Most people have heard of or used a rideshare service. Uber and Lyft are popular methods of transportation in Georgia and across the United States. Rideshare services can help increase roadway safety, especially if a person has been drinking and needs a ride home. However, the last thing you should have to worry about is getting into an accident while in a rideshare vehicle. If you are in a rideshare crash and another driver is at fault for the incident, you should speak to a qualified Uber accident attorney. You are likely entitled to compensation, but getting that compensation can be difficult.
Your route to compensation will involve insurance
Understanding how Uber and Lyft’s insurance policies work is confusing. There are varying levels of insurance available depending on whether the driver is signed in to work and whether they have a passenger. If you are a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle that gets into a crash, that means you should be covered under the $1 million insurance policy provided by the rideshare company. The good news is that you are entitled to that coverage regardless of who is at fault for the crash.
Why is that good news?
In a regular car accident, one not involving a rideshare vehicle, there are times when both parties are at fault. Even if it is clear that one party is at fault, their insurer will likely try to place some of the blame on the other party to lessen the settlement amount they have to pay. As a rideshare passenger involved in an accident, you do not have to worry about the back and forth over who was at fault. Your crash-related expenses should be covered by Uber or Lyft’s insurance policy.
What are the most common rideshare accident injuries?
Rideshare accident injuries, just like injuries in traditional car accidents, can be severe. It is important to remember that Uber and Lyft vehicles are driven by people just like the rest of us. They are just regular people driving their personal vehicles. While they do have to get their vehicles inspected regularly, that does not mean they are immune to accidents. Some of the most common rideshare accident injuries include the following:
- Broken and dislocated bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Severe lacerations
- Internal organ damage
- Internal bleeding Each of these injuries requires medical attention and can lead to major medical expenses. If an injured rideshare victims cannot work while they recover, they risk losing the income they need to support themselves and their families.
What type of compensation is available in a rideshare case?
Those injured in an Uber or Lyft accident could be entitled to various types of economic and non-economic compensation. This can include the following:
- Coverage of all crash-related medical expenses (past, current, or future)
- Lost income if they cannot work while recovering
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Possible punitive damages against a negligent driver
The total amount of compensation a rideshare accident victim will receive will vary from case to case. Each rideshare accident is different, and factors such as the severity of the injuries, how much treatment is needed, and more can affect the compensation amount. These cases can become complicated, and the insurance carrier will do what they can to lower the amount of compensation you receive. It is important to speak with a qualified and experienced Lyft accident attorney as soon as possible.
