If you were in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle in Columbus, you have rights. Our trusted lawyers can determine if you deserve compensation for your accident costs. You might be entitled to a full financial recovery.
Our Columbus personal injury attorneys know what to do. At John Foy & Associates, we have over 25 years of experience helping injured clients. If you were not at fault, we can hold the liable party responsible for your damages. We are available 24/7 to take your call.
Who Is Liable for My Rideshare Accident?
Under Georgia law, you can seek compensation if you’re injured because of someone else’s negligence. However, proving who is most liable for your rideshare accident can be tricky. The most important factor is the status of the rideshare app at the time of the accident.
Each rideshare company is different, but usually, the app has to be on for the rideshare company’s insurance to apply to your accident. There may also be different policy limits depending on the status of the app and the state where the accident happened.
A rideshare accident lawyer helps cut through the tangled and confusing insurance documentation to reveal who is most liable. From there, they can find out which insurance policies apply so you can start your claim.
Can You Sue Uber or Lyft for an Accident?
You probably cannot sue the company directly after an accident with a driver. Uber and Lyft drivers work as independent contractors, which means the company can avoid liability in most cases.
However, ridesharing companies do provide insurance coverage for their drivers in some circumstances. If you were injured because of a rideshare driver, the driver’s or ridesharing company’s insurance should cover the costs.
Suing the Company as a Lyft or Uber Driver
As a driver for Uber or Lyft, you might be able to sue the company. You must have some evidence of misconduct from the company towards you. If you believe the company wronged you, contact a lawyer. You’ll need to know your options.
If you were injured in an accident as a driver, you’ll need to turn to the at-fault driver. In Georgia, the responsible driver in a crash pays for the damages. You’ll probably need to file a claim with the driver’s insurance company.
Uber also provides the following insurance if someone else causes an accident:
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: This coverage helps pay for damages if the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough insurance or hits and runs. Coverage is at least $250,000 and varies by state.
- Comprehensive and collision coverage: Uber covers physical damage to a driver’s car if the driver maintains comprehensive and collision coverage on their own policy.
If you were not at fault, your options will depend on the other driver. It’s best to speak with an experienced rideshare accident lawyer in Columbus as soon as possible.
What Happens If Your Rideshare Driver Gets Into an Accident?
Most clients who come to us after a rideshare accident were:
- Passengers in an Uber or Lyft
- Drivers of another vehicle involved in the accident
- Passengers of another vehicle involved in the accident
Insurance coverage for a ridesharing accident depends on the situation. The company does cover accidents, but only sometimes.
Coverage When the App Is Off
If you’ve ever called for an Uber or Lyft, you’ve probably noticed the drivers use an app.
If the driver is signed out of the app and not receiving rides, an accident is not covered. The driver’s own insurance applies.
Coverage When Waiting for a Request
If the driver is waiting for a ride request when they cause an accident, the driver’s insurance applies first.
Most personal insurance policies don’t cover ridesharing accidents. If the driver’s insurance doesn’t cover the accident, Lyft provides third-party liability coverage.
Lyft insurance includes:
- $50,000 per person for injuries
- $100,000 per accident for injuries
- $25,000 per accident for property damage
Some of these details might vary by state.
Coverage When Picking Up or Transporting
If a driver is heading to pick up a passenger or has a passenger, Lyft covers the ride. If an accident happens, Lyft should provide $1 million in third-party liability coverage.
That’s a lot of coverage, but don’t be fooled. The company and insurer will do what they can to hold on to their money.
If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, speak with a lawyer. You will almost surely need professional legal assistance to know what to do.
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What Insurance Covers After an Accident
As the injured party, you can seek compensation for your costs. The at-fault party and their insurance company should pay. But you’ll need to request compensation for all your damages.
Here are the damages you might have:
Medical Bills
Even minor accidents can require costly medical treatment. As everyone in Columbus knows, medical care is not cheap.
Thankfully, you can include all your treatment costs in your claim. Expenses can include:
- Doctor and hospital bills
- Prescription drug costs
- Physical therapy
- Blood tests and imaging tests
- Long-term treatment needs
It’s best to receive all your treatment before filing your claim. If you need long-term care, your lawyer can help estimate your future costs. You shouldn’t have to pay for any lingering expenses from the crash.
Lost Wages
Accident injuries can affect your ability to earn a living. Your lawyer will add up all lost income since the accident. They’ll also calculate future income you might have lost because of the accident.
Many accident victims cannot work the same after their incident. If the crash affects your income, talk to a lawyer immediately.
Pain and Suffering
Financial damages are about compensating you for your costs, such as your medical bills. But pain and suffering damages are about what you’ve suffered.
An accident can impact your life in so many ways. You might not enjoy life as you could before. Many victims have long-term physical or mental suffering.
Our Columbus rideshare accident lawyers can calculate what pain and suffering damages you can recover after your accident. These damages are difficult to determine, so speak with a lawyer who has experience with Uber and Lyft collisions.
Getting Early Evidence for Your Rideshare Accident Case
Getting evidence is vital to prove to the insurance companies that your claim is valid. Your lawyer can get some of this evidence for you, but if you can get some of it yourself at the time of the crash, it will make your claim go much faster. You should:
- Call the police to start an accident report.
- Exchanging information with the other drivers, victims, and any witnesses. Get names, contact information, insurance if they’re a driver, and the contact information for the rideshare company
- Take photos of vehicle damage, personal property damage, the accident scene, and your injuries.
- See a doctor as soon as possible after your accident for a diagnosis and to show that you were concerned about your health.
- Preserve all bills, receipts, and other payments you’ve made because of your accident.
Finally, speak to a rideshare accident lawyer as soon as possible after you’ve been diagnosed. Show the evidence you have at your consultation and it will be much easier to estimate your case value and chances.
Talk to a Columbus Rideshare Accident Lawyer for Free
Don’t wait to get help after an Uber or Lyft accident you didn’t cause. Call John Foy & Associates for the power of the “Strong Arm” today. There is no fee unless we win your case for you. Call us or contact us online for a free consultation with a Columbus rideshare accident attorney.
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