Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer in Atlanta, GA

Where rideshare crashes happen in Atlanta

Rideshare traffic gathers where Atlanta gathers: the Hartsfield-Jackson pickup zones, downtown and Midtown. On event nights, thousands of drivers converge on the same few blocks around the stadiums and arenas. Late-night trips on the Connector and the Perimeter add their own risk.

The coverage turns on the app

A rideshare driver’s coverage depends on what the app was doing when the crash happened:

• App off. The driver is a private motorist. Only their personal auto policy applies.
• App on, waiting for a request. A limited policy from the rideshare company may apply, on top of the driver’s own.
• Driving to a pickup, or carrying a passenger. The rideshare company’s larger commercial policy generally applies.

That is why one of the first things to establish is the driver’s app status at the moment of impact. Screenshots, the trip receipt and the app’s own records are the evidence.

Lyft publishes its own summary of driver insurance coverage, which shows how the coverage changes with the driver’s app status.

Which side of the crash were you on?

You were the passenger. You are rarely at fault, and the commercial policy usually applies because a trip was underway. Claims can be made against the rideshare driver’s coverage, and against the other driver if someone else caused the crash.

You were hit by a rideshare driver. Coverage depends on the app status above. If the driver was between trips with the app off, only their personal policy applies — and that may be the state minimum.

You were the rideshare driver. Rideshare companies generally classify drivers as independent contractors, which usually means no workers’ compensation. But if another driver caused the crash, you have a claim against them, and your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage may apply. Check whether your personal policy excludes rideshare use — some do.

Save these now

• Screenshots of the trip in the app, with timestamps.
• The trip receipt or ride history.
• The driver’s name, license plate and vehicle, and their insurance details.
• Photographs of both vehicles and the scene.
• The police report number.

Rideshare companies keep detailed trip data. A preservation request ensures it is not lost.

Next steps

Get treated and keep every appointment. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurer — including the rideshare company’s. Generally you have two years from the crash to file suit (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33).

Our Alpharetta rideshare crash page covers these claims outside the city, and our Atlanta overview covers everything else we handle here.

More: Uber and Lyft accidents · Atlanta car accidents · Atlanta personal injury

Common questions

Whose insurance pays after an Uber or Lyft crash?

It depends on what the app was doing. With the app off, only the driver's personal policy applies. While the driver is waiting for a request, a limited rideshare policy may apply. On the way to a pickup or with a passenger, the company's larger commercial policy generally applies.

I was a passenger in a rideshare crash. Who do I claim against?

Usually the rideshare driver's coverage, since a trip was underway, and the other driver if someone else caused the crash. Passengers are rarely at fault.

I drive for Uber or Lyft and got hit. Am I covered by workers' comp?

Usually not, because rideshare companies generally treat drivers as independent contractors. You still have a claim against the driver who caused the crash, and your own UM coverage may apply.

What should I save after a rideshare crash?

Screenshots of the trip with timestamps, the trip receipt, the driver's name, plate and insurance details, photos of both vehicles and the police report number.

Where do rideshare crashes happen most in Atlanta?

Around the Hartsfield-Jackson pickup zones, downtown and Midtown, and near the stadiums and arenas on event nights. Late-night trips on the Connector and the Perimeter add their own risk.