What To Do If You Are In A Ride Sharing Accident In Florida?
What To Do If You Are In A Ride Sharing Accident In Florida? Being involved in an accident is never a fun experience, especially when it occurs while you’re using a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft. If this happens to you and you’re in Florida, there are some specific steps you should take. This article discusses the process of what to do if you find yourself in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle. It is important to know what to do so that you can protect yourself and ensure that any damages are properly compensated for.
In Florida, it is best to immediately speak to an experienced Uber accident attorney or Lyft accident lawyer. The Law Office of Jared Spingarn has vast experience in handling Uber and Lyft cases. Schedule a no-obligation, free consultation with Jared to know how to go about a personal injury claim.
1. Immediately After the Lyft or Uber Accident: Check for injuries and call 911.
After an accident that involves an Uber or Lyft vehicle, it’s important to check for injuries and seek medical treatment if necessary. Even if you don’t think you’re hurt, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and get medical attention immediately. Some injuries don’t show up until it is too late. If you or anyone else involved in the car accident is severely injured, go to the emergency room immediately.
In addition to medical treatment, it’s also important to document any bodily injuries sustained in the accident. This will be important if you need to file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Be sure to take pictures of any bruises, cuts, or other visible injuries.
If possible, get a medical report detailing all of your injuries. Make sure also to keep all records of your medical bills and treatment received. This will give you the best possible chance of getting full and fair compensation for your injuries.
Next, call the police to report the Uber or Lyft accident. Ask for a copy of the police’s accident report or get a case number from the responding officer. This will be important for filing an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit later on. Your personal injury lawyer from the firm of Jared Spingarn will assist you in the process.
2. Exchange insurance information with the other driver/s involved.
Get the contact information of all drivers and passengers involved in the accident. Get their names, insurance information, vehicle make/model/year, license plate numbers, and contact details. Your insurance company will need this information to process your claim, and the other driver’s insurance company will need it if they need to file a claim against the other driver.
3. Notify your insurance company of the accident.
Once you have exchanged information with the other driver, notify your insurance provider that you were in an accident. They will need to know what happened so they can properly investigate and process any claims or lawsuits, especially if the Uber or Lyft driver involved is found to be at fault.
Different Types of Accident Insurance Policies
It’s important to understand what kind of insurance coverage you have so that you can make sure all your injuries and damages are properly compensated for after auto accidents. An experienced personal injury attorney from Jared Spingarn’s firm will guide you throughout the insurance claims process, as well as when filing a claim from the insurance policies of Uber and Lyft.
For Uber or Lyft, or other ride sharing companies
Uber and Lyft typically offer a limited form of insurance coverage. This is usually referred to as contingent liability insurance coverage, which covers the Uber or Lyft driver and passengers in the event of an auto accident. It typically only kicks in after other forms of insurance have been exhausted.
Driver’s Personal Insurance in Florida
If you were driving your vehicle during a ride-sharing accident, your insurance would be the primary coverage. This means that Uber or Lyft’s contingent liability coverage will not apply until after your insurance has been used up. In case the Uber or Lyft driver was not actively working for the rideshare company at the time of the accident, then their personal auto insurance policy will also apply.
Personal Injury Protection or PIP Insurance
This will cover medical expenses and lost wages up to the policy limits regardless of who was at fault in an auto accident. Florida law requires all drivers to have at least $10,000 of PIP coverage.
Uninsured or Under-insured Motorist Coverage
This coverage will step in if the other driver does not have enough insurance to cover all of your damages. This type of coverage is optional in Florida, but it can be a great source of protection for drivers who are involved in an auto accident with an uninsured or under-insured motorist.
4. Collect evidence of the accident.
Once everyone is safe and medical attention has been provided, it’s time to document the Uber of Lyft accident. Documenting the accident will help provide evidence in an accident claim.
Take photos of the property damage.
This includes taking pictures or videos of the vehicles involved. Make sure to take as many pictures as possible from different angles, and be sure to include close-ups of any particularly severe damage. It’s also important to take pictures of skid marks on the road or other physical evidence that can help determine who was at fault party.
Take photos of bodily injury.
You should also take photos of any visible bodily injury sustained in the Uber or Lyft accident. Again, be sure to get close-up shots of any cuts or bruises, as well as full-body photos that can show the extent of your injuries. These photos and videos can be used to support an insurance claim, and they may be helpful if the case goes to court.
Get the contact information of any witnesses to the accident.
If you’re involved in an accident while using a ride share service like Uber or Lyft, it’s important to get the contact information of any witnesses who saw what happened. Witnesses can provide valuable testimony about what happened, which can help determine liability and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Of course, getting witness information can be tricky in the heat of the moment. It’s important to stay calm and remember that you have the right to request this information from the other drivers involved in the accident. If any bystanders witnessed the accident, you might also ask them for their contact information.
In many cases, Uber and Lyft drivers are willing to provide this information without any trouble. However, if you have difficulty getting the contact information you need, don’t hesitate to contact the law firm of Jared Spingarn to assist you with the process.
5. Contact a ride-sharing accident lawyer from the law firm of Jared Spingarn in Florida to discuss your legal options.
Once you have all of the necessary documentation, it’s time to contact Jared Spingarn to help you file a claim. During your free consultation with Jared, be sure to provide all the information that you have regarding the Uber or Lyft accident. This is where all the documentation you collect comes in handy such as medical records, the police report, insurance information of the other drivers involved, and so on.
If you spoke with the ride share company representative, make sure that you have all the details of the communication, including the date and time, as well as the name of the representative you spoke with. This includes emails, phone calls, text messages, and any other correspondence.
These ride-sharing companies are required to carry insurance that covers accidents involving their drivers. However, these policies may not provide enough coverage to fully compensate victims of serious accidents. An experienced Uber or Lyft accident lawyer from Jared’s firm can help you navigate the complex legal process and ensure that you recover damages and receive the compensation you deserve.
Additionally, going up against Uber or Lyft accident lawyers is not an easy task, as they have the resources to fight you in court if needed. This is why it is crucial to document all the evidence of the accident to support your claim. The best thing about hiring Jared Spingarn is that you are not alone in the legal battle. Jared’s team provides years of experience in handling ride-share accidents, so you are assured of being well-represented in any legal proceeding.
Conclusion
The moments immediately following an accident are often disorienting and scary. However, by remaining calm and knowing what to do if you are in a ride-sharing accident in Florida, you can reduce short-term chaos as well as long-term legal consequences. The law firm of Jared Spingarn is available to help guide you through this tough time.
>> If you’re involved in a ride share 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.
