No one expects their Cartersville Uber or Lyft ride to end in an accident. But unfortunately, some do. If your rideshare driver crashed, you might wonder what to do to get compensation for your injuries. The best first step is to contact a Cartersville personal injury lawyer.
At John Foy & Associates, we’re here to help you after a rideshare crash. We’re up-to-date on rideshare accident laws. We can help you seek compensation for your costs. To get started with a FREE consultation, call us or contact us online.
Insurance for Ridesharing Accidents Is Complicated
Uber and Lyft drivers work as independent contractors. In other words, they are not employees. Drivers use their own vehicles to take rides, and they must have their own auto insurance.
The independent contractor status allows ridesharing companies to deny responsibility for most accidents. This is crushing news for someone who suffers injuries in a ridesharing crash. However, there are still options for recovering costs.
If you were the victim of a ridesharing accident, here’s what you need to know.
How Uber and Lyft Insurance Works
Uber and Lyft provide insurance coverage for drivers. However, the coverage is different based on the ride status. Other ridesharing companies work similarly.
The Driver Is Offline
If the Uber or Lyft driver has their app off, the company’s insurance does not apply. You would file a claim with the driver’s personal auto insurance. Rideshare operators use their own vehicles to drive people, but just because there’s a rideshare sticker doesn’t mean you can file a claim against the rideshare company’s insurance.
The Driver Hasn’t Accepted a Ride Request
If the driver is waiting for a request or hasn’t accepted one yet, the driver’s insurance applies first. If the driver’s insurance won’t cover the accident, the company provides some insurance for accident victims, but only if the ridesharing driver caused the accident:
- $50,000 in bodily injury per person
- $100,000 in bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 in property damage per accident
Depending on the driver’s insurance, it may be better to file a claim with the rideshare company. Our rideshare accident lawyers can help you make that assessment.
The Driver Has Accepted a Ride Request
If the driver is heading to pick up a passenger or currently has one, the company covers the accident. That includes up to $1 million in third-party coverage, but only if the rideshare driver is at fault for the accident. If it’s a third party’s fault, you need to file a claim with their insurance.
As you can see, rideshare insurance is complicated. Plus, a $1 million policy does not mean that’s what you’ll get. Insurance companies will try their best to reduce the amount they pay to you.
Contact a rideshare accident lawyer in Cartersville before talking to the insurance company. And do not accept a settlement without consulting a lawyer. You might not realize how much your damages are worth. If you take the first offer, you’ll sign your rights away.
Insurance Companies Rarely Make Injury Claims Easy
The $1 million insurance policy sounds impressive, but it’s no guarantee. There are several concerns to keep in mind.
For one, some accidents don’t qualify for the ridesharing company’s full insurance coverage. If only the driver’s insurance applies, that’s less coverage. If you have severe injuries, the driver’s insurance might not be enough.
Also, insurance companies don’t like to pay out much. The insurance company will fight hard to save costs. For example, the insurance adjuster might use tactics like:
- Offering you an upfront lowball settlement
- Asking you to give a recorded statement
- Downplaying your accident injuries or damages
- Blaming you for some or all of the accident
- Telling you they can settle your case without a lawyer
Be careful what you say or do after the crash. Avoid taking any blame or saying “sorry” for the collision. The driver or insurance company could use this against you later.
It’s best to contact a ridesharing accident lawyer immediately. Your lawyer will know how to handle the insurance company. You can focus on healing instead of worrying about anyone using something against you.
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What to Do After a Rideshare Accident in Cartersville
No matter your role, there are actions you can take after the accident to help your claim. Some of these include:
Call the Police
You should report any accident in Georgia with:
- Injuries or deaths
- $500 or more in property damage
Call 911 to report the accident. The police will create an accident report. You will need to get a copy of this report for your records.
Gather Information
Get as much information as you can at the scene:
- Take many pictures of the accident scene
- Photograph your injuries and vehicle damage
- Write down the driver’s name, license number, and insurance information
- Note the make and model of all involved vehicles
Also, pay attention to the driver’s actions. Do they appear impaired? Were they driving recklessly before the crash? What about the other driver? These are details to discuss with your lawyer.
Get Medical Attention
Do not neglect your physical health. If you have severe injuries, call for an ambulance. If you don’t need an ambulance, see a doctor as soon as possible.
Do not wait too long to get medical help. If you do, it will hurt your case. The insurance company can try to claim you were not hurt that badly. Even if you feel okay, have a doctor check you for injuries.
Contact a Lawyer Immediately
After the accident, the driver’s insurance company might contact you. Do not speak with the insurance company without a lawyer.
The insurer might try to get information out of you. To legally protect yourself, contact a lawyer before discussing the accident. A lawyer can let you know your full legal rights.
To learn your options now during a FREE consultation, call John Foy & Associates. We’ll hear your story and discuss how we can help.
How to Know Who Is Responsible for Your Accident
The at-fault driver is responsible for your accident costs. How do you determine who is at fault? It comes down to negligence. Negligence is the lack of care that a reasonable person would have in the same situation. In other words, it means someone has been careless.
It’s one thing to know the driver was at fault. It’s another issue to prove it. You will need to show that the other driver:
- Owed you a duty of care
- Failed to exercise care (and was negligent)
- Caused your accident and injuries through their negligence
You do not have to prove these points by yourself—you can hire a rideshare accident lawyer to help. Your Cartersville rideshare accident attorney can handle every detail of your case.
Costs You Can Recover After a Rideshare Accident
If another driver caused your accident, they are liable. You might be able to recover all your accident costs. Those costs may include:
- Medical bills
- Prescription medications
- Lost wages
- Vehicle repairs
- Pain and suffering
Your lawyer will calculate all your damages. You’ll know what type of settlement you deserve. From there, your lawyer can fight for what you deserve.
Talk to a Cartersville Rideshare Accident Lawyer for Free Today
Uber and Lyft rideshare accidents are stressful. But you do not have to handle yours alone. At John Foy & Associates, we’re here to help. Our Cartersville rideshare accident lawyers have over 20 years of experience. We know what it takes to win. We’re not afraid to stand up to the insurance companies.
We fight for the full compensation our clients deserve. We are not afraid to stand up against insurance companies—even when they have huge policies. With 20-plus years of experience, we know what it takes to win. To schedule a FREE, no-risk consultation, call us or contact us online today. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call.
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