Whenever you hop into an Uber or Lyft to get to where you want to go in Columbus, you put your life in a stranger’s hands. Rideshare drivers often go to areas with heavy traffic and navigate unfamiliar routes to pick up and drop off passengers, which can increase the likelihood of getting into an accident.
When you get involved in a car crash and sustain injuries from the crash, it’s not just physical rehabilitation and medical bills that you have to deal with. There’s also the added burden of talking to big companies like Uber and Lyft or pursuing legal action against the driver.
At Thompson Law, we understand how to navigate the complexities of rideshare accidents that lead to injuries and emotional trauma. With our knowledge of Georgia’s traffic and liability laws, we can help you build a winning legal strategy to get you the justice and financial compensation you deserve. Learn how we can assist with your case by booking a FREE CONSULTATION today.
Rideshare accidents aren’t as straightforward as regular car accidents because they involve multiple parties, from the driver of the car to big transport network vehicle services, like Uber and Lyft.
At Thompson Law, we know the ins and outs of the laws surrounding these rideshare companies, and we’ll use that knowledge to make the legal process as smooth and stress-free for you as possible. Here are just some of the services we provide to strengthen your case:
Our Columbus rideshare accident lawyers will give you the legal support you need from the moment you call us to when we can get you a fair settlement or win your case in court. We’ll give you the peace of mind you need during this dark, stressful time. Understand more about what we do to get justice on your behalf by booking a FREE CASE REVIEW today.
If you pursue legal action against the rideshare driver, you may be entitled to a range of economic and non-economic court-awarded compensatory damages. These include:
Our Columbus rideshare accident lawyers can help you estimate the value of your case, ensuring that it reflects the true extent of your injuries and losses. Then, we’ll fight tooth and nail to make sure you get it.
We believe that rideshare companies and drivers should be held accountable when passengers or other motorists get hurt because of their negligence. Our lawyers make it their mission to hold these parties accountable for your injuries and losses. We’ll protect your rights in and outside of court and hold the at-fault party accountable for their actions to ensure that you get the compensation you need to heal, not just physically, but financially, too.
Liability can fall on many different parties involved, whether it’s the rideshare driver, another motorist on the road, or even Uber or Lyft, if it’s proven that they acted in negligence as an employer or service in Columbus.
To determine who is liable for your injuries, our lawyers dig up all critical evidence available, like police reports, witness statements, dash cam footage, photos and videos of the crash, and more. From there, we pinpoint one or more potentially liable parties.
Then, we prove that this party is at fault for your injuries and losses by demonstrating four key elements:
We provide Rideshare Accident victims with dedicated and tenacious legal representation, ensuring you get fair value for your claim. Our Columbus Rideshare Accidents lawyers will build a strong case with supporting evidence for victims so that you recover the money that you deserve.
Rideshare drivers face all sorts of unique challenges on the job on a daily basis, from constantly having to manage navigation apps on their phones to dealing with heavy traffic on major roads. And while these are valid struggles for any driver to have, they can sometimes lead to serious road collisions. Here are just some of the other common causes of rideshare accidents:
Yes, Uber and Lyft both have comprehensive insurance policies to help cover accidents, especially injuries to the driver and passengers. The coverage of their policies depends on three specific situations where the rideshare driver might find themselves:
Suing Uber or Lyft directly can be difficult because their rideshare drivers aren’t technically company employees but independent contractors. That means these companies aren’t liable for their drivers’ actions. So, in most cases, you would pursue legal action against the driver.
But because these transport network vehicle services have insurance coverage for their rides, you typically won’t have to sue the driver. Our lawyers can talk to these adjusters on your behalf and make sure you get the payout you deserve from your injuries and losses.
In the last decade, rideshare apps have gotten so popular that now, Georgia has strict laws in place for rideshare companies that want to operate within the state. These guidelines are enumerated in Georgia Code § 40-1-193, and include mandates like:
While rideshare accidents can happen on any street in Columbus, it’s important to be aware of the most accident-prone roads in the city. These include high-traffic roads such as:
It’s also important to be extra vigilant in high-traffic landmarks in the city that people flock to. These include the Columbus State University campus, the Columbus Airport, museums, malls, and retail centers in the city. Rideshare drivers often pick up and drop off passengers in these areas, making them potential hotspots for rideshare accidents.
After getting into an accident while riding an Uber or Lyft, immediately check for injuries on your body and seek medical attention. Call 911 if your driver hasn’t already and ask for the police and medics to come. Get checked by the first responders even if you don’t feel any pain or major injuries.
Don’t give recorded statements to anyone without a lawyer. This can be used against you in the future to shift the blame onto you and minimize your payout. It’s best to reach out to a Columbus-based rideshare accident lawyer to learn about your next steps if you want to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses.
If you want to get full, fair compensation for the accident, it’s important to have the right pieces of evidence. This helps your lawyers build the best strategy for your case to get you the maximum compensation you can receive. Critical evidence you need to preserve and obtain from the rideshare accident includes:
Even if your injuries seem minor at first, it’s best to get high-quality emergency and follow-up care after being hurt in a rideshare accident. Here are some of the hospitals you can go to in Columbus, GA for treatment of your injuries:
Rideshare accidents are more complex than typical road crashes. Navigating the legal process alone can be tough. But when you have Thompson Law’s Columbus rideshare accident lawyers in your corner, you won’t have to worry about aggressive insurance companies, deadlines for legal paperwork, or negotiating your compensation. We’ll do all that for you so that you can focus on what matters most: physical and emotional healing from your injuries.
If you want justice, don’t wait any longer. Early legal guidance is the best way to strengthen your case and maximize the compensation you receive. Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION with our team and learn how we can bring your rideshare accident case to victory.
You have two years from the date of the rideshare accident to file a claim against Uber’s or Lyft’s insurance or pursue legal action against the negligent party, typically the rideshare driver. If your claim is solely for property damage, the deadline is four years after the road collision. If you miss any of these legal deadlines, you could lose your right to receive compensation.
Most rideshare accident attorneys in Columbus charge clients a contingency fee instead of upfront hourly or retainer fees. That means instead of paying them as they do their legal services, you pay them with a percentage of the final settlement or compensatory damages you receive if they win your case.
This makes getting legal help more financially feasible, especially as you’re probably dealing with medical bills and other financial obligations due to the accident.
Yes, you can. Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence law that allows victims to pursue a claim as long as they are less than 51% at fault for the accident. The total payout they receive is also reduced by the percentage of their fault.
For example, if you are awarded $100,000 in court damages but were found to be 10% at fault for the accident, you can recover a final amount of $90,000.
Thompson Law charges NO FEE unless we obtain a settlement for your case. We’ve put over $1.9 billion in cash settlements in our clients’ pockets. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your accident, get your questions answered, and understand your legal options.
State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an injury accident, so call today.