Collisions involving rideshare drivers can be especially confusing for victims. Depending on the circumstances, multiple insurance companies and other parties may play a role in the case. Knowing who to pursue through a personal injury claim can therefore be challenging.
Fortunately, a Warner Robins Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyer can help cut through the details and determine who to hold accountable for your injuries. The Bader Scott Injury Lawyers team advocates for clients in even the most complex collision cases. Contact our office today so we can evaluate your case for free. No cost, no confusion, just answers. Call now at (404) 888-8888.
Understanding Rideshare Accident Coverage
Rideshare services do not function the same way as traditional transportation services when it comes to accident liability. Should a taxi driver cause a crash, they automatically have coverage from their company insurance, as they are an employee, and the cab is company property. By contrast, if an Uber or Lyft driver causes a crash, the rideshare company may or may not cover the damages due to the structure of its insurance policy.
Rideshare App Usage Can Determine Which Insurance Applies in a Collision
Rideshare companies characterize themselves as an interactive computer service that pairs drivers with riders. They provide the framework for drivers and riders to interact.
Despite identifying themselves as mere matchmakers, rideshare companies do offer insurance coverage for drivers in the event of an accident. However, the circumstances of the collision must meet specific requirements for Uber or Lyft to provide coverage. The variables affecting insurance coverage center on the driver’s status at the time of the accident, including whether the driver:
- Was actively using the rideshare app.
- Had accepted a ride request.
- Was transporting a rider.
If the driver was logged into the app and transporting a rider, third-party liability coverage could be as high as $1 million. However, the coverage decreases if the driver was waiting for a ride. If the driver was not active in the app, the company coverage is zero. When rideshare company coverage is insufficient or unavailable for your accident expenses, you will have to pursue the driver for compensation.
Personal Insurance Loopholes
Rideshare accidents may involve dealing with multiple insurance companies, with you pursuing compensation through both the rideshare and the driver’s own insurance policy. However, some personal insurance policies do not cover accidents that occur while the driver is operating commercially. If the driver does not have a rideshare certificate or special coverage, you may not receive any help from their personal insurance policy.
Understanding these loopholes does not have to be your responsibility. Your job is to heal following your accident, while an attorney handles the legal work. At Bader Scotty Injury Lawyers, we can work to untangle this mess for you. Call our office today at (404) 888-8888.
For a free legal consultation with a uber and lyft rideshare accidents lawyer serving Warner Robins, call (404) 888-8888
How Your Rideshare Accident Case Will Work
You will either be pursuing a rideshare company or a contracted driver for compensation. In this case, your approach to a personal injury claim is the same as in any other accident: proving their negligence caused your injuries. Demonstrating negligence involves showing that the driver:
- Was responsible for using reasonable caution on the road.
- Failed to meet those expectations through their action or inaction.
- Caused your injuries due to their negligence.
- Is responsible for those injuries, as a result.
Supporting evidence that can help illustrate a driver’s negligence could include the following:
- Phone records
- Photo evidence
- Video footage
- Traffic citations
- Police reports
- Witness testimony
- Medical tests and records
- Expert analyses
- Accident recreation
Your Warner Robins Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyer can use this information to paint a picture of a driver who failed in their duty to minimize risks to others.
Warner Robins Uber and Lyft Rideshare Accident Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
The Link Between Rideshares and Distracted Driving
Despite claiming to make roads safer by providing an alternative to drunk or tired driving, rideshare services still contribute to collisions. In fact, Uber and Lyft contributed to an increase in collisions with pedestrians and other motor vehicles, according to a study in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
One of the main culprits the study cited was distracted driving. Distracted driving comprises anything that takes a driver’s attention from the road, such as the following:
- Texting
- Talking on the phone
- Eating
- Doing makeup or shaving
- Handing items to a passenger
- Changing the radio
- Looking at the GPS
- Using an app
- Posting on social media
Rideshare drivers are by their very nature tied to their phones, as they must use the app to find and communicate with customers. Locating a rider also takes the driver’s attention away from the road as they look at a GPS or scan the sidewalk for a pick-up. This has led to the rise in accidents at pick-up and drop-off locations for rideshares.
The Toll on Pedestrians
Uber and Lyft accidents can be especially dangerous for bystanders, particularly in that crucial window when a driver is picking up or dropping off a customer. Distraction can cause a driver to miss someone crossing in front of them, resulting in serious injury and even death for pedestrians.
If you suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a pedestrian rideshare accident, someone at Bader Scott Injury Lawyers is standing by to hear your case. Let us advise you on how to proceed.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Our Attorneys Can Navigate Rideshare Accident Liability
Insurance companies, rideshare services, and negligent drivers may want to pretend like your accident is not their responsibility. You do not have to let them. A Warner Robins Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyer can help cut to the chase in an Uber or Lyft accident case, identifying who to pursue for damages and outlining a game plan to get there.
Georgia’s statute of limitations for personal injury under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 is generally two to four years from the date of the accident, so you do not want to wait long to get started. Contact the Bader Scott Injury Lawyers office today to request your free case evaluation by calling (404) 888-8888.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form