Rideshare Car Accidents

Rideshare companies like Uber, Lyft, Ola, and Didi are becoming increasingly popular in Florida. Although rideshare companies provide passengers with many benefits, the dramatic increase in ridesharing leads to many questions about liability in rideshare car accidents. The laws and insurance policies governing these accidents are complex and require a thorough understanding of personal injury and insurance laws. The lawyers at Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada have extensive experience handling car accidents on behalf of South Florida injury victims and know what it takes to help accident victims recover fully for their injuries.

Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies are ubiquitous throughout most towns and cities in the United States. On its face, ridesharing may appear similar to traditional taxi services because the companies do not own, operate, or control the vehicles or drivers. However, this app-based system has drastically changed the way people commute.

Ridesharing companies tout their drivers’ ability to pick up and drop off riders at a precise location. Although passengers cannot hail rideshare drivers on the street, the services typically extend to locations, such as suburbs, where taxis are less common. The flexibility and efficiency allow Florida passengers and drivers to spend less time waiting.

Despite the many benefits these companies offer, negligent rideshare drivers pose a threat to passengers, motorists, and anyone else on the road. A knowledgeable lawyer can help those injured in rideshare car accidents understand their rights and help them pursue fair compensation for their injuries.

While ridesharing has made traveling more convenient, it presents certain risks. Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) requires special licenses for city vehicle and taxi drivers; however, rideshare companies do not face these same requirements. Although many of the major ridesharing companies engage in background checks, there are very few restrictions on becoming a driver. For example, Florida law only requires rideshare drivers have one year of driving experience.

Recovering after a South Florida Lyft or Uber accident can be complicated. One reason for this is that several insurance companies are often involved, including the rideshare company’s insurance company, the driver’s private insurance company, and your own insurance company. If another driver was involved in the collision, their insurer would also play a role.

After an accident, insurance companies look for ways to avoid liability. When multiple insurance companies are involved in an accident, they often look to each other to cover the cost of the claim. This can significantly delay your recovery. Working with a Miami rideshare accident attorney can speed up the recovery process.

Under state law, rideshare companies must provide drivers with liability coverage. A rideshare company’s insurance policy breaks down a ride into four distinct periods. The amount of insurance coverage available after an accident depends on when the accident occurred.

Period 0: When the driver is offline, their personal insurance policy is in effect. Accidents during Period 0 are not covered under a rideshare company’s insurance policy. Thus, the driver’s personal insurance policy is often the only one available in an accident occurring during Phase 0.

Period 1: When the driver is online and awaiting a ride request. During Period 1, a rideshare company’s insurance covers an accident victim’s injuries. However, the coverage provided is limited to just $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident.

Period 2: When the driver is matched up with a passenger and is on their way to pick the passenger up. Liability insurance during Period 2 extends to passengers, pedestrians, other motorists, and anyone else injured due to the rideshare driver’s negligence, up to $1 million.

Period 3: Once the driver picks up the passenger. Like Period 2, coverage under Period 3 covers anyone injured due to a rideshare driver’s negligence, up to $1 million.

While there is almost always insurance coverage available after rideshare car accidents, that does not mean that the insurance company will willingly offer fair compensation for your injuries. An experienced Florida personal injury attorney at Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada can help you prepare your claim, negotiate with the insurance company, and take the case to trial if the company is unwilling to offer a fair settlement offer.

If you have suffered injuries in a Florida Uber or Lyft accident, contact Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada. Our dedicated car accident attorneys have successfully represented many injury victims who faced significant economic and non-economic damages due to no fault of their own. We possess the skills, resources, and tools to help you effectively pursue the compensation you need and deserve. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with a lawyer on our team, call (877) 448-8585 or (305) 448-8585. We serve clients in Miami and throughout Florida, including but not limited to Naples, Homestead, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale.