Lyft and Uber Car Accident Attorney in Atlanta

Ride sharing companies such as Lyft and Uber have changed the way that Americans travel. Whether this change was good or bad is a highly debated issue, but one thing is certain. Life has changed since the advent of ride sharing technology, but what happens if you are involved in an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver? What if you are a passenger involved in an Uber or Lyft driver’s vehicle when an accident occurs, who will compensate you for your injuries?

These are just a few of the questions that an accident victim might have after being involved in an Uber or Lyft accident either as a passenger or a driver. According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, an estimated 385,221 car accidents occured in our state in 2015. When you take these statistics into consideration, it becomes clear that accidents involving an Uber or Lyft driver are inevitable. So, you, as a driver or passenger, should be aware of some of the unique provisions of the Georgia Code that apply to Uber and Lyft accidents in our state.

Uber or Lyft Accident Laws in Georgia

Uber Accidents Atlanta
The main difference between being involved in an accident with a normal person and an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver is the type of insurance that Uber, Lyft, or any other ride sharing company must carry on their vehicles. Normal drivers are required meet the minimum insurance requirements under state law that are listed below:

  • Bodily Injury Liability Insurance: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
  • Property Damage Liability Insurance: $25,000 per accident

In contrast, ride sharing companies must meet a very different standard under O.C.G.A. § 33-1-24, and this statute divides ride sharing accidents into three categories.

1. Accidents that Occur While the Ridesharing App is Off

In this scenario, the accident falls under the driver’s personal insurance, because the driver is not working. As such, you would handle the accident in the same way you would approach any other car accident.

2. Accidents that Occur While the Ridesharing App is On Without a Passenger

When a ridesharing driver has the app activated but is not executing a fair, the ride sharing company must have a liability policy with the following limits:

  • Personal Injury Liability Insurance: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident
  • Property Damage Liability Insurance: $50,000 per accident

3. Accidents that Occur While the Driver is Executing a Fair

When an Uber or Lyft driver is transporting a customer, the ride sharing company’s insurance policy must meet the following insurance requirements:

  • Liability policy covering property damage, death, or injury: $1,000,000 per accident
  • Uninsured or Underinsured Insurance: $1,000,000 per accident

Ride Sharing Accidents as a Passenger

As a ride sharing passenger involved in an accident either caused by the ride sharing driver or a third party, you are covered by the rider sharing company’s liability policy, and you will have access to up to $1,000,000 in insurance coverage to pay for medical bills and to compensate you for your injuries.

Rider Sharing Accidents Caused by an Uber or Lyft Driver

If you are involved in an accident caused by an Uber or Lyft driver, you may have to put you claim through the driver’s personal insurance. Unfortunately, Uber and Lyft have taken the position that their drivers are independent contractors, and as such, Uber and Lyft are not usually responsible for accidents their drivers cause.

Uber or Lyft Accidents in Atlanta, GA

Uber or Lyft accidents can be complex, and the laws that apply in each accident can change depending on how the accident occured. At Cambre and Associates, our teams of car accident attorneys will investigate how the accident occured, determine what provisions of the Georgia code applies, and who the responsible party is. Our attorneys have years of experience in helping car accident victims like you. So call Cambre and Associates today for a free consultation with a car accident attorney that is ready to help you.

These types of accidents can result in serious neck injuries, contact our team of neck injury attorneys today and get the representation and compensation you deserve.

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