blog home Car Accidents What to Know About Ride-Sharing Accidents in Georgia

What to Know About Ride-Sharing Accidents in Georgia

By Butler Prather LLP on October 31, 2022

Rideshare services are very popular, but there are times when accidents that involve these vehicles occur. When a rideshare accident does happen in Georgia, it is imperative for individuals involved to understand that these are not exactly like every other type of accident. There is specific information about insurance policies that is crucial to know, and there are steps that individuals can take to help recover compensation.

The Insurance Periods Matter

Perhaps the most important thing that you need to know after a ride-sharing accident occurs in Georgia is that the status of the rideshare driver matters when it comes to recovering compensation through an insurance settlement. Both Uber and Lyft have specific “periods” associated with how the insurance works.

Period 0 – Personal Time

Rideshare drivers use their vehicles for personal purposes all the time. When they are doing so, they are not signed in to the right share app to work. Neither Uber nor Lyft will have insurance policies that apply in the event a rideshare driver causes an accident during this driving period. The driver’s personal auto insurance will be solely responsible for paying compensation to other parties involved.

Period 1 – Driver Online, No Ride Request

When a driver signs into a rideshare app to work, this puts them into the next period. However, Period 1 only applies if the driver has not yet received a ride request through the app. During this time frame, both Uber and Lyft will provide supplemental coverage but only liability coverage for other vehicles or passengers in the event an accident occurs. The rideshare driver’s personal vehicle will not have protection from the rideshare company in the event an accident occurs.

Period 2 – Driver Has a Ride Request

If the rideshare driver receives a ride request, this moves the driver into the next driving period. They will typically be on the way to pick up the rider, and during this period, both Uber and Lyft provide $1 million insurance policies.

Period 3 – Driver Has a Passenger

When a driver has an official passenger on board the vehicle, they will also be covered by the same $1 million insurance policy. There will also be collision and comprehensive coverage available through Uber and Lyft that apply during this time frame.

Will an Attorney be Necessary

Recovering compensation after a rideshare accident can be challenging, even if there is obvious insurance available. The reality is that the insurance carriers involved will almost always push back against having to pay out full compensation to those who sustained injuries or property damage as a result of the incident. This is true whether or not you are a rideshare passenger when an accident occurs or a driver or passenger in another vehicle affected by the same incident.

A skilled attorney will examine every facet of the case and help determine liability. An attorney who has experience handling Uber and Lyft claims will be especially valuable because they understand how these cases proceed forward. They will stand up to the aggressive insurance carriers and will not have our problem taking a case to trial if necessary.

Posted in: Car Accidents


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