When you get a ride in an Uber or a Lyft, you expect that you will arrive at your destination safely and without issues. These services are growing in popularity and use. Some people believe ridesharing is safer than driving yourself, but this is not necessarily the case.

We understand how frustrating it can be to suffer injuries from an accident, especially when you have trusted rideshare services. If you need a lawyer to help you recover compensation, contact a Covington Uber and Lyft accident lawyer at our firm today.

Common Causes of Lyft and Uber Accidents

What are the causes of Lyft and Uber accidents? There are myriad reasons why a rideshare accident can take place. Keep in mind that there may be more than one cause of your crash that might apply. Some of the potential reasons are listed below.

Speeding

Unfortunately, some drivers may not take safety seriously. Speeding causes crashes with life-changing consequences. In Georgia, there were 1,664 traffic fatalities in 2020 alone. The fatalities related to speeding totaled 380 that year. 

Driver Fatigue

Uber and Lyft drivers can spend a long time on the road, causing drowsiness that makes them prone to accidents. For example, Lyft drivers must take only a six-hour break for every 12 hours they are in driver mode. 

Driver Inexperience

This is a significant cause of accidents because drivers do not need training before beginning work for rideshare companies. For example, in Georgia, to apply to be a Lyft driver, you must only be 25 years or older, have a driver’s license, pass a driver screening, and have a car that meets the listed requirements.

Driving Under the Influence

The use of alcohol or drugs while driving can cause a tremendous number of Uber and Lyft accidents and injuries. This is partly because drivers don’t have any specific time they must be driving and often drive late at night. In addition, these companies do not screen drivers for drug or alcohol use each time they get behind the wheel.

Distracted Driving

A driver being distracted is a prevalent cause of accidents involving rideshare vehicles. Distracted driving includes texting, adjusting the radio, or looking at a map on the phone. And remember, Uber and Lyft drivers must use the app on their phones to find and pick up passengers, which can cause serious accidents.

If you have suffered an injury in a rideshare accident, we can assist you with recovering compensation. Contact a rideshare injury attorney at MG Law for more information.

What to Do Following a Rideshare Accident

Seek Medical Care

First of all, you need to ensure your safety. If you have an injury or another person is injured, call 911 immediately. In addition to addressing your medical needs, any records from your healthcare visit may be important in your pursuit of compensation for your injuries. 

Report the Accident to the Police

Likely, since you were the passenger, one of the drivers will call the police. If they do not, you should ensure that you call police officers to the scene to file a police report, which will play an important role in your claim later on.

Gather Evidence

The next thing you need to do is collect information that will serve as evidence about the accident. So you should take photographs of the accident, including any injuries and vehicle damage, and write down what happened. This should include what the weather was like at the time and a brief description of your story.

Collect Information 

You should also get details about both drivers and other passengers and witnesses. The information you will want to gather may include:

  • Names of drivers and passengers,
  • Driver’s license numbers,
  • Telephone numbers,
  • License plate numbers, and
  • Insurance information.

These facts will be crucial later when you file your claim, so ensure you have everything you need. It is also helpful to get contact information from witnesses. 

Notify Uber or Lyft

After collecting any necessary information, you must let Uber or Lyft know about the accident. 

If you are in a crash in an Uber, you can contact their Safety Incident Reporting Line or report it online. If the accident occurred in a Lyft vehicle, you could use their app or visit their website.

Contact Your Insurance Company

After you have contacted the appropriate authorities and sought medical care, you should call your insurance company. They can help you to recover compensation, but our rideshare attorneys will fight for you if you have any trouble. We will ensure that you recover what you need for your losses.

What Are Georgia Laws Surrounding Rideshare Drivers?

You might want to know what laws in Georgia apply to Uber and Lyft drivers in the case of a crash. The law surrounding your claim in Georgia is OCGA 33-1-24. 

If your driver agreed to a ride request or if you were a passenger in a rideshare vehicle that was in an accident, a minimum of $1 million in liability coverage is required. This covers property damage, injuries, and death. There must also be $1 million at the least in underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage for an accident.

What Compensation Should I Expect?

In a rideshare accident, compensation amounts can vary widely depending on your circumstances. However, there are two kinds of damages you may be able to recover: economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are quantifiable and more easily calculated than non-economic ones. These damages may involve:

  • Medical expenses,
  • Lost wages, and
  • Property damage.

If you have questions about what economic damages you could recover, contact a rideshare injury lawyer at MG Law. 

Non-Economic Damages

This category of damage is less tangible and concrete than economic damage. Non-economic damages might include:

  • Pain and suffering,
  • Loss of consortium, and
  • Emotional distress.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you suffered damages in a Uber or Lyft accident. At MG Law, our Uber and Lyft accident attorneys are here to fight for you and help you recover what you need for your injuries.

How Our Attorneys Can Help You

We know how difficult it can be to deal with the distress caused by a rideshare accident. An experienced Covington Uber and Lyft accident lawyer at MG Law can advocate for you and aid you in recovering compensation. We have experience in many areas of personal injury law, including car accident claims, truck accident claims, and nursing home abuse claims.

Call us or contact us online to set up a free consultation.

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