Atlanta Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Rideshare Accident Attorney in Atlanta

Atlanta is one of the busiest cities on the East Coast, home to one of the country’s largest airports and a massive business hub hosting several important companies, including the Coca-Cola Company, Delta Air Lines, and more. It’s a busy city, and thousands of people in the Atlanta area use rideshare services like Uber and Lyft every day. If you have been injured in an accident while using such a service, you need to consult an Atlanta rideshare accident lawyer immediately.

Experienced Legal Counsel for Rideshare Accidents in Atlanta, GA

Barnes Law Group can provide compassionate and responsive legal counsel when you need an Atlanta personal injury lawyer after a rideshare accident. We have more than 50 years of experience helping clients recover from all types of accidents, including those involving Uber and Lyft drivers. Former Georgia Governor Roy Barnes spearheads a team of attorneys ready to fight for you after an accident.

You have a limited time to build your case after an Uber or Lyft accident in Atlanta. Some of the evidence you may need to prove liability may only be obtainable for a short time, and there are procedural time limits for filing auto insurance claims or personal injury cases after vehicle accidents in Georgia. With our team’s help, you can focus on your recovery with confidence and have a better chance of maximizing your compensation.

Proving Liability for a Rideshare Accident in Atlanta

In Georgia, the fault rule applies to all motor vehicle accidents involving multiple vehicles. This means that the driver responsible for causing the accident is liable for the resulting damages. If you believe another party is responsible for causing an accident that injured you, you must establish fault before you are eligible to claim compensation for damages. If you were injured while riding as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, your driver or another driver may be liable.

A recent survey reported that about one-third of all rideshare drivers in the United States report being involved in at least one accident while working. Uber and Lyft drivers are independent contractors, so they must have personal auto insurance coverage while driving at all times, just like any other driver in Georgia, but rideshare company insurance can come into play depending on the timing of an accident and whether the rideshare driver had a passenger in their vehicle.

Most of the vehicle accidents reported throughout the Atlanta area happen because of driver negligence, such as moving violations like failure to yield, speeding, and distracted driving. They can also occur because of intentional misconduct, like intoxicated driving. According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, of the 1,615 traffic deaths in the state in 2023, 349 resulted from speeding and 433 resulted from accidents involving alcohol.

No matter how your rideshare accident happened, you must gather evidence to prove fault as swiftly as possible after the accident. Witness testimony will be most reliable when statements are recorded immediately following the accident, and some digital evidence may not be available for very long. Your Atlanta rideshare accident lawyer at Barnes Law Group can gather crucial evidence for you and build a strong case aimed at securing maximum compensation.

Understanding Rideshare Company Auto Insurance

Both Uber and Lyft have almost identical commercial insurance policies that work at different tiers of coverage based on the conditions of an accident involving one of their drivers. Both companies require their drivers to have individual insurance coverage that meets Georgia’s minimum requirements for bodily injury liability coverage and property damage liability coverage.

If a rideshare driver is not logged into their driver app and they are using their vehicle for personal reasons, their own insurance policy applies if they cause an accident. If they are logged into their rideshare driver app but have not yet picked up a passenger, the first tier of the rideshare company’s third-party liability coverage can apply, providing up to $50,000 per person or up to $100,000 per accident.

Once a rideshare driver has picked up a passenger, the rideshare company’s second tier of coverage will apply if an accident occurs before they drop the passenger off at their destination. At this level of coverage, the rideshare company’s policy can provide up to $1 million in third-party liability compensation. If you were hurt as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft accident and your driver is at fault, this coverage level likely applies to your situation.

Recovering From Your Rideshare Accident in Atlanta

Proving fault is an essential first step in the recovery process after any vehicle accident in Georgia. Your Atlanta rideshare accident lawyer can help you determine liability for your damages so you can direct your legal efforts to recover. You may have grounds to file an auto insurance claim against the rideshare company or against another driver, depending on who was at fault for causing the accident.

Your Atlanta rideshare accident lawyer at Barnes Law Group can help you navigate the insurance claim filing process, ensuring you receive an acceptable settlement offer. If you must file a personal injury suit, your legal representative can help you gather the evidence needed to prove the defendant is liable for damages, and they can accurately determine the full scope of the damages you are eligible to claim from the defendant.

A successful personal injury case in Atlanta can potentially yield compensation for your property losses, medical bills, lost wages, and the pain and suffering you experienced. Navigating the legal aftermath of a rideshare accident in Atlanta can be challenging, but you can feel more confident about this difficult situation with the right attorney on your side.

Barnes Law Group looks forward to helping you recover from your recent rideshare accident in Atlanta. You have a short timeframe in which to gather evidence, and it is important to start building your case as quickly as possible to ensure the greatest chance of success. If you are ready to learn how a seasoned Atlanta rideshare accident lawyer can help, reach out to our team as quickly as possible after an Uber or Lyft accident.

FAQs

Q: How Do You Prove Liability for a Rideshare Accident in Atlanta?

A: Proving liability for a rideshare accident in Atlanta will typically require evidence such as the police report from the accident, testimony from eyewitnesses who saw the accident happen, vehicle black box data, cell phone records, and traffic camera footage, if available. Georgia is an at-fault state for vehicle accidents, meaning you must prove fault for an accident before claiming compensation from any other party.

Q: How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Rideshare Accident in Atlanta?

A: The amount of compensation you can claim for a rideshare accident in Atlanta will depend on the severity of your injuries. If you can prove that another party is responsible for causing the accident, it is possible to hold them accountable for vehicle repair costs or other property losses, medical expenses, and lost income if you cannot work during your recovery. If you are filing a personal injury case, it’s possible to recover pain and suffering compensation as well.

Q: Is the Rideshare Company Liable for Their Driver’s Accident?

A: It is possible for the rideshare company to be liable for its driver’s accident under certain conditions. For example, if the company never performed a required background check on their driver, it could be seen as a liability for the driver’s harmful actions. Your Atlanta rideshare accident lawyer can review any such details of your case and help you understand their potential impact on your recovery efforts.

Q: Do I Need a Lawyer to File an Auto Insurance Claim for a Rideshare Accident?

A: It’s a good idea to hire a lawyer to help you file your auto insurance claim for a rideshare accident. Even if fault for your accident seems straightforward, the reality is that most insurance companies will try to settle claims for as little as possible, and they will seize any opportunity they find to devalue or deny your claim. Legal counsel can ensure you are treated fairly and that the insurance company processes your claim in good faith.

Q: What Does It Cost to Hire an Atlanta Rideshare Accident Lawyer?

A: The cost to hire an Atlanta rideshare accident lawyer will be a contingency fee when you choose Barnes Law Group to represent you. We do not charge upfront attorneys’ fees in personal injury cases. Instead, we charge our client a contingency fee, and we only charge this fee if and when we win their case. If we cannot obtain a recovery for the client, they pay nothing.

The attorneys at Barnes Law Group can provide comprehensive legal support for all of your legal efforts to recover from an Uber or Lyft accident in Atlanta. You have limited time to pursue accountability and compensation for your damages after the accident, so it’s crucial to connect with experienced legal counsel at your first opportunity. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation with an experienced Atlanta rideshare accident lawyer to learn how we can help.