Ridesharing accidents are on the rise in Athens. If you or a family member were injured in a crash with an Uber or Lyft driver, you have legal rights. You can request compensation for your costs, but the details are a little different from other accidents.
At John Foy & Associates, we can help you know the best next steps for you—and we won’t charge you. Our Athens personal injury attorneys offer a no-obligation, free consultation. And we don’t collect a fee unless we win you money.
What If a Rideshare Driver Hits Your Car?
When an accident happens in Athens, the at-fault driver is responsible for the costs. The same applies to ridesharing accidents, but it’s more complicated. How your accident is covered depends on the driver’s status when the crash occurs.
Picking Up or Carrying Passenger(s)
Both Uber and Lyft provide up to $1 million in liability coverage for accidents when their drivers are transporting or picking up a passenger. The driver must have accepted the ride through the company app.
Waiting for Ride Requests
If the driver hits you while “on the clock” but not in the middle of a ride, the driver’s insurance applies first. If the driver’s insurer doesn’t cover the accident, Uber and Lyft provide:
- $50,000 for bodily injury per person
- $100,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 for property damage per accident
Personal auto insurance policies rarely cover ridesharing accidents. While you can try filing a claim with the driver’s coverage, you’ll probably need to turn to the company’s insurance.
Off the Clock
Rideshare drivers use their personal vehicles to transport people. When the driver isn’t set as available in the app, they are “off the clock.” Uber and Lyft do not cover any accident that happens outside of work.
In this situation, you’d file a claim with the driver’s auto insurance.
What If You’re Injured as a Rideshare Passenger?
The above rules for coverage apply if you were riding in an Uber or Lyft. If you were not at fault, you can file a claim for compensation through the driver’s or the company’s insurance.
Insurance coverage can be confusing after an accident. If you’re not sure what options are available to you, talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. Our team at John Foy & Associates is happy to help you seek the compensation you deserve.
Will Lyft and Uber Cover Accidents?
Lyft and Uber can cover accidents when the driver is on the clock. However, the company and its insurer will look for ways to pay less. Even when there’s a $1 million policy, you’ll need to present a strong claim.
Because rideshare drivers are independent contractors, the company can avoid liability for accidents. You typically cannot sue Lyft or Uber for an accident, but you can request money through a claim. You also have the option of suing the driver.
Speak with an Athens rideshare accident attorney to ensure you know your options. These cases are more complicated than other car accidents. Don’t assume your rights without scheduling a free legal consultation first.
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What Insurance Company does Lyft Use?
According to Lyft’s website, the claims process goes through one of the following companies:
- Allstate Insurance Company
- Liberty Mutual Insurance
- Travelers
- Progressive
- Mobilitas Insurance Company
After the accident, ask the driver about their insurance coverage. Also, get the driver’s personal coverage information and ask about insurance from Uber or Lyft. You will need the company’s name and the policy number to file a claim.
If you cannot get insurance information or have questions, talk to a lawyer.
What You Must Do After a Rideshare Accident
The most important thing you can do right after your accident is to document the scene. Any evidence you can gather after the crash will strengthen your case. Try to do the following and you’ll have a good starting point for your case.
- Call 911 and have the police create an accident report. Ask them how to get a copy and when it will be ready.
- Take photographs with your phone of the scene, your vehicle damage, and your injuries
- Trade contact and insurance information with all the other drivers, and get the contact information for the involved rideshare company.
- Speak with any witnesses about what they saw and get their names and contact information.
- Always get medical attention, even if you feel okay. You may have hidden injuries or minor ones that will get worse without treatment.
Once you have received medical attention, it’s time to contact a rideshare accident lawyer in Athens. If you could get none of this information because of your injuries, your lawyer can get it for you. In the meantime, do not speak with the insurance company.
Never Take the First Settlement Offer
After your accident, the insurance company may offer you money quickly. A lump sum of cash might seem tempting, but you should never accept the first offer. It will be a lowball amount that doesn’t come close to covering your costs.
If you get an offer, speak with an Athens rideshare accident attorney as soon as you can. You will need help to negotiate for compensation that covers your losses. Also, don’t take any money or discuss the accident with anyone before consulting a lawyer.
Tricks Insurance Companies Use
The insurance company might use tactics like:
- Asking you for a recorded statement
- Asking you to sign something
- Downplaying your injuries or other costs
- Using a previous statement you’ve said against you
- Trying to blame you for the crash
The insurance adjuster’s job is to save the company money. Even if the adjuster seems friendly, they are not on your side. They’re looking for things to use against you and devalue your claim.
Before you take any money or talk to the insurance company, call a lawyer. Speak with an attorney who is experienced in rideshare accident claims. The lawyer will guide you towards the best steps to take.
What Damages Can You Claim in a Rideshare Accident?
If someone else caused your accident, you can file a claim to recover your costs. You are entitled to request compensation under OCGA § 51-1-6. “Damages” is the legal term for financial and non-financial losses after an accident.
Typical car accident damages include:
- Doctor bills
- Hospital bills
- Medications
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Future treatment costs
These damages fall into two categories:
- Economic damages
- Non-economic damages
Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages
Economic losses are your financial costs, like medical bills, missed income, and property damage. You can prove these costs through bills, receipts, and other documents. You and your lawyer will calculate economic damages based on their dollar values.
Non-economic losses are more complicated. After an accident, you might experience pain and suffering, mental anguish, or lost enjoyment of life. These are examples of non-economic damages after a car crash.
You do not (and cannot) provide receipts for emotional suffering. However, your lawyer will put a dollar value on your suffering before filing your claim. The combination of economic and non-economic losses will make up your case.
How Much a Rideshare Accident Lawyer Costs
Cost is a common concern when someone thinks about legal services. But thankfully, hiring a lawyer for a personal injury case is often risk-free. Our lawyers only work on contingency, which means:
- We only get paid a fee if we win you money
- We charge nothing upfront
- The consultation is 100% free and no obligation
Our rideshare accident attorneys in Athens only receive money if we win you compensation. Our fee comes as a percentage of what we win you, and you keep the rest. This arrangement ensures our team has your best interest in mind from the start.
Most accident lawyers’ fees start at 33%. Cases that go to trial will have higher fees but the potential to win a significant verdict. If you have questions about cost and services, reach out today, and we’ll discuss your accident and your legal options for free.
How Long Will My Rideshare Accident Case Take?
There is no hard deadline for how long a case will take to finish. A lot of factors go into that, including how complex your case is and how much the insurance company wants to drag its feet. This is a common tactic to get you to settle early.
We can say that having a lawyer on your side can speed up the process. Most of the time, a lawyer can negotiate a fair settlement in a reasonable amount of time. If your case must go to trial, it can take quite a long time to finish.
Most lawyers will give you updates on the progress of your case and whether a settlement offer is fair. Ultimately, the ball is in your court. If you decide to accept or refuse an offer, you’ll change the time to get your settlement.
Talk to a Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Athens for Free
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Call or contact our Athens, GA, rideshare accident lawyers online to get started at no cost.
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