How do Uber and Lyft accident claims work in Georgia?

Georgia rideshare accident claims turn on one question: what phase of the app was the driver in when the crash happened?

Phase 1 — App off. The driver's personal auto insurance is the only coverage. Uber and Lyft owe nothing.

Phase 2 — App on, waiting for a ride request. Both Uber and Lyft carry contingent liability coverage of at least $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage, on top of the driver's personal policy.

Phase 3 — Ride accepted, en route, or passenger in the car. A $1,000,000 third-party liability policy applies, plus uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This is the phase most passenger and other-driver claims fall under.

Georgia's two-year personal injury statute of limitations (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33) still applies to rideshare crashes. You can file against Uber or Lyft's insurer, the rideshare driver personally, and any other at-fault driver. Modified comparative negligence (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33) means you can recover as long as you are less than 50% at fault, with recovery reduced by your share.

Common complications: the app data (trip logs, GPS, driver status) is controlled by Uber/Lyft and must be preserved quickly with a litigation hold letter; injured passengers often have overlapping MedPay, health insurance, and UM coverage that must be coordinated; and Uber/Lyft aggressively push riders toward low early settlements before medical treatment is complete.