Rideshare services are a great way to get around, but they can make getting compensation after a crash more complicated. Whether you are involved in a wreck as a rideshare passenger or a driver of another vehicle, you might be dealing with serious injuries and unsure how to file an insurance claim or lawsuit. Insurance coverage for Uber/Lyft/rideshare accidents in Cleveland can depend on whether the driver has picked up a paying passenger or not. A car collision attorney could help you decide whether filing a lawsuit makes sense and guide you through the process if it does.
Georgia uses an at-fault insurance system, which means the injured driver files a claim with the responsible driver’s insurance company. All drivers in Georgia need to carry a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage and $25,000 per crash in property damage liability coverage. These cover injuries to other people that the policyholder causes. Rideshare drivers are required to have extra commercial insurance, which Uber, Lyft, and other major companies provide. If the driver is signed in to their rideshare app and ready to work, they have $50,000 per person and $100,000 per wreck in bodily injury coverage.
Once they have accepted a trip, the coverage increases to $1,000,000. This higher limit is also in place during the ride. When the Uber/Lyft/rideshare driver is not logged in to their app, their personal insurance policy covers any accidents that happen in Cleveland. Insurance coverage limits are important because drivers usually do not have the financial resources to pay compensation beyond what their insurance pays out, even if a court orders them to do so as part of a lawsuit.
After Uber/Lyft/rideshare wrecks in Cleveland, injured individuals can sue if the other driver caused their injuries by being negligent. This means they failed to uphold their duty to follow traffic laws, pay attention to others on the road, and take reasonable safety precautions. In most cases, the injured person starts by filing an insurance claim. If the insurance company makes a good settlement offer, the injured person can accept it and avoid the stress and legal fees associated with filing a lawsuit.
However, if the insurance company does not pay enough compensation, the injured person can choose to file a lawsuit to pursue additional compensation. Suing can also be an option if there is a dispute about whether the driver was working and which insurance policy applies. Hiring an attorney could make negotiating with the insurance company easier. They could help the injured person understand what to expect and decide when to accept a settlement offer.
If you are involved in a wreck with a rideshare driver or while taking a trip as a rideshare passenger, figuring out how to get compensation can be difficult. Uber/Lyft/rideshare accidents in Cleveland can cause serious injuries that require expensive medical care, so getting the compensation you deserve can make a big difference in your financial situation. Smith Hulsey Law has recovered multi-million-dollar settlements for our clients. Get in touch with us to discuss your crash case today.
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