Large cities like Atlanta are rich in rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. Many passengers choose ridesharing over taxis or public transportation because they are often cheaper and faster. However, these services still come with risks, and that’s why Atlanta Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyers exist.
Our lawyers have been helping car accident victims for 20-plus years, and we have quickly adapted to handling rideshare accident cases for our clients. We stay up-to-date on Georgia’s statutes pertaining to these types of accidents so that we can help protect your legal rights as fully as possible.
Working with us is risk-free because we don’t charge you a fee unless we win your case. To get started today, call (404) 341-6555 or contact us online for a FREE case evaluation.
How Uber and Lyft Companies Handle Car Accidents in Atlanta
While both Uber and Lyft do provide insurance coverage for their drivers in certain situations, they also don’t claim their drivers as employees. Since Uber and Lyft drivers are independent contractors, insurance claims are handled a little differently than other car accidents in Atlanta.
When another driver is injured in an accident with a Lyft or Uber driver, the company can deny liability for the crash more than they could if drivers were considered to be employees.
Uber is proud to mention its $1 million insurance plan for drivers, but there are caveats. The rules change depending on the status of the current trip.
Unavailable
Uber and Lyft drivers use their own vehicles when transporting passengers. If a driver is using their vehicle for personal reasons and not available to accept ride requests through the app, any accident is not covered by the company. The driver’s own insurance policy would apply if they caused an accident.
Available without a Passenger
When a driver is set to available for ride requests in their app but doesn’t currently have a passenger in their vehicle, the driver’s insurance is the primary coverage.
If the driver’s insurance does not cover accident damages, the ridesharing company should provide additional liability insurance coverage. The driver must also request this coverage if their own insurance doesn’t provide enough.
Transporting a Passenger
If an accident happens when the Lyft or Uber driver is currently carrying a passenger, the driver, passenger, and third parties should be covered by the company’s insurance. That being said, the ridesharing company’s insurer might still try to deny a claim. If that happens, the driver’s insurance company might refuse to cover the damages.
As you can probably see from reading above, the conditions necessary to cover a Lyft or Uber accident are precarious. Even if you were in an accident where a ridesharing driver was clearly at fault, you might have trouble getting the insurance company to pay for your damages.
Plus, Lyft and Uber do not have many requirements before allowing someone to drive for them. Since the process is lightly regulated, the chance of an accident is higher than other services where the drivers are employees.
Compensation You Can Pursue After a Rideshare Accident
Although Uber and Lyft accident claims can be complicated, you are still entitled to compensation for damages that you did not cause. If a ridesharing driver caused your accident—or you were injured as a passenger in one of their vehicles—you have legal rights.
As the victim of an injury accident in Atlanta, you can pursue compensation for damages like:
- Doctor and hospital bills
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Vehicle damage
- Pain and suffering
An Atlanta Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyer can help you calculate your total damages and gather proof to show them in your claim. Most accident victims have more damages than they realize, so it’s best to work with a lawyer as soon as possible.
What to Do if the Insurance Company Offers You Money
After the accident, the insurance company might spring into action and reach out to you. They might even offer you a settlement very soon after the crash. While quick money may be tempting, especially while you’re stressed about medical bills and other accident costs, we urge you to be very cautious.
Do not accept any money or sign anything from the insurance company without speaking to an Atlanta rideshare accident lawyer first. Insurance companies are for-profit businesses that know what they are doing. When they receive an injury claim, their aim is to save as much money as possible, which can mean using tactics like:
- Offering you a lowball settlement that barely covers any of your damages;
- Downplaying the severity of your accident injuries;
- Making you feel like you don’t need legal assistance;
- Calling you and getting you to say things that can be used against you; or
- Intimidating you into accepting much less than you deserve.
An experienced and trusted lawyer knows how to handle the insurance companies and any of their shady tactics. Once you have a lawyer on your side, you have a legal expert and advocate who can communicate with the insurer on your behalf.
If the insurance company offers you a lowball settlement, your lawyer can work to negotiate a fairer settlement that actually accounts for your damages. That way, you won’t have to pay for a dime of the damages for an accident that wasn’t your fault.
Talk to an Atlanta Uber and Lyft Rideshare Accident Lawyer for Free Today
Our lawyers are here to help if you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Atlanta. We have more than 20 years of experience, and we are ready to fight for your rights. We know what it takes to stand up to powerful insurance companies and make them take your claim seriously.
Contact us today and we’ll match you with the best lawyer for your case during a FREE consultation and case evaluation. We’ll answer any of your questions, examine the details of your accident, and let you know your best legal options—free of any risk to you. Call (404) 341-6555 or contact us online to get started your FREE consultation today.
