Rideshare companies dominate the public transportation industry, but how consumer-friendly are they? If you find yourself suffering from a rideshare accident, then receiving compensation for your damages may not be as easy as you may think.

Because of complicated insurance policies, experiencing a rideshare accident is never a simple process.  However, reaching out to a personal injury attorney who specializes in ride share cases can lessen the burden and assist in receiving the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents in Atlanta

Unlike other forms of public transportation, such as buses and traditional taxis, rideshare companies do not make their drivers undergo serious training prior to driving.  Instead, rideshare drivers only have to pass a background check, have a functioning car, and possess a valid driver’s license to begin work.

Rideshare drivers are also required to pay attention to GPS directions and are potentially traveling to unfamiliar destinations.  Therefore, ride share passengers are arguably more prone to distracted driving which increases the likelihood of collisions.  The National Safety Council states that “on a typical day, eight people are killed and hundreds more are injured in distraction-affected crashes.” 

Rideshare drivers can increase their income by driving for long hours and picking up as many fares as they can.  Many rideshare drivers use their rideshare income to supplement their income from other full-time work.  Fares accepted during peak traffic are more costly to passengers and more lucrative for rideshare drivers.  Long hours on the road, during peak traffic, after working full time is likely to result in exhausted rideshare drivers.  Exhausted drivers are arguably at higher risk of collisions. 

Because of the lax background checks used by rideshare companies, passengers could also potentially have drivers with criminal backgrounds.  With various assaults and kidnappings occurring at the hands of some rideshare drivers, passengers now have to be cautious when entering the vehicle of a driver they don't know.

Recovering Damages in Your Atlanta Rideshare Accident

Rideshare companies understand the risk they take when they allow nearly anyone to drive for them. For this reason and others, they consider their drivers as independent contractors instead of employees.  Having a seemingly minor distinction such as this can help ride share companies avoid the brunt of major lawsuits from injured passengers or other drivers hit by rideshare drivers.

Most rideshare companies know how confusing their insurance policies are, but that's not their concern. When you're suffering from the damages of your rideshare accident, you need the help of an experienced attorney when filing your auto accident claim.

Although major rideshare companies feature $1 million insurance policies for passengers and other drivers hurt by their vehicles, obtaining this compensation is complicated.

When you have to deal with medical bills, property damage, lost wages, emotional distress, and more following your rideshare accident, it is essential that you have an experienced attorney to represent you and recover your losses.