Recovering compensation after an Uber and Lyft Accident can be difficult. In addition to the typical issues that victims must deal with following a car accident, Uber and Lyft accidents have other hurdles that can frustrate victims.
Fortunately, an experienced Johns Creek Uber and Lyft accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve in these complex cases. There could be several insurance options available if you have been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, including rideshare insurance offered by the companies. However, the insurance available will depend on whether the driver was on duty at the time of the accident. We can also help you file a lawsuit if insurance proves insufficient to cover your damages.
If you have been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, our Johns Creek Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can provide you with a free case review. Contact Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
Recovering Compensation for an Uber or Lyft Accident in Johns Creek, GA
Recovering compensation after an Uber or Lyft accident is a complex process that can be challenging for those unfamiliar with the insurance rules governing these types of accidents. In most cases, victims will have several options to recover damages for their injuries. Uber and Lyft rideshare drivers will have their own insurance, but Uber and Lyft are also required to carry insurance to cover accidents involving their drivers. However, whether Uber or Lyft’s insurance is available will depend on the driver’s status at the time of the accident. Our Johns Creek Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you explore your options to recover compensation in your case.
Filing an Insurance Claim Against an At-Fault Driver
Georgia is an at-fault state for car insurance purposes. This means that victims can recover compensation for their injuries from the driver responsible for the accident. In some cases, the Uber or Lyft driver will be at fault. In these situations, you can file an insurance claim with the driver’s personal car insurance. In addition, Uber and Lyft drivers are required to carry commercial insurance, which can also be used to cover your injuries. If the driver’s insurance is insufficient to cover your injuries, Uber and Lyft also provide insurance options, depending on whether their driver was on duty at the time of the accident.
Things can be a little trickier if multiple cars are involved in your accident. Fortunately, Georgia’s at-fault rules allow victims to pursue compensation from any driver they can prove caused their accident. In most cases, it will be best to file a lawsuit against the drivers involved where fault can be properly determined.
Filing a Claim with Uber or Lyft’s Insurance
If a rideshare driver’s insurance cannot cover the full extent of your injuries, Uber or Lyft offers supplemental insurance that will kick in to cover your remaining damages. The amount of compensation you can recover will depend on the Uber or Lyft driver’s status when the accident occurred. For instance, if a rideshare driver was logged onto the app but still waiting to confirm a passenger, Uber or Lyft’s insurance will usually cover up to $50,000 in damages per person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 in property damage coverage once the driver’s insurance is exhausted.
However, Uber and Lyft provide up to $1,000,000 in insurance coverage if the accident happened while a driver had an active passenger or was on their way to pick one up. Navigating Uber and Lyft’s insurance processes can be extremely challenging without assistance. In some cases, a lawsuit will need to be filed to hold the responsible parties accountable.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
In cases involving serious injuries or other extenuating factors, insurance might not be enough to cover the significant damages a victim’s injuries have caused. If a victim still has losses after receiving the maximum insurance payout or received a settlement offer far lower than the case demands, they should consider filing a lawsuit to recover what they are owed.
Because Georgia is an at-fault state, victims can pursue compensation from the responsible party directly in a lawsuit, even if they do not file for insurance first. This is typically the best option to recover compensation for your financial losses and the pain and suffering damages your injuries have caused.
However, you will likely be limited to only suing the driver responsible for the accident. In most cases, Uber and Lyft cannot be sued directly for the negligence of a rideshare driver. Our Johns Creek Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can review your case to determine who should be named as a defendant in your lawsuit.
Filing a Lawsuit Against Uber or Lyft for an Accident in Johns Creek, GA
Unfortunately, in most cases, victims cannot sue Uber or Lyft for accidents caused by the negligence of their rideshare drivers. Uber and Lyft drivers are considered independent contractors and do not technically work directly for Uber or Lyft. Unlike most truck and taxi drivers, Uber and Lyft do not exercise direct control over drivers using their apps. They provide the apps for drivers to use at their convenience, with Uber and Lyft taking a small cut of the driver’s fare in exchange for using their technology. This provides a convenient cover for Uber and Lyft to avoid liability.
That does not mean Uber and Lyft could not be sued for their own negligence. For instance, if Uber or Lyft is negligent in hiring the driver that caused an accident, like failing to perform a background check for DUIs, they could be held liable for their carelessness. The companies could also be held liable if they fail to terminate a driver’s privileges after it becomes known they are dangerous on the road. Our Johns Creek Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you determine if Uber or Lyft share any blame for your injuries and file a lawsuit against them.
Our Johns Creek, GA Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers Can Help
If you need support recovering compensation after an Uber or Lyft accident, the Johns Creek Uber and Lyft accident lawyers at Howe Law can help. Call us today at (844) 876-4357 for a free assessment of your case.
