Experienced Atlanta Rideshare Accident Attorney

More people now rely on rideshare services, such as Uber and Lyft, to travel compared to taxis and public transportation, especially in large cities like Atlanta. Whether you need a ride home after a night out or a ride to the airport to catch a flight, all you need to do is request a convenient and inexpensive ride on an app and wait several minutes until a driver picks you up.

However, if you are injured in a car accident while riding in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, recovering your entitled compensation could be complicated, You need an experienced personal injury attorney to protect your rights, health and best interests throughout the legal process. A lawyer at Law Office of Brandon Dixon, P.C., can examine your case, figure out all your available legal options and fight to maximize the compensation you receive.

Contact the firm by email today or at 404-585-3721 for a free 30-minute consultation. The firm takes rideshare injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is no up-front fee.

What Are The Qualifications Of An Uber Or Lyft Driver?

Both Uber and Lyft will hire drivers who are at least 23 and have at least one year of driving experience. That means you could be riding with an inexperienced driver. In addition, prospective drivers only need to meet minimal inspection criteria and do not need to undergo an in-person vehicle inspection.

When it comes to background checks, being convicted of a serious offense, such a violent crime or sex crime, can result in automatic disqualification. Regarding traffic violations, only “major driving violations or a recent history of multiple minor violations” may lead to disqualification. Yet, the language defining a major violation or recent history is quite vague. In other words, rideshare drivers have only minimal qualifications.

Georgia Laws And Rideshare Drivers

Under Georgia Code § 40-5-39 of the Motor Vehicles and Traffic Code, you cannot drive a vehicle for hire in Georgia unless you are endorsed by a for-hire company, undergo a private background check and carry the liability insurance coverage required by law, depending on the class of vehicle you drive. This law covers taxi services, limousine drivers and even rideshare networks.

To obtain a for-hire endorsement, a driver must meet all the following requirements:

• Be 18 years old or older
• Carry a valid Georgia driver’s license
• No prior conviction of a felony, a crime of “moral turpitude” or a series of misdemeanors that demonstrate a pattern of disregard for the law
• Be either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder)
• Pass a private background check (generally provided by the rideshare company)

The requirements to drive for a rideshare company are only slightly more strict, and that has left a lot of room for careless or even reckless rideshare drivers to injure people. Filing an injury claim is a way to fight back and hold the bad driver accountable.

Insurance Coverage From The Rideshare Companies

Uber and Lyft drivers may have different liability limits, depending on the situation at the time of the accident. In general, there are three different levels of liability: (1) when a driver logs into the app and waits for a ride request, (2) when the driver has a passenger in the vehicle or on his/her way to pick up a passenger and (3) when the driver is not logged into the app.

Here is a breakdown of the rideshare company’s potential liability based on the driver’s status:

• When a driver is logged into the app and waiting to pick up a passenger, Uber and Lyft provide $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 per accident for property damage.
• When a driver has a passenger in the vehicle or is on the way to pick up a passenger, Uber and Lyft offer $1 million in third-party liability protection and $1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
• When a driver is not logged into the app, the driver’s personal insurance coverage applies.

You may also be able to recover from the rideshare driver’s personal insurance policy if he/she has a hybrid auto insurance policy that takes effect whenever the driver is working or not, or if the driver added or purchased a ride-hailing insurance endorsement to their existing policy.

Five Steps To Take After An Uber Or Lyft Accident

If you are involved in a rideshare accident, there are a few steps you should take to protect yourself and maintain your right to recover compensation. However, a collision can be a traumatic and emotionally overwhelming event, which is why it is important to understand the proper steps to take.

If possible:

• Call emergency medical services if you or another person suffered a serious injury. Even if you did not appear to suffer any serious injury, ensure you see a doctor after the accident.
• Contact the police at the scene and ask for a copy of the police report.
• If possible, document the scene by taking pictures or making notes about the details of the crash.
• Get the contact information from everyone involved in the crash, including witnesses.
• Hire a lawyer to help you file a claim or lawsuit.

At Law Office of Brandon Dixon, P.C., an experienced Atlanta rideshare accident attorney can help you take that evidence and file a claim with the appropriate insurance company.

Seeking Damages From Uber Or Lyft

Unfortunately, filing a successful lawsuit against these powerful rideshare companies is not easy, to say the least. Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors, which means they can avoid liability because these drivers are technically not their employees. A knowledgeable Georgia Uber accident lawyer may be able to argue, however, that Uber or Lyft played a role in causing the accident regardless of their claim that their drivers are not employees.

Schedule A Free 30-Minute Consultation With A Georgia Rideshare Injury Lawyer

Due to the complexities of rideshare accident claims, having a skilled lawyer on your side can make a significant impact in your case. Attorney Brandon Dixon has experience handling a wide range of car accident claims, including Uber and Lyft accidents. Let the firm help you recover full and fair compensation while you make the best possible recovery from your injuries.

Call 404-585-3721 today or use the firm’s contact form to set up your free consultation.