Protecting Your Rights: Atlanta Uber Accident Lawyer

Uber is an instant rideshare service where passengers can hire drivers who will transport them to their desired destination for an affordable fee. It has quickly gained popularity and is available in 450 cities across the country, and has an estimated 50 million users. 

As of January 2018, Uber has seen its drivers give a cumulative five billion rides, most without incident. However, Uber drivers sometimes get into car accidents, and the damages to riders can be devastating. 

When you are involved in a car accident with rideshare vehicles, such as those operated by Uber and Lyft drivers, you must contact an attorney who can assess your rights. This guide will discuss what to do in case of an accident and how a knowledgeable attorney can help.

Uber drivers have an important responsibility when they’re on the road, which requires them to maintain their attention while providing point-to-point transportation using our App, which is why it’s so disappointing when accidents happen due to driver inattentiveness.

Uber Accident Claims

To make matters worse, drivers are considered self-employed contractors for Uber, meaning they don’t receive worker’s comp insurance benefits from companies as most other people would as employees or something similar. That means if you have a claim, you’ll have to pursue it on your own.

This is where our Uber accident lawyers come in! We represent the interests of all parties involved and act as a mediator between car insurance companies, drivers, passengers, and their respective families when pursuing claims for injury or wrongful death arising out of an automobile collision with an Uber driver who was at fault.

Uber’s Insurance Policy for Accident Claims

As stated above, Uber has an insurance policy for accident claims in the form of a $1 million liability policy used in certain circumstances. However, being aware of Uber’s three-part insurance plan is essential.

Please be aware that this is a general overview. If you are in the unfortunate situation of obtaining an Uber insurance claim, you may encounter challenges based on specific accident details.

Unsurprisingly, companies like Uber or Lyft will pay a lot to minimize their exposure to accident lawsuits. Ultimately, the goal is to be profitable for their investors and shareholders, and a massive piece of that is minimizing costs.

Unfortunately, this might mean that your Uber or Lyft accident lawsuit doesn’t receive the attention it deserves from the company. In this scenario, a Uber accident lawyer is a tremendous asset and can help stand up for your rights in the face of corporate pressure.

Uber’s Three-Part Insurance Plan

Coverage may apply if the accident in Atlanta falls under one of the following scenarios:

• Not Available – If a driver is on personal time and not logged into the Uber app when an accident occurs, their insurance company must be used.

• Available but No Passenger – When a driver is between rides and is logged onto the App but has no passengers, their own insurance company would be used in the case of an accident. However, Uber allows drivers to get additional coverage through them with a maximum of $100,000 in injuries and $25,000 in property damage. This is only available by request, though.

• Available but Carrying a Passenger – This is the situation in which Uber’s $1 million liability policy may be used. It can cover the driver, passenger, and injured third party in an Uber. Applying such insurance policies in the event of an accident is not a guarantee; Uber could deny the claim, and the driver’s insurance may not be applicable because the driver was working at the time. In this case, injured people can sue the driver directly.

Uber Insurance Policy

Compensation is limited if the at-fault vehicle involved in a car crash was not carrying commercial insurance at the time of the incident. In fact, according to Georgia state law, independent drivers for rideshare services are only required by statute to carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage on their behalf, and PIP coverage does not extend or apply outside of the driver’s scope of employment/services rendered while they’re driving with a passenger in tow. This means when it comes down to it, the question of fault in a rideshare-related crash will largely depend on who was at fault for causing the incident.

Uber Accident Insurance

If you are injured and believe that an Uber or Lyft driver is to blame for your accident (or if you were not driving with them but they caused an injury), determining whether or not they violated any laws pertaining specifically to their job duties can be tricky since there are no specific regulations governing this type of employment relationship as written into Georgia law.

However, drivers must obey all traffic rules while operating motor vehicles under these conditions. Those types of violations would constitute negligence per se – meaning even if the at-fault party cannot prove liability through direct evidence showing intent to injure someone, they can still be held liable for the injury because they violated a law that applies to this type of situation.

Personal Injury Lawyers for Atlanta Uber and Lyft Accidents

Suppose you or someone in your family has been injured due to an accident involving Uber or Lyft. In that case, it is crucial to know how best to protect your rights and prevent drivers from trying to get away with unsafe driving practices by claiming ignorance as a defense. For more information on what happened at trial in one such case, please get in touch with our law firm today! Our accident lawyer in Atlanta will be happy to help educate you about some ways we recommend going forward after being hurt so that the driver who caused this no longer operates and hurts others without consequence.

Uber Accident Atlanta

There have been some reports of serious Uber and Lyft accidents in Atlanta, such as when a sixty-four-year-old woman was working outside Cobb Middle School as a crossing guard when an Uber driver hit her. According to police, the car that struck and killed her had an Uber sticker. Students witnessed the incident.

In another case, an Uber driver hit and killed an eighty-nine-year-old veteran on his morning walk. The driver and company were accused of negligence, and Uber declined to comment on pending litigation.

An Uber driver in Alpharetta in 2016 was accused of running over a pedestrian’s foot.

Then, there was a report that an Atlanta Uber driver who worked for the company for several months and passed the background check sexually assaulted a sixteen-year-old passenger. He was arrested and held without bond.

In another Uber accident, an Uber driver without passengers drove over what he thought was a puddle, only to plunge into a six-foot-deep sinkhole. He was not injured.

Of course, situations like these don’t just happen in Atlanta. Uber is a nationwide company, and as it grows quickly, so is the number of accidents. For instance, an eighty-nine-year-old woman in Brooklyn died after the livery cab she was riding in collided with a car reported to be driven by an Uber driver. Even the home of Uber, San Francisco, is not immune. Gruber Law Group in San Francisco has written extensively on this topic, discussing the problems created by allowing Uber and Lyft to operate in a ‘shadow realm’ where they get all the upside but aren’t responsible for any liability associated with being a company.

Another Uber accident in Santa Barbara tragically left a young student dead who was visiting California as part of the Education First Program. Like Atlanta, California brings many out-of-town visitors who rely on Uber or Lyft to get around the city. The transferable nature of the App makes it seamless to find a ride in another town. It’s a fantastic convenience, but when there is trouble, it can be difficult for tourists to get the help they need, especially if they are visiting from a foreign country.

The intention of this page is not to highlight problems with Uber; it’s an excellent service we use. The challenge with Uber or any car service is that driving is dangerous, period. Add to that Uber drivers are in a heightened state, trying to maximize profits and get through rides quickly – mistakes can happen.

As an Uber and Lyft accident attorney, J. Blake Ledbetter represents ordinary people who have had unfortunate circumstances and require serious help to get back on their feet. An Uber accident lawsuit can help make you whole again by providing financial support for medical bills, auto damage repairs, and more.

Don’t let an Uber driver put their interests ahead of yours at the expense of your safety. Contact a knowledgeable Atlanta Uber accident lawyer today and find out what steps to take to protect yourself from unfair treatment by a rideshare company or its driver. We will help you understand your rights and the legal remedies available to you so that you can get the compensation you deserve.

Our lawyers will examine the facts of your case and determine who was at fault for causing the incident. With our help, you can ensure that justice is served and the negligent driver is held liable for their actions.

Contact J. Blake Ledbetter today to schedule your free consultation, and let us fight for the justice you deserve.

Lyft is like Uber in that it’s an app that offers ridesharing services by allowing users to order transportation instantly. Unlike Uber, though, Lyft allows passengers to pay with cash, and the fare can be split between a party in the App during the ride.

Lyft came about after seeing the success of Uber and the potential of the rideshare app economy. The two companies have been locked in an all-out war to acquire drivers for their platform, offering wild sign-up bonuses and perks for leaving the other.

Although Uber had the head start and still counts more cars on the road, Lyft has a sizable chunk of the market and is not immune to accidents. In fact, Lyft accidents in Atlanta seem to be happening more often in the last year.

A Lyft accident is similar to what happens with Uber. The company has a variety of insurance protection for drivers and passengers.

As we recommended with an Uber accident lawsuit, speaking with an attorney is the best choice if you’re considering legal action against Lyft. A Lyft accident can lead to permanent, severe damage to your health and property. Going alone against corporate insurance companies is tough, but a Lyft accident attorney has the helpful experience that can help in your situation.

Lyft’s Insurance Policy for Passengers

Lyft has a $1 million liability insurance policy for passengers, regardless of who’s at fault. It will pay for lost income, medical expenses, permanent disability, and wrongful death. You can read more about all the components of Lyft’s insurance from a post on their website.

There are examples of when fatal crashes with Lyft will test their $1 million liability coverage, like this Lyft accident in San Antonio.

If you’ve been involved in a crash while riding or hit by a Lyft driver, you may consider hiring a Lyft accident attorney. You might be able to solve all the issues without the assistance of a Lyft accident attorney, especially if you have not sustained serious injuries or damages. On the other hand, if you’ve been in an accident, you need to think hard about how it may affect you down the road. As other Lyft accident attorneys have noted, different damages may be recovered after a Lyft accident.

You can assert your right to secure damages for things like past medical care and potentially future treatment costs required to get better. If the ridesharing accident has caused you to miss work, you may also be eligible for compensation.

However, Lyft accidents can have serious, long-term consequences to your health, which may not be immediately present. Speaking with a Lyft accident attorney for a free consultation is a risk-free option to understand your challenges better when dealing with Lyft and their insurance companies after a crash.

Why It’s Important to Have a Dedicated Lyft Accident Attorney

Hiring a dedicated Lyft accident lawyer familiar with rideshare service accidents can be the key to winning your case.

Some attorneys will hurry a case to win by accepting a low settlement, collecting their money, and moving on to the next case. So, it would be best to choose a compassionate attorney who listens to you and will explore every avenue of recovery, from medical expenses to punitive damages. No matter where you are in the country, an attorney with significant car accident litigation experience can likely assist.

Also, seek one who is reliable and responsive, will stay with you throughout the entire process, and will aggressively fight for your compensation.

Types of Damages a Lyft Lawyer Can Help Recover:

• Damage to vehicle.

• Medical expenses.

• Loss of wages.

• Emotional distress.

Uber or Lyft Accident Lawsuit Experience is Vital

Why is this so important? It’s like thinking about going to a foot doctor when you need help with a heart condition – you want someone with particular expertise. Lyft accident attorney J. Blake Ledbetter has represented clients against the rideshare services and has a sterling reputation for all his personal injury work in Atlanta. His experience with Uber accident lawsuits can determine whether or not your rights are protected after a Lyft crash.

Unfortunately, car accidents happen. If you or someone you know has been an accident involving Uber or Lyft vehicles, call an attorney to discuss your options and what damages professional Atlanta lawyers can help recover. They can help you begin your journey on the road to recovery.