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Were you injured in Lawrenceville, GA or its surroundings? Our lawyers can help you recover from your losses. We have decades of combined experience handling local personal injury cases.
Having a local Uber & Lyft Accidents with experience with and knowledge of the actual value of your case is vital to ensuring you receive the most compensation possible for your injuries.
Our award-winning personal injury lawyers know the best way to go up against insurance companies because we used to work with them and use that experience to help you win.
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Uber and Lyft market themselves as safe forms of transportation. However, they are as susceptible to risks and accidents as any other vehicle. Nationwide accidents involving rideshare accidents are on the rise. These apps are convenient for riders, and that has led to more drivers on the road. The more rides a driver completes, the more money they make. That can lead to reckless driving, resulting in collisions.
If you are in a rideshare accident, you must speak to a Snellville Uber & Lyft accident attorney from Spaulding Injury Law.
Steps You Can Take Following an Uber or Lyft Accident
Following an Uber or Lyft accident, there are several steps you can take to help your case and protect your rights. Our Uber & Lyft accident lawyers in Snellville suggest you do the following:
- Call the authorities: before you do anything else, you should call the police. First, there is a legal requirement to report any accidents that involve injuries or property damage. The police report is also essential to your compensation recovery. This document can also show who is at fault for the collision. If you didn’t call the police, your claim could be denied.
- Talk to eyewitnesses: if there were any witnesses to your accident, you should speak to them. Try to get them to stay and give their statement to the police. If they do not wait, get their contact information so your Snellville car accident attorney can contact them later. An unbiased eyewitness account of the car accident can significantly impact your case.
- Take pictures: photographic evidence can also be critical to your injury claim. Try to take photos of the accident scene, weather, nearby traffic control devices, vehicle damage, and visible injuries. This can be beneficial if your case goes to trial so the judge and jury can see the extent of damages.
- Get medical attention: You should get medical attention shortly after your rideshare collision. The medical reports can be helpful when filing a compensation claim. To get compensation for all your medical bills, you should keep all receipts and documents of appointments. The court will want to see that the treatment was necessary and related to your collision.
- Speak to a Snellville Uber & Lyft accident attorney: when someone else is negligent and causes you an injury, you should take legal action. We can explain the insurance process and gather evidence. We will also negotiate with the insurance company for sufficient compensation.
The insurance company will likely deny your claim or offer partial payment for your medical needs. It can be easy to deny your claim when you do not have sufficient evidence or medical treatment. They may also diminish pain and suffering. To prevent these and other tactics, speak to Spaulding Injury Law.
Laws for Rideshare Drivers
With increased rideshare and other for-hire driving services, Georgia has implemented specific laws for these parties. Legally, drivers can only operate a vehicle for hire if they undergo a background check and have a license endorsement. They must also have liability insurance coverage. These requirements apply to taxi services, MARTA drivers, limo drivers, and rideshare networks. To obtain a for-hire license endorsement, drivers must meet the following criteria:
- Be 18 years old
- Have a valid Georgia driver’s license
- Have no felony convictions or a pattern of misdemeanors.
- Submit fingerprints for background checks
- Lawfully be in the country
The endorsement can take some time to obtain, but it will be valid for the same period as the person’s driver’s license. Rideshare companies can have additional requirements as well. So when you get into a rideshare, you can rest assured that the driver has met these requirements. Even with these rules, accidents can happen. You should speak to an Uber & Lyft accident attorney in Snellville about your options.
How Insurance Coverages Work in Rideshare Crashes
Five million crashes happen annually, and all drivers should carry insurance coverage. You could be a great driver, follow all the rules, and become a victim of someone else’s negligence. Of course, the careless person should pay for your losses. However, determining which insurance policy will cover these expenses can be complex. Rideshare collisions have complex insurance claims, depending on who you are and the rideshare driver status.
Uber and Lyft Passengers
Passengers in Uber or Lyft stuck by another vehicle will have coverage under the other driver’s insurance. This can also apply if you are hit in another car by a rideshare. If the rideshare driver is at fault for the accident, then their insurance policy covers your losses.
Uber and Lyft Drivers
The driver status will be another element to determine which insurance carrier will handle the claims process. The collision will be handled like any other car accident when the app is off. Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare policies will not cover any damages in this instance because the driver is not working.
The rideshare insurance coverage will kick in when the app is turned on. When the driver is online, insurance coverage can be $50,000 for injuries per person and up to $100,000 per accident. There is also $25,000 for property damage available in these policies.
When a driver is en route to pick up a passenger, insurance can apply in three ways. The first is through third-party liability coverage, which has a $1 million limit. Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage may come into play when an at-fault driver does not have enough insurance to cover the full extent of losses. It can also apply during a hit-and-run crash.
Lastly, there is contingent comprehensive and collision coverage available. This option will cover physical damage to the vehicle. This may apply after a driver exhausts their insurance options.
If all of these insurance options sound confusing, it’s because they are. Rideshare companies intentionally make it complicated to access their coverage. They want to lower liability as much as possible. That is why they have drivers and passengers jump through hoops. A Snellville Uber & Lyft accident attorney understands these intricate processes and can help you access the best insurance policy for your claim.
Compensation for Your Snellville Crash
You may be eligible to recover compensation for your losses, depending on the circumstances. These will vary in each case. You should get an assessment from an Uber & Lyft accident attorney in Snellville. The most common types of compensation that can apply to rideshare accident cases include:
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Other damage categories may also apply to your case. Obtaining payment for these damages can be difficult. You may need documentation to present to the insurance company. Our team will work to get all relevant documents and promptly send a demand letter. It is often best to wait until you reach maximum medical improvement before asking for insurance payment.
Failing to provide adequate documentation or filing your case on time can result in denial. You must handle the case effectively, or you could end up with insufficient payment. Negotiating with the insurance company can be challenging when you do not have the proper documents to sway them in your direction. The insurance company is looking for ways to lower your claim. They will even use your words against you. Do not speak to them without Spaulding Injury Law.
Types of Injuries You Might Suffer
Similar to other car accident cases, rideshare crashes may result in the following injuries:
- Burns
- Cuts and bruises
- Soft tissue injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Back and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
You could also suffer mental or emotional injuries like PTSD, anxiety, and depression. All your injuries should be assessed and treated. This is why you should seek a medical assessment immediately following a collision. Your injuries will also be a crucial element in your Snellville injury claim. Spaulding Injury Law can help collect the medical documents for your injuries and ensure you get the treatment you need.
Settlements and Negotiations Happen Out of Court
You might think an attorney handles most car accident or injury cases and goes to trial, but that is rarely true. Many cases are resolved out of court through negotiations. Insurance companies will send various offers. Your Snellville Uber & Lyft accident lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company until they reach a favorable amount. Settling out of court has many benefits.
Your settlement should include your current and future losses. It is difficult to assess your damages independently. You could be missing out on crucial payments. The insurance company knows this, so they will try to resolve the case before you can speak to an attorney. When you have legal representation, the insurance company cannot talk to you or trick you into signing any documents.
Speak to a Snellville Uber & Lyft Accident Attorney Today
You may feel comfortable getting into a rideshare vehicle. It is a convenient way to get around. It is quickly replacing taxis and public transportation. However, you should remember that these are average drivers using personal vehicles for work. They have the same risk factors as other motorists.
If you are in a collision, you need legal assistance. The Snellville Uber & Lyft accident attorneys from Spalding Injury Law are here to help you navigate the complex insurance process. Schedule an initial consultation by calling our office today.
Visit Our Uber & Lyft Office in Snellville, GA
We help victims inside the Gwinnett County Area and our firm is conveniently located near Snellville. We have an office in Lawrenceville at 223 Scenic Hwy S #202 Lawrenceville, GA