Duluth, GA Lyft Accident Lawyer

Rideshare companies, sometimes called Transportation Network Companies, hire freelance contract drivers who use their personal automobiles to transport others. As such, they are generally not considered to be employees. Potential passengers use a convenient smartphone app to arrange rideshare services on demand, although they can also schedule their rides in advance. Passengers can request a ride through the app, and the app handles the payment, including tip, automatically.

No, Lyft doesn’t require its drivers to obtain extra training; however, they do have to meet specific requirements. Drivers must be 21 years of age and have a valid U.S. driver’s license and at least one year of driving experience. Lyft also performs a DMV check and background to review the applicant’s driving history or criminal history.

Unfortunately, Lyft drivers are prone to causing car accidents because of the nature of their job. Most Lyft drivers aren’t familiar with the place they are taking their passengers. As such, they must rely on their cell phones or GPS to get directions. Their attention is always lured away from the road and their driving to get directions.

As if that weren’t enough, their smartphones are continually going off when a new passenger requests a ride, which further diverts their attention away from safely driving their car. At Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC, we can obtain cell phone records in car accident claims to determine whether a driver was active on their cell phone at the time of the collision or not.

Fatigue is another substantial factor when it comes to Lyft accidents. Drivers are not highly compensated for their time and often have another job, so they sometimes work long hours. These circumstances often put exhausted people behind the wheel of Lyft vehicles. Considering that drowsy driving can be more dangerous than drunk driving, this is a scary prospect.

Another factor is other distractions. With a constant rotation of new people in their vehicles, some drivers may find that they focus more on their passengers than on the road and driving.

You should always report any accidents to Lyft as soon as you can. If you were a passenger in the Lyft vehicle, you could report it by using the app. If you were in another vehicle and were involved in a crash with a Lyft driver, they recommend using their website. Don’t forget that if you were injured, you shouldn’t sign anything or accept a settlement until you’ve talked to a Duluth Lyft accident lawyer.

Yes, Lyft drivers are required to have private auto insurance under Georgia law and per Lyft policies. In some instances, Lyft drivers may need to rely on their insurance coverage when they are on or off duty.

Georgia requires all drivers to have the following minimum liability auto insurance coverages and limits:

• Bodily injury liability – $25,000 per person and $50,000 per incident
• Property damage liability – $25,000 per incident

Liability insurance pays for damages, such as vehicle damage or medical bills, to others on behalf of the policyholder. There are other situations in which liability coverage can help protect the insured, for example, if someone alleges they are at fault and makes a claim against them.

It’s important to note that although liability coverage is required, neither Lyft nor the state of Georgia dictates which insurance company a driver must use.

Lyft’s insurance becomes effective once a driver is active. “Active” means their app is on. They are available to pick up passengers, are en route to a pickup, or are driving a passenger to their destination. However, if their driver app is off, their own auto insurance policy would cover any damages that occur.

The answer depends on if the Lyft driver accepted a request and en route to a new passenger. Typically, the primary liability coverage begins when the driver accepts the assignment. Until then, the Lyft driver’s personal insurance policy must provide coverage. Suppose the driver doesn’t have enough coverage for all of the damages they caused. In that case, Lyft has insurance coverage for the driver, but not as much as the primary coverage.

If you’re involved in a collision with a Lyft driver who didn’t have a passenger at the time, you could struggle to receive a fair settlement. Having the representation of a Duluth Lyft accident lawyer can help ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.

Depending on the circumstances of your accident, either Lyft or the driver of the other vehicle. Lyft fully insures passengers for the entire ride. However, Lyft or their insurance carrier may determine that your rideshare driver’s own insurance is liable for your losses. Many different factors will determine which insurance company will handle your claim. Rideshare accidents are some of the most complex cases and require a knowledgeable Duluth Lyft accident attorney.

Lyft has insurance coverage for injuries and damages you sustain as a passenger. However, if the other party is at fault, their insurance should pay for injuries and damages. If that driver is uninsured or underinsured, Lyft has a policy for that. In this situation, your claim could get complicated because there will be multiple insurance companies to deal with. They could decide to combine forces to give you a lower settlement offer than you deserve.

No, if you file a valid injury claim under Lyft’s insurance policy, you will suffer no penalty. Lyft pays a portion of each fare directly to their insurance companies for this purpose. Pursuing a claim and retaining an experienced Duluth Lyft accident attorney from Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC won’t cause you to lose your access to Lyft or otherwise suffer a penalty.

Suppose you have injuries due to a Lyft driver’s negligence. In that case, the law in Georgia (OCGA 33-1-24) requires at least $1,000,000 liability coverage for all injuries, death, and property damage, and $1,000,000 underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage. To have your claim covered under the Lyft auto insurance policy, you must be on a ride with a rideshare driver, or the driver has to have accepted a ride request on the company’s digital network when the accident happens.

Coverage begins when the Lyft driver accepts a ride request on the company network and lasts until the driver finishes the transaction or ride, whichever is later.

Lyft uses different insurance companies in different states. They also frequently change auto insurance carriers. It’s important to know which insurance company you are dealing with if you need to file a claim.

In Georgia, Lyft has insurance through Progressive Commercial. The coverage is as follows for damages to others:

• Bodily injury liability – $50,000 for each person or $100,000 for each accident
• Property damage liability – $50,000 for each accident
• Bodily injury and property damage liability – $1,000,000 combined single limit
• Uninsured motorist – Bodily Injury and Property Damage $1,000,000 combined single limit

Your Duluth car accident lawyer can explain more about how these coverages might apply in your case.

More often than not, rideshare accident cases involve three separate insurance groups; the other driver’s private insurance, the rideshare company’s insurance, and the Lyft driver’s own insurance. With all the insurance policies involved and multiple corporations, any accident claim can quickly get confusing. The result could be an unfavorable settlement or result in multiple entities attempting to give you a low settlement offer.

The best way to avoid this is to hire a skilled Duluth Lyft accident attorney. Your attorney will represent your interests and do everything they can to get you a favorable settlement, no matter how complex your case is.

Car accidents often result in painful injuries that will require time and the appropriate treatment to heal. For some, recovering might mean missing work and having to deal with chronic pain.

With the help of a Duluth Lyft accident lawyer, you could obtain monetary compensation for you:

• Pain and suffering
• Medical costs
• Property damage
• Lost wages

No two rideshare accidents are the same. Complicated insurance policies and coverage make rideshare accidents especially difficult to value. Hiring a reputable Duluth Lyft accident lawyer is the best way to ensure that you get the maximum compensation available for your claim if you’ve been in such an accident. At Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC, we can help you determine whose insurance is liable for your injuries and damages. Once we know who is liable, we can help you recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, physical therapy bills, chiropractic treatments, personal recovery time, and even any related childcare costs.

Although no one can predict the future, your Duluth Lyft accident attorney can provide you with their professional opinion as to why your case might settle or go to trial. More often than not, most car accident cases settle before going to trial.

Settlements are preferable to both injured parties and insurance companies because they:

• End the case sooner
• Are less expensive than going to court
• Don’t require the injured party to speak to a jury
• Allow all involved parties more control over the outcome, rather than letting a jury decide

Some settlements happen quickly, especially if it is abundantly clear who is liable for the accident. Other settlements can take months or even more than a year. Whether your case settles or goes to trial, the lawyers at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC will be here for you. We provide reliable advocacy to those injured by Lyft drivers, both Lyft customers and others injured in the accident with a Lyft vehicle.

We have a proven track record of winning difficult cases in court. If we can’t reach satisfactory compensation through settlement negotiations, we aren’t afraid to take the case before a judge or jury and advocate for your right to full and fair compensation.