Black Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer in Atlanta, GA

Uber and Lyft are part of everyday life in Atlanta, from airport runs to nights out in Midtown and Buckhead to rides home after games and concerts downtown. With that many rideshare vehicles on the road, crashes happen.

When they do, the insurance picture can get complicated. Coverage depends on whether the driver's app was on, whether a ride had been accepted, and who caused the crash. Rideshare companies and their insurers know these rules well, and they use them to limit what they pay. The Adebayo Law Firm represents passengers, other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists hurt in rideshare crashes. We figure out which policies apply and fight for the full compensation you deserve.

Georgia law requires specific insurance coverage for rideshare drivers, and the amount available depends on what the driver was doing when the crash happened:

• App off. The driver is treated like any other driver, and their personal auto insurance applies. Uber and Lyft coverage generally doesn't.

• App on, waiting for a ride request. Coverage must provide at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for injuries, plus $25,000 for property damage. This coverage can come from the driver's own policy, the rideshare company's policy, or both.

• Ride accepted or passenger in the car. Coverage must provide at least $1,000,000 in liability coverage from the moment the driver accepts a ride request until the passenger leaves the vehicle.

Rideshare policies may also provide coverage when an uninsured or underinsured driver causes the crash. The exact terms depend on the policy in effect at the time. Proving which period applied often requires app data and trip records, which is one reason to get a lawyer involved early.

We represent people in every kind of rideshare crash, including:

• Passengers hurt while riding in an Uber or Lyft, whether the rideshare driver or another driver caused the crash

• Drivers of other vehicles hit by a rideshare driver

• Pedestrians and cyclists struck by a rideshare vehicle, a common risk in busy pickup and drop-off areas

• Rideshare drivers hurt by another driver's negligence while working

Each situation involves different insurance policies and different arguments. We look at all of them to find every source of coverage available to you.

If you're able to after a rideshare crash:

1. Call 911 and get medical care. Make sure a police report is made, and get checked by a doctor even if you feel fine.

2. Screenshot your trip. If you were a passenger, save screenshots of the ride in your app, including the driver's name, vehicle, route, and time.

3. Report the crash in the app. Uber and Lyft both let you report an accident through the app. Stick to the basic facts.

4. Get information from everyone involved. Collect names, phone numbers, license plates, and insurance details from the rideshare driver and any other drivers.

5. Photograph the scene. Get pictures of all vehicles, the road, and your injuries.

6. Get witness contact information.

7. Don't give recorded statements. Adjusters for the rideshare company or the other driver may contact you quickly. You aren't required to give them a statement.

8. Call a rideshare accident lawyer. App data and trip records can be key evidence, and acting quickly helps preserve them.

Rideshare drivers face pressures that can lead to crashes:

• Distraction from the app. Drivers check ride requests, navigation, and messages while driving.

• Fatigue. Some drivers work long hours or drive after a full day at another job.

• Unfamiliar routes. Following turn-by-turn directions can lead to sudden turns and lane changes.

• Rushed pickups and drop-offs. Stopping in traffic lanes or pulling over suddenly in busy areas like the Hartsfield-Jackson pickup zones, Midtown, and Buckhead can cause crashes.

• Speeding to complete more rides.

Of course, rideshare passengers are often hurt by other drivers too, through speeding, distraction, impairment, or running red lights. Either way, we determine who caused the crash and which insurance applies.

Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors, and they generally argue they aren't responsible for a driver's mistakes. In most cases, compensation comes from the insurance policies the companies are required to carry rather than from a lawsuit against the company itself.

There can be exceptions, depending on the facts of the case. We review every rideshare claim to determine whether the company may bear direct responsibility, and we make sure the required insurance coverage is paid in full.

The value of a rideshare accident claim depends on factors like:

• Your medical bills, both now and in the future

• Lost wages and any reduced ability to earn

• Pain and suffering, and how your injuries affect your daily life

• Property damage

• Who caused the crash

• Which insurance period applied, and how much coverage is available from every policy

Because rideshare coverage can reach $1,000,000 during a trip, these claims can be worth more than a typical car accident claim, and insurers fight them hard. After reviewing your case, we can give you a realistic picture of what it may be worth.

Going up against companies the size of Uber and Lyft can feel intimidating. You deserve a lawyer who explains everything in plain language, treats you with respect, and stays in your corner from start to finish. Many of our clients tell us they feel more comfortable working with someone who understands their community. That trust helps us learn the full story of how the crash has affected your life, and that story is what we bring to the insurance companies.