Most of us have probably taken an Uber or Lyft at some point. While these ridesharing services are convenient, they present certain legal complications when accidents occur.
If you are injured in an accident with a Lyft or Uber vehicle, you should take similar steps as if it were a typical accident with any other vehicle. However, documenting the scene with a camera and exchanging contact information may be very important for insurance reasons. You can hold the Uber or Lyft driver liable for your injuries, and insurance from the ridesharing companies may be used to cover the accident. The ridesharing companies themselves usually cannot be sued. How your accident happened may determine how much coverage applies to your case.
Taking an Uber or Lyft ride might seem mundane, but it can quickly turn dangerous. In the event of an accident, you can call our Savannah, GA Uber and Lyft accident lawyers for help and advice. For a free case review to get started, call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
What to Do if You Are Injured in an Uber or Lyft Accident in Savannah, GA
Any car accident can be a frightening experience, especially when you just wanted a quick ride in an Uber or Lyft. As with any car accident, there are certain steps you should take immediately after the accident to ensure your safety and protect your legal interests. Our Savannah, GA Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you determine the best way to get your damages covered after a crash.
The first thing you should do is call for help. If you or someone else at the accident scene has access to a phone, call 911 and ask for the police and an ambulance to be sent to your location immediately. You should get emergency medical care even if you do not feel very injured, as some injuries do not fully reveal themselves until later. You should also establish accurate medical records of your injuries as quickly as possible.
Once help is on the way, you should try to take photos and videos of the accident scene if you are able. If you are badly injured or cannot exit your vehicle, focus on getting help. However, taking photos and videos of the scene helps you preserve details about the accident before law enforcement clears everything away. These photos may be useful in an insurance claim and a lawsuit.
You should also try to exchange contact information with the people at the scene of the accident. This should include the driver of the Uber or Lyft vehicle and the drivers of any other vehicles that might have been involved. If possible, you should also exchange information with people who saw the accident and can testify as witnesses.
Finally, you should call a lawyer for help. Our Savannah, GA Lyft and Uber accident attorneys have helped many other accident victims claim compensation for their injuries, and we can help you do the same.
Liability for Uber and Lyft Accidents in Savannah, GA
The purpose of taking legal action after an accident is to determine who is responsible for causing the collision and hold them liable for your damages. In an Uber or Lyft accident, there might be various parties who could potentially be liable. Our Savannah, GA Uber and Lyft accident attorneys can help you sort through the details of your case and determine who should be held liable for your injuries.
Often, the driver of the Uber or Lyft car involved in the accident bears responsibility for the crash. Drivers for ridesharing companies often rely on their phones to map out routes and select new passengers for rides. Unfortunately, this means Uber and Lyft drivers are often distracted while driving, and an accident may be more likely. Other factors like traffic violations, alcohol, or aggressive driving might also be factors that should be investigated.
It is possible that a different driver caused the accident. For example, if another driver cut off an Uber or Lyft driver and then abruptly stopped short, that other driver might be responsible for the crash. Alternatively, another driver and the Uber or Lyft driver might share responsibility if both their actions contributed to the crash.
You usually cannot sue the ridesharing companies themselves in these situations. While employers can sometimes be held vicariously liable for the negligence of employees, Uber and Lyft drivers are not considered employees of these companies. Instead, they are independent contractors, and Uber or Lyft usually cannot be named as a defendant in a lawsuit.
Will Uber or Lyft Cover My Accident in Savannah, GA?
Questions about insurance are bound to come up very shortly after a crash. If the accident involved an Uber or Lyft driver, there might be additional insurance issues to consider and possibly greater coverage. Uber and Lyft both have insurance policies that cover their drivers and the people involved in accidents, depending on the situation. Our Savannah, GA Lyft and Uber accident lawyers can help you take legal action to get all your damages covered.
The insurance coverage from each ridesharing company is very similar and may apply differently in different circumstances. Suppose the Uber or Lyft driver did not have their ridesharing app turned on at the time of the accident. In that case, the collision is not covered by either ridesharing company’s insurance, as the driver is considered off-duty.
Suppose you were hit by an Uber or Lyft driver on their way to pick up a ride but did not have a passenger in the vehicle. In that case, insurance may cover $50,000 per person for bodily injuries, $100,000 per accident for bodily injuries, and $25,000 per accident for property damage.
Finally, if the Uber or Lyft driver had a passenger in their vehicle at the time of the crash, there might be even greater coverage. You might be able to claim up to $1,000,000 in third-party auto liability. This might apply if you were the passenger in the vehicle or were driving your own car and were hit by the Uber or Lyft vehicle with a passenger.
Call Our Savannah, GA Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers for a Free Case Evaluation
An accident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle may be overwhelming, as it can feel like you are taking on a huge company. Our Savannah, GA Uber and Lyft accident lawyers have experience with these kinds of cases and will stand by your side in court. For a free case review, call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
