Savannah Rideshare Accident Attorney

Our Rideshare Accident Lawyers Represent Victims in Savannah

At Buckhead Law Saxton Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., our rideshare accident attorneys have served traffic accident victims in Georgia since 1977. We understand how Georgia’s personal injury laws work and know how to use them to get justice for our clients. We have fought cases against all major insurers in the state and many smaller companies, too.

We know how to build a case to hold the at-fault driver or another liable party accountable for your injuries, expenses, and losses. We know that insurance companies do not always want to pay out a fair settlement to crash victims, so we help them get the money they need and deserve.

The actions our attorneys take on behalf of clients include:

• Protecting their right to seek fair compensation
• Identifying the applicable insurance policies
• Managing all communication with the liable parties and their insurers
• Investigating what happened to prove negligence and liability
• Gathering strong evidence to support the insurance claim or lawsuit
• Taking action to pursue compensation based on their expenses and losses
• Fighting for their best interests
• Handling all aspects of the legal case
• Monitoring the criminal case, if one exists against the negligent driver
• Working for the client until they receive their check for the payout

Our lawyers work based on contingency. We charge nothing upfront. Our team does not charge you unless and until we close your claim or lawsuit. Instead, our attorney’s fees constitute a portion of the compensation we recover for you. You do not have to pay attorney’s fees unless we win your case.

Who Bears Liability for a Savannah Rideshare Accident?

Georgia law allows victims of traffic accidents to pursue a case against the negligent driver and other liable parties responsible for the crash, no matter the nature or severity of their injuries.

Rideshare accidents can occur in many ways. For example, the rideshare driver can hit you in your car, hit another driver with you in the rideshare vehicle, or cause a pedestrian accident. In any of these events, you can seek compensation through an insurance claim or lawsuit under Georgia law.

To build a car accident case after any crash, you must prove negligence occurred. Generally, drivers who act carelessly or recklessly and cause a collision are negligent and could bear legal responsibility for the crash.

The four elements of negligence include:

• Duty of care
• Breach of duty
• Causation
• Damages

Potentially Liable Parties

Traffic laws create a duty of care for drivers. For example, drivers must be careful to stop when a traffic light turns red. Failing to do so constitutes a breach of their duty. Therefore, they could receive a traffic ticket and face a civil lawsuit if running the red light caused a crash and injuries.

When the negligent driver is a rideshare driver, the company’s insurance could cover the victim’s:

• Injuries
• Accident-related expenses
• Income losses
• Intangible damages

The rideshare company’s insurance coverage applies whenever the rideshare driver is signed onto the app. Both Lyft and Uber provide liability insurance policies that can function as contingent coverage when the driver is logged onto the app but not matched with a rider. As soon as they match with a rider, the company’s $1 million liability policy becomes the primary coverage.

When we pursue compensation for our clients in these cases, we generally file claims against one of these policies and seek a fair payout based on their injuries and recoverable damages. Our team knows how to identify the insurance policy in effect at the time of the crash and seek a payout from the insurance company.

We fight for fair compensation for our clients. We do not believe they should have to pay for their care or rehabilitation due to somebody else’s negligence. So, we hold the liable parties responsible instead. This could include the driver and/or the rideshare company, depending on the facts of the case.

Building an Uber or Lyft Accident Case in Savannah

When a rideshare accident attorney from Buckhead Law Saxton Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. goes to work on a Savannah crash case, we start by learning as much about what happened as possible. In this way, we build strong support for our client’s insurance claims. The necessary steps depend significantly on the facts of the case and available evidence.

The steps our lawyers may take could include:

• Interviewing eyewitnesses
• Identifying and gathering any video of the crash
• Obtaining the police report and other documents
• Working with accident reconstruction experts
• Surveying the accident scene
• Reviewing physical evidence
• Gathering relevant medical records
• Getting information from medical experts
• Documenting the victim’s injuries and losses

Once we gather and analyze the available evidence, we can support our claim against the appropriate insurance company. Then, we must ensure we understand the total amount of our client’s expenses and losses. We value the case by gathering documentation of their bills and missed income, working with experts to understand their prognosis and future treatment and care needs, and estimating the value of their intangible losses.

Having this fair settlement range in mind allows us to demand adequate compensation and negotiate with the insurer for a fair settlement. We may also present evidence in court to show how much our client should receive if awarded compensation following a favorable verdict.

Injuries and Damages Recoverable in a Savannah Rideshare Collision

Rideshare crashes occur in the same ways as other types of car accidents. This could include head-on, sideswipe, rear-end, rollover, and other crashes. The injuries that occur depend significantly on the details of the crash but can range from minor to catastrophic.

Some types of possible collision injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries, concussions, and other head injuries
• Neck and back injuries, including spinal cord injuries with paralysis
• Internal injuries and bleeding
• Traumatic limb injuries, such as amputations, crush injuries and breaks
• Burn injuries and significant scarring
• Severe lacerations, contusions, and abrasions
• Joint injuries

The necessary medical care, rehabilitation, and therapy depend greatly on the injury and severity. Some injuries naturally require more treatment, hospitalization, and time to recover. Crash injuries can also cause lasting damage that prevents the victim from returning to their job or other previous activities.

Recoverable Damages in a Rideshare Accident Claim

Justice in a rideshare accident case usually comes from a one-time payment to cover your related expenses and losses. Therefore, you should understand your case’s value before filing your claim and demanding compensation or taking it to trial.

We only have one chance to recover compensation based on your crash and injuries. Therefore, we need to ensure we seek a fair settlement the first time. We cannot go back for more, even if the circumstances change. We generally do this by identifying and valuing the expenses and losses experienced as a result of the collision. This includes:

Expenses to Date

When you think of your damages, you likely first consider the expenses you paid or owe to date. They include your medical bills, ambulance transportation costs, repairs to your car, and more. Keeping all receipts during this time can help us identify out-of-pocket expenses you paid, too.

Your medical bills, car repair estimates, and any available receipts will allow us to calculate these economic damages quickly.

Related Losses

In addition to having to pay additional money because of your accident, you will probably have related losses. Most notably, income losses related to a crash often prove significant. You cannot work from the hospital or while recovering at home. For some people, this can mean months of missed paychecks or other types of income.

All types of lost income qualify. This could include money from a second job, gig work, tips, or commissions. Our attorneys can work closely with you and use your financial records to document your lost income.

Future Expenses and Losses

Some of the most challenging damages to document are those that have not yet occurred. You qualify for future damages if you have lasting injuries or need further treatment and support later.

This could include:

• Medical care, surgery, therapy, or medications
• Medical equipment
• Lost income because of time away from work
• Diminished earning capacity if you cannot return to work

Intangible Damages

Intangible losses occur in almost every car accident case. You may hear us talk about these as pain and suffering damages. While no money can compensate for the physical and psychological pain and suffering you endured, you deserve compensation. Our team knows how to use industry conventions to value these losses and seek fair compensation during an insurance claim or lawsuit.

Taking Action in Your Savannah Rideshare Injury Crash Claim or Lawsuit

At Buckhead Law Saxton Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., we take action to recover fair and just compensation for our clients hurt in a rideshare crash. We represent Savannah car accident victims, including those injured by careless Uber or Lyft drivers. These cases often settle out of court through an insurance claim and negotiated settlement. The rideshare companies must ensure that their drivers have insurance coverage available for this purpose.

There are still questions about the responsibility of a rideshare company in traffic accidents involving rideshare drivers. While crashes caused by commercial drivers usually include vicarious liability for the driver, the Georgia case law that establishes this liability does not apply to rideshare drivers. They are not employees of the rideshare company. Instead, they function as independent contractors. This law generally only applies to employees.

However, we may advise filing a lawsuit in your rideshare accident case. This could prove necessary under some circumstances, such as when the insurer will not make a fair offer or our lawyer has another reason to recommend it. Deadlines apply to filing a lawsuit.

Under Georgia law, victims generally have up to two years to get started. Some people could have less time. Our attorneys can advise you and ensure your case is on track to meet important deadlines.

Wrongful Death Action Following a Rideshare Crash in Savannah

Some Savannah rideshare accidents prove deadly. Under Georgia law, the victim’s immediate family members can recover compensation by pursuing a wrongful death action in these cases.

This claim or lawsuit allows them to seek money to cover:

• Funeral and burial costs
• Lost income
• Loss of services
• Intangible losses they suffered
• Future losses

Strict laws outline who can pursue these damages and the steps they must take. Our attorneys can help them prepare and file their cases. Get started today with a free case assessment. Our attorneys handle these cases based on contingency as well. You will not need to pay us anything upfront if your loved one passed away in a Savannah rideshare accident.

Contact a Savannah Rideshare Accident Attorney Today

Buckhead Law Saxton Accident Injury Lawyers P.C. offers free case consultations for crash victims in Savannah. You can discuss your rideshare accident and injuries for free with a team member today. We understand how frustrating it can feel to get hurt in an Uber or Lyft. We can help you understand your rights, the next steps, and the possible outcomes of your case. Our attorneys represent clients based on contingency, so you bear no financial risk in getting started.

Contact us online or call (912) 200-9059. We have someone standing by to speak to you today.

Buckhead Law Saxton Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C. – Savannah Office

100 Bull St,
Savannah, GA 31401
+19122009059