If a careless or reckless rideshare driver hurt you, you want an Athens rideshare accident lawyer from our firm to manage your case. We understand how fault, liability, and insurance coverage work in these cases. Our Athens car accident lawyer can help you file your claim and pursue fair compensation.
At Kaine Law, we have multiple decades of collective experience handling many types of car accident claims. We know how to build a case and hold the at-fault party or parties accountable. Contact us today to learn more. We provide a free initial consultation for victims.
Recoverable Damages in Your Rideshare Accident Case
Car accidents are expensive. Many victims do not realize how much they are spending in the first few days or weeks after a crash to get the care they need, manage other necessary tasks, and ensure they can get back on their feet as soon as possible. Sometimes, especially with serious injuries, there are future care needs to consider, too.
When our attorneys handle a crash case, we work to identify and document as many expenses and losses as possible. This service ensures we are seeking fair compensation for our client based on their full range of damages. Some common damages in these cases include the following:
Economic Damages
Economic damages include the current and future expenses and financial losses that occur because of a crash and injuries, such as:
- Medical bills
- Future medical care costs estimated by experts
- Lost income
- Lost earning capacity
- Rehabilitation and therapy expenses
- Medical equipment and support
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses with receipts
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are intangible losses experienced because of an accident and injuries. This impact on your quality of life could include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability
- Scarring or disfigurement
What If Your Loved One Died From Their Rideshare Accident Injuries?
Under O.C.G.A § 51-4, the surviving spouse and minor children get first priority for filing a wrongful death lawsuit. If there is no surviving spouse, the children can pursue a claim. If there is no spouse or children, the victim’s parents can sue.
When there are no eligible family members, the victim’s personal representative can pursue damages on behalf of the estate.
The recoverable damages in a Georgia wrongful death case are meant to compensate for the full value of the victim’s life. These damages could include such losses as:
- Lost income and benefits
- Loss of care and companionship
- Conscious pain and suffering of the victim before their death
- Estate-related damages, such as medical care costs and funeral expenses
For a free legal consultation with a car accident lawyer serving Athens, call 404-214-2001
How Our Team Approaches Athens, GA, Rideshare Accident Cases
At Kaine Law, our lawyers fight for victims and their families, helping them get compensation and holding the at-fault parties accountable. Attorney Evan Kaine and his team can help you understand your rights and make the claims process easy and stress-free for you. You can count on us to listen to you and provide the individual attention you need and deserve.
As you can see from our verdicts and case results, we have a strong understanding of how these cases work and how to help you win compensation based on your accident and injuries. Every attorney and member of our team cares about you and wants to see you recover as fully as possible.
We offer a no-fee guarantee. We work based on contingency, and your contract will state that you owe nothing unless we secure compensation for you. You will never pay us upfront for our services. Contact us today to learn more about how this fee structure works. We provide a free consultation for all potential clients.
Athens Car Accident Lawyer Near Me 404-214-2001
We Know How Rideshare Accidents Happen and How to Determine Liability
If you were hurt by a careless rideshare driver, an Athens personal injury lawyer from our team is a great resource for building the strongest case possible and seeking fair compensation. Whether you are heading to campus for class, leaving the 40 Watt after a show, or buying groceries on the East Side, using Uber or Lyft is a regular occurrence in Athens.
However, when a rideshare driver causes a crash, they are legally liable for the damages that occur, and insurance coverage in these cases is complex.
Rideshare drivers generally cause accidents by violating traffic laws, leading to a collision. Some factors that play a role in these crashes include the following negligent driving behaviors:
- Distracted driving: Drivers looking at the rideshare app or GPS could make mistakes on the road.
- Fatigue: Unlike commercial drivers, rideshare drivers do not have limits on how long they can drive without adequate rest.
- Speeding: Drivers may rush to complete more rides.
- Illegal stops: Rideshare drivers could stop suddenly or in unsafe locations to pick up or drop off passengers.
- Failure to yield: Ignoring the right-of-way rules at intersections or crosswalks is a common cause of injury accidents
- Reckless lane changes: Drivers in a hurry to pick up or drop off a passenger might weave through traffic without signaling
- Unfamiliarity: Drivers who are unfamiliar with local roads or traffic patterns could make mistakes behind the wheel.
- Impaired driving: Some rideshare drivers might be driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Aggressive driving: Rideshare drivers may cause accidents by following too closely, cutting off others, or engaging in road rage behaviors.
Accidents caused by rideshare drivers could have several types of victims:
- Passengers in the rideshare
- Occupants of other cars
- Bicyclists
- Pedestrians
All these victims could have a case against a rideshare driver if they acted negligently. This generally involves violating a traffic law and causing an injury accident, whether that is colliding with another vehicle, hitting a pedestrian, or striking a cyclist.
Click to contact our Car Accidents lawyers today
Understanding How Rideshare Insurance Coverage Works After a Crash
While you may understand your own auto insurance policy, things are more complex when it comes to a rideshare driver’s coverage. Both Uber and Lyft provide insurance coverage for their drivers, but the policy in effect and the extent of coverage depends on the driver’s activity when the collision occurs. Generally:
When the App Is Off
When the driver is offline, their personal auto insurance coverage should apply. If their insurer denies the claim, you may need to turn to your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, file a lawsuit, or explore other options with our team.
The App Is On, But No Ride Accepted
When the rideshare driver is on the app and actively looking for a ride, the rideshare companies provide limited liability coverage. This is generally a contingency policy that only applies if the driver’s personal insurance coverage is denied or otherwise does not cover the damages.
The Driver Accepted a Ride and Is En Route to Pick Up or Has a Rider in the Car
When the rideshare driver accepts a ride until they drop off the rider, Uber or Lyft provides a large third-party liability policy that covers $1+ million in damages. This is the policy in effect when you are hurt as a rider in a rideshare vehicle or when the driver is en route to pick up a rider.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
How Our Athens Rideshare Accident Team Manages These Cases
A rideshare accident lawyer from our team will take the necessary steps to manage your claim and build a strong case while you focus on healing. The steps we take for you could include:
Understanding Your Case
You can trust our team to listen to you. We want to know your story. We will assess liability, determine your rights, and clearly explain your legal options.
Collecting Evidence
Our team will gather evidence that could include police reports, photos, witness statements, and surveillance footage to support your claim. This allows us to identify the liable parties and what insurance policy is in effect.
Documenting Your Injuries
We will request and organize your medical records, bills, and treatment plans to document the full extent of your injuries. We also work with experts to understand your future care needs.
Communicating With the Insurance Companies
Your attorney will handle all interactions with the insurance companies. You do not have to worry about it or risk saying the wrong thing.
Filing Your Claim
Our team will prepare and submit your insurance claim with a demand for fair compensation based on your current and future expenses and losses.
Negotiating a Settlement
Your lawyer will negotiate aggressively for a fair settlement, using documentation of your damages and strong evidence to support the claim.
Filing a Lawsuit and Preparing for Trial
If a fair settlement is not possible or there is another reason why it is necessary, we will sue the driver and prepare the case for court. Georgia sets a two-year deadline to sue per O.C.G.A § 9-3-33.
Providing Regular Case Updates
While you focus on healing, we will keep you up to date on key developments in your case.
Talk to Our Athens Rideshare Accident Team Today for Free
At Kaine Law, we provide free consultations for victims of Athens rideshare accidents. We will review your case and discuss your options. Contact us today to get started.
Call or text 404-214-2001 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
