Were you injured in a crash with a rideshare driver? Instead of trying to seek justice on your own, contact Jones & Swanson for legal representation from our Lyft accident lawyers in Canton. Our attorneys have over 50 years of combined experience.
Together, we have won more than $50 million in payments for our clients. Our firm has been practicing personal injury law since 1995, and our rideshare accident lawyers in Canton have what it takes to handle your case from beginning to end. The sooner you call, the sooner we will start working on your claim.
Lyft Crashes Might Create More Than One Insurance Question
A Lyft accident differs from an ordinary two-car collision primarily because the driver’s status in the rideshare app matters. Georgia law specifically addresses insurance requirements for transportation network companies.
These include companies that use a digital network to connect customers with drivers who provide transportation on their behalf. The statute defines transportation network company services according to these details:
- Whether the driver is logged into the network
- Whether the driver is available for a ride request
- Whether the driver has accepted a ride request or is transporting a passenger
That means the same Lyft driver’s insurance situation might change depending on what was happening in the app when the crash occurred. For an injured person, this distinction matters because different policies and coverage limits could be involved.
An insurance company could also investigate the driver’s status before determining which policy should respond. Our Canton car accident lawyers will examine the driver’s rideshare status, the circumstances of the collision, and the available insurance policies.
Georgia Requires Insurance Coverage for Rideshare Drivers
Our Canton personal injury lawyers are familiar with the Georgia laws that establish specific insurance requirements for transportation network companies and their drivers. O.C.G.A. § 33-1-24 distinguishes between these two periods:
- When a driver is logged onto the rideshare network and available to accept a ride
- The period after the driver accepts a ride request until the ride is completed
When a driver is logged into the network and available to accept a ride, the transportation network company must maintain primary motor vehicle insurance of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $50,000 for property damage.
This coverage generally applies when the driver’s personal insurance policy does not cover the crash or does not provide enough coverage.
When the driver has accepted a ride request and is providing the requested transportation, Georgia law requires higher coverage of at least $1 million for injury, death, and property damage. However, this does not mean every Lyft accident automatically results in a $1 million payment.
Insurance limits establish the amount of coverage available under a policy, but they don’t determine the value of an individual injury claim. We will review the facts of the crash, the severity of your injuries, and all losses involved in your case.
Determining Fault Requires More Than Just an Accident Report
Insurance companies often want a straightforward explanation of how a collision happened; however, crashes are not always straightforward. A Lyft driver could be accused of:
- Speeding
- Following too closely
- Making an unsafe turn
- Changing lanes improperly
- Driving while distracted
- Failing to yield
- Violating another traffic rule
The driver could also have been looking at the rideshare application while driving or dealing with navigation instructions immediately before the collision. The evidence should establish what actually happened rather than relying on assumptions.
Depending on the circumstances, your Jones & Swanson Lyft accident attorney in Canton may gather evidence such as:
- The police accident report
- Photographs and video from the crash scene
- Vehicle damage
- Statements from passengers and witnesses
- Traffic camera footage
- Rideshare trip information
- Information about the driver’s status within the Lyft application
- Cell phone or other electronic records when legally obtainable
- Medical records
- Employment and wage records
- Statements from treating medical professionals
- Other evidence related to the collision
The purpose of gathering this evidence is not simply to prove that a crash happened. The evidence needs to connect the negligent conduct to your injuries and establish the losses resulting from those injuries.
Georgia Uses Comparative Negligence in Injury Cases
In Georgia, state laws recognize comparative negligence. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33, when an injured person’s own negligence contributes to an accident, the person’s recovery could be reduced based on their share of fault.
Georgia law also provides that recovery is barred when the injured person’s negligence is equal to or greater than the defendant’s negligence. This is important if insurance companies argue that you contributed to the crash.
For example, an insurer could claim that another driver is not entirely responsible because you engaged in one, if not multiple, of these behaviors:
- Speeding
- Failing to yield
- Driving recklessly
- Driving distracted
- Contributing otherwise to the collision
The strength of that argument depends on the actual evidence. A statement from an adjuster does not determine your percentage of fault. The circumstances surrounding the collision need to be examined carefully.
Our Canton Lyft accident attorneys will address allegations of comparative negligence and work to establish the facts supporting your position. This is particularly important when several drivers or other parties were involved in the crash.
Call Jones & Swanson for Legal Advice From Our Lyft Accident Lawyers in Canton
At Jones & Swanson, our firm is not a large television advertising firm where clients are treated like numbers. Instead, our Canton Lyft accident attorneys emphasize direct communication, personal service, and straightforward advice.
As our client, you will have a specific team working on your case, and our attorneys will remain focused on the individual circumstances surrounding your injuries. You deserve to know who is handling your case and how that person plans to pursue the compensation you deserve.
Count on our Canton Lyft accident attorneys to investigate the crash, identify which insurance coverage applies, address disputes over fault, and pursue your claim by negotiating or litigating as necessary. Contact us today to learn how we will help with your claim.
