How Are Taxi Accidents Different From Ridesharing Accidents in Georgia?

Residents and visitors alike can often require transportation on short notice in order to get to certain locations in Georgia. Many people who cannot afford wait for Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) buses or trains thus rely on a local taxi or so-called “ridesharing” services such as Uber, Lyft, or Sidecar.

While ridesharing and taxi services can be extremely valuable to people in certain situations, it can often be difficult for victims to determine who is exactly liable when they are injured in accidents involving these types of vehicles. Ridesharing companies and taxi companies operate under different insurance requirements, which can impact a victim’s personal injury claim.

Georgia Requirements for Taxi and Ride-Sharing Services

Unfortunately, the State of Georgia does not impose any additional minimum automobile insurance requirements on taxi companies. This means that the traditional taxi driver is not obligated to carry a policy that provides for more than the $25,000 per victim and $50,000 for all victims in connection with an auto accident.

The law is much different for ridesharing companies, however. With the passage of House Bill (HB) in May 2015, rideshare drivers are required to maintain automobile insurance policies that provide $300,000 in coverage when they are between fares and are not actively transporting passengers. If a ridesharing driver does have a passenger, then the policy must provide a minimum of $1 million in coverage.

In many cases, taxi and ridesharing companies will vehemently argue that they bear no liability for these accidents, whether it is because a crash occurred while a driver was “off the clock” or the driver was an independent contractor whose conduct violated stated company policies. Certain admissions may be evidence of negligent hiring practices for which the company could still be held liable.

What You Should Do After a Taxi, Uber, or Lyft Accident in Georgia

The first thing any person should do after being injured in an accident caused by a taxi or ridesharing driver is to seek medical attention. Even if you think that you were not hurt, certain injuries do not display symptoms until much later. Additionally, the insurance company for the negligent party will use any delay in treatment as supposed evidence that your injuries are not as serious as you claim.

If possible, you should try to take as many photographs as possible of the scene of your crash. If you are unable to return to the scene, try to have a friend or family member do this for you. Take these photographs from as many angles and distances as possible. No lawyer will ever tell you that you took too many pictures.

Finally, you should quickly seek legal representation. Contact The Nye Law Group before accepting any phone calls from an insurer for the negligent party.

Agents for insurance companies may express seemingly sincere concern about your well-being and make promises to fully compensate you for your losses, often while encouraging you not to bother contacting an attorney. They do this because they know that without a lawyer, most people are unaware of how much money they are actually entitled to and, thus, can be more likely to accept settlement amounts that do not account for costs victims incur later on.

Find a Taxi Accident Attorney in Georgia

The Nye Law Group has Georgia offices in Savannah and Hinesville. Our experienced personal injury attorneys can fight to make sure you get every single dollar you are entitled to.

Call 855-636-9277 today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation that will let our firm review your case and discuss all of your legal options.