There is no denying that the emergence of ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft has completely transformed the industry. These ridesharing companies have signed up more than a million drivers in the US.
While the ridesharing industry, as a whole, should make our roads safer but research suggests that the launch of Uber or Lyft in a city is typically associated with an overall rise (2 to 3%) in motor vehicle fatalities and fatal accidents.
If you have been injured in an accident with a rideshare driver contact our Tampa Uber accident lawyers. Our attorneys have handled countless Uber accidents and have the experience your claim needs.
Call 954-448-7355 today to schedule a free consultation with a Tampa personal injury attorney and review your best course of action.
Who Can Be Found At Fault For An Uber Accident?
The aftermath of any auto accident is complex and confusing but when it involves one of the ridesharing companies such as Uber or Lyft, the case becomes a lot more complex. Here is what you need to know about liability when an auto accident involves Uber or Lyft or another ridesharing platform.
First and foremost, you should know that Florida is a no-fault state which means that the injured person is going to seek compensation from their own personal insurance company. They can sue other parties in case the damages suffered are not covered by their own insurance company.
Since the drivers working for Uber are classified as independent contractors, they don’t have the same legal rights as employees and operate under vicarious liability laws. Generally speaking, Uber or Lyft is not legally responsible for the negligent actions of drivers on their platform.
Uber Or Lyft Driver
The at-fault driver of Uber or Lyft is most likely to be found negligent in case of an accident. All the drivers in Florida are required to carry personal injury protection coverage as well as property damage liability coverage.
In addition, the Florida law also requires the transportation network companies such as Uber or Lyft to provide separate coverage for their drivers in certain circumstances.
Rideshare Companies
In the State of Florida, the drivers working for Uber or Lyft are classified as independent contractors which makes it extremely difficult for the victims of the accident involving Uber or Lyft drivers to sue the rideshare companies.
However, there are certain situations where the victim can sue these rideshare companies but it will need to be proven that the platform itself was negligent.
In many cases, the commercial liability policy of the ridesharing company is likely to kick in when the personal policy of the at-fault driver is not enough for covering the damages. Give a call to Uber accident attorneys at Florida Lawyers 360 to schedule a free first consultation.
We will fight for your rights and help you recover the maximum compensation you deserve.
Any Related 3rd Parties
If the accident involved any 3rd party, they can also be sued to recover appropriate compensation.
What Makes Uber Accident Cases Different From Regular Car Accident Cases?
Auto accidents involving Uber or Lyft are a lot more complex than regular auto accidents. This is due to the reason that such accidents also bring in the insurance coverage of the ridesharing platform. Florida law dictates different levels of insurance coverage depending on the situation.
For instance, if the driver was not logged into the app and got into an accident, the ridesharing company’s insurance coverage might not come into play. On the other hand, if the driver is logged into the app and has picked up a passenger and is then involved in an accident, the $1 million coverage would come into play.
In short, auto accidents involving Uber or Lyft or any other ridesharing platform are extremely complex and this is why you need to get in touch with experienced Uber accident lawyers at Florida Lawyers 360 to discuss the details of your case and to know more about your legal options.
Does Uber Have A $1 Million Insurance Policy For Accidents?
There are a lot of misconceptions floating around regarding the $1 million Uber insurance policy. It’s not as straightforward as the insurance policies for regular drivers. Uber has $1 million in liability coverage but there is a lot of fine print.
This insurance coverage kicks in only when the driver is en route to pick up a writer and they have a passenger in the car during the trip.
This $1 million liability coverage provides coverage for the occupant of the Uber as well as occupants of other vehicles involved in the accident.
An experienced lawyer who has dealt with Uber accident cases knows how to how the Uber insurance policy works and how they can recover maximum compensation for the victims of accidents involving Uber or Lyft or other ride-sharing platforms.
What Type of Compensation Can I Seek in an Uber Accident?
Various types of compensation are available to the victims of an auto accident. The types of composition can be grouped into different categories such as economic, non-economic, and punitive.
Economic Damages
This category covers damages related to the loss suffered by the victim directly as a result of the accident. It typically covers medical expenses (past and future), loss of wages, loss of future wages, cost of therapy and other such damages that can be directly measured as a result of the accident.
Non-economic Damages
This category includes compensation that is more subjective in nature such as pain and suffering, reduction of quality of life, loss of companionship, and other such factors.
Punitive damages
As the term implies, these are designed to punish the ones responsible for the accident to prevent the recurrence of behavior that caused the accident. However, punitive damages are rarely awarded in Florida and there is also an upper cap.
The punitive damages can be awarded up to 3 times the compensatory damages or $500,000, whichever is higher.
Should I Just Accept a Settlement Offer?
You should never accept a settlement offer without consulting with an experienced Uber accident attorney at Florida Lawyers 360. Keep in mind that the insurance companies are not working for you.
They will use every trick in the book to minimize the payout and this is why you need an experienced lawyer by your side to win maximum compensation for your injuries.
Time Limits For A Florida Uber Accident Claim
The statute of limitations in Tampa, Florida, gives a limited amount of time for victims of accidents involving Uber or Lyft to file a lawsuit before it expires. If the claim isn’t filed within this time, it could result in the claim being disallowed by a judge, regardless of the proof the victim has.
In the state of Florida, the victim has four years from the date of the accident to file the claim in court.
How Much Will A Tampa Uber Accident Lawyer Cost?
An Uber accident lawyer is going to cost you nothing. Here at Florida Lawyers 360, we work on contingency fee arrangement. It simply means that you do not need to pay any fee upfront. We will recover our costs from the damages we will win for you.
In case we do not win anything, you do not need to pay anything.
Why Do I Need A Lawyer For An Uber Accident Claim?
There is no law that requires you to retain the services of a lawyer when you are involved in an Uber accident. However, there are several advantages of hiring the services of an experienced lawyer at Florida Lawyers 360.
Case Preparation/Filing a Lawsuit
Most personal injury cases are settled out of court. In fact, more than 90% are settled out of court and it is rare that a case goes to trial.
However, the opposing party will offer a fair settlement amount only if they believe that you have a solid case in hand and that requires a lot of preparation including gathering evidence, getting medical experts, and other such things.
Settlement Negotiation
Negotiating with insurance companies is not easy. This is what they do for a living and you need an experienced lawyer by your side to help you navigate the trips and tricks regularly used by these insurance companies to keep the payout to a minimum.
Trial Preparation & Representation
Preparing for trial takes a lot of time and energy. An experienced lawyer will make sure that you have a solid case in case it goes to trial.
Schedule A Free Consultation For Your Uber Accident Claim
Overall, an auto accident involving Uber or Lyft or any other ride-sharing platform is a lot more complex than other auto accidents. This is due to the reason that different laws apply to these ridesharing companies.
You need the help of an experienced Uber accident lawyer at Florida Lawyers 360 to wade through the complications involving Uber. Give us a call at 954-448-7355 today to schedule a free consultation and to know about your legal rights.
