More than ever, travelers are using the convenience of rideshare vehicles to get from one place to another without having to worry about parking, enjoying a few drinks, or even owning their own car. Though convenient, ridesharing companies add significantly to the number of cars on the road, increasing opportunities for accidents.
If you or a loved one are in an accident involving a rideshare vehicle, contact a Riverdale personal injury lawyer from John Foy & Associates as soon as possible. You may be entitled to damages for your injuries, property damage, and pain and suffering.
How Ridesharing Works
Ridesharing companies, such as Uber or Lyft for example, use privately owned vehicles driven by independent contractors to provide driving services for customers. Through an app, customers essentially “place an order,” including their pickup and drop-off locations, and pay a fee for the driver’s services.
The Pros and Cons of Ridesharing
The ridesharing industry has reduced the number of drunk drivers on the road, a definite positive, and has made transportation far easier for those without their own vehicles or those who want to avoid the hassle of parking, especially in congested cities.
On the other hand, researchers from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found an increase in rideshare-related accidents, especially in metropolitan areas.
The Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) reported 15,612 car accidents in Clayton Country, Georgia for the most recent full year of data collection. Of that total, 69 included fatalities, and 302 included suspected serious injuries. With the continuing rise in population in Clayton County, those numbers, already concerning, are likely to rise as well.
How Rideshare Insurance Policies Work
Rideshare vehicle owners operate under their own private insurance when they are not actively working. When they are on the rideshare clock, they are covered by the rideshare company’s policy. However, there are windows of time that create gray areas and may prompt a battle between insurance companies.
- If a driver has not activated the app and not driving for business, their personal insurance provides coverage.
- If a driver is en route to a passenger or transporting a passenger when an accident occurs, the rideshare policy provides coverage.
- If a driver has activated the app and is awaiting dispatch at the time of the accident, private insurance generally does not provide coverage and most rideshare companies only cover third-party liability insurance.
Whether you are the rideshare passenger or driver, a pedestrian, or other driver involved in a rideshare-vehicle accident, navigating the complicated specifics of insurance policies and legal jargon is challenging. Mistakes or misunderstandings can cost you the settlement you deserve. With a rideshare accident lawyer in Riverdale from John Foy & Associates handling your case, those mistakes will not happen.
Steps to Take Following a Rideshare Accident in Riverdale
After any motor vehicle accident, ensuring the health and safety of all involved is paramount. If you have been injured, and especially if you have trauma to your neck, head, or spine, stay still until emergency services arrive. If you can do so without injuring yourself, move to a safe area, out of the path of traffic (though do not leave the scene).
Exchange information with all involved in the accident. Be sure to get specific company documentation from the rideshare driver, including contact information for important company personnel.
Even if you think your injuries are minor, seek medical attention. The damage caused by some injuries, including spinal cord damage and brain trauma, can have a gradual onset. Shock and adrenaline might mask your pain, and delaying medical diagnosis and treatment can worsen your condition and make it more difficult to prove another party liable for your injury’s effects.
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A Riverdale Rideshare Accident Attorney Will Manage Your Case with Skill
To win a significant settlement, it is essential to seek prompt and expert legal counsel. Your rideshare accident attorney in Riverdale will take your case through each step of the process while you focus on your recovery.
Georgia’s Statute of Limitations
Georgia has a two-year statute of limitations, or deadline, for filing injury claims. If you wait to consult with an attorney and miss that deadline, you forfeit your opportunity to collect damages.
Proving Negligence
Under Georgia law, to prove a party liable for your injuries, you must show that party:
- Owed you a duty of care.
- Breached that duty through their actions or failure to act.
- Caused your injuries through that breach.
- Is responsible for the damages incurred by those injuries.
Determining liability in a rideshare accident can be more complex than in a typical car accident. Your lawyer from John Foy & Associates is equipped to manage those unique complications.
Georgia is a modified comparative fault state, which means a victim’s settlement will be reduced by their determined level of fault. For example, if the victim is 15% responsible for the accident, their total settlement is reduced by 15%.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies will offer you a low settlement and try to convince you the amount is the most you can hope for. Sometimes, they use dishonest methods to inflate your degree of fault. These tactics can be intimidating, leading victims to accept less than they deserve.
Your attorney from the Strong Arm of Georgia will handle all communication and stand up to these companies to protect your interests. Your lawyer knows the value of your case and will fight to ensure fair compensation.
Damages You Can Win from a Rideshare Accident
Though each case is unique, victims of rideshare accidents often seek damages in these areas:
- Related medical expenses, including immediate and future care. Injuries from car accidents can be severe, causing long-term or even permanent pain and disability.
- Lost income and loss of potential income. Missed work or the lost ability to work can bring a financial crisis to you and your household.
- The physical, psychological, and emotional pain and suffering you or your loved ones endure because of the accident demand acknowledgment.
- Property damage or loss, including to your car or other valuables destroyed in the accident must be restored.
If your loved one was killed in the accident, your lawyer may file a wrongful death claim to cover end-of-life expenses, recover lost income and financial contributions to the household, and acknowledge the loss of your family relationships.
Consult with a Riverdale Rideshare Lawyer
Scheduling a consultation with a Riverdale rideshare accident lawyer from John Foy & Associates is easy and risk-free. Visit our contact page and call or submit an electronic request. The consultation costs nothing, and you will not pay for our services until we win you a settlement.
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