Uber and Lyft have become popular transportation options for Columbus residents. Unfortunately, the number of Uber and Lyft accidents grows as their popularity increases, and knowing how to recover compensation can be difficult.
An experienced Columbus Uber and Lyft accident lawyer can help overcome the complexities of your case. Determining liability after an Uber and Lyft accident can be challenging, considering the number of parties involved. In many cases, your rideshare driver could be held accountable for causing an accident, but Uber and Lyft will typically be shielded from lawsuits. However, Uber and Lyft are required to offer rideshare insurance with much higher policy limits than typical car insurance coverage.
If you were injured by an Uber or Lyft driver, our Columbus Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you recover the compensation you need. For a free case consultation, call Howe Law today at (844) 876-4357.
Determining Liability for an Uber and Lyft Accident in Columbus, GA
Uber and Lyft accident cases are usually complex because of the number of parties involved in an accident. Several parties could be liable for your injuries, depending on how your accident occurred. Our Columbus Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you investigate the facts of your case to determine the parties liable for your injuries.
Rideshare Driver
In many Uber and Lyft accidents, the rideshare driver will be liable for causing the accident. Uber and Lyft drivers can be distracted by their phones as it gets notifications for new riders or distracted by GPS maps and reroutes. Other Uber and Lyft drivers cause accidents by ignoring traffic laws, like aggressive driving or speeding to pick up and drop off passengers. If an Uber or Lyft driver negligently or recklessly causes an accident, they can be held liable for the damages that result.
Uber and Lyft
Unfortunately, Uber and Lyft typically cannot be held liable for the negligence of their rideshare drivers. Most employers can be held vicariously liable for the negligence of employees. However, Uber and Lyft are not considered rideshare drivers’ employers. Uber and Lyft drivers are independent contractors, meaning they are not traditional employees of Uber and Lyft and cannot be held liable for their drivers. Rideshare drivers contract with Uber and Lyft to use their technology but ultimately make their own schedules and can stop working for the company at any point they choose.
However, there are some instances where Uber or Lyft could be held liable for an accident their rideshare driver caused. For instance, if there was evidence that the rideshare driver was dangerous, but Uber or Lyft retained them anyway, they could be held liable for keeping an unsafe driver on the road. Uber and Lyft could also be held accountable if they failed to perform the proper driving record and background checks for potential drivers.
Other Drivers
Of course, it is completely possible that the other driver in an Uber or Lyft accident was responsible. If your injuries were caused by a driver other than your rideshare driver, they could be held liable. However, it is likely that the Uber or Lyft driver and another driver both contributed to causing the accident. Our Columbus Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you determine which driver injured you and hold both of them accountable, if necessary.
How You Can Recover Compensation After a Columbus, GA Uber or Lyft Accident
Recovering compensation after an Uber or Lyft accident can be a confusing process. While Georgia requires Uber and Lyft to carry rideshare insurance with high policy limits, that insurance coverage will only apply in certain situations depending on the status of the rideshare driver at the time of the accident.
Uber and Lyft Drivers with a Passenger
The best-case scenario regarding insurance coverage is if an Uber or Lyft driver had a passenger at the time of the accident. Suppose you were in an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver who had a passenger, or you were the passenger when the accident occurred. In that case, Uber or Lyft’s insurance will provide up to $1,000,000 in liability coverage for bodily injuries.
Uber and Lyft Drivers En Route to a Passenger
If an Uber or Lyft accident occurred while the rideshare driver was on their way to pick up a passenger, Uber or Lyft’s insurance would still apply. However, not in as high coverage amounts as there would be if the driver were carrying a passenger. In this scenario, Uber or Lyft’s insurance would cover up to $50,000 per person for bodily injuries, $100,000 per accident for bodily injuries, and $25,000 per accident for property damage.
On-Duty Uber and Lyft Drivers Without a Passenger
Some Uber or Lyft accidents occur when a rideshare driver is logged into the app but waiting for a customer. In these cases, Uber and Lyft typically offer the same coverage as when a driver is en route to pick up a passenger, $100,000 in coverage per accident, $50,000 per person, and $25,000 for property damage.
Off-Duty Uber and Lyft Drivers
Uber and Lyft’s insurance would not kick in when the rideshare driver is off duty and using their vehicle for personal purposes. You are not without options, however. If you are injured by an off-duty Uber or Lyft driver, you can still file a claim against their private car insurance. You could also file a lawsuit against a negligent driver if insurance did not provide enough or the claim was denied.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
Georgia is an at-fault state for the purposes of filing for insurance benefits after a car accident. This means that an injured person can recover compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance and file a claim with their own car insurance for additional coverage. Georgia law also permits victims to file a lawsuit to recover damages without filing an insurance claim first. A lawsuit is preferable to insurance benefits since you can recover both economic and non-economic damages from a successful lawsuit. Our Columbus Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you determine if filing a lawsuit is the right option for your case.
Our Columbus, GA Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers Can Help
If you have been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, our Columbus Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you hold the negligent parties accountable. Contact Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 for a free case review.
