When someone steps into an Uber or Lyft, they put great faith in the driver to safely get them to their destination. We all know there’s risk involved with rideshares, but we usually accept it without concern; we just want to get where we’re going.
But every year in Florida, tens of thousands of passengers experience an accident involving their Uber or Lyft driver. After the initial shock, most people have one pressing question: now what?
As an injured rideshare passenger, obtaining compensation can pose unique challenges not encountered in regular car accidents. If you don’t understand how Uber and Lyft accident claims and insurance coverage work, it can feel overwhelming to pursue the money you deserve.
However, in most cases, injured rideshare passengers are much better off than other drivers and passengers when it comes to paying all their medical bills, collecting lost wages, and receiving compensation for further losses. This is because Uber and Lyft carry $1 million in third-party liability insurance coverage, a much higher limit than most regular drivers.
Filing A Successful Uber Or Lyft Accident Injury Claim In Florida: A To-Do List For Passengers
If you’ve been involved in an Uber or Lyft accident, these measures will set you up to file a successful claim and obtain the maximum compensation possible:
- Make Sure A Police Officer Comes To The Scene Of The Accident. The police officer will write a police report containing information from their investigation at the scene. This should include the names and contact information of everyone involved, apparent injuries and property damage, and other pertinent observations.When speaking with the officer, avoid statements such as “I am not injured” or “I feel fine.” Often, injuries from auto accidents don’t manifest until hours, days, or even weeks after an accident, and these types of statements could increase the likelihood of the insurance company denying your claim.
- Collect Evidence At The Scene. This should include photos of your injuries, the vehicles involved in the accident, the area surrounding the accident (e.g., road conditions, streetlights, traffic lights/signs), and contact information of all individuals involved, including witnesses.No amount of evidence is too much: the more information you have that corroborates – or even contradicts – the police report, the better. The information you gather in the moments after an accident could be paramount in identifying who was at fault.
- Call Your Insurance Company And The Rideshare Company To Inform Them Of The Accident. Do not provide a statement until you’ve spoken to an Uber or Lyft accident lawyer in Florida.
- See A Medical Professional As Soon As Possible (Do Not Wait More Than 14 Days). This step is crucial, even if you are not in pain and do not think you’re injured. Explaining to a physician that you’ve been involved in an accident and may need to file an Uber or Lyft accident injury claim will guide them in screening you for injuries commonly sustained in auto accidents.In addition to establishing a record of your injuries, seeing a medical professional within 14 days will secure your eligibility for receiving up to $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) from your auto insurance policy.
- Call An Uber And Lyft Accident Lawyer. Under Florida law, all licensed individuals with a vehicle must carry PIP. Regardless of who caused the accident, PIP will immediately cover your medical expenses. If the PIP limit is insufficient to cover your injuries, or if you do not have PIP, you will need to pursue additional compensation from the at-fault party. This is where a seasoned Uber and Lyft accident lawyer’s expertise will provide tremendous benefits.Proving liability in an Uber or Lyft accident can be complicated, but there’s no way around this step because knowing where to file your claim is necessary. For instance, if the rideshare driver is liable for the accident, you will file a claim with their auto insurance company. However, since rideshare drivers don’t usually carry insurance policies covering them during commercial activities (e.g., using their vehicle to make money as an Uber or Lyft driver), you may need to file a claim against Uber or Lyft to access $1 million liability insurance coverage.
Top-Rated Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers In Hallandale Beach, FL, And Beyond
At Fenstersheib Law Group, we understand the struggle injured rideshare passengers face. We also understand auto insurance companies and how the claims process works, allowing us to provide our clients with superior care.
Our goal is your goal: obtain the maximum amount of compensation as quickly and efficiently as possible.
We’re fortunate to help Floridians in multiple cities where auto accidents are prevalent, including Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Orlando, and Tampa, FL.
Our primary office is in Hallandale Beach, Florida, and we have secondary Florida offices in Hollywood, Miramar, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Sarasota, Tampa, & Jacksonville.
Call us today: 800-TELL-ROBERT.
