There are important differences between ordinary personal injury cases and personal injury cases involving a ride-sharing company like Uber or Lyft. When you or a loved one has been harmed, and a ride-sharing company is involved, you want help from a personal injury law firm that knows what to do. A Tampa Uber accident attorney and Lyft accident lawyer from Distasio Law Firm is here to help. Reach out to an experienced Tampa car crash attorney from our firm now.
Why Are Personal Injury Cases Involving Ridesharing Companies Different from Other Cases?
Ridesharing drivers at companies like Lyft and Uber are not actually company employees. This can complicate matters when you are trying to recover compensation. Our team of rideshare accident attorneys in Tampa can help you navigate the process.
Our Team Handles All Types of Injury Cases Involving a Ridesharing Vehicle in Tampa
We handle most any type of personal injury claim involving harm caused by the negligent acts of an Uber or Lyft driver in Tampa. Common types of cases we see include:
- Accidents caused by an Uber or Lyft driver
- Sexual assault and rape by an Uber or Lyft driver
- Physical assaults
- Kidnapping
- Harassment
- Murder by a rideshare driver
If an Uber or Lyft driver harmed you or a loved one, an injury lawyer in Tampa from Distasio Law Firm can help you seek justice.
Are Lyft And Uber Ride-Sharing Companies Liable For Driver Car Crashes?
Consumers have embraced Uber and Lyft ride-sharing as an inexpensive and safe alternative for public transportation. Ride-sharing companies like Lyft and Uber use smartphone apps to connect drivers with passengers. There is no statistical evidence to suggest that these drivers are more likely to get into car crashes than taxi cabs or other drivers. However, when a Lyft or Uber driver is involved in an auto accident, there is some question as to whether the ride-sharing companies are liable for their driver’s actions.
There is no specific law in most states that address this issue and Florida is no exception. Furthermore, from a purely legal standpoint, there is a strong argument that ride-sharing companies are not legally responsible for injuries caused by their negligent drivers. This is because the companies do not actually employ the drivers. Instead, the drivers are independent contractors. In addition, Uber and Lyft take the position they are not profiting from the ride itself. Instead, they claim they are only profiting from making the connection between driver and passenger. Therefore, according to them, they should not be responsible for the driver’s actions.
Fortunately, both Uber and Lyft voluntarily provide auto accident insurance to cover claims up to $1 million dollars. When the insurance coverage will apply is a little different for both companies. It appears both Uber and Lyft insurance policies will provide coverage when a passenger is actually in the car and their driver negligently causes a car accident. It also appears both Uber and Lyft insurance policies will provide uninsured underinsured coverage when there is a passenger in the ridesharing vehicle that is hit by a negligent driver. However, there are definitely times when the insurance policies will not provide coverage. For example, in 2013 the auto insurance policy for Uber denied coverage to a 6-year-old girl who was hit by an Uber driver that did not have a passenger at the time. Uber’s insurance company denied the claim because the driver was in between rides at the time of the collision.
If the driver is in between rides, there is also a possibility that the driver’s insurance policy will cover the claim. This will depend on what type of insurance policy the driver purchased. Insurance companies are now writing policies that can be purchased by drivers that specifically cover them for their negligent auto accidents while engaged in looking for ride-sharing rides. Of course, this requires the driver to specifically tell the insurance company they are going to use the car for ride-sharing. If the driver did not tell the insurance carrier they will be carrying Uber or Lyft passengers, the insurance company may refuse to pay an auto accident claim.
Why Should You Hire a Lyft Collision Lawyer in Tampa?
Both Lyft and Uber believe their only responsibility is to link up drivers and passengers. Since drivers of these companies are not full-time employees, the companies believe they are not liable for accidents their drivers cause. A personal injury attorney who is not familiar with these claims may have a difficult time proving your case.
We Understand Uber and Lyft’s Insurance Policies
Both Uber and Lyft provide up to $1 million of insurance coverage for accidents involving their drivers even though the state of Florida does not require it. However, these insurance policies only apply in specific situations.
If the coverage does not apply, the driver’s own insurance will cover the claim if the driver disclosed to their insurance company that they were using the vehicle to drive for business. The skilled rideshare accident lawyers in Tampa at Distasio Law Firm can figure all this out for you.
We Will Determine What Damages You Can Recover After a Rideshare Crash
Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be entitled to compensation for any of the following:
- Medical expenses, such as hospitalization, surgeries, prescription medications, assistive devices
- Lost wages if your injuries keep you out of work
- Lost earning capacity if your injuries required you to take a lesser-paying job or retire
- Miscellaneous expenses, such as hiring help around the house and transportation to and from your doctor’s office
- Pain and suffering from your injuries
Once our capable Tampa attorneys have investigated your Uber or Lyft accident, we will determine what your case might be worth.
We Manage Your Rideshare Case
Handling a car accident case can feel impossible when you are trying to recover from serious injuries. Our team of dedicated rideshare crash lawyers in Tampa can manage every aspect of your case, including:
- Identifying liable parties
- Determining whether Uber’s or Lyft’s insurance policy applies to your accident
- Placing a value on your case
- Handling all communication with involved parties
- Negotiating with Uber’s or Lyft’s insurance company
- Taking the case to court if necessary
You can learn more about what we can do for you during a free consultation.
Are There Some Uber or Lyft Accident Cases Your Law Firm Does Not Handle?
If you or a family member was harmed by a car, truck, or other vehicle crash and a Lyft or Uber driver was involved, our Tampa lawyers can help. Do not worry about whether you are a passenger, driver, or pedestrian. We will sort through everything so you can focus on healing from your injuries.
Does Your Law Firm Handle Rideshare Accident Cases Everywhere in Florida?
Lyft and Uber connect drivers with passengers in most cities in Florida, including Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Brandon. We represent clients in all of these cities, and anywhere else Lyft and Uber drivers go in Florida.
GET OUR FREE CAR ACCIDENT CASE GUIDE
What Makes Distasio Law Firm Different from Other Law Firms?
Distasio Law Firm differs from other law firms in the following ways:
Distasio Law Firm is Independently Verified
Our team has been rated by several independent rating systems. Martindale-Hubbell gave Scott Distasio its “AV” rating, which is the highest rating for ethics and ability. Scott is also Board Certified in Trial law by the Florida Bar. Scott is among less than one percent of Florida lawyers who have been Board Certified.
We Have Years of Experience Handling Lyft and Uber Accident Cases
Rideshare cases are complex. You don’t want to hire a lawyer who doesn’t have the necessary experience to manage your case. Scott Distasio has over three decades of experience managing car accidents and other injury cases in Tampa. He will use the knowledge he has gained when handling your case.
We Use Our Trial Experience to Your Benefit
Not all personal injury cases go to trial. The truth is that most cases settle. If your case does need to go to trial, it’s important to hire a law firm with the experience, resources, and ability to try your case. Scott Distasio is a board-certified civil trial lawyer. This gives him the right to call himself an expert trial lawyer.
Our Tampa Uber Accident Lawyers Handle Cases with no Upfront Fees
When you work with our team, you owe us nothing upfront. We advance the costs of the case and only recover our fees if you obtain compensation. Therefore, you face no risk when you enlist the help of a car accident attorney from Distasio Law Firm in Tampa, Florida.
See How a Tampa Uber and Lyft Accident Attorney from Distasio Law Firm Can Help You
A Tampa Uber accident lawyer and Lyft accident lawyer from our firm is ready to assist with your case. We will fight for the compensation you deserve. Call the best Tampa car accident lawyer today for your free consultation.
