Are Uber Or Lyft Accidents Common In Florida?

With the rise of Uber and Lyft, more and more people are using ridesharing services to get around. While they are both convenient and affordable, there is always a risk of accidents happening. Are Uber or Lyft accidents common in Florida? How do they happen, and why are they so common? This article will explore the answers to these questions.

Motor vehicle accidents can happen at any time, and it is important to be protected. If you are injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, you may be wondering what to do next. The good news is that rideshare companies are required to have insurance coverage in the event of an accident. Their insurance should cover bodily injury, property damage, and death. However, this does not mean that you will automatically be covered. You will still need to file a claim with the company in order to receive compensation.

If you get into an Uber or Lyft Accident in Florida, be sure to get in touch with a car accident attorney from Jared Spingarn, P.A.’s law offices. Jared’s law firm has knowledgeable personal injury and car accident lawyers who can provide you with excellent legal services to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Florida Laws on Ridesharing Companies

The Florida law that governs rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft falls under Florida Statute 627.748 (Transportation Network Companies or TNC). This statute sets the requirements and regulations for these companies to operate legally in the state of Florida. The law requires these companies to have a permit from the Public Service Commission and to maintain certain insurance coverage levels.

According to the statute, TNCs are required to have at least the following liability insurance coverage in case of a rideshare accident:

• $50,000 per person bodily injury liability coverage for death and bodily injury
• $25,000 property damage liability limit
• $50,000 combined single limit for death and bodily injury when more than one person is injured in an accident

If a TNC driver does not have personal insurance that meets or exceeds these requirements, the TNC must provide liability insurance coverage up to these limits. It is important to note that these insurance requirements only apply when the TNC driver is logged into the TNC’s digital network and is available to receive passenger requests for transportation services.

Once a driver accepts a request for transportation services, he will carry liability insurance of the TNC from the time the driver picks up the passenger until the time the passenger exits the vehicle. The coverage for a rideshare accident that occurred during a booked ride is higher than an accident involving a rideshare driver who was waiting for a ride. In this case, if you get into a rideshare accident, the Uber or Lyft driver will be covered by the company’s liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 for property damage, personal injuries, and death.

Additionally, because Florida is a no-fault state, a rideshare vehicle must be covered by accident personal injury protection (PIP). PIP is required for all rideshare drivers and can provide ample coverage in case of rideshare accidents.

How common is an Uber or Lyft accident?

Are Uber or Lyft accidents common in Florida? There is no definitive answer to this question since the frequency of Uber and Lyft accidents can vary depending on a number of factors. However, a study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that rideshare vehicles were involved in more than twice as many fatal crashes per mile driven than non-rideshare vehicles between 2015 and 2018. This is likely due to the fact that rideshare drivers are often working long hours and may be fatigued while behind the wheel.

In a separate study done by Uber, the Uber Safety Report for 2019-2020 presented data that showed that there were a total of 0.62 motor vehicle fatalities related to rideshare accidents per 100 million miles traveled. This number translated to roughly one fatality in 20 million Uber trips.

While these studies do not give a definitive answer as to how common Uber and Lyft accidents are, they do provide some insight into how often these accidents occur. If you or someone you know has been involved in a rideshare accident, it is important to seek legal counsel to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Jared Spingarn, P.A. has a personal injury law firm in Hallandale Beach that has represented many victims of rideshare accidents. If you have been involved in an accident, Jared can help. Contact the firm today for a free consultation with a personal injury attorney.

Common Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents

There are a number of reasons why Uber and Lyft accidents can occur. In some cases, it may be due to the negligence of the rideshare drivers. In other cases, the accident may be caused by a mechanical issue with the rideshare vehicle. Uber and Lyft accidents can also be caused by the negligence of other drivers on the road.

Distracted Driving

One of the most common causes of Uber and Lyft accidents is distracted driving. Rideshare drivers are often working long hours and may be fatigued while behind the wheel. This can lead to them being less attentive to their surroundings and more likely to cause an accident. In a study done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it was found that 21% of fatal crashes involving a rideshare vehicle were due to distracted driving.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Another common cause of Uber and Lyft accidents is driving under the influence (DUI). Rideshare drivers may be tempted to drink or use drugs while on the job in order to stay awake for long hours. This can lead to them being impaired while behind the wheel and increase their risk of causing an accident. In a study done by Uber, it was found that 0.08% of Uber trips had an impaired driver who was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Mechanical Problems

Mechanical problems can also be a cause of Uber and Lyft accidents. In some cases, the rideshare vehicle may have a mechanical issue that causes it to malfunction while on the road. This can lead to the driver losing control of the vehicle and causing an accident. In other cases, the mechanical issue may cause the rideshare vehicle to break down entirely, leaving the driver stranded on the side of the road and vulnerable to being hit by other vehicles.

Negligence of Other Drivers

Uber and Lyft accidents can also be caused by the negligence of other drivers on the road. In some cases, other drivers may fail to yield to a rideshare vehicle or may not see it in time to avoid an accident. In other cases, a driver may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol and cause an accident with a rideshare vehicle.

Even if the rideshare driver takes the necessary safety precautions while driving, he or she can still be involved in an accident if another driver is not paying attention or driving recklessly.

What are your options if you are injured in a rideshare accident?

If you are injured in an accident while using a rideshare service, you have a few options available to you. As previously mentioned, as an accident victim you can file a claim with the insurance of the other drivers involved. You may also be eligible to file a claim against Uber or Lyft if the conditions of the accident meet the insurance requirements of the two companies.

Filing an Insurance Claim

If you are injured in an accident while using a rideshare service, you can file a claim with the insurance of the other drivers involved. In order to do this, you will first need to obtain the insurance information of the other drivers involved in the accident. You can then contact your own insurance company and file a claim. Your insurance company will then work with the other insurance companies involved to determine who is at fault for the accident and how much each company will pay.

Personal Insurance

You may be able to file a claim with your own personal insurance company. Most personal insurance policies have some coverage for accidents that occur while you are using a rideshare service. However, it is important to check with your insurance company to see what type of coverage you have and how much coverage you have available.

Insurance of the Rideshare Driver at Fault

If the rideshare driver who was at fault for the accident has insurance, you can file a claim with their insurance company. The amount of coverage available will depend on the type of insurance that the driver has. In some cases, the driver’s personal insurance policy may cover the accident. In other cases, the driver may have a commercial insurance policy that provides coverage for accidents that occur while the driver is working.

Insurance of Uber and Lyft

If the accident was caused by the negligence of the rideshare driver, you may be able to file a claim with Uber or Lyft. Both companies have insurance policies that provide coverage for accidents that occur while their drivers are working. The amount of coverage available will depend on the circumstances of the accident and whether or not the driver was working at the time of the accident.

Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit

A personal injury lawsuit can be filed against the driver, Uber, Lyft, or any other party who may be liable for your injuries. In order to succeed in a personal injury lawsuit, you will need to prove that the defendant was negligent and that his or her negligence caused your injuries. In Florida, negligence is defined as the failure to use reasonable care under the circumstances. Reasonable care is the level of care that a reasonably prudent person would use under the same or similar circumstances.

If you are successful in your lawsuit, you may be awarded damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded. Punitive damages are designed to punish the defendant for his or her careless or reckless behavior.

Conclusion

Are Uber or Lyft accidents common in Florida? While they are not as common as accidents that occur between private vehicles, they do happen. If you have been injured in a rideshare accident, it is important to seek legal representation as soon as possible from Jared’s Law Firm. An experienced personal injury attorney will review the facts of your case and advise you on your legal options.

Get in touch with Jared Spingarn, P.A. today to schedule a free consultation with a Florida rideshare accident attorney. Jared’s knowledgeable and experienced legal team can help you understand your rights and options and fight for the compensation you deserve. Jared’s team will also build a healthy attorney-client relationship with you so you will feel at ease while going through the stressful legal process.

>> If you’re involved in a rideshare accident in Florida, don’t hesitate to reach out to Jared Spingarn, Accident Attorney at 1-954-781-2316 for a Free Case Review or drop a message on our Contact Us page.