Rideshare services like Lyft make it easy to get around Atlanta, but accidents can and do happen. When a crash involves a Lyft driver, the insurance rules and legal process are more complex than in a typical car accident. Multiple parties may share responsibility, and Lyft’s commercial insurance policy may apply depending on whether the driver was logged into the app or carrying a passenger.
If you were injured in a Lyft accident anywhere in the Atlanta area, an Atlanta Lyft accident lawyer at Munley Law can protect your rights, investigate the cause, and pursue full compensation for your injuries. Schedule a free consultation today.
There is no fee unless we win your case.
How We Help Atlanta Lyft Accident Victims
Atlanta Lyft accident victims deserve help following an accident. At Munley Law, our team is ready to assist with your case.
We are familiar with some of the most common areas where Lyft accidents occur in Atlanta, including near Phipps Plaza, Lenox Square, and, of course, the airport area.
Our attorneys have driven the same routes along I-85 and dealt with the endless combination of traffic congestion and construction that plagues the city most of the year.
We have helped pedestrians struck by Lyft drivers or other rideshare drivers near popular entertainment venues, including the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Fox Theatre, and State Farm Arena.
You can count on our Lyft accident lawyer to help you get the proof you need, fairly value your case, and fight for full compensation. Our local presence makes us keenly aware of just how challenging your fight may seem at this time. Our experience makes sure that we can handle your case with confidence, as you can see by our history of case results.
Determining the Value of Your Atlanta Lyft Accident Case
The value of a Lyft accident claim in Atlanta can range from $10,000 up to $1.5 million or more, depending on the severity of the injuries and the losses we can prove. Our experience allows us to apply various types of financial losses to your claim. You may not have thought about it, but local courts have recovered in the past. Some of the compensation owed to you may include:
-
Medical expenses from the accident
-
Ongoing medical care, including for rehabilitation, cosmetic procedures, and specialist care
-
Support in your home or modifications to your home as needed
-
Equipment purchases and medication needs
-
Loss of employment or loss of earning capacity
-
Loss of wages and benefits
-
Pain and suffering
-
Mental health complications and post-traumatic stress disorder
-
Loss of quality of life
How much is your Atlanta Lyft accident case worth? To find out, schedule a free consultation with our legal team and let us address all your questions. Lyft insurance policies are robust. However, the burden of proving that Lyft owes you compensation and determining the value of that compensation is not simple. Our extensive experience navigating the local Lyft accident scene gives us the tools necessary to maximize your compensation claim. You can find more information in our car accident FAQs.
Why Getting Damages in a Lyft Case in Atlanta Is Challenging
As you move deeper into your accident case, you may find that filing a claim with Lyft directly is frustrating and, in many cases, overwhelming. Notably, the company offers app-based evidence collection and wants you to simply upload images and file a claim through the app. Doing so is not ideal and can seriously harm you in the long run. That is just one example of how Lyft cases in Atlanta can become more challenging. Consider other reasons:
-
Lyft does not want to pay any claims. They will make it far more challenging for victims to recover losses if they do not have legal representation. They may deny your claim, require endless amounts of medical documentation, or try to shift the blame to your shoulders.
-
The burden of proof is on your shoulders. Under Georgia law, the victim must prove what their losses are. The plaintiff does not have to be proven innocent. As a direct result of this, victims are often given a much too heavy load in trying to find evidence to back up their claims.
-
You are not given all the information unless you demand it. While Georgia courts will listen to motions for access to sensitive data, such as medical records from the driver, getting that information to prove your case is challenging. A lawyer can minimize those risks.
There is no average settlement for an Atlanta Lyft accident. The value of your claim and your ability to recover it are dependent on your ability to know and use Georgia personal injury law to your benefit. Learn more about our success stories by reading our client testimonials.
You Pay Nothing for Our Atlanta Lyft Accident Lawyer Upfront
Munley Law does not charge you anything up front. We begin by providing you with a complimentary consultation, where there is no obligation to work with us if you decide not to proceed. We will answer your questions and provide you with legal guidance on your next step.
If you decide to work with our attorney, we will provide you with routine communication, comprehensive investigation services, and large-firm resources. We fight hard and use our extensive experience to seek full compensation for you.
You never pay us anything during this process. You only pay our Atlanta Lyft accident attorney if you win your case. The cost and overall fee structure will be provided to you during that initial consultation. There are no hidden fees, and the process is straightforward. Learn more about our firm today.
Determining Compensation In a Lyft Accident in Atlanta
Lyft accidents are like other car accidents. The person who causes the incident to occur is often at fault for the losses incurred by others. This is complicated in Lyft accidents because Lyft drivers are not actual employees of the rideshare company. As a result, Lyft is only responsible in some situations, such as when the driver has accepted a ride and is providing services to customers through the app.
Numerous parties could be at fault in a Lyft accident in Atlanta, including:
-
The Lyft driver
-
Lyft itself, if there was an in-app service being provided at the time
-
Other drivers on the road
-
Another company or third-party
-
The city or government agency that failed to keep you safe
Lyft maintains $1 million liability insurance policies on its drivers for situations in which their driver causes serious injuries while providing services. However, drivers themselves must carry at least $100,000 in liability insurance to meet claims when they are logged into the app but not providing a service at the time.
Why Choosing an Atlanta Lyft Accident Attorney Is So Important
In Atlanta, car accidents, including those involving Lyft, occur daily. Data from the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety found that, from 20219 to 2021, the number of traffic fatalities increased by 20%, from 426 to 583, across the 10 counties that make up the metro area. As a local law firm, we understand the dangers of Atlanta roadways and the risks drivers take every time they get into a vehicle and trust the person in the driver’s seat.
Our Atlanta Lyft accident attorneys have helped victims suffering needless injuries due to express lane aggressiveness and fatigued drivers behind the wheel during rush hour traffic.
We know. We have been where you are right now. Most importantly, our Atlanta Lyft accident lawyer has also helped victims to get fair compensation in these challenging cases. You can trust us to do the same for you.
Lyft Laws in Atlanta, Georgia
In Georgia, rideshare companies are referred to as Transportation Network Companies. Transportation Network Company (TNC) regulations are different from those of a standard driver. These Georgia Public Service Commission rideshare rules have several specific factors that you should understand before you move your case or claim forward:
-
Endorsements: State and municipal rideshare regulations require that rideshare drivers obtain a “for hire” endorsement for their license or be certified by the rideshare company as being competent to drive.
-
Background check: Direct background check requirements are in place. That is, Lyft is responsible for completing both a criminal background check and a driving record check before allowing any driver to operate with the company.
-
Age: All rideshare drivers must be at least 21 years of ag
Drivers must also have appropriate commercial insurance coverage. Under O.C.G.A. § 33-1-24:
-
If the TNC app is on, the driver is available to accept rides: The minimum bodily insurance and property damage liability insurance drivers must have is $100,000 for all persons in any one accident, with a maximum of $50,000 for injuries to one person. An additional $50,000 minimum property damage policy is necessary.
-
If the TNC has accepted a ride and is transporting a passenger, bodily injury and property damage liability increases to a minimum of $1 million per occurrence. Underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage is also required.
These are some of the differences in personal vs. commercial use distinctions for Lyft drivers. In Atlanta, if you are planning to use a Lyft service, you need to know who is going to cover your losses. Even if they are responsible, insurance companies will still fight to lower the amount of compensation paid to you.
Accident Types Involving Lyft Drivers
Driving-related accidents in Atlanta include a wide range of preventable incidents. Some of the most common causes of accidents with Lyft drivers include:
-
Distraction with phones, conversations, food, or daydreaming behind the wheel
-
Reckless driving, including illegal lane changes, speeding, and tailgating
-
Intoxication, including from alcohol or drugs
-
Mechanical failures from vehicles that lack maintenance
-
Fatigue due to long hours worked on the job
-
Inexperience, noting that Lyft drivers have no specialized training for their service
We gather evidence to build your case from all possible sources. This includes witnesses, dash camera footage, police reports, accident reconstruction work, and expert testimony. Our Atlanta Lyft accident lawyers are aggressive in seeking all data possible to build your case.
Common Accident Injuries from Lyft Driver Recklessness
You trusted the person driving the vehicle to get you there safely. They failed. You have emotional, physical, and financial losses. We do not recommend simply settling your case. That is especially true when you have serious injuries such as the following.
-
Traumatic brain injuries
-
Spinal cord injuries
-
Broken bones or crushing accidents
-
Lacerations
-
Internal organ injuries
-
Disfigurement
-
Burns
If you went to any of Atlanta’s hospitals, such as Emory University Hospital or Northside Hospital, we strongly recommend focusing solely on your recovery. Let our attorney handle the claims process for you, and be sure to read our promise to you.
Frequently Asked Questions in Atlanta Lyft Accident Cases
What if My Injuries Require Ongoing Treatment?
Serious crash injuries often need months or even years of medical care, from surgeries and physical therapy to medications and assistive devices. If your treatment isn’t finished when your claim is resolved, it’s crucial to account for future costs. At Munley Law, we work with medical experts and financial professionals to estimate the full lifetime impact of your injuries. We pursue compensation for future medical bills, rehabilitation, lost earning capacity, and long-term pain and suffering, so you aren’t left paying out of pocket later.
Are There Damage Caps in Georgia?
Georgia does not typically cap the compensation you receive from economic or non economic damages. However, in the case that you recover punitive damages for particularly egregious behavior, the state implements a $250,000 cap.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?
The Georgia statute of limitations allows a victim of personal injury 2 years from the date of the accident to seek a lawsuit against those at fault. If you delay in this process, you may be unable to file a claim for compensation at all.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Trusted, Proven Atlanta Lyft Accident Attorney
As Atlanta’s trusted Lyft accident law firm, you can count on Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys to remain by your side throughout your case. We provide you with comprehensive legal guidance to support the most comprehensive claim possible. Contact us now to discover how we can assist you at a free consultation.