or delaying payments. Many victims often find themselves being desperate and settling for a quick offer just to move on and forget the incident ever happened. However, with the proper legal representation, the insurance companies will look at you and your case differently.
Contact a Douglasville Uber Accident Lawyer Today
We know that being injured in an accident can be an overwhelming experience, physically, emotionally, and financially. Fortunately, the Douglasville Uber accident lawyers at Hartley, Rowe & Fowler have the skills and the resources needed to handle your Uber/Lyft accident case and ensure a favorable outcome.
If you think you can’t afford an Uber accident lawyer, think again. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t have to pay unless we win. Get in touch with us at 678-825-6004 for a free and confidential consultation.
