Ridesharing apps such as Uber and Lyft have exploded in popularity in recent years. According to experts, the global ridesharing market will reach $117.34 billion in 2021. Unfortunately, riding an Uber vehicle can be just as dangerous as driving your own car. If you are involved in a car accident involving an Uber driver, you can suffer serious injuries and even death. According to Uber’s own reporting, 58 people died in Uber-related car accidents in 2018. Contact the experienced Atlanta car accident attorneys of Ahmad Injury Law at 404-574-5217 to discuss your rights and options.
Recovering from a car accident 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.
Steps to Take if You Are Involved in an Uber Car Accident
If you have been involved in an Uber-related car accident in Atlanta, the most important thing is receiving immediate medical attention. If you are unable to call for help, request that a bystander call 911 immediately. If you do not require immediate medical attention, check to see if the Uber driver, operators of other vehicles, and any injured bystanders require assistance. Refrain from rendering aid unless you are trained, and they face life-threatening injuries.
Even if no one requires immediate medical assistance, make sure that the police are called. The police will determine if any of the parties need medical treatment and will document the accident. The police report can be crucial to proving negligence at a later date. Determine if there were any witnesses. Collect their names and contact information as well as the information for all drivers involved.
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Photograph the accident scene using your smartphone and record notes about what happened. If you are injured but do not require medical attention at the scene of the accident, consult with a medical professional as soon as possible. Report all the symptoms you are experiencing to your medical professional.
Once you have received medical treatment, contact an experienced Atlanta Uber accident lawyer as soon as possible 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.
Common Types of Uber Accidents
There are many different types of accidents involving Uber vehicles. Since there are often multiple parties involved, determining who can be held liable for your injuries can be complicated. Some common types of Uber-related car accidents that Ahmad Injury Law handles include:
- Injuries suffered due to the negligence of the Uber driver
- Injuries suffered due to the negligence of a driver of another vehicle
- Injuries suffered due to the negligence of another Uber driver
- Third-party negligence claims such as a case against a manufacturer for a defective part
- Injuries suffered by an Uber driver due to their own negligence or the negligence of a third-party
Determining Who the Defendants Are in an Uber Car Accident Case
Uber-related car accidents often involve more parties than a standard car accident case. Again, this makes determining who to file your case against complex. If the Uber driver is negligent, then you would file a claim with the driver’s personal insurance carrier and the driver individually.
In some cases, the ridesharing company may be held liable for the negligence of drivers. Drivers work as independent contractors for Uber and as a general rule ridesharing companies are not liable. But there are some situations where it may be appropriate to file a claim against the ridesharing company. For example, when the victim’s damages exceed the Uber driver’s personal liability coverage limits.
Another driver may also have contributed to the accident. If so, you may have a claim against both the Uber driver and the driver of the other vehicle. Or there might have been a third-party that contributed to the accident. For example, a mechanic that improperly installed brakes on the Uber driver’s car resulting in brake failure.
Consulting with an experienced Atlanta Uber accident lawyer can help you sort through these details and clarify who the potential defendants are in your case.
Types of Compensation Available in an Uber 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 Uber 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. You can prove medical expenses with copies of medical bills and receipts. You may also be entitled to compensation for the costs of future and ongoing medical treatment.
- Lost wages. If you are forced to miss time from work, you can recover compensation for the income that you lost during that period. You can also recover damages for permanent reductions in income. For example, having to accept a lower paying job because you can no longer perform the same job duties.
- Lost benefits. You may be entitled to compensation for lost vacation or sick time, or other paid time off.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are those that are subjective and not documentable. The amounts are determined by a judge or jury. Some 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. It is often necessary to retain a medical expert. An experienced Atlanta Uber accident lawyer can help you determine and prove the amount of your non-economic damages.
Punitive Damages
Georgia caps punitive damage awards at $250,000. Punitive damages are rarely awarded. They are typically reserved for cases involving significant wrongdoing such as punishing a drunk driver for causing an accident.
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Discuss Your Case with an Experienced Atlanta Uber Accident Lawyer
If you or someone that you know has been injured in Uber-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.
