When you have been involved in a crash with a rideshare driver, whether as a paying passenger or as someone else on the road, then you may be owed compensation for any injuries you have suffered. A rideshare accident lawyer can help you recover the costs of your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
A rideshare accident lawyer, also known as a rideshare accident attorney, is a legal professional who specializes in handling the personal injury claims that arise from accidents that involve rideshare drivers from companies like Uber or Lyft. They are well-versed in the legal complexities associated with rideshare accidents and are experienced in handling communications with the often intimidating insurance companies.
Their primary role is simply to advocate on their client’s behalf, so you know they’ll be there to protect your rights and fight to secure the compensation you may be owed for any damages incurred.
If you’ve been involved in a recent accident with a rideshare driver, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team today. At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, our team is here to help, and we can kick things off with a free, no-obligation case review.
New clients can call (470) 323-8779 or contact us online to speak with our Sandy Springs personal injury lawyers about the specifics of your accident so we can help you choose the most appropriate path forward.
Sandy Springs Rideshare Attorneys and the Unique Nature of Rideshare Claims
While a rideshare accident may seem like a simple car accident, the reality is that rideshare personal injury claims will differ significantly from a traditional car accident claim. Here are some of the main issues that make things so complicated:
- The Blurred Lines of Liability: Rideshare accidents often involve multiple parties, including the rideshare driver, other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. As a result, it can be difficult to determine liability, as this will depend on confirming different factors like driver negligence, road conditions, and the county’s traffic laws. Luckily, your rideshare attorney is skilled at untangling this complicated web.
- Insurance Complexities: Rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft have specific insurance policies that apply at different stages of a driver’s app usage. Trying to parse out these stages and their corresponding coverage can be frustrating. Later in this article, we’ll break down each stage (and its implications) to make things easier to understand.
- Variable Driver Status: Rideshare drivers technically transition between personal and commercial activities throughout their shifts. This makes it crucial to determine whether they were on-duty or off-duty at the time of the accident — as this will affect insurance coverage and liability. Your attorney can help clarify the driver’s status and its impact on your claim.
- Third-Party Insurance Policies: Uber and Lyft maintain third-party insurance policies to cover accidents involving their drivers, but you’ll need to understand the terms (and limits) of these policies to file an effective claim.
- App-Based Stages: Similar to that switch between personal and commercial activities, drivers actually go through individual ‘stages’ while using the rideshare app. So, while waiting for a ride request to actually transport passengers, they’ll pass through multiple stages — each with its own implications for insurance coverage.
Understanding Uber and Lyft Insurance Coverage
Uber and Lyft break a rideshare driver’s coverage out into different amounts, depending on how they’re using the app.
Below is a step-by-step breakdown of how that insurance coverage kicks in.
Stage 1: App is Off
When the rideshare driver’s app is off, they will not have access to accident coverage from Uber or Lyft. Instead, their personal auto policy will still apply and should cover any damages that arise.
That said, both platforms simply require the driver to meet the state’s minimum insurance coverage requirements, so depending on the severity of your accident, complications may arise.
Stage 2: App is On, Driver is Waiting for a Ride Request
Once the driver turns their app on and is waiting for a ride request, the rideshare company will provide limited liability coverage. However, at this stage, the coverage is still secondary to the driver’s personal insurance.
If the driver’s personal auto insurance doesn’t apply (i.e., if they have not secured the appropriate commercial accident coverage), Uber will supply the following in third-party liability coverage:
- $75,000 in bodily injury per person
- $150,000 in bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 in property damage per accident
Under the same circumstances, Lyft will supply the following in third-party liability coverage:
- $50,000 in bodily injury per person
- $100,000 in bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 in property damage per accident
Additionally, Uber will also provide the following in Uninsured/Underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage:
- $25,000 in bodily injury per person
- $50,000 in bodily injury per accident
- $50,000 death per person
- $100,000 death per accident
- And $50,000 per insured person in personal injury protection
Step 3: En Route to a Pickup Location
Once the driver accepts a ride request and is en route to pick up their passenger, Uber and Lyft will provide additional coverage. This coverage will include liability, underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage, and contingent comprehensive and collision coverage for the driver’s vehicle.
Uber offers the following in the event of a (covered) accident:
- $1,250,000 third-party liability
- $1,250,000 Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury
- $50,000 Personal Injury Protection per person
- Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage up to the vehicle’s actual cash value of the car (with a $2,500 deductible)
Lyft offers the following in the event of a (covered) accident:
- At least $1,000,000 for third-party auto liability
- First-party coverage, which may include uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage, PIP, MedPay, and/or Occupational Accident coverage.
- If a driver obtains comprehensive and collision coverage on their personal auto policy, Lyft then maintains contingent comprehensive & collision coverage up to the actual cash value of the car (with a $2,500 deductible)
Keep in mind that Uber and Lyft both maintain third-party insurance policies that provide coverage when a rideshare driver’s personal insurance falls short. As detailed, these policies offer hefty coverage, but they’re ultimately designed to protect passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers who may have been involved in an accident with the rideshare driver.
In this way, there’s no reason not to seek compensation for your damages if you’ve incurred any injuries or serious property damage after an accident caused by a rideshare driver’s negligence. Contact our team today to learn how we can help you file the strongest claim possible.
The Importance of Prompt Reporting
After a rideshare accident, time is of the essence. Delaying the reporting process can have significant implications for your personal injury claim, and reporting the incident as soon as possible is important for a few key reasons.
First, reporting the accident to the rideshare company (i.e., Uber or Lyft) is typically the first step in documenting the incident. Each company has specific procedures in place for handling accidents, and prompt reporting ensures that there’s a clear record of the event.
This documentation will be invaluable when it comes time to pursue your claim, as it provides a timestamp — and initial account — of the accident.
Next, contacting law enforcement immediately after the accident will also be important, especially if there are injuries involved. A police report will serve as an official record of the incident and typically detail the parties involved, their statements, and any citations issued.
Finally, keep in mind that Georgia maintains a firm statute of limitations that will typically give you two years to file a claim. While this may seem like a long window, the earlier you file your claim, the better.
Damages Available in a Rideshare Accident Case
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, your injury damages will be paid for by the rideshare company, by the driver’s personal insurance, by another third party’s policy, or by some combination thereof. An attorney can help you determine the appropriate types of damages to claim under these policies, as well as the exact dollar amount of those damages.
Some of the most common types of damages sought include:
- Medical bills, past and future
- Lost wages, including all reductions in income and benefits stemming from the accident
- Pain and suffering
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Property damages for repair or replacement of vehicles and personal effects
Contact a Sandy Springs Rideshare Accident Law Firm Today
If you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident, there’s no reason why you should feel like you have to navigate the process alone. At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, we can help you parse out the complexities that come with dealing with a large rideshare company and protect your rights at every step in the process.
Reach out to our team today to discuss the nature of your situation. New clients can call (470) 323-8779 or contact us online to speak with a member of our team about the specifics of your accident during a free case review so we can help you choose an appropriate path forward.
