Various studies on ridesharing accidents, including a research brief from the University of Chicago that was featured in Forbes, have found that ridesharing services have led to a rise in vehicle accident fatalities. Depending on how and when an accident occurs, popular ridesharing services, such as Uber and Lyft, provide their drivers, passengers, and other parties involved or affected by a ridesharing accident with coverage for personal injuries and property damage.
However, it is important to note that someone can only file a claim under specific conditions. A driver can file a claim when logged into his or her app and carrying a passenger, on the way to pick a passenger, or waiting for a ride request. Parties struck by an Uber or Lyft driver may seek compensation if the Uber or Lyft driver was at fault for an accident. When and how your accident occurred will be evaluated by Uber and Lyft before a decision is made on your case.
For assistance with collecting evidence for an accident or filing and handling a ridesharing accident injury claim, please contact a South Fulton Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyer with Bader Law Injury Lawyers. You can reach our team at (404) 888-8888.
Causes of Ridesharing Accidents
Anything that can cause a regular traffic accident can cause a ridesharing accident, including:
- Driving under the influence
- Distracted or drowsy driving
- Tailgating, overspeeding, or reckless driving
- Interacting with passengers or adjusting device controls
- Damaged roads, vehicle malfunctions, poor lighting, or bad weather
- Poor signage, missing traffic control signs, or traffic control device malfunctions
- Driver inexperience
If any of these factors caused or contributed to your ridesharing accident, your personal insurer and the insurance provided by Uber and/or Lyft will consider them when determining your eligibility for coverage after an accident.
For a free legal consultation with a uber and lyft rideshare accidents lawyer serving South Fulton, call (404) 888-8888
Ridesharing Insurance Rules
You must have personal auto or accident insurance to drive any vehicle. However, Uber and Lyft offer insurance to their drivers, passengers, and others involved in rideshare accidents, but only under certain circumstances.
Insurance coverage from Uber or Lyft is determined by when an accident occurred. There are three distinct periods in which an accident can occur.
When the App Is Off
If your ridesharing app is off, you are effectively a private driver, and your personal insurance coverage must be used to cover damages and liability for an accident.
While Waiting for a Ride Request
If your ridesharing app is on, but you are waiting for a ride request, and your personal insurance does not apply, then Uber and Lyft both provide the following coverages:
- $50,000 for bodily injuries per person
- $100,000 for bodily injuries per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
With or Heading to Passengers
If your app is on and you are either on the way to pick up a passenger or have a passenger with you in your vehicle, Uber and Lyft provide the following forms of coverage:
- $1,000,000 in 3rd-party auto liability
- Uninsured and/or underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage
- Comprehensive and collision coverage up to the cash value of the car after a $1,000 deductible for Uber and a $2,500 deductible for Lyft
For ridesharing accidents that occur when you are not logged into or using Uber or Lyft’s app, you will have to use your personal auto insurance coverages to pay for losses or damages—if any—that you were responsible for as a result of the accident. If someone else struck you, then their auto coverage would apply. If they do not have insurance or are underinsured, then your underinsured/uninsured motorist policy will apply.
If a pedestrian, motorcyclist, or another motorist was struck by an Uber or Lyft driver, based on the three-time periods above, they must seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company if the Uber or Lyft driver was not logged into his or her app when the accident occurred. If he or she was logged in and was waiting for or transporting a passenger, then the victim may be able to seek compensation from the coverage that Uber or Lyft provides the driver.
Uber and Lyft do not require their drivers to carry ridesharing coverage. Drivers can enjoy additional benefits and higher levels of coverage based on the type of accident and other liability specifics. A South Fulton Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyer can discuss insurance and liability issues that are relevant to you. Call Bader Law Injury Lawyers at (404) 888-8888 today.
South Fulton Uber and Lyft Rideshare Accident Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
Personal Injuries, Damages, and Other Losses
To qualify as an Uber or Lyft driver, you and your vehicle must meet or surpass specific qualification criteria. These criteria include your age and driving experience, the age of your vehicle, and the results of a background check. Uber and Lyft do this to ensure the safety of their drivers and their customers. However, despite these measures, accidents still happen, which is why Uber and Lyft offer accident insurance.
Winning compensation for damages, however, takes time, and depending on your city or state and the type of vehicle you operate, some damages may or may not be covered.
Details on covered injuries, losses, damages, and other rules are as below.
- Bodily injuries are covered and are defined as injury, sickness, or disease, as well as death.
- Car and property damage are covered, and they are defined as a loss of—or damage to—tangible property.
- The cost of a car rental for transportation after your ridesharing accident is not covered.
- Uber and Lyft’s uninsured and underinsured policies only apply in cases where another driver was at fault for an accident and did not have adequate insurance.
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage also applies to hit-and-run cases.
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To prove losses, damages, or liability in a ridesharing accident, you may need to obtain the official police report of the accident, video footage of the accident, driver or bystander statements, vehicle value estimates, and other forms of proof. Doing this can be difficult if you are unfamiliar with ridesharing accident rules or suffered injuries in an accident.
Please contact the South Fulton Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyer with the Bader Law Injury Lawyers team today for assistance. Our offices can be reached at (404) 888-8888. Do not hesitate to reach out to us today.
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