Brandon Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer
Many people use Uber and Lyft ride-sharing services to get around Florida. Unfortunately, these vehicles can become involved in an accident just like any other. The aftermath of one of these accidents, though, is much more confusing. You may wonder which insurance company to file a claim with, and if you can obtain compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and other losses. Below, our Brandon Uber and Lyft accident lawyer explains further.
Insurance Available After an Uber or Lyft Accident
Different insurance policies may apply if you are involved in an Uber or Lyft accident. If you are another driver and an Uber or Lyft driver hit you, the first step is to file a claim with your own insurance company. Under Florida’s no-fault insurance law, you can obtain personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. If you suffer catastrophic injuries that PIP will not cover, you can file a claim against the Uber or Lyft driver if they were not logged into the app at the time of the crash.
If you were a rider in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, or the driver hit you while logged into the app, the company’s insurance policy may provide coverage. In these instances, Uber and Lyft will both pay up to $50,000 in coverage for bodily injury or death per person, or up to $100,000 per accident if the driver was logged into the app. If the ride-sharing driver was carrying a passenger at the time, Uber and Lyft both offer up to $1 million in coverage for bodily injury, death, and property damage.
Determining Liability After an Uber or Lyft Accident
Determining liability after an Uber or Lyft accident is complicated because ride-share drivers are classified as independent contractors. While state law in Florida requires ride-share companies to provide insurance coverage when their drivers cause an accident, it does not allow accident victims to hold them liable for acts of negligence.
Still, companies such as Uber and Lyft can be held liable for their own negligent actions. These may include knowingly hiring an unqualified driver, or ignoring complaints about a specific driver. In addition to ride-sharing drivers and companies, there are others who may also be liable for an Uber or Lyft accident. These include:
- Other drivers
- Manufacturers if defective parts caused the crash
- Government agencies responsible for designing and maintaining roads
- Other third parties, such as auto mechanics who improperly worked on a vehicle
It is not always immediately clear who is at fault for an Uber or Lyft accident. For example, if defective brakes caused a crash, that may not be known immediately following a crash.
Our Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer in Brandon Can Determine Liability
Determining liability is rarely easy. This is particularly true after an accident in an Uber or Lyft. At Anderson & Anderson, our Brandon Uber and Lyft accident lawyer will conduct a full investigation to determine who is at fault for your injuries and hold them responsible for paying the full and fair damages you are entitled to. Call us now at 813-251-0072 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to get the legal help you need.