What to do After a Lyft or Uber Accident in Atlanta
Protecting your health, legal rights, and financial recovery
Accidents involving Uber and Lyft rides are typically called “rideshare accidents” and they are not like typical car crashes. In the case of Uber and Lyft, it is possible be in involved in an accident without ever getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. What is even more distressing is that the layers of corporate insurance, app-based driver status, and Georgia personal injury laws create a maze for injured passengers, drivers, and even pedestrians. The amount of insurance available to you and the rideshare company’s liability depend on a number of factors.
If you were injured in a rideshare accident in Atlanta, knowing what to do in the hours and days after the crash can make the difference between being stuck with unpaid bills and receiving the compensation you deserve. Every step you take after a ride share accident can have a massive impact on your claim and your life.
Step 1: Seek Immediate Medical Attention
If you are able to at the scene, take steps to check your own body for any possible injuries or potential medical needs. Check in with your fellow companions as well. Once you exit the vehicle, get to a safe place so you are not close to the roadway or in danger of becoming involved in a second accident with oncoming traffic. This is especially crucial at night when other cars may have less opportunity to see you. Contact 911 and stay at the scene until help arrives.
Even if your injuries seem minor, rideshare collisions often involve serious force. Concussions, whiplash, or internal injuries may not appear right away. Being evaluating by EMTs is an important step to ensure you do not have a serious injury. If you are in pain, visiting the ER or urgent care protects both your health and your claim by creating a medical record tied directly to the accident.
Step 2: Call the Police and Obtain the Necessary Reports
Georgia law requires reporting accidents with severe injury, death, or significant property damage. A police report documents the crash scene, statements from the drivers, and contributing factors, including weather and traffic conditions. This becomes essential evidence when negotiating with Uber, Lyft, or their insurers. Be sure to stay on the scene long enough for a responding officer to get your information to show up on the report, or else rideshare companies will argue against liability by stating that you may not have been in the car at the time of the accident.
It is also important to report the accident to the rideshare company. You should be able to do so directly from your rideshare app. For example, you can report any accident under the “Help” section on their app or by contacting Customer Support according to Uber’s own website. Your Uber of Lyft driver should report the accident, but sometimes drivers fail to do so. It is always smart to file your own report as well to put the company on notice. Take screenshots of the information you provide via any rideshare app so you have copies for the future.
Step 3: Preserve Rideshare Evidence
Rideshare platforms maintain a host of electronic data, but you may not be able to access it in the days following an accident once the rideshare company is on notice. It is important to take photographs of pertinent information, data, and evidence:
Take screenshots of your Uber or Lyft app trip confirmation, including driver info and license plate.
Take screenshots of any messages to and from your driver.
Photograph vehicle damage, road conditions, and visible injuries. It is important to document the property damage to all vehicles involved.
Obtain a copy of the responding police officer’s card or contact information.
Write down anything you recall from the accident that may become important, such as the behavior of the driver and the weather at the time of the accident.
Document every phone call, email, and in-app message with Uber, Lyft, and insurance companies. Insurers may look for ways to minimize payouts, and a clear record helps protect your claim.
Save all medical bills and receipts tied to your treatment.
The rideshare company will have its own investigators. Your documentation ensures you have proof to counter their version of events if the rideshare driver decides to try and evade responsibility.
Step 4: Identify Which Insurance Covers the Crash
In rideshare accidents, the type of insurance that applies depends on what the Uber or Lyft driver was doing at the time:
If the app is off and the driver is not using it, usually only the driver’s personal auto insurance applies.
If the app is on and the driver is waiting on a ride request, the rideshare company provides limited coverage—usually $50,000 per person or $100,000 per accident.
If the driver is on the way to pick up a passenger or is actively transporting one, the rideshare company usually carries up to $1 million in liability coverage.
For example, imagine you’re taking an Uber from Midtown Atlanta to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. If your Uber runs a red-light and hits another vehicle, Uber’s $1 million liability coverage kicks in to protect you. On the other hand, if that same driver caused the crash while logged out of the app, you would have to rely on their personal auto policy instead.
Because these scenarios rely heavily on the driver’s status and the use of the app, rideshare accident claims often involve multiple insurers, which is why victims should act quickly to clarify coverage and report the accident to all potential carriers. For example, your own policy may provide coverage for medical expenses or uninsured/underinsured motorist protection. Notify potential insurers promptly, but avoid recorded or written statements until you have legal guidance.
Step 5: Do Not Sign Any Settlement Papers and Refuse Early Settlement Offers
If you've been involved in a serious accident, you are likely shaken up and not capable of making the best decisions. This is especially true when you are in pain and trying to navigate missing time from work and scheduling medical appointments at the same time. It is during this stressful time when Uber, Lyft, or their insurance companies may try to take advantage of you by offering an early settlement that does not fairly compensate you. We often see insurance companies entice an injured person with an early settlement and empty promises of paying for future medical treatment. Once a settlement is accepted, it is extremely hard (if to impossible) to undo it. The best practice is to refuse any early settlement offers and never sign any legal paperwork before consulting with a legal professional.
Step 6: Contact an Experienced Atlanta Rideshare Accident Lawyer
Accidents involving rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft require specialized knowledge of Georgia personal injury law, insurance coverage, and special state-specific laws for rideshare companies. A skilled attorney will:
Investigate whether the driver or company violated safety laws, standards, and regulations.
Secure black box data from the rideshare vehicle.
Be knowledgeable about the type of driver and ride data collected by the rideshare company.
Manage communication with insurers so you do not have to.
Pursue maximum compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
FAQ: Rideshare Accidents in Georgia
Who pays for my injuries in an Uber or Lyft accident in Atlanta?
Liability is determined by whether the driver was using the rideshare company’s app, on the way to pick up a passenger, or transporting a person during the accident. It is important to contact an experienced rideshare attorney in Georgia to help make sure all potential at-fault parties are explored and you know all of the factors that play a role in determining who pays for your injuries and the amounts available.
Can I file a claim if the other driver was at fault and hit my Uber or Lyft driver?
Yes. Even if your rideshare driver was not the individual at fault, you can likely file a claim against the other driver’s insurance as well. Even if you do not know if your rideshare driver has fault for the accident, it is important to report the accident to the rideshare company.
What should I do if Uber or Lyft denies my claim?
If the rideshare company denies coverage, a Georgia rideshare accident lawyer can conduct an investigation on your own behalf to ensure the company had all of the facts to make the correct decision. In some cases, the insurer for Uber and Lyft does not collect or consider all of the information related to determining fault for an accident. A denial of your claim is not the end of the road in most cases, so it is important to contact an attorney who can work on your behalf.
How long do I have to file a rideshare injury claim in the state of Georgia?
Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33), you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Acting quickly ensures evidence is preserved.
What damages can I recover after a rideshare crash?
Your lawyer will look to recover damages for past and future medical bills, past and future lost wages, reduced earning capacity, property damage, pain, suffering, and potentially punitive damages. An injured person’s spouse can also sometimes present a claim for loss of consortium, which is a claim arising from the negative impact on a marital relationship because of a spouse's injury.
Even when you drive carefully or ride responsibly, you cannot control the behavior of other drivers or the conditions of Atlanta’s busiest roads. What you can control is how you respond after an accident. Rideshare accidents in Atlanta often leave victims juggling medical care, questions from various insurance companies, and confusing insurance policies. Act quickly by seeking medical help, reporting the crash, preserving evidence, and contacting a Georgia rideshare accident attorney to ensure your rights are maintained and your case is well-protected. Do not let Uber, Lyft, or their insurers control the narrative.
