More and more drivers are relying on ridesharing companies to meet their transportation needs. The exponential growth of companies such as Uber and Lyft has driven the global ridesharing market to a more than $100 billion per year industry. Unfortunately, riding a Lyft vehicle can be just as dangerous as driving your own car. In fact, according to a study conducted by professors at Chicago Booth and Rice University, ridesharing companies are responsible for an increase of approximately 3% of the number of fatal car accidents.
For those that suffer significant injuries, recovering can involve long-term medical treatment, missing work, and severe emotional trauma. At Ahmad Injury Law, we understand how difficult the recovery process can be. Our attorneys work tirelessly on behalf of our clients to help them receive the compensation that they deserve. Whether that means aggressively pursuing a settlement with the ridesharing company and their insurance company or pursuing your claim all the way to trial, we have the expertise and resources to maximize your claim. Contact Ahmad Injury Law today for a FREE consultation.
What Factors Make Ridesharing Dangerous?
Ridesharing is a convenient and cost-effective transportation option for many people. There are some factors, however, that can make ridesharing riskier than other forms of transportation. Two common risks include:
- Inadequately Trained Drivers. Lyft does not conduct any testing to determine driver qualification. They simply request that you have a driver’s license and an operatable vehicle. Lyft has no way of knowing whether the driver has the adequate driving experience to transport passengers. They also know little about their drivers. For example, the driver could have a history of substance abuse issues that can place passengers in high-risk situations.
- Inadequate Insurance. If the Lyft driver is at fault for the accident you will have a claim against him and his insurance company. Since the driver is an independent contractor, Lyft is generally not liable. If the driver has inadequate insurance or no insurance, it may be difficult for you to recover. Moreover, if the driver has a personal insurance policy, the insurance company could deny your claim since he does not have a commercial policy.
Steps to Take if You Are Involved in a Lyft Car Accident
If you have been involved in a Lyft-related car accident in Atlanta, the most important thing is request immediate medical attention. If you do not require medical attention at the scene of the accident, check to see whether other people involved in the accident do. Call 911 to report the accident and request medical assistance. Do not render medical aid unless you are trained to do so.
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Once the police arrive, they will determine if any of the parties need medical treatment and will prepare a report on the accident. The police report can be crucial to proving negligence at a later date. If there were witnesses, then collect their names and contact information. Do the same for the drivers and passengers of all vehicles involved.
Use your smartphone’s camera to take photos of the scene of the accident. Take some notes about what happened to jog your memory later when you are required to give a statement to the insurance company. If you did not require medical assistance at the time of the accident but developed symptoms afterwards seek immediate medical attention. Be sure to describe all the symptoms you are experiencing to your physician.
Once you have received medical treatment, it is important to contact an experienced Atlanta Lyft accident lawyer to protect your rights and discuss your options. Accidents involving ridesharing companies can be complex and different from a standard car accident case. Your lawyer can help you navigate the process and receive the compensation that you deserve.
Determining Who the Defendants Are in a Lyft Car Accident Case
Lyft-related car accidents often involve more parties than a standard car accident case. It is not always clear who you should file your claim against. If the Lyft driver was negligent, you will typically file a claim with the driver’s personal insurance carrier.
Since Lyft drivers work as independent contractors the company is generally not liable for drivers’ negligence. However, there are some situations where you may have a claim against the ridesharing company. For example, when the victim’s damages exceed the Lyft driver’s personal liability coverage limits.
The accident may also have involved one or more other vehicles. If the actions of these drivers contributed to the accident then you may also have claims against their insurance companies. It is also possible that the negligence of a third party contributed to the accident. For example, a mechanic improperly installed brakes on the Lyft driver’s car resulting in brake failure.
Consulting with an experienced Atlanta Lyft accident lawyer can help you sort through these details, clarify who the potential defendants are in your case, and guide you through the claims process.
Types of Compensation Available in a Lyft Accident Case
Once you know who your claim is against, you can move forward with collecting damages. This may involve settling with the insurance company or taking your case to trial. Damages in a Lyft accident cases fall into 3 general categories.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are those that are objective and documentable. Some examples of economic damages include medical expenses, lost wages, lost benefits, and property damages. Lyft accident victims that are not represented by an experienced Lyft accident lawyer often make the mistake of accepting a settlement offer from the insurance company that includes less economic damages than they are entitled to.
For example, the victim may require ongoing and future medical treatment beyond the medical expenses that have already been incurred. Determining these amounts typically requires the assistance of an expert.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are those that are subjective and not documentable. Some common examples of non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship, and loss of consortium. Proving non-economic damages can be difficult and complex. Non-economic damages are determined by a judge or jury.
Punitive Damages
Georgia caps punitive damage awards at $250,000. Punitive damages are not common. They are typically only awarded in cases that involve significant wrongdoing such as driving drunk and causing the accident.
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Discuss Your Case with an Experienced Atlanta Lyft Accident Lawyer
If you or someone that you know has been injured in Lyft-related car accident in Georgia, contact the experienced Atlanta accident attorneys of Ahmad Injury Law at 404-574-5217 to discuss your rights and options. We offer FREE consultations and our compassionate and capable staff will assist you every step of the way.
