Helping The Hurt Details Steps After Uber Accident

Peachtree City, Georgia -

A new article covering the basics of personal injury law regarding Uber collisions has been published by Helping the Hurt Personal Injury Lawyers - Georgia. As it is a highly popular rideshare service, Uber users are advised to read the post in full to be aware of their rights following an accident.

“There are also plenty of times people might need an Uber,” acknowledges the firm in the article, “like if they've been drinking or just landed in a new city. But not many people think about what happens if your Uber gets in an accident. How do you know who the at-fault driver is? Whose insurance company handles the accident? Can you file a personal injury lawsuit against a rideshare company? To answer these questions, it's essential to understand what happens if you get into an accident with Uber and what to do if you've been injured."

Among the best car accident lawyers in Georgia, Helping the Hurt has worked on numerous cases of this nature, and they explain that the legal system allows the parties involved (including the insurers) to determine who is liable for the accident in question. While Uber’s presence adds an intriguing complexity to the equation, a collision on the road will still be considered a car accident, and liability will be determined in the same way — by uncovering whose actions or negligence led to the accident.

Briefly put, should the other driver be found to be at fault, they will be held liable. As such, an Uber passenger can seek compensation for any injuries they may have suffered from the at-fault driver's insurance company. Conversely, should the rideshare driver be found to have caused the accident, they will be held liable, and their passenger may be able to file an insurance claim against this driver’s personal auto insurance policy in order to pursue compensation. The firm clarifies that this is not the case if the driver does not have commercial car insurance or a clause that says their car insurance covers rideshare accidents.

This is why rideshare users should be aware that companies like Uber are likely to have third-party liability insurance. In practice, this means, should the at-fault Uber driver’s insurance not cover any damages that resulted from the accident, Uber has up to $1 million available to provide as compensation for injuries.

While many might assume that the existence of rideshare services is unlikely to have a significant impact on the rate of accidents on the road, Helping the Hurt points out that, "The presence of rideshare drivers is causing an increase in traffic congestion in major metropolitan areas. Deadheading is another element of ridesharing services that contributes to traffic congestion. Deadheading occurs when a ride-share driver is traveling on the roadways but not transporting any passengers. This congestion leads to more accidents and more accident fatalities.”

In addition to rideshare drivers themselves being involved in accidents, this congestion likely has some sort of ripple effect that leads to a higher likelihood of traffic collisions and similar incidents across a region. The article says rideshare services have led to a 3% annual increase in traffic fatalities, according to researchers who analyzed fatal automobile crash rates in cities where major rideshare companies, including Uber and Lyft, have a presence.

As with any car accident, an Uber accident can leave a victim feeling unsure of their next steps, especially if they suffered injuries that are likely to need extensive medical attention. To make sure they receive the compensation they need and deserve, it is advisable for them to consult with specialized Uber accident attorneys who are experienced in such cases.

The firm’s first piece of advice is to call emergency services, ensure all involved parties are accounted for and then seek medical attention if necessary. Following this, they should make an attempt to document the scene and present parties as accurately as possible, from taking pictures of the accident and noting its location, the time of day, road conditions and more to obtaining the information of the Uber driver and any other drivers involved in the crash.

The exact information that should be documented is detailed further in the full article, which can be found on the firm’s official website. Those interested may connect with Helping the Hurt Personal Injury Lawyers - Georgia for a free personal injury case review.