Lyft Passenger Accidents Attorney Lawrenceville

Lyft Passenger Accidents Lawsuit Lawrenceville

Are Uber and Lyft Safe in Lawrenceville?

While the overwhelming majority of rideshare app trips end without incident, it’s important to remember that Uber and Lyft drivers are just that, drivers. Unfortunately, even drivers making hundreds of trips per day can drive negligently or meet a negligent driver on the road. That means Uber and Lyft accidents do happen.

The starting and endpoints of trips present the most danger for pedestrians and cyclists. Most Uber and Lyft pickups occur in dense urban areas, which means more pedestrians for drivers to account for. When they fail to do so, they can pull towards a sidewalk or enter a parking lot and hit pedestrians in or near the road.

While Lawrenceville itself isn’t as big as nearby Atlanta, it still has some more densely packed parts of town where there’s significant traffic. Unfortunately, Uber and Lyft contribute to an increase in fatalities in high-population urban counties like Gwinnett County.

This matches nationwide trends for rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft. Studies show that Uber and Lyft cause a slight increase in the number of cars on the road in cities where they operate. It follows that with more cars, there are more accidents. One study demonstrated an annual 3% rise in auto deaths nationwide since the introduction of rideshare apps.

While it’s fair to say that most rideshare drivers are safe drivers, there are often incidents on the road that not even safe drivers can avoid. Using the above data to understand what caused an accident can provide critical information when filing an Uber or Lyft passenger accident lawsuit in Lawrenceville.

Most Dangerous Roads in Lawrenceville

The proximity to both Atlanta and great recreation spots draws people to Lawrenceville. But getting between those points of interest or running errands around town requires a car. That means Lawrenceville roads are flooded with cars during rush hours. Unsurprisingly, then, Gwinnett County had the fourth most fatal accidents in Georgia after Fulton, Dekalb, and Cobb counties. Gwinnett also experienced a 29% increase in fatal accidents in a single year.

Some of the more hazardous streets for Lawrenceville drivers and pedestrians include:

1. The intersection of Buford Dr. and Crogan St. saw over 100 accidents in the last 4 years and is one of the most fatal areas due to the sheer density of cars and accidents at that location.
2. Duluth Hwy from the University Pkwy intersection to Philip Blvd. has seen 900 accidents in the last 4 years.
3. The intersection of Duluth Hwy and Medical Center Blvd saw some of the most serious injuries.
4. Jackson St. and GA-124 Scenic Hwy intersection has had 208 accidents in the last four years.
5. Buford Dr. between University Pkwy and Hurricane Shoals Rd. has seen 7 fatal and serious accidents in the last 4 years.
6. The intersection of Sugarloaf Rd and Five Forks has had three serious accidents in the last four years, while the intersection of Sugarloaf and GA-124 saw one death and one serious accident in the same period.

What are Uber and Lyft Passenger Accident Lawsuits For?

Filing a lawsuit is far from every day for most people who aren’t attorneys. It’s understandable to be confused about why a lawsuit might be necessary following an Uber or Lyft passenger or pedestrian accident.

Georgia is what is referred to as an at-fault state. In an at-fault state, the negligent driver is responsible for the damages incurred by an injured victim. If your Uber or Lyft driver was at fault, either they, their insurance, or the rideshare company’s insurance should reimburse you for injuries.

But these insurers might not think they need to compensate you, or if they do, that your injuries do not require as much money as you claim. When this happens, filing a lawsuit might be the only option to recover the money you need to recover from your injury. One area where insurers may doubt or question you is your injuries.

Compensation for Uber or Lyft Accident Injuries

Armed with lawyers of their own, insurers can intimidate even the most steadfast injured victims. They know you’re going through one of the most stressful periods of your life. So when they argue that you were “barely injured,” it can define your recovery. For victims injured in Uber or Lyft accidents, there are a couple of common injuries that can be more serious than an insurer wants to admit.

One common injury is caused by Uber and Lyft passengers riding in the backseat of a car. When a collision occurs, the passenger continues moving forward at the same speed as the car when it is in motion. The force their body exerts while in motion is caught by the seatbelt across their body. The resulting injury is known as “seatbelt syndrome.” At its worst, this injury can cause internal lacerations and bleeding. It can also result in bruised lungs, chest injuries, and fractured ribs. None of these are minor injuries, despite what an insurance adjuster may claim.

An injury like “seatbelt syndrome” might not be felt right away, so receiving medical care after an accident is essential. Waiting until pain appears might mean waiting too long. For so many people, though, hesitancy to get treatment comes from questions of affordability. Compensation from the negligent party is how you can receive the treatment you need. There’s also compensation for:

• Lost Wages: When an accident causes you to miss work, you can recover the lost wages in an Uber or Lyft passenger accident lawsuit.
• Pain and Suffering: In some cases, there might be additional hardship that doesn’t show up in medical records. Georgia courts allow attorneys to seek compensation for pain and suffering under O.C.G.A. § 9-10-184 (2023). An experienced attorney empathizes and can communicate your struggle to the jury.
• Disability: Uber and Lyft accidents, like other car accidents, can have lifelong impacts. These may affect your ability to earn a living. When that happens, turn to the Uber and Lyft passenger accidents attorney Lawrenceville trusts to fight for compensation to keep your household afloat.
• Funeral Expenses: Unfortunately, we don’t always walk away from the accident. If you’ve lost a loved one in a rideshare accident, please accept our condolences. While this might not be true justice, compensation is available for funeral and burial expenses.

What Complicates Uber and Lyft Accidents?

In an accident between two cars, there are typically two parties in the claim. Generally, one party is the driver who caused the accident, and the other consists of the injured driver or passengers. In an Uber or Lyft accident, there are usually more than two parties to the claim.

There may be another driver and their insurance, your Uber or Lyft driver, their auto insurance, and the rideshare app’s insurance. Determining which parties are responsible requires an accurate understanding of the accident itself. It also requires understanding the tricks insurance companies use to shift blame and liability onto other parties.

If any of the mentioned insurance companies pay your claim, that will leave less money at the bottom line. Desperate to avoid this, each insurance company will look to the other or you to cover your injury’s costs. Parsing through the puzzling maze of paperwork, denials, and phone calls can be too much to bear between doctor appointments and physical therapy.

Feeling overwhelmed, too many injured victims take whatever deal is offered to them, even if it’s not enough to cover their costs. That’s why you want to speak with a veteran Lawrenceville Uber and Lyft accident attorney before talking to the insurance companies. They can provide critical preparation for the process ahead so you avoid common pitfalls. They’ll hear your story, assess the relevant facts, and plan a strategy for their client’s justice.

Do Uber and Lyft Drivers Have Insurance?

The state of Georgia and the rideshare app companies require Uber and Lyft drivers to carry automobile insurance. Georgia mandates that the rideshare companies require it to operate in the state. Under O.C.G.A § 40-5-39, rideshare drivers must provide proof of minimum insurance coverage before they can drive for rideshare companies.

Typically, the apps require that drivers provide this documentation when they first register as a driver in the app. This coverage sometimes lapses or expires without the rideshare company knowing. When this happens, uninsured motorists are allowed to transport passengers in violation of the law.

Another common issue for rideshare app drivers is the type of insurance policy they have. Most aren’t aware that their auto insurance only covers them when they’re on a personal trip. The second a paying passenger enters the vehicle, that coverage is void. Unless the driver has additional protection for transporting passengers, they are again transporting passengers while uninsured.

This doesn’t mean that almost every rideshare app driver is driving without insurance. Uber and Lyft recognize that most drivers don’t meet the standards set out in O.C.G.A § 33-1-24, so they insure the driver. According to the law, Uber and Lyft drivers must have coverage of $1 million for death, personal injury, and property damage per occurrence. They must also have coverage for uninsured and underinsured motorists with minimum limits of $300,000.00 for bodily injuries or death per accident, with a maximum of $100,000.00 for bodily injuries or death per person and $25,000.00 for loss of or damage to property of others per accident.

The intersection of these state statutes and multiple insurance policies can complicate your compensation. That’s why having a reliable Uber and Lyft accident attorney working for you can help you make sense of the situation and plan. But how do you know if you’ve found a trusted attorney?

Hallmarks of an Experienced Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer

No two injured accident victims are alike, but they do have similar experiences. One frequent occurrence is being pestered and badgered by an attorney promising to get them a huge settlement. These attorneys sometimes pay paramedics and tow truck drivers to recommend their services or get your contact information. Known as case runners, these attorneys promise big and deliver little, if anything, for their clients.

One of the first questions to ask of a potential firm or attorney is whether they reached out to you first or let you come to them. A firm that understands your injuries and hardship understands and respects that you might not be ready for legal action the second after an accident. Other factors to consider include the firm and attorney’s communication, planning, fees, experience, and resources.

Ease of Communication

You can begin sizing up the attorney and firm before speaking with them. Consider whether they make it easy to speak with an attorney or shuffle you between paralegals, legal assistants, customer service, and anyone other than the person advocating for your justice. If your initial consultation isn’t with the attorney who will be working on your case, is it a consultation? How do you know what will end up in the attorney’s lap?

Leave With A Map

Once you consult with your attorney, they should understand that you’re weary of the road ahead. An accident brings uncertainty, so your initial consultation should clear up as much confusion as possible while setting the stage for the next steps. There are no guarantees here, though, and if an attorney includes a guaranteed win in their plan, that should sound off alarms.

Clear Understanding of Fees

Lawyers provide a service to their clients for which they get paid. A trustworthy attorney doesn’t hide, or hide from, this fact. Instead, they should provide clear written communication of the firm’s fee structure. Working on a contingency fee basis is common practice for personal injury law firms. You don’t pay the firm using this fee structure unless you win. If the firm you speak with isn’t clear on its fee structure, it may not work for your best interests.

Field Experience

If the firm doesn’t highlight its experience on its website, ask about it during the initial consultation. The law touches nearly every aspect of our lives, making it impossible for lawyers to be well-versed in everything. Often, a lawyer has experience in a particular field or subfield. For example, a personal injury (field) attorney may be an expert in rideshare passenger accidents (subfield). That depth of experience can create a more reassuring experience for you.

The Resources to Win

There are often multiple parties in an Uber or Lyft accident claim. Determining who the responsible party is requires a thorough understanding of the accident itself. Piecing together who did what and when requires resources. Tracking down witnesses, documenting the accident, and recreating the scene all take time, money, and people. You should know whether the firm you hire has these resources and can deploy them on your behalf.

Montlick Moves You Forward

Millions of people nationwide use Uber and Lyft to navigate their lives. It’s opened up new ways for people to commute, run errands, or even get to the hospital. But like anything else that hits the road, accidents happen. When those accidents cause injuries, the rideshare apps suddenly aren’t so helpful. Healing and moving on from the accident all take a backseat to the stress of trying to afford the healthcare you need.

There’s a better way forward. With Montlick’s experienced Uber and Lyft accident attorneys, you can get the clarity and advocacy you need to truly heal. We fight on behalf of our clients while keeping them informed every step of the way. You don’t need to suffer in silence, wondering if you can afford life-saving medical treatments. You pursue health. We pursue justice.

If you or a loved one was injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, call us at 1 (866) 806-0996 or dial #WIN (#946). Your initial consultation is free.