Using Uber and Lyft may be a convenient way to travel around Albany. However, an accident involving an Uber and Lyft driver can leave many injured passengers confused. If you were a driver involved in an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver, you may also have many questions about how to proceed.
Survivors from these collisions could face lifelong injuries and health consequences. If you suffered an injury in a collision involving an Uber or Lyft driver, you could be entitled to seek a monetary award. Do not bear the burden of your injuries alone. Let an Albany Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyer from the Bader Scott Injury Lawyers help you hold the negligent rideshare driver accountable.
Call (404) 888-8888 today for your free consultation.
Liability for a Rideshare Accident
If you were struck by an Uber or Lyft driver, your first instinct might be to file a lawsuit against the rideshare company. Unfortunately, it may be difficult to pursue direct legal action against them, as their drivers are not employees. This distinction has limited the ability of passengers or motorists from suing rideshare companies directly.
That does not mean Uber and Lyft have successfully avoided all responsibility for accidents involving their drivers. State law requires rideshare companies to provide their drivers with auto insurance under certain conditions. This coverage is on top of the mandatory liability insurance every driver must have.
The good news is that if you suffered an injury in a rideshare accident, you likely have multiple options to pursue. The team at Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can evaluate your case and determine how to seek the compensation you deserve. Contact an Albany Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyer today at (404) 888-8888 to get started.
For a free legal consultation with a uber and lyft rideshare accidents lawyer serving Albany, call (404) 888-8888
Uber and Lyft Insurance Coverage
Uber and Lyft’s insurance coverage is more complex than the minimum liability insurance requirements for passenger vehicles. In Albany, there are three different stages of insurance coverage for Uber and Lyft drivers. The maximum amount of insurance benefits you could recover after an accident depends on which stage your accident occurred in. The different stages include when the rideshare app is off, when it is on but the driver does not have a passenger, and when the driver is transporting a passenger.
When the App is Off
When the driver’s Uber or Lyft app is off and they are not transporting a passenger, the companies do not consider them acting as a freelancer on their behalf. This means that these drivers are not protected by the insurance policies of the ridesharing company. If you are injured under these circumstances, you are limited to pursuing a claim against the driver’s personal insurance policy.
When the App is On and the Driver Does Not Have a Passenger
As long as the mobile app is on and the driver is actively seeking a passenger, Uber or Lyft will provide some liability coverage to the driver. That said, the driver’s insurance policy may be used before Uber or Lyft’s policy in this scenario. If necessary, Uber or Lyft’s coverage could include:
- $50,000 per person for bodily injuries
- $100,000 per accident for bodily injuries
- $25,000 for property damage costs
When the Driver has a Passenger
The highest level of insurance coverage is available in cases when a rideshare driver is transporting a passenger at the time of the crash. In this situation, the rideshare companies provide up to $1 million in liability, comprehensive, and uninsured motorist coverage. This coverage is available to passengers of the rideshare driver as well as other motorists involved in a crash.
Albany Uber and Lyft Rideshare Accident Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
Available Compensation in Your Rideshare Accident Case
Whether you pursue compensation from the rideshare company’s insurance policy or directly from the negligent driver, the types of losses you could recover are the same. Your losses stemming from the accident will ultimately determine the compensation you are entitled to seek. This compensation could include:
- Medical bills – You could obtain compensation for any expenses related to your medical treatment or recovery. This could include the cost of an emergency room visit, hospital stay, surgery, physical therapy, prescription drugs, or even prosthetic limbs.
- Lost wages – It is not uncommon for serious injuries to prevent an accident victim from returning to work immediately. Time away from work could result in missed paychecks. Your injury claim could seek compensation for those lost wages as well as any diminished future earning power you might face.
- Pain and suffering – The pain and physical agony that comes with a severe injury can be debilitating for many. With serious injuries, this pain could last weeks or months after the accident. Some injuries will even result in permanent, chronic pain. You could seek a monetary award for the suffering you experienced following your accident.
- Property damage – Your personal property, including your vehicle, could be damaged beyond repair in an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver. You may be entitled to seek compensation to repair or replace that damaged property.
Keep in mind that there is a statute of limitations that restricts the amount of time you have to file a personal injury claim. In the state of Georgia, you have up to two years to do so, according to Georgia Code (OCGA) §9-3-33.
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You Could Pursue Monetary Compensation Following an Uber or Lyft Accident
The moments after a car accident are often confusing, even under the best circumstances. Dealing with a collision with an Uber or Lyft driver can be especially challenging. Given the complexity of rideshare driver insurance coverages, you may be wondering about your options to move forward.
Let an Albany Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyer at Bader Scott Injury Lawyers guide you through these uncertainties. Call (404) 888-8888 to speak with one of our team members today.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form