Cumming Rideshare Accident Attorney

Injuries Commonly Sustained in Rideshare Accidents

Common injuries include:

• Whiplash
• Fractures
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal injuries
• Soft-tissue damage

Pedestrians lack the protection of a vehicle. Passengers can also sustain serious injuries, with risks that vary based on their seating position and the circumstances of the collision.

Emotional injuries can include anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder, commonly called PTSD, and may require psychological support or therapy. Medical records, treatment recommendations, missed work, and changes to daily activities can help document how an injury affects your life.

Who Is Liable in a Rideshare Accident?

Determining liability in a rideshare accident can be complex, as several parties may be involved. Potentially responsible parties can include:

• The Rideshare Driver: If the driver was negligent, such as by being distracted, speeding, or driving while impaired, the driver may be responsible for the accident.
• Another Driver: If another motorist caused the crash, that driver and any applicable insurer may be involved in the claim.
• A Vehicle Owner, Manufacturer, or Maintenance Provider: If vehicle ownership, a defective part, or maintenance issues contributed to the collision, those facts may require investigation.
• Insurers Connected to the Trip: Coverage may be available through a driver’s personal policy, transportation network company insurance, or another applicable policy.

A rideshare company isn’t automatically liable merely because its app connected a passenger and driver. Responsibility can depend on negligence, trip status, policy language, vehicle condition, and other collision facts. We investigate the available evidence and negotiate with the parties and insurers involved.

How Does Insurance Coverage Work in Rideshare Accidents?

Insurance coverage in rideshare accidents can be confusing due to the involvement of both the driver’s personal insurance and transportation network company insurance. The applicable policy can depend on what the driver was doing in the app at the time of the collision.

• Driver’s Personal Insurance: If the driver wasn’t logged into the app, personal insurance may be relevant. Some personal policies exclude transportation network company activity.
• Logged-In Coverage: Georgia law requires transportation network company coverage during the period when a driver is logged in and available for ride requests, although the applicable limits and interaction with a personal policy depend on the facts and policy language.
• Accepted-Ride Coverage: Georgia imposes higher minimum coverage requirements from an accepted ride through completion of the trip, including particular uninsured and underinsured motorist requirements.
• Injured Party’s Insurance: Your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may be relevant if available liability coverage doesn’t fully address your losses.

Navigating Insurance Claims: Insurance adjusters evaluate claims according to the available evidence, coverage, and policy terms. Our attorneys can review the interaction between personal insurance, transportation network company insurance, and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage as part of evaluating your claim.

Trip logs, GPS information, app-status records, and insurance communications can be important when coverage is disputed. The available policy limits and sources of coverage vary by claim.

What to Do If You’re Injured in a Rideshare Accident

Protect your health and preserve information about the collision by taking these steps:

• Seek Medical Attention: Get checked by a doctor, even if symptoms don’t appear immediately, and follow treatment recommendations.
• Report the Accident: Report the collision to law enforcement and, when applicable, through the rideshare app.
• Gather Information: Collect driver, vehicle, insurance, and witness information when you can do so safely.
• Save Trip Details: Preserve ride receipts, screenshots, route information, pickup and drop-off details, and app communications.
• Take Photos: Capture the scene, vehicle damage, injuries, and relevant traffic or roadway conditions.
• Contact an Attorney: Speak with a lawyer about the rideshare accident before accepting an offer or signing a statement from an insurance representative.

Keep records of medical treatment, missed work, and conversations with insurance representatives. This information can be useful while we investigate the circumstances of the accident and evaluate potential insurance claims.

The Statute of Limitations for Rideshare Claims in Georgia

For personal injury claims, the statute of limitations is generally two years from the date the right of action accrues.

Delays can affect the available evidence. Witnesses may become unavailable, memories can fade, and digital trip information may be more difficult to obtain. Different notice or filing rules may apply in claims involving wrongful death, minors, government entities, or other circumstances. Consult with our Cumming rideshare accident lawyers as soon as possible to discuss the accident date, potential defendants, evidence preservation, and deadlines that may apply.