Uber and Lyft rides greatly help many people, making their daily commute less stressful. But there’s a problem: If you have an accident while using these services, it can turn your life upside down.
Even if your injuries are survivable, you’ll still have to deal with increasing medical bills, lost income, physical and emotional pain, and the stress of healing.
If you hire a skilled lawyer specializing in rideshare accidents, you’re more likely to get the full amount of money you should get to cover your expenses after an accident with Uber or Lyft.
The first step is to file a claim, but how, when, and what should you expect? An accident lawyer can explain everything in layman’s terms, but here’s what can help you now.
What Causes Uber and Lyft Accidents?
Rideshare drivers are humans who make human mistakes, including while driving.
The stress and added distractions of driving for a living can increase crash risk, but there are many causes of rideshare accidents.
- Distracted driving: Uber and Lyft drivers can become distracted by their phones, navigation systems, or other factors, leading to accidents.
- Speeding: Excessive speeding can result in accidents, especially in urban areas where Uber and Lyft drivers frequently operate.
- Fatigue: Uber drivers often work long hours, and driver fatigue can lead to accidents.
- Impaired driving: Driving while intoxicated can impair a driver’s judgment and reaction time, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Inadequate maintenance: Poorly maintained vehicles can experience mechanical failures, leading to accidents.
- Weather conditions: Adverse weather, such as rain, snow, and ice, can increase the likelihood of accidents.
- Reckless driving: Aggressive or reckless driving behaviors, such as tailgating, weaving between lanes, and running red lights, can contribute to accidents.
- Inexperienced drivers: Some Uber drivers may lack experience behind the wheel, increasing the potential for accidents.
- Poor road conditions: Potholes, uneven road surfaces, and inadequate road maintenance can contribute to Uber vehicle accidents.
- Passenger-related distractions: Passengers can sometimes distract Uber drivers, leading to accidents.
- Other road users: Accidents can occur when other drivers, pedestrians, or cyclists engage in unsafe behaviors or make unexpected movements.
Uber and Lyft implemented safety features and guidelines to mitigate the risks of accidents, including background checks for drivers, in-app safety features, and driver education programs, but the issue persists.
What Kind of Injuries Can You Get in an Uber or Lyft Accident?
Uber accidents can cause a range of injuries, including:
- Neck and whiplash injuries: Typical but can result in severe neck pain and stiffness.
- Broken bones: Common but can be debilitating.
- Spinal cord damage: Severe, may lead to paralysis and other serious health problems.
- Head injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and facial injuries occur when something hard, such as the dashboard or window, collides with the head.
Understanding the diverse injuries that can occur in an Uber accident and taking prompt medical and legal action can help victims on their path to recovery and ensure they receive the compensation they deserve.
Protect Your Rights
Under Georgia law, injured ridesharing accident victims have a right to pursue compensation, but it can be a challenging process, especially if it’s your first time.
Uber and Lyft’s insurance providers fight hard against personal injury claims. Prepare to stand up for your rights, safeguard your interests, and present a compelling legal case. A lawyer with experience in Uber and Lyft accidents knows what to do.
In 2015, the Georgia state legislature passed public safety and insurance measures to protect consumers. It requires all ridesharing company drivers to carry at least $1 million in commercial insurance when passengers are in the vehicle.
The commercial insurance policy should protect you after an Uber or Lyft accident. Ridesharing companies must provide insurance coverage for injured passengers.
If you were injured as an Uber or Lyft passenger, an experienced attorney can cover all your bases and get you fair compensation.
Overview of Uber and Lyft Insurance Policies
While Uber and Lyft maintain substantial insurance policies, typically around $1 million in third-party liability coverage, there is a catch.
Uber and Lyft’s policies may change every few months, making it impossible for the injured party to file a successful claim alone.
The rules for these policies depend on what the rideshare driver is doing when the accident happens.
An attorney can explain the details of whose policies are liable and when they kick into action, but the fundamentals are:
- If the driver isn’t working, their personal insurance is the only coverage available.
- When the driver has the app on and is waiting to connect with a passenger, their policy is typically liable. Both companies provide $50,000 for injury per person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage if the driver’s insurance doesn’t pay. However, these amounts can change if Uber and Lyft update their insurance terms.
- When the driver is going to pick up a passenger, or during the ride, Uber and Lyft offer $1 million in coverage for any damage.
Insurance companies often want to make as much money as possible by paying as little as they can on claims. Even a million-dollar coverage limit doesn’t guarantee Uber or Lyft’s insurance will quickly pay victims.
They use tricky words and industry tactics to settle cases for the least amount possible. Getting a lawyer to safeguard your rights and navigate your claim effectively is smart.
When Do Uber or Lyft Drivers Use Their Personal Insurance Coverage?
Uber or Lyft drivers may need to rely on their personal insurance policies in certain situations.
The driver’s auto insurance coverage can come into play to handle accident-related expenses under specific circumstances:
- When the driver is not logged into their ridesharing app and has no passengers in the vehicle.
- If the other party in the accident lacks adequate coverage to address all the incurred damages, including medical expenses.
- When the Uber or Lyft driver’s personal auto insurance offers higher coverage limits than the ridesharing service’s policy.
After an Uber accident, seek an immediate consultation with an Uber accident lawyer for valuable legal guidance to help you pursue compensation for your injuries.
How Do I Prove Who Was at Fault in a Rideshare Accident?
Proving fault in a car accident involves gathering evidence and relying on established legal principles. It’s no easy task and takes time, patience, and skill.
It makes things a lot easier to hire a lawyer with experience in Uber and Lyft accidents. They navigate these legal waters daily and can use their knowledge to make your experience easier.
Uber accident lawyers have the resources to obtain:
- Police reports: Law enforcement officers often arrive at the scene after an accident and create a report with valuable information.
- Eyewitness statements: Eyewitnesses who saw the accident happen can provide crucial statements.
- Photographic and video evidence: Pictures and videos of the scene can visually document the accident.
- Accident reconstruction: Accident reconstruction experts may recreate the accident and provide expert testimony.
- Driver statements: Statements from the drivers in the accident can help your case.
- Traffic laws and regulations: If drivers disobey traffic laws, you can hold them liable for accidents.
- Expert opinions: Experts in various fields may provide views on the accident’s cause.
- Insurance claims and investigations: Insurance companies will conduct their own investigations to determine liability.
- Witness testimonies: Testimony from individuals not directly involved in the accident can provide valuable insights.
- Accident history: A driver’s record of accidents or traffic violations may establish a pattern of behavior.
Multiple parties can share fault. Consult a lawyer to fully understand specific laws and regulations in your jurisdiction.
Can You Sue a Rideshare Driver Who Caused an Accident If You’re in Another Vehicle?
If you were in another vehicle involved in an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver who is at fault, you can file a claim for compensation. The details depend on who’s at fault and the Uber driver’s work status at the time of the accident.
If the Uber driver wasn’t giving rides then and maybe waiting for a passenger, you’d usually go after the driver for your claim. Sometimes, Uber might provide some coverage if the driver was working without passengers.
If the driver was actively transporting a rideshare passenger, the company’s full $1 million insurance policy should be accessible. They may attempt to minimize or deny your claim, especially if you do not have legal representation.
Determining whether an Uber driver was on duty during the accident can be challenging. After exchanging information at the accident scene, seek advice from an experienced attorney for help gathering evidence and pursuing compensation from all available sources.
What Can a Lawyer Help Me with After an Uber Accident?
If you sustained injuries in an Uber or Lyft accident, our law firm can help you get compensation for a wide range of expenses, including:
- Hospital expenses
- Emergency room charges
- Rehabilitation costs
- Necessary medications
- Essential medical equipment
- Long-term disability
- Lost income
- Physical and emotional suffering
- Disfigurement
- Loss of a limb
- Diminished quality of life
- Wrongful death claims.
That’s not all we are prepared to help you with.
We provide other legal services that help make your experience as painless as possible.
- Legal counsel: Car accident lawyers offer legal advice and guidance, explaining client’s legal rights and options.
- Investigation: They investigate the accident, collect evidence, and interview witnesses to determine liability and build a strong case.
- Gathering documentation: Lawyers help victims gather essential documents, such as medical records, police reports, and insurance information, to support their claims.
- Communication with insurance companies: Attorneys communicate with the insurance companies, handling negotiations and ensuring that victims receive fair settlements for property damage and injuries.
- Determining liability: They assess liability and identify all responsible parties, whether other drivers, companies, or government entities.
- Negotiation: Lawyers negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance company to secure a fair and equitable settlement.
- Litigation: If the insurer won’t settle, car accident lawyers can file a lawsuit and represent their clients in court.
- Medical treatment: They work with medical professionals to assess the full extent of injuries.
- Estimating damages: Lawyers calculate the damages suffered by the victim, including medical expenses, property damage, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses. Your lawyer can help you determine which losses qualify for compensation.
- Advocacy: Car accident attorneys advocate for their clients’ best interests throughout the legal process, ensuring their fair treatment.
- Resolution of claims: They work to resolve claims efficiently and effectively, considering the unique circumstances of each case.
- Emotional support: Attorneys provide emotional support to their clients during a challenging and stressful time.
Can I Save Money Without a Lawyer?
Dealing directly with Uber or Lyft to resolve your case can lead to heavy legal fees and significant financial setbacks, especially with severe injuries or fatalities.
While it may initially appear as a money-saving choice, handling your case independently when dealing with Uber or Lyft can cost more than you expect.
Taking a do-it-yourself approach to manage your rideshare accident claim can cost thousands of dollars. You will also likely receive less compensation without a skilled personal injury attorney’s expertise.
Insurance companies focus on reducing their payouts. Without an attorney, adjusters can argue against your need for immediate or future medical care and the benefits you deserve.
Uber accident attorneys support victims by helping them navigate the complex legal landscape. They possess the knowledge and experience to counter the tactics used by insurance companies to downplay your injuries and minimize payouts.
Don’t let Uber and Lyft’s sophisticated legal teams intimidate you. Atlanta Personal Injury Group has your back. Call our Atlanta office to discuss your options today.