Ride Share Injury Claims In Florida: All You Need To Know
A ride share company is a ride-hailing service that provides transportation to customers. Ride share services, like Uber and Lyft, have become increasingly popular in recent years, and many people rely on them for their daily commutes. Unfortunately, a ride share accident can still happen when using the service, and if you’ve been injured while riding as a passenger or driver of a ride share vehicle, it is important to know how ride-share injury claims in Florida work.
If you are injured in a ride share accident, what are your rights? This is an important question that every ride share passenger should know the answer to. Additionally, it is important to know whether you should file a ride share accident injury claim against the personal auto insurance of the ride share driver or the ride share company. This article will provide you with the answers to these questions and more.
An Uber or Lyft accident may leave you with medical bills, lost wages due to missing work, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in a ride share accident in Florida, you may be entitled to compensation for these damages. To ensure that your rights are protected after a Florida ride share accident, get in touch with the Law Offices of Jared Spingarn, Accident Attorneys. Jared is a Florida ride share accident attorney who can help you understand your rights and what steps you need to take to seek compensation for your Uber or Lyft accident injuries.
What are my rights as an Uber or Lyft passenger?
After an Uber or Lyft accident, it is important to know the details of the ride share crash to better understand who would be held liable. Ride share companies are required by law in Florida to carry a certain amount of insurance coverage. This coverage, known as liability insurance, is designed to provide protection against third-party claims and may cover medical expenses, property damage, and other losses.
Under Florida law, rideshare passengers are just as protected as other motorists when it comes to filing personal injury claims after an accident. The rideshare company is usually found liable for the accident, but there may be cases where the rideshare drivers will be held liable, and their personal auto insurance will cover the accident. In most cases, the injured party in rideshare accidents can seek compensation through either the rideshare company’s insurance policy or the rideshare driver’s personal insurance.
Will my insurance cover me after an Uber or Lyft accident?
Florida is a no-fault state, which means that in case you are in an Uber or Lyft accident, your personal injury protection coverage (PIP) should cover you regardless of who was at fault. This is because you carry personal injury protection without you, even if you are not driving your own vehicle at the time of the accident.
However, if you have suffered serious injuries, such as a catastrophic injury or permanent disability, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the rideshare company or ride-share driver’s personal auto insurance company. Your PIP coverage may not be enough to cover the costs of medical treatment for serious injuries.
Will Uber and Lyft be held liable for the rideshare accident?
As mentioned, Uber and Lyft both have liability coverage in case of rideshare accidents. But the amount of coverage that Uber and Lyft will provide is dependent on the status of the ride. Generally, both Uber and Lyft provide coverage that follows the minimum requirement of the state.
If the Uber or Lyft accident occurs while the rideshare driver is waiting for a ride request:
In this case, the rideshare drivers are not actively carrying a passenger but are logged-on and waiting for a ride request on the rideshare app. So, technically, they are actively working for Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare companies at the time the accident occurred. Thus, the accident victims are covered by Uber’s contingent liability coverage, as follows:
- $100,000 per accident;
- $50,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person;
- $25,000 for property damage coverage.
If the Uber or Lyft accident occurs while the rideshare driver is carrying a passenger or on the way to pick up one:
When there is an active ride request ongoing, the coverage for rideshare accidents is much higher. This is because Uber and Lyft assume more responsibility when they are actively carrying someone on their ride. In this case, the coverage is as follows:
- Third-party Liability Coverage of at least $1,000,000 for bodily injury and property damage;
- Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Coverage if the other drivers involved do not have insurance, or in case of a hit and run;
- Comprehensive Coverage only if the rideshare driver also carries personal comprehensive coverage on the vehicle. This type of coverage will require a $2,500 deductible and the actual coverage will depend on the vehicle’s value.
When should I file an insurance claim against the insurance company of the rideshare driver involved in the accident?
Rideshare drivers work as independent contractors of both Uber and Lyft. This means that a rideshare driver is driving his or her personal vehicle, and they may be held liable for a car accident if the conditions listed above aren’t met.
Basically, if at the time of the car accident, the driver is not logged into the rideshare app, it means that they were not working for Uber and Lyft. In this case, the rideshare driver’s personal insurance policy would be responsible for covering the accident instead of Uber and Lyft’s coverage.
Thus, rideshare accident victims may also be able to bring a claim against the personal insurance coverage of the ride-share driver. In this case, it is important to note that the ride-share driver must have adequate coverage in order for a claim to be successful. Additionally, it is important to remember that ride-share drivers are not allowed to carry more than the minimum insurance coverage required by law in Florida.
What types of damages can I claim after a rideshare accident?
If you are filing a lawsuit against the rideshare driver or rideshare company after an accident, you may be able to claim both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages represent out of pocket costs that you have incurred because of the ride-share accident, such as medical expenses, lost wages, vehicle repair costs or any other costs related to the accident.
Non-economic damages include any intangible losses that you may have suffered because of the ride-share accident, such as pain and suffering, mental anguish or emotional distress. Additionally, if your ride-share accident was caused by a negligent third party, you may be able to file a claim against them as well.
What to Do After A Florida Rideshare Accident
Uber and Lyft accidents can happen at any time, so it is best to know what to do in case you are in an auto accident involving Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare companies.
In the case of rideshare accidents, many of the same steps apply as in other car accidents. After an accident involving Uber or Lyft, you should always do the following:
1. Seek medical treatment.
First and foremost, seek medical assistance for any injury you have suffered. Don’t wait to go to the doctor after an accident; it is important to document your injuries and get the medical attention you need. Aside from getting the proper treatment, you will also need your medical records to file a claim with your own insurance as well as when filing a personal injury claim against the other party’s insurance.
2. Take photos of vehicle damage, the accident scene, and any visible injuries.
Documenting the scene of the accident is crucial. Take pictures of the vehicles involved, any road signs or other relevant details that may have caused the rideshare accident, and keep a record of all documentation related to your rideshare trip.
3. Gather contact information from all parties involved in the accident including witnesses, ride share driver, ride-share company and insurance information.
Get the name, address and phone number of any drivers involved in the rideshare accident as well as contact information of any witnesses. Exchange insurance information with all parties involved in the rideshare accident including Uber or Lyft’s insurance carrier.
However, make sure that you do not give a statement to the insurance company of Uber, Lyft, or the rideshare driver’s personal insurance. This is because they may use your statement against you if they think that you are at fault for the accident. Make sure to refrain from speaking about the rideshare accident to anyone other than your attorney.
5. Contact an experienced Florida rideshare accident attorney from the Law Offices of Jared Spingarn to discuss your case and file a rideshare accident claim if necessary.
Lastly, it is important to speak with an experienced auto accident attorney who can help you navigate the claims process. An experienced Uber or Lyft accident attorney will understand all of the complexities of a ride share accident and can ensure that your rights are protected.
Furthermore, an Uber or lyft accident attorney will be able to negotiate with the ride-share companies and/or their insurance providers on your behalf, ensuring that you receive the full compensation that you deserve. This way, you don’t have to stress yourself over complicated ride share claims and can focus on your recovery.
With the right legal representation, you can be assured that all of your ride share injury claims in Florida will be taken care of. Contact the Law Offices of Jared Spingarn today to discuss your case with one of their experienced ride-share accident lawyers.
Conclusion
Ride share injury claims in Florida can be a complex process. In order to be successful in a rideshare injury claim, it is necessary to prove that your injuries were caused by the negligence of another party. It is also important to keep all medical records and bills related to your accident as evidence of your damages. Additionally, it is important to remember that you must act quickly to preserve your rights and seek legal help as soon as possible after an accident in order for your ride-share injury claim to be successful.
If you have been injured in a rideshare accident in Florida, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. An experienced Lyft or Uber accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. They will work with you to evaluate your claim and determine what options are available to seek justice and financial recovery. Contact a Lyft and Uber accident attorney today from the law firm of Jared Spingarn so that they can assist you in filing a claim and protecting your rights.
>> 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 their Contact Us page.
