Rideshare Accidents: What Passengers Should Know
Rideshares are a common way to get around these days. Whether you’re heading to a concert in downtown Atlanta, getting home responsibly after a Braves game, or need a ride to work while your car is in the shop, the overall convenience of a rideshare is a great advantage. Anytime you get into a vehicle, either your own or a rideshare, there is the risk of an accident occurring. Rideshare accidents are indeed rising, so passengers need to be prepared.
Since 2022, the most popular rideshare companies have taken the responsibility to cover up to $100,000 in bodily injury per accident with a maximum of $50,000 per person, and $25,000 for property damage. If you’re injured by a rideshare while it is in use, your personal injury claim will most likely be brought to the rideshare company itself and not the driver’s insurance company.
Read on to learn more rideshare accidents and how Ross More Law’s Atlanta-area attorneys can help in the event of an accident.
Steps Passengers Should Take After Rideshare Accident
STEP 1: CALL 911
If you’ve found yourself in an accident involving a rideshare, as with any accident, the first thing to do is check yourself and other passengers for injuries. Make sure everyone is safe, identify any injuries, then call 911 to report the accident and get first responders to the scene as soon as possible if injuries are present.
STEP 2: GATHER EVIDENCE
Once the police and first responders have arrived at the scene, begin gathering evidence. The police will be collecting statements for the police report, so answer their questions and ask for the officer’s badge number and name for your records. Take photos and videos of your vehicle’s damage, the other driver’s vehicle, your injuries, the surrounding area, the location, and the road conditions.
STEP 3: WITNESS INFORMATION
Gather the names and contact information of the other individuals involved. If there are witnesses, get their names and contact information, so they can provide a witness testimony for your personal injury case.
As soon as you can, write down everything you remember from the accident, so you can accurately recall it later, like if you have to testify in court or discuss the facts with your insurance company.
Who is at Fault?
When determining fault in a rideshare accident, there are a few questions that must be answered, including:
- Did the rideshare driver cause the accident?
- Was the rideshare driver actively using the rideshare app when the accident occurred?
- Were other parties involved that may have contributed to the accident?
An important piece of the puzzle is whether or not the rideshare was in use during the accident, since rideshare companies must insure their drivers while they’re working. This will determine whether or not the rideshare company can be held liable for damages.
Rideshare Insurance
Rideshare companies insure their drivers, so they are covered while on the job, but also require their drivers to have auto insurance of their own.
If the rideshare driver was using the app and waiting for the passenger or actively picking up or transporting a passenger, the rideshare company’s insurance policy should cover the damages if the rideshare driver was found at fault.
If the accident occurred while the rideshare app was not in use, the driver will likely have to turn to their personal insurance policy to cover the damages. If the accident was caused by another driver besides you and the rideshare, a vehicle malfunction, or a hazardous road condition, the fault will likely fall to the third party’s insurance policy.
Contact Ross Moore Law Today!
As rideshare options continue to increase in popularity, it’s important to know the risks and who is liable when an accident occurs. Let Ross Moore Law be your trusted team of attorneys in Atlanta when it comes to your personal injury case. We will fight for you in court and handle all the needs of your insurance company and the rideshare company to get the compensation you deserve.
Looking for a local personal injury attorney to handle your case? Our team at Ross Moore Law is eager to put our experience to work for you. Call us today or book a free consultation online!
Conveniently located in the heart of Atlanta, GA, we are proud to serve clients throughout the surrounding areas of Athens, Alpharetta, Peachtree Corners, Marietta and more! In addition to Georgia clients, we welcome Tennessee clients as well! Get in touch today.
Attorney Ross Moore and our personal injury team handle a wide range of personal injury cases, including:
- Rideshare Accident
- Car Accident
- Truck Accident
- Motorcycle Accident
- Wrongful Death
- Catastrophic Injury
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