Over the past decade, rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft have grown from upstart alternatives to taxi companies to a primary method of transportation for millions of people living in or just visiting Florida. Just like anyone else operating a motor vehicle, though, people driving for apps like these can be reckless on the road, sometimes leading to collisions with serious consequences for those involved.
If you have been hurt in a wreck involving a rideshare driver, you should prioritize speaking with a Florida Uber accident lawyer from Distasio Law Firm about a possible insurance claim. Rideshare service companies have special insurance requirements under state law, and a skilled Lyft accident attorney’s help can be key to understanding and taking full advantage of the recovery options available to you when you file a claim after a car accident.
What Insurance Coverage Do Rideshare Apps Provide?
Under Florida state law, rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft are required to carry a minimum of $1 million in insurance coverage for all their drivers, which must be available at all times, such as while a driver is:
- Logged into the app and waiting for a ride request
- Responding to a ride request
- Carrying a passenger
These apps also must provide $1 million of coverage to riders and other parties involved in crashes with Uber or Lyft drivers who are actively carrying passengers.
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Individual rideshare drivers must also purchase personal injury protection and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage as required by law, as well as a minimum of:
- $25,000 of coverage for property damage
- $50,000 for injuries to one person
- $100,000 for injuries to all people involved in a wreck
If you are involved in a crash with an Uber or Lyft driver who is not carrying a passenger or who is not logged into the app, claims against the driver’s personal insurance may be your only option for seeking financial recovery. A Florida rideshare (Uber) accident attorney could go into further detail during a private consultation about what kinds of insurance coverage might be available in your unique situation.
Filing Suit After an Uber/Lyft Car Crash
With very rare exceptions, you cannot file suit directly against Uber, Lyft, or any other rideshare company following an auto accident caused by a rideshare driver, since those drivers are considered independent contractors rather than direct employees of those companies. Furthermore, unless you have a “serious” injury expected to cause you permanent and disabling/disfiguring harm, you generally will not have legal grounds to sue an individual driver for damages beyond what PIP coverage and other forms of insurance coverage will pay for.
If a crash involving a rideshare driver does cause a serious injury, an ensuing lawsuit could demand compensation for the full value of past and future losses like:
- Medical bills and rehabilitative care costs
- Lost working capacity and/or income
- Personal property damage
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Emotional trauma and suffering
- Physical pain and discomfort
A qualified lawyer like Scott Distasio could provide more information about compensable damages following a specific Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare wreck in Florida.
Get in Touch with a Florida Uber/Lyft/Rideshare Accident Attorney
While most rideshare drivers uphold their duty of care when behind the wheel, there are those who fail to do so and cause substantial harm to Floridians every year through traumatic auto collisions. When dealing with the aftermath of a wreck and bodily injury involving a rideshare driver, professional legal representation with our personal injury attorneys could be vital to protecting your long-term interests.
Working with a Florida rideshare (Lyft) accident lawyer at Distasio Law Firm can make a huge difference in your odds of securing a favorable case resolution. Call today to learn more.
