Rideshare Accidents
Rideshares such as Uber and Lyft have become a common and convenient way to get around. But if you get injured while riding in a rideshare service it could become an overwhelming and confusing experience. Medical bills can start adding up fast and insurance companies may already be asking questions of you while you are trying to recover and figure out your next steps. It can also be difficult to figure out who is responsible for your injuries.
Whether you are a passenger in a rideshare accident, a pedestrian, a cyclist, or driver who gets hit by a Lyft or Uber driver, you may be eligible for compensation. We are experienced accident attorneys and have dealt with the complexities surrounding rideshare accidents.
Why Should You Call Crash Carson?
Maximum Compensation
We will seek to recover all possible damages. Compensation could be available for not only medical bills following the accident, but also future treatments, rehabilitation, and medical care, as well as lost wages, reduced earning ability, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and any possible property damage.
Thorough Investigation and Calculation
When the Crash Carson team takes on an accident case, we will conduct a thorough investigation of the crash, identify all responsible parties, gather all significant evidence, communicate with all insurance companies, calculate your damages and fight for your maximum compensation.
Free Consultation, No Fee Unless We Win
The attorneys at Crash Carson can take on the legal burden so you can focus on healing and getting on with your life. There are no upfront legal fees and we only get paid if we win your case. We serve rideshare accident victims in Chattanooga, TN and North Georgia, from our office in Rossville, GA, and our law firm offers a free consultation.
Determining Fault and Liability
Why Rideshare Accident Claims Are Different
When a rideshare accident with a passenger occurs it will often be handled differently than other auto accident claims. There may be more than one insurance policy involved and the driver's status in the rideshare app can come into question since this is a factor that can affect coverage. In some cases, there may be more than one person or party that is responsible for your injuries.
Relevant Questions About Rideshare Accidents:
- Was the rideshare driver at fault?
- Was another driver responsible?
- Was the rideshare driver logged into the app?
- Were you injured during the ride or while getting in or out of the rideshare car?
These details are important because they can help gauge the value of your claim and help determine whose insurance covers the accident and who should be held financially responsible.
For example, the rideshare driver could be at fault if they caused or contributed to the accident through negligence or reckless driving, or if they drop off the passenger in an unsafe manner or location. Another driver on the road could also be liable due to the same factors. In either case, a driver can be liable due to not properly maintaining their vehicles. If the accident was caused by a malfunctioning vehicle, the vehicle manufacturer can possibly be liable or the dealership or repair shop that serviced the vehicle could be at fault. In some instances, two drivers can be found to have contributed to the accident.
If the rideshare app was faulty or malfunctioned, the rideshare company could possibly be found responsible. They can also be liable if they didn't properly screen a driver who had a poor driving record or criminal convictions. The rideshare company could also be found liable for failing to monitor the driver's hours.
With all of these variables, if you are injured in a rideshare accident, you need the right accident attorney to explore all avenues of liability and recovery. The skilled and experienced attorneys at Crash Carson can help you identify the parties responsible for your injuries and losses.
Insurance Coverage
Insurance coverage for rideshare apps in Georgia and Tennessee varies according to the driver's app status and whether the driver is engaged in any activity with the rideshare company. Determining who the primary insurer is can be a significant factor because the insurance coverage for the rideshare company is much greater than coverage for a rideshare driver's personal insurance policy.
There are three standard operational periods that determine insurance coverage for a driver:
- Period 0 - App Off: The rideshare app is off so only the driver's personal auto insurance policy applies.
- Period 1 - App On, Waiting for Match: The app is on and the driver is waiting for a ride request. In both Georgia and Tennessee, personal auto insurance policies are allowed to immediately exclude coverage once a driver logs into the rideshare app. At this point the rideshare provides limited liability coverage, however the rideshare insurers may consider their coverage as secondary which can cause complications when an accident occurs during this period.
- Period 2, Request Accepted, En Route: The driver has accepted a ride request and is on the way to picking up the passenger. Once the ride is accepted, the rideshare company's insurance is in effect for full, commercial coverage, generally $1 million.
- Period 3, Passenger in Car: The passenger is in the car and the driver is heading to the destination. The full, commercial coverage remains in effect until the passenger is dropped off.
Understanding how and when these periods apply and determining which period applies when the accident occurred can be a complicated matter. You will need representation from attorneys who are experienced with auto accidents and the injuries involved, as well as with rideshare accidents.
If you have been injured in an accident involving an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare service, do not speak with the driver's or rideshare service's attorney or accept any offer for a settlement. You should instead contact an attorney as soon as possible. Understand that deadlines apply so it is recommended that you act as quickly as possible.
Causes and Factors
Rideshare accidents can occur for many of the same reasons that cause most car accidents such as speeding, distracted driving, failure to yield, unsafe lane changes, following too closely, or poor vehicle maintenance. These factors can also be exacerbated by a rideshare driver's attempt to maximize earnings.
In addition, Uber and Lyft drivers can be especially prone to accidents due to fatigue if they work multiple jobs or for more than one rideshare services, and these drivers often find themselves driving in unfamiliar areas which can have traffic patterns that they are not accustomed to.
Serving Chattanooga, TN and North Georgia
Crash Carson is proud to help injured people across the Greater Chattanooga area, including East Ridge, Red Bank, Hixson, Soddy-Daisy, Ooltewah, Collegedale, Cleveland, Jasper, Dunlap and Dayton, and in North Georgia's Walker, Catoosa, Dade and Whitfield counties. We understand that a rideshare crash can disrupt your health, your work, and your peace of mind. Our goal is to provide clear guidance and strong advocacy when you need it most.