All over the United States, rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have completely changed how people travel short distances that used to be covered only by taxis or buses. Over the past several years, the massive increase in rideshare vehicles on Florida roads has led to several serious accidents, often caused by irresponsible drivers working for Uber or Lyft as independent contractors who may not have sufficient auto insurance coverage.
Fortunately, it is sometimes possible after Uber/Lyft/rideshare accidents in Largo to seek compensation through the insurance coverage provided by the rideshare companies involved in the incident. Either way, support from a dedicated Largo car wreck attorney at Distasio Law Firm could be vital to getting the most money possible out of your claim and protecting your best interests.
What Insurance Coverage Do Rideshare Companies Provide?
Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft provide different types of insurance coverage to riders and others involved in accidents with rideshare drivers, depending on whether the drivers are actively working or not. When someone who works as a rideshare driver gets into a wreck while they are not logged into the app they work for, the rideshare company typically will not provide any insurance coverage to them. Anyone injured in this type of wreck would have to go through their own insurance or the auto insurance purchased by the rideshare driver.
When a rideshare driver is logged into the app they work for but has not yet accepted a ride request, anyone involved in an accident with that rideshare driver may have access to limited coverage from the rideshare company. For example, Uber’s insurance policy provides up to:
- $50,000 of coverage for individual injury
- $100,000 for all injuries across all parties involved
- $25,000 for property damage caused by rideshare accidents in Largo occurring under these circumstances
Finally, if a rideshare driver is logged into the app and either traveling towards a rider who requested them or carrying a rideshare passenger, both Uber and Lyft have insurance policies providing up to $1,000,000 of coverage for losses caused by a rideshare accident. A well-practiced auto collision attorney like Scott Distasio could go into more detail about what financial recovery options you might have during a private consultation.
Getting Around the “No-Fault” Car Insurance System
Importantly, Florida is a “no-fault” state regarding car accident lawsuits, which means people injured in auto accidents cannot always file civil lawsuits over those collisions, even if they know someone else was at fault. This system also applies to crashes involving Uber or Lyft rideshare drivers in Largo, whether they are logged into the app at the time of the wreck or not.
However, these “no-fault” rules do not apply if your injuries meet the state’s “serious injury” threshold. This typically means that the injury is serious enough to cause significant physical or cognitive dysfunction, which is expected to last the rest of your life.
A Largo Attorney Could Help with an Uber/Lyft/Rideshare Accident Claim
Getting injured in a motor vehicle collision involving a driver for Uber, Lyft, or any other rideshare service can make for a uniquely complex recovery process. Sorting out what insurance coverages you can access—let alone getting the most money possible from ensuing claims—can be extremely difficult without guidance from experienced legal counsel.
Fortunately, help is available after Uber/Lyft/rideshare accidents in Largo from a tenacious personal injury lawyer willing to go to trial on your behalf and do whatever it takes to get the fair compensation you deserve. Call Distasio Law Firm today to schedule a meeting with one of our committed attorneys.
