Prior to the advent of rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft, non-drivers had limited transportation options, such as taking a bus or calling a taxi, which could be inconvenient and costly. One significant issue that Uber has helped reduce is drunk driving incidents.
However, like all drivers, Uber drivers are human and can make mistakes, resulting in accidents. If you were involved in a rideshare car accident where the Uber driver was at fault, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries.
The Joe Durham law firm can provide you with an experienced Uber accident lawyer who will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
What Are Common Causes of Uber Accidents?
The causes of most Uber accidents are similar to those of car accidents, including:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Careless driving
- Rear-end accidents
- Wrong-way driving
While we may assume that Uber drivers have more experience and are more careful on the road due to their job requirements, they can still get into accidents like any other driver. Considering the number of hours they spend driving, it’s not surprising that accidents can occur.
If you are involved in a collision with an Uber driver, it may be necessary to seek the services of an experienced Uber accident lawyer to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Our Uber Accident Lawyers are Always Ready to Deal with the Insurance Companies
Dealing with insurance companies can be confusing and stressful after an accident, but it can become even more complicated when an Uber driver is involved. It may not be clear which insurance company to file a claim with – the driver’s or the company’s.
That’s why it’s always recommended to seek the guidance of experienced Uber and Lyft rideshare lawyers. These lawyers have the knowledge and expertise to help you navigate the complicated insurance and legal process, ensuring that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Experienced rideshare attorneys can provide valuable advice and recommend that you file a claim with both the driver’s and the company’s insurance companies, just in case. It may be unclear how much coverage the driver has, and depending on the extent of your injuries, your claim may exceed their policy limits.
Pursuing the company’s insurer as well can help ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.Under Georgia law, both the Uber driver and the transportation company are required to maintain specific insurance levels, which include:
- $100,000 coverage for personal bodily injury
- $50,000 per person per accident
- $50,000 property loss per accident
Although the transportation company may choose to provide their own coverage, most rideshare companies place this requirement on their drivers. If the coverage is available, you should not have any issues with getting your claim paid.
However, this is not always the case, as insurance companies may deny your claim or refuse to pay the full amount you are entitled to receive. If you are involved in an Uber accident, your Tifton, GA Uber accident lawyer will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Some of the damages that may be demanded include:
- Medical bills: Your attorney will demand that the insurance company cover all of your medical expenses, both present and future.
- Lost wages: Serious injuries sustained in car accidents may require hospitalization, surgery, or physical therapy, leading to significant time away from work. Your lawyer will fight to ensure that you are compensated for this time.
- Pain and suffering: In Georgia, you are entitled to damages for pain and suffering caused by the accident. Your attorney will fight to secure a fair amount of compensation to help make up for the pain and trauma caused by the accident.
Your Uber Accident Attorney will File a Lawsuit if Necessary
If your damages are not covered by insurance or if insurance refuses to pay, taking legal action may be necessary. When deciding whom to sue, it is advisable to include all parties involved. Pursuing both the driver and the company is recommended, as the company has deeper pockets than the driver, but the driver is still at fault.
Although it is possible that your personal injury lawyer can settle your claim, it is in everyone’s best interests to do so. Trials can be lengthy and costly, and even if you win a judgment, the amount of money left after covering costs and expenses may be minimal.
An experienced Uber accident attorney has extensive experience negotiating with insurance companies and will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. The Uber company will not want negative publicity, so they may not pay your claim immediately. However, once they know you have an attorney, they may be more inclined to change their stance.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for An Uber Accident?
An Uber accident lawyer can be extremely helpful in identifying and understanding the various types of Uber accidents, as well as determining which parties may be responsible for your injuries. Negligence can be attributed to one or more parties, depending on the circumstances of the accident. With their expertise and experience, an Uber accident lawyer can help determine the entities responsible, which may include:
The Lyft/Uber Driver
In some cases, the driver may be at fault, particularly if they fail to take care of their passengers. In these situations, compensation claims can be made through the driver’s insurance coverage. However, if you sustain injuries due to the ridesharing driver’s negligence, an experienced accident lawyer can help you recover damages from their personal insurance carrier.
They can provide guidance on the best course of action to take in order to receive the compensation you are entitled to. If you need help after an Uber accident, call us immediately!
Rideshare Companies
Even though Uber and Lyft drivers are considered independent contractors rather than employees of the ridesharing companies, these companies can still be held accountable for their drivers’ actions.
A skilled Uber accident lawyer may be able to argue shared responsibility in certain cases. Although the ridesharing company may initially deny liability, a strong legal advocate may be able to secure damages, particularly if the driver’s personal insurance coverage is insufficient.
Through their expertise and legal strategy, an Uber accident lawyer can help you pursue all available avenues of compensation for your injuries.
Related Third Parties
If the accident was caused by a third party’s negligence, you can still seek compensation by filing a claim with their insurance company. This could be the case if the accident was caused by poor or inadequate road signage or maintenance, or if another driver was at fault.
It is also possible that a defective vehicle part was to blame for the accident. If neither the Uber driver nor the company was at fault, but a third party was, it’s important to contact an Uber accident lawyer in Tifton as soon as possible.
Your attorney can advise you on what to do, gather evidence, and file a claim within the required timeframe. Waiting too long to contact a lawyer or file a claim could result in the claim being denied due to expired time limits.
Steps to Take After an Uber Accident: What Is the Way Forward?
When involved in an Uber accident, there are steps to follow to ensure you have the necessary information for a potential claim. These steps include:
- Check if everyone is okay: First and foremost, check if you or anyone else involved in the accident has sustained any injuries. Refrain from getting out of the car until it’s safe to do so, and call for paramedics if necessary.
- Collect information: Collect as much information about the accident as possible. This includes the names, contact information, and insurance details of all drivers involved, as well as any witnesses. Take photos of the scene and any damages to the vehicles.
- Take screenshots of the app: If you were using the Uber app at the time of the accident, take a screenshot of it before closing the app. This can serve as proof that you were using the service at the time of the accident.
- Contact an Uber accident lawyer: Contact an experienced Uber accident lawyer as soon as possible. They can guide you on what to do next and help you file a claim if necessary.
Remember, it’s essential to act quickly and collect as much information as possible to support any potential claim.
After checking for injuries and making sure it is safe to do so, collect contact and license plate information of all drivers involved in the accident, as well as their insurance information. If there are witnesses, ask for their contact information as well.
Call the police and have them file a report. Seek medical attention even if the injury seems minor as the treatment report will be used as evidence for personal injury claims.
Look for a reasonable rideshare accident attorney as soon as possible to avoid any delays and schedule follow-up treatments to ensure proper attention to injuries. Keep all treatment records as they may come in handy when filing for personal injury claims.
How Will a Lyft Or Uber Accident Attorney Help?
Insurance companies often have teams of lawyers who are solely focused on minimizing the amount of compensation they have to pay out. They may use aggressive tactics to pressure you into accepting a settlement that is much less than what you deserve.
However, having an experienced Uber or Lyft accident attorney on your side can help level the playing field. Your attorney will fight to protect your rights and ensure that you are fairly compensated for your injuries and damages.
With the help of an experienced legal team, you can focus on your recovery while they handle the legal aspects of your case.
Can An Tifton Uber Accident Lawyer Help Me Get Compensation, And How?
Once the responsible parties in the Uber or Lyft accident have been determined, your lawyer can begin working on your compensation claim. However, your lawyer may need to review documentation such as salary receipts, hospital bills, and medical expenses to accurately assess your financial losses.
Additionally, other losses that are difficult to quantify may also be taken into account to determine an appropriate and accurate compensation amount. Although every Uber or Lyft accident case is unique, a skilled lawyer should be able to recover compensation for various types of damages, such as:
Fiscal Damages
Economic damages are financial in nature, hence, they can be calculated. Good examples of economic damages include emergency room fees, loss of a wage, treatment expenses, hospitalization, and property damage among others. The Lyft and Uber accident attorney should be able to evaluate all the economic losses in full – these include present and past wages as well as medical expenses.
Non-Economic Damages
These damages, known as non-economic damages, are more difficult to calculate than economic damages. They represent the pain and suffering experienced by the victim and their loved ones as a result of the accident.
This burden can be overwhelming and long-lasting, affecting not only the injured person but their family as well. Your Uber accident lawyer will work to put a monetary value on these damages to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Punitive Damages
To seek punitive damages, your Uber or Lyft accident attorney may advise you to file a lawsuit if the accident resulted from serious negligence or intentional harm. However, it is crucial to have substantial evidence and thorough investigation to support the claims in court. Therefore, it is crucial to have a reliable and trustworthy attorney specializing in Uber and Lyft accidents to ensure a successful lawsuit.
Contact an Uber Driver Attorney Today
If you have been injured while riding in an Uber, it is advisable to seek the services of an Uber accident lawyer in Tifton, GA. An experienced lawyer will review your case and give you an idea of what it may be worth. They will also deal with the insurance company to try to get your claim approved. It is worth noting that insurance companies take attorneys more seriously than they do individuals.
Insurance companies may have attorneys who will attempt to prove that you were at fault for your accident. For instance, they may argue that the Uber driver wasn’t on the clock at the time of your injury or that you aren’t entitled to compensation since you hadn’t paid your fare yet. Your Uber accident lawyer can challenge these arguments and help you get the compensation you deserve.
To schedule your initial consultation with a rideshare attorney, call the “rideshare attorney hotline” at 229-210-6226. The consultation is free of charge and provides an opportunity to ask any questions or concerns you may have.
