| Rideshare Recourse: Apps, Accidents, And Accountability |
| When customers enter a rideshare vehicle, they expect to be transported safely. Unfortunately, accidents happen, leading to questions about who is responsible and ultimately liable for these events. Here are some some basics of how rideshare accidents are addressed in Georgia. Insurance Intricacies Explained Statistics show that nearly 40% of Americans have utilized rideshare apps for transportation, with more than half using services like Uber and Lyft at least once a month. Naturally, rideshare vehicles are not immune to collisions that can put passengers at risk for injuries. The good news is that all Georgia motorists must carry auto insurance; however, the rules regarding rideshare drivers involved in accidents can be tricky — especially considering that most drivers use their personal vehicles while on the job. Typically, rideshare companies carry approximately $1 million in liability coverage. For the rideshare company’s coverage to apply to an accident, the driver must be transporting a customer, traveling to pick up a customer, or be logged in to their app and looking for customers to pick up or waiting for a request. (Note that policy limits in the latter instance are $30,000 for property damage, $50,000 for bodily injury liability per person, and $100,000 per accident.) The company’s insurance policy would not cover rideshare drivers in other circumstances, such as when they turn off their apps between jobs. If the at-fault party was not the rideshare driver, the victim can pursue a claim with the responsible party’s insurer. The laws regarding who can be sued for a rideshare vehicle accident were hotly debated in 2024. In a recent ruling, the Georgia Court of Appeals determined that Lyft qualifies as a “motor carrier” under the Georgia Motor Carrier Act, allowing a victim to sue Lyft’s insurer, State Farm. The decision stemmed from a 2020 accident involving a Lyft driver who struck another vehicle. State Farm had argued that Lyft was exempt from this classification, but the court disagreed. Instead, it noted that while taxi and limousine services are exempt, rideshare companies are not. The Georgia Motor Carrier Act was established in 2015 primarily to address cases involving commercial trucks. The Georgia Court of Appeals ruling came despite recent legislative changes limiting direct-action lawsuits against trucking companies, which did not apply retroactively to this case. Post-Crash Protocol Regardless of who is ultimately determined to be at fault for a rideshare accident, it is important to follow the proper steps afterward. First and foremost, emergency services should be contacted immediately if you or another passenger requires medical assistance. Even if you only have seemingly minor injuries or experience a few aches and pains, seek a medical examination as soon as possible to rule out any serious injuries that may become more apparent in the days following the accident. It is also important to contact the police, as a police report is the foundation of a personal injury claim. If you are physically able, take note of as many details of the accident as possible, including traffic and weather conditions and whether the incident was recorded by video. Additionally, use your phone to document the general accident scene and all visible damage to the vehicles. These images will help determine the severity of the crash and assist in any subsequent personal injury claim you may wish to pursue. Here at Franks Chiropractic Center, we have been treating accident injuries since 1996. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call us at 770-432-1164 |
