Uber and Lyft offer a convenient mode of alternative transportation. However, rideshare vehicles are not immune from accidents, and negligent transportation network company (TNC) drivers can injure passengers, other motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
If you or your loved one suffered injuries in a crash involving a rideshare vehicle, a Miramar Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyer with the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can help you recover compensation. Our car accident attorneys can assist with every step of your insurance claim or lawsuit. You worry about getting better. We take care of everything else.
Uber And Lyft Drivers Are Financially Responsible For Rideshare Accidents They Cause
If you are in an accident with a rideshare vehicle, it is like any other collision in that you first turn to your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. However, if your medical treatment exceeds your PIP coverage or you have severe injuries, you can pursue compensation from the driver who caused your crash.
Like any Florida motorist, Uber and Lyft drivers must carry car insurance. If the party liable for your injuries is a rideshare driver, you can hold them financially responsible with a liability insurance claim. The insurance coverage that applies depends on their status at the time of the accident:
- When the rideshare app is off: The driver’s personal insurance coverage applies.
- When the app is on and the driver is waiting for a ride request: Uber and Lyft provide drivers with $50,000 in death and bodily injury liability coverage per person/$100,000 per accident and $25,000 in property damage liability.
- When the app is on and drivers are en route to a ride request or transporting passengers: Uber and Lyft provide up to $1 million in third-party liability coverage for death, bodily injury, or property damages.
The above amounts comply with the insurance mandates outlined in Florida’s TNC statute, Florida Statutes § 627.748. In addition, Uber and Lyft provide insurance coverage to delivery drivers when the app is on or they are driving to pick up or drop off deliveries (though Lyft Delivery coverage amounts are lower).
Can You Sue An Uber Or Lyft Driver?
Yes. You can pursue a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against an Uber or Lyft driver. But, it is not possible to sue Uber or Lyft for driver negligence because TNCs are platforms that connect riders and drivers, not employers. Drivers are independent contractors, not employees; therefore, rideshare companies are not vicariously liable for drivers’ actions.
However, depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may have grounds for a lawsuit against another liable party, such as:
- A third-party motorist
- A government entity
- A private property owner
- A mechanic
- A vehicle or auto parts manufacturer
You Have A Limited Time To Take Action
Our Miramar Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyers will review your case and explain your best options for pursuing financial awards. According to Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a), you have four years from your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Florida Statutes § 95.11(4)(d) allows two years from your loved one’s passing to sue for wrongful death.
If the statute of limitations expires, you likely will not be able to pursue your case in civil court. Additionally, an expired statute can result in a reduced or denied insurance settlement. Our lawyers can help you with your case before time runs out.
Recoverable Uber And Lyft Rideshare Accident Damages
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reports that more than 18,000 people suffered injuries in an auto accident in Broward County in 2022. If you or your loved one was in a collision involving an Uber or Lyft on Florida’s Turnpike, the Palmetto Expressway, or anywhere else in Miramar, our attorneys can help you recover your damages. Potential car accident compensation may include:
- Current medical bills
- Future necessary medical treatment
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Lifecare expenses
- Lost wages
- Future lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Vehicle and personal property damages
- Physical pain
- Permanent and disabling injuries
- Mental anguish
- Emotional suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Establishing Fault
To secure compensation, you must prove an Uber or Lyft driver (or another liable party) caused your rideshare accident. Our lawyers can collect evidence, such as medical records, police reports, and eyewitness accounts, and build your case. We can also hire and work with case experts, such as crash reconstruction specialists.
Examples of negligence that can lead to a rideshare accident include:
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Making an improper turn
- Illegal passing or lane changes
- Speeding
- Drinking and driving
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive or reckless driving (road rage)
Our Miramar Personal Injury Attorneys Put Clients First
Our full-service law firm focuses on our clients’ needs and stresses open lines of communication. We will:
- Give you your attorney’s phone number
- Make ourselves available to answer your questions and address your concerns
- Provide frequent case updates
- Help you get your vehicle repaired
- Assist you with scheduling medical appointments
- Represent you on contingency, meaning our services cost you nothing up front or out of pocket
We Handle Your Case So You Can Get Better
Working with our attorneys allows you to reserve your time and energy for what is most important – your physical recovery and your family. Our team will:
- Prepare and file case paperwork
- Track and adhere to deadlines
- Communicate with involved parties on your behalf
- Identify and calculate your damages
- Negotiate for the most advantageous settlement available
- Represent you at trial if necessary
Contact the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine For Help With Your Rideshare Case
Whatever the cause of your accident, you should not have to pay if it was not your fault. Our Miramar Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyers will fight to hold the liable parties accountable, so someone else’s mistakes do not jeopardize your financial stability.
Contact us 24/7 to connect with a member of our team. We can help you get started on your case today with a free, no-obligation consultation. Hablamos Español.
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