Marietta Ridesharing Accident Attorney
Hailing a ride from your smartphone has become an increasingly common way to get around, whether as an alternative to owning a car or as a convenient, safe and responsible way to go out for an evening without having to deal with traffic, parking or the risk of drinking and driving. With more and more drivers for Uber and Lyft on the road, especially in the evenings and on weekends, the probability of getting into a car accident with a rideshare driver is getting more and more likely. How are car accident claims involving a ridesharing vehicle different from other car accident claims? Learn more below, and contact The Strickland Firm if you’ve been hurt in a Marietta ridesharing accident with a driver for Uber, Lyft or another ridesharing service.
Ridesharing vehicles carry more insurance
Section 33-1-24 of the Georgia Code requires transportation network companies (TNCs) to carry more protection than other drivers. Under this law, if a driver is logged into the app and capable of receiving a ride request, the vehicle needs to be covered by a minimum of $50,000 in bodily injury liability insurance for injuries caused to one person, or $100,000 if more than one person is hurt in the crash. The policy must also cover $50,000 in property damage.
Once the driver accepts a ride request, additional coverage kicks in. Now, the vehicle must be covered by a $1 million policy covering personal injury, property damage or death. This coverage lasts until the ride or the transaction is completed, whichever is later.
Georgia law allows for this insurance coverage to be supplied by the TNC, the driver, or a combination of the two. Note that the 50/100/50 minimum is double the 25/50/25 law for drivers on their own, so a driver’s private vehicle coverage might not meet these requirements unless the driver carries more than the minimum required by law. Probably no driver has $1 million in liability insurance, though, so the TNC will need to purchase some, if not all, of the liability insurance for its drivers.
Are rideshare drivers more or less safe than other drivers?
You might think that rideshare drivers would take extra care when transporting passengers and would be less likely to cause an accident. However, there are many other factors at play that may increase their risk of a crash. For one, rideshare drivers may work a full day at another job before logging in and taking to the streets for a shift with Lyft or Uber. They may therefore be more susceptible to drowsy driving, a leading cause of car accidents. Rideshare drivers may also be more prone to distracted driving since they may rely more heavily on programming and following navigation apps while also dealing with ride requests and navigating unfamiliar streets or highways.
People who drive for Uber or Lyft must also consider the additional miles and wear and tear they are putting on their tires, brakes and other vehicle components. It is up to the driver to maintain their vehicle in good condition, even if it means spending more on maintenance than they otherwise would. Additionally, it goes without saying that rideshare app drivers are not professional drivers in the traditional sense of the word and may not have any more training or higher skill level than the average driver on the road. Although the apps let users rate drivers, you typically don’t know how good your driver is or how well the care is maintained when you make a ride request and get matched with a driver.
Get Help from an Experienced Marietta Rideshare Accident Attorney
Given the special rules that apply when the car that hits you is operated by a person driving for Uber or Lyft, it’s especially important to have a seasoned car accident attorney represent you. In Marietta, call The Strickland Firm at 770-420-9900 for a free consultation with a dedicated and successful Marietta personal injury lawyer. There’s no fee unless we recover for you.
