Car accidents involving rideshare vehicles, such as Lyft and Uber, are on the rise in Georgia. Uber opened in Atlanta in 2012. Lyft arrived two years later, in 2014. We often hear about the many benefits of the rideshare industry. They provide efficient and affordable transportation. While these rideshare services are generally safe, they have increased the number of accidents, including fatalities, on Georgia roadways. Georgia accidents involving the two primary rideshare services, Uber and Lyft, raise unique legal questions. These questions generally concern who is financially responsible when accidents do occur. With the possibility of multiple parties being at fault and overlapping insurance companies, the answer to these questions depends on the unique circumstances of each accident. This article will review the current legal landscape and answer many of your questions concerning a Georgia Uber or Lyft accident. If you have any additional questions, contact Dozier Law for a…

You could be hurt by an Uber or Lyft rideshare driver in any number of ways. You might be a passenger in a rideshare at the time of the accident. Or you might be in another car involved in the accident. You could be a pedestrian or cyclist struck by the driver. Here’s more about what this means for purposes of your ability to file a claim or otherwise recover compensation in a lawsuit over your injuries. Why It’s Hard to Sue Rideshare Companies Under normal circumstances, if you are injured in an accident that is the fault of another driver who was working at the time, you can sue his employer. The law treats an employer as liable for negligence that occurs when the driver is within the scope of his employment. That is to say, the driver can make his employer liable if he was doing what he…

On Wednesday, October 7, 2020, a motorcycle accident resulted in the death of a Richmond Hill Middle School teacher. The victim was driving along Belfast River Road near Savannah, Georgia when he collided with a vehicle operated by a motorist attempting to make a left turn. The man was later pronounced dead at St. Joseph's Hospital in Savannah. Because the driver who caused the accident failed to yield, serious consequences are involved — especially since the person struck was later pronounced dead. It seems likely the police will quickly assign fault to the surviving driver. The police are not the only group of people who will be interested in wrapping up the case quickly and efficiently. Receiving an Offer From an Insurance Company In situations like this, insurance companies will often reach out to the family of the deceased and offer to negotiate with the goal of paying out as…

On October 12, 2020, a 65-year-old man was killed when a woman who tried to turn left on MLK Jr. Boulevard in Savannah, Georgia entered his path. The man could not avoid her, and the two vehicles collided, resulting in a car crash that brought on his death. The man received care from EMTs on-site, and he was transported to the hospital, where he later passed. Seeing how this accident occurred at a major intersection, there would have been witnesses. These witnesses would be essential in answering the police’s questions and determining the at-fault party, which makes their statements crucial. Dozier Law Firm, a team comprised of experts in dealing with these kinds of cases, explains: "Be aware of any witnesses to the accident that may have important information. Make sure you write down their contact information and any information they may have regarding the circumstances of the accident. If…

On Friday, October 2, 2020, a 21-year-old man lost control of his scooter on Capital Street in Savannah, Georgia. The early-morning accident resulted in severe injuries to the driver, killing him as a result. But what if the crash was not completely of his own doing? What if the manufacture played some part? What if the scooter malfunctioned? Could the company who made it be partly responsible for what happened? And what if it was a rental; is the rental company liable in some way? Be Wary of Insurance Companies Following a Crash If you or a loved one is ever involved in a tragic motor vehicle accident and is soon after contacted by an insurance company offering compensation, beware. Dozier Law Firm, a team comprised of experts in these matters, explains: "Be on the lookout for an offer from the insurance company to release them of all claims arising…

A September weekend was dangerous for pedestrians in Georgia. In less than 24 hours, seven pedestrians were hit by motor vehicles in five separate incidents throughout the state. Out of the seven hit, four died from their injuries. Two killed on Sept. 14 On the evening of Sept. 14, 2018, a minivan hit a 74-year-old woman who was crossing six lanes of traffic in Athens-Clarke County. Her injuries were severe, and she died at the hospital. Police were not expecting to file charges against the driver who struck the woman. Less than a half-hour later, a hit-and-run driver struck and killed a 40-year-old woman in Cobb County. The police had little information to go on, and the driver in that accident remains at large. Three injured, two killed on Sept. 15 On Sept. 15, in Clayton County, a stolen delivery truck mowed down three pedestrians. The trio sustained moderate injuries, including broken bones,…

Drivers in Georgia and the rest of the United States face the same roadway risks associated with distracted drivers. Mobile tablet or smartphone use by someone behind the wheel creates a serious distraction that has been linked to car accidents. Data reviewed by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal facts about the hazards of driver distractions. From 2011 to 2012, the number of people injured in distracted driver accidents increased by 9 percent from 387,000 to 421,000. The year 2012 also saw 3,328 deaths in similar crashes. In 2011, distracted driving caused 17 percent of car accidents in which a person was injured. The CDC defines sources of distraction in three ways: visual, manual, or cognitive. Texting and driving are especially dangerous because the activity causes all three types of distraction. Texting makes the driver take his or her eyes off the road, remove one or both…

Three people were injured in a collision in Mitchell County on December 25. The driver of one of the vehicles involved in the crash was charged with driving under the influence in relation to the incident. According to the Georgia State Patrol, the car accident occurred at about 12 p.m. at the intersection of GA 112 and GA 262 near the Grady-Mitchell County line. A vehicle driven by a 40-year-old woman, traveling south on GA 112, stopped to yield to oncoming traffic while attempting to make a left turn onto 262. Another vehicle, driven by a 27-year-old man traveling north on GA 112, crossed the center line and collided head-on with the woman's vehicle. The female driver and her 81-year-old female passenger were transported to a local Thomasville hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The male driver suffered only minor injuries. He was transported to a hospital in Camilla for treatment. Besides…

Regardless of how good a Georgia driver is, he or she cannot control what other drivers do. Sudden changes by others can lead to dangerous situations that increase the risk of an accident. This is generally true even if the driver has time to anticipate what others are doing on the highway. However, there are technologies that may enable vehicles to take some of the guesswork out of driving. These technologies work by alerting the driver of changing conditions and may even help the car take action to stop by itself. Automatic braking and other speed-limiting technologies may help drivers avoid rear-end collisions, while lane-departure warnings can help drivers avoid accidents while changing lanes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, these technologies are not always standard in vehicles. In some cases, they are not even required to help a vehicle meet safety requirements. The National Transportation Safety Board…