At Ashby Thelen Lowry, our Georgia car crash attorneys know the popularity of rideshare services, including Uber and Lyft, has fluctuated over the past decade. Rideshare services are designed to be there whenever someone taps on their apps. Riders schedule vehicles for pick-ups and drop-offs to avoid parking at a busy venue, to ensure they have a designated driver, or to get to the airport without enlisting a friend or family member’s help.
Because rideshare drivers share the same Georgia roadways as other drivers, they are just as likely to be involved in a collision caused by negligence as non-rideshare motorists. Worse, passengers are placed in a dangerous situation when the rideshare driver is the negligent party.
When passengers are hurt in vehicle collisions anywhere in Georgia, the cause of the crash and the resulting injuries are entirely out of their hands. The liable party in these cases is either the driver of the vehicle they were riding in or the vehicle that collided with the car they were riding in. Who is liable for the rider’s injuries when the passenger is inside a rideshare vehicle involved in a crash? We have answers.
Whose Insurance Can Georgia Rideshare Passengers Pursue for Damages After a Collision?
Like all Georgia vehicle collisions, it is crucial to determine who was at fault for the crash before we can pursue any insurance coverage for our client’s financial recovery needs.
Essentially, it is either a negligent rideshare driver or another third-party driver (or multiple drivers in some cases) liable for the crash. Whether the motorist was distracted, impaired, speeding, or otherwise negligent, we must prove that was true at the time of the crash.
The one common thing is that the rideshare passenger is not at fault for the crash.
Once we determine liability, we can build a compelling case to pursue damages from the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage.
This may include:
- The rideshare company’s insurance policy, up to the company’s policy limit.
The coverage increases significantly once the Uber/Lyft driver accepts a ride request and is en route to pick up the passenger or has a passenger onboard. Uber’s insurance policy provides more than the normal required minimums in liability coverage during this period. The same is true for Lyft.
- The third-party insurance policy, up to the driver’s policy limit.
The minimum limits of liability insurance required under Georgia law for all motorists are:
- Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per incident.
- Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per incident.
Many Georgia motorists carry additional insurance coverage that may be pursued for damages up to their personal policy limits.
Pursuing a personal injury claim as a rideshare passenger is complex. If a third party were at fault, their insurance company would do all it could to blame the rideshare driver for the crash. This can complicate the financial recovery process for months without the help of a skilled vehicle collision attorney.
If the rideshare driver was at fault, this will also be a complex undertaking without a skilled Georgia rideshare collision attorney. Uber and Lyft will enlist their in-house legal counsel and insurance representatives to fight your claim.
Going it alone can mean the difference between getting the recovery you are entitled to and walking away with less than you deserve. We can help.
What Should I Do If I Am Hurt in a Rideshare Accident in Georgia?
If you have been injured in an accident as a passenger in a rideshare vehicle:
- Call 911 and ask law enforcement to complete an official collision report.
- Take pictures of the vehicle’s license plate and the property damage, if possible.
- Take screenshots of the rideshare trip’s progress in the app, including when the ride was ordered, how it was paid, and where you were on the trip — including the map and the name of the driver — to ensure these images are preserved.
- Seek medical care immediately to ensure your injuries are diagnosed and a treatment plan is implemented.
These are vital steps in building your personal injury claim because the rideshare company can access your app’s information and delete the trip before you can access it later for reference. We can assess your case and help preserve crucial evidence, starting with a free consultation.
Contact the Experienced Georgia Vehicle Collision Attorneys at Ashby Thelen Lowry
We understand that suffering injuries from another person’s negligence is nothing short of life changing. Starting today, we want to help you turn the page and move forward with confidence. We will take the lead in your case by investigating the crash, preserving all the crucial evidence, and obtaining all the essential documentation to help build your case for success.
Contact our skilled Georgia car crash lawyers and support team today at (404) 777-7771 to schedule a free consultation so we can tell your story and ensure your voice is heard by pursuing the best outcome for your unique case.