Ridesharing can offer convenience, but there is nothing convenient about being in an accident while using Uber, Lyft, or another ridesharing service. Even more complicated is facing injuries sustained in such an accident. Now, instead of making your life easier, that Uber or Lyft ride has left you with medical bills, pain, and time away from work. You may not even be sure who can be held responsible.
An Alpharetta Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyer at Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can help you pursue compensation to make up for your losses. Contact our office today for a free consultation by calling (404) 888-8888.
The Risks of Rideshare Services Such as Uber and Lyft
When you drive your own car, you are in control of how the vehicle interacts with traffic and other drivers. While you can never be sure how another driver will act, you at least know what your car will do. When using a rideshare service, you trade control for convenience. If an accident happens, you are at the mercy of decisions made by the Uber or Lyft driver.
Moreover, rideshare accidents affect more than just customers. Other drivers on the road face the consequences of a rideshare driver’s decisions, as do third parties and bystanders. On top of that, because so many parties are potentially involved, determining liability can be confusing.
You just want your personal injuries, pain, and other effects of the accident to be resolved, not deal with the headache of determining fault. A rideshare accident attorney can help explain the circumstances surrounding your case and zero in on who is responsible to hold them accountable.
For a free legal consultation with a uber and lyft rideshare accidents lawyer serving Alpharetta, call (404) 888-8888
Understanding Liability in Uber and Lyft Ridesharing Accidents
In a regular car accident involving drivers operating their own vehicles, insurance information is exchanged, the police issue a ticket to the at-fault driver, and determining liability is straightforward. However, Uber and Lyft accidents have more variables to sort out, such as whether:
- The at-fault driver was another party or the rideshare driver
- The rideshare company or its driver can be held liable
- The injured party was a passenger, another driver, or a bystander
Uber and Lyft offer some insurance coverage for their drivers in the event of an accident, though it depends on whether the driver was actively logged into the app and operating. If a driver was not operating as a rideshare driver at the time of the accident and they are at fault, they and their personal insurance will be responsible for expenses. If the driver was in the process of transporting a passenger, the rideshare company’s insurance provides coverage.
However, if you were injured, you only care about what that means for your expenses, your medical concerns, and your personal injury claim. How you approach your claim depends on if you were a passenger, another driver, or a bystander.
If You Were A Passenger
The driver and rideshare company have a responsibility to behave reasonably on the road. Any failure to do so constitutes negligence. If the driver of your rideshare vehicle was at fault for the accident, their company insurance should cover third-party injuries — that means you, the passenger. If the company does not cover the accident, the driver can be held responsible for your injuries.
If you were a passenger in a rideshare and another driver caused your injuries, you could file a personal injury lawsuit against them. An Alpharetta Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyer can explain your rights.
If You Were Another Driver
Much like if you were a passenger and an Uber or Lyft driver was at fault for a crash, if you were in another car and a rideshare driver struck you, the rideshare company insurance would cover your expenses. If the Uber or Lyft driver was not operating as a rideshare driver at the time, they are solely responsible for your injuries and their personal insurance would cover your bills, just like in a traditional traffic accident.
If You Were A Bystander
Not all car accidents involve only vehicles. Bicyclists and pedestrians unfortunately make up a proportion of crash victims, and injuries sustained in these crashes can be severe. If you were a bystander and were injured by a rideshare driver, you could be entitled to compensation. Depending on the circumstances, you can receive payment through the rideshare company’s insurance or the other driver individually.
Alpharetta Uber and Lyft Rideshare Accident Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
Loopholes Used to Avoid Liability in Rideshare Accidents
The worst-case scenario in bringing a personal injury suit against a rideshare driver is if both the company insurance policy and the driver’s personal insurance do not offer coverage. Some insurance policies do not cover accidents that occurred while a driver was operating a business; ridesharing can qualify. If the driver did not obtain a specific insurance policy for ridesharing, a victim could be left unsure who to pursue.
If rideshare accident liability sounds complicated, it can be. However, a personal injury attorney can formulate a plan of action, so you do not have to worry about untangling the mess of responsibility. Lawyers can help decide who to pursue for compensation through:
- Police reports
- Photos from the scene
- Witness statements
- Insurance and rideshare company policies
- Medical evidence
- Case evaluation
Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can gather this information, so you do not have to. A rideshare accident attorney then uses this data to fight for your right to compensation for medical bills, recovery and rehab, lost income, and pain and suffering. Do not let the unique nature of rideshare lawsuits prevent you from seeking help. Georgia’s two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims starts from the date of the accident, so get started now by calling our law office at (404) 888-8888.
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Get Help from the Office of a Rideshare Accident Attorney in Alpharetta Today
Whether you used a rideshare because you have no vehicle, needed a designated driver, or had a special occasion, your choice was likely motivated by safety and efficiency. Yet you were left injured. In fact, a 2018 study by the University of Chicago Booth School of Business linked rideshare services like Uber and Lyft to a 2-3% rise in traffic fatalities. Rideshare accidents happen, and they can damage your body, your emotions, and your finances.
An Alpharetta Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyer cannot change what happened to you. However, Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can help you identify the responsible party and pursue damages. Call to receive your free consultation today at (404) 888-8888.If you suffered serious injuries from a slip and fall accident in South Fulton or in the Atlanta area, you have legal rights. Call a legal representative at Bader Scott Injury Lawyers to have a South Fulton slip and fall lawyer review your case. Find out how you can move forward when you contact our firm now at (404) 888-8888.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form