Ride share Auto Accident and Insurance, What You Need to Know
Uber (and Lyft) are prevalent modes of transportation in Atlanta and other cities throughout the United States. With the ease of ordering a ride through your smartphone that is often faster, easier, and even less expensive than hailing a cab, it’s easy to understand why. Many people also carry the false belief that ride shares are safer. However, anytime you are in a moving vehicle, there is the risk of an auto accident.
If you have been involved in a car accident involving an Uber or Lyft driver, it’s important to note that both insure their drivers and passengers involved in car crashes, but only when the driver is using the app. The drivers need their own personal auto insurance policy when using their vehicles for personal use.
For example, if an Uber/Lyft driver has accepted a fare and not yet picked up the passenger or is actively on a trip with a passenger, they are then covered by a significant amount of additional insurance. This coverage protects the drivers and passengers in the event of an auto accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist. It also protects those involved in an accident with the Uber/Lyft vehicle.
While Uber and Lyft have considerable insurance policies, keep in mind all insurance carriers are businesses, often seeking to limit their liability and pay out as little as possible for your claims. It is of the utmost importance that you seek an experienced personal injury car accident attorney for advice on your specific situation to collect the compensation you deserve.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident involving a ride share service, speak with an experienced car accident attorney at Joshi & Patel (or is it JPattorneys).
At Joshi & Patel (JPattorneys?) we offer a free case evaluation, no obligation consultation. Once it has been determined that you have a case, we will work for you on a contingent fee basis. In other words, you don’t pay your personal injury attorney fees up-front. Instead, you sign an agreement to pay us a percentage of your settlement amount. You pay us absolutely nothing unless you recover.
**Many of our blog articles discuss the law. All information provided about the law is very general in nature and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Every situation is different, and should be analyzed by a lawyer who can provide individualized advice based on the facts involved in your unique situation, and a consideration of all of the nuances of the statutes and case law that apply at the time.
