A rideshare accident can leave you facing medical bills, vehicle damage, and uncertainty about who will pay for your injuries. A Tampa personal injury lawyer can help you move forward.
The lawyers at Distasio Law Firm have over 35 years of combined experience. If you were involved in a rideshare crash, a Tampa rideshare accident lawyer can take on your case and help you pursue compensation for your losses.
Why Hire a Tampa Rideshare Accident Attorney?
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.
Specifically, we can help by:
- Collecting police reports, surveillance footage, witness testimony, and other evidence that supports your claim
- Identifying all liable parties
- Determining whether the rideshare company’s insurance policy applies to your accident
- Placing a value on your case
- Handling all communication with other involved parties
- Negotiating with the rideshare company’s insurer
- Taking your case to court (if necessary)
For a free legal consultation with a Rideshare Accident Lawyer serving Tampa, call (813) 259 0022
What is the Average Settlement for a Rideshare Accident in Tampa?
Since every case is different, there is no average settlement for a Tampa rideshare accident. Payouts can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars depending on variables like the severity of your injuries, the cost of your medical treatment, the amount of income you lose, available insurance coverage, and the strength of your evidence establishing fault.
A rideshare accident lawyer in Tampa from Distasio Law Firm can evaluate your case and estimate its value.
Tampa Rideshare Accident Lawyer Near Me (813) 259 0022
Types of Damages You Can Recover After a Rideshare Crash
Depending on the specifics of your case, you may be entitled to compensation for any of the following:
- Medical expenses (such as hospitalization, surgeries, prescription medications, or 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 caused by your injuries
- Property damage to your vehicle and other personal belongings
- Loss of enjoyment of life (if your injuries impact your ability to participate in relationships and activities you previously enjoyed)
- Punitive damages (if you can prove that the defendant is guilty of gross negligence or intentional misconduct)
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How Does Rideshare Accident Insurance Work?
Rideshare accident insurance can differ from ordinary auto insurance because coverage depends partly on what the rideshare driver was doing in the app when the crash occurred. The three primary statuses are:
- App off: When the driver is not logged into the rideshare platform, their personal auto insurance generally applies.
- App on, waiting for a request: When the driver is logged in and awaiting a ride but has not accepted a request, Florida’s Transportation Network Company law, FL Statutes § 627.748, requires the rideshare company to provide up to $50,000 in bodily injury or death coverage per person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 in property damage liability coverage.
- Ride accepted or passenger aboard: Once the driver accepts a ride request, the rideshare company provides up to $1 million in primary automobile liability coverage for injuries and property damage and up to $1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
A Tampa car accident lawyer from Distasio Law Firm can help determine which coverage applies to your crash.
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Can I Sue the Rideshare Company Directly?
Since rideshare drivers are classified as independent contractors, you typically cannot sue either company for a crash involving one of them. However, you may have grounds for a direct lawsuit if you can prove that the company’s own negligence caused or contributed to your accident.
For instance, you may have a lawsuit if the company is guilty of:
- Negligent hiring or screening: The company failed to perform a proper background check and allowed a driver with a dangerous driving record or criminal history onto its platform.
- Negligent retention: The company kept a driver active on its platform despite receiving complaints from passengers about their dangerous behavior.
- App malfunctions: A technical glitch, forced app distraction, or system failure directly contributed to the crash.
- Algorithmic pressure: The company’s rules, bonuses, or push notifications forced a driver to operate a vehicle while dangerously fatigued.
Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents in Tampa
Rideshare drivers face many of the same hazards as other motorists, but the demands of accepting requests, finding passengers, and following navigation instructions can introduce additional distractions.
Common causes of rideshare accidents in Tampa include:
- Distracted driving: Looking at a phone to accept a ride, check a passenger’s location, or follow navigation directions can divert a driver’s attention from traffic.
- Speeding: Drivers rushing to reach a pickup location or complete more rides may exceed the speed limit.
- Unsafe lane changes: A driver who makes a sudden lane change to reach an exit or pickup point may strike another vehicle.
- Failure to yield: Misjudging gaps in traffic or failing to yield to pedestrians can cause serious collisions at intersections and crosswalks.
- Rear-end collisions: Following too closely or failing to brake in time can result in a crash in stop-and-go traffic.
- Fatigued driving: Drivers working long hours or late-night shifts may experience slower reaction times and impaired attention.
- Impaired driving: Alcohol, drugs, or certain medications can affect a driver’s judgment, coordination, and reaction time.
- Unsafe passenger pickups: Stopping suddenly, pulling into traffic, or picking up passengers in unsafe locations can expose other motorists and pedestrians to danger.
- Poor vehicle maintenance: Worn tires, faulty brakes, and other mechanical problems may contribute to a collision.
Common Rideshare Accident Injuries
Even a minor car crash can cause serious injuries, such as:
- Whiplash and neck injuries: Sudden movement during impact can strain muscles and ligaments or damage structures in the neck.
- Back injuries: A collision may cause muscle strains, herniated discs, or spinal injuries.
- Head injuries: A blow to the head or violent movement of the brain can cause a concussion or traumatic brain injury.
- Broken bones: The force of a collision can fracture the arms, legs, ribs, wrists, or other bones.
- Internal injuries: Blunt-force trauma can damage internal organs or cause internal bleeding.
- Cuts and lacerations: Broken glass, vehicle debris, and other objects can cause wounds, scarring, and nerve damage.
- Knee and shoulder injuries: Bracing for impact or striking the vehicle’s interior can damage joints, ligaments, and tendons.
- Psychological injuries: Some accident survivors experience anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, or post-traumatic stress symptoms.
- Wrongful death: Serious collisions sometimes cause fatal injuries.
What Makes Distasio Law Firm Different?
At Distasio Law Firm, we take pride in doing excellent work and holding negligent wrongdoers accountable for the injuries and damages they have caused our clients.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- We are 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.
- We have decades of experience: Scott Distasio has over 35 years of experience managing personal injury cases in Tampa. He will use the knowledge he has gained to help you achieve your goals with your case.
- We are ready to go to trial: Scott Distasio is a board-certified civil trial lawyer. If your case goes to trial, we have the experience, resources, and ability to support you.
- We don’t charge upfront fees: When you work with our team, you will owe us nothing upfront. We advance the costs of each case and only recover our fees if you obtain compensation.
Our Car Accident Case Results
The attorneys at Distasio Law Firm are committed to helping you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Some of our most notable car accident case results include:
- $125,000 rear-end accident settlement: A client’s car accident caused a herniated disc in his neck after he was struck from behind in stopped traffic and ultimately underwent spinal fusion surgery.
- $225,000 T-bone accident settlement: A client was injured when another driver crossed her lane of travel, eventually requiring multiple surgeries.
- $480,000 rear-end accident settlement: A client stopped behind a school bus to allow children to cross when a van traveling over 60 mph struck her vehicle, causing multiple serious injuries.
- $880,000 car accident settlement: A client’s leg was crushed between two vehicles in a serious car crash.
- $719,000 head-on accident settlement: A client suffered an ankle fracture and head trauma in a severe head-on collision.
Steps to Take After a Rideshare Accident in Tampa
What you do after a rideshare accident can affect your health, your ability to prove what happened, and your chances of recovering compensation.
If you are physically able, you should:
- Report the accident: Contact the Tampa Police Department or Florida Highway Patrol and cooperate with the responding officers.
- Exchange information: Obtain the names, contact details, driver’s license information, vehicle registration details, and insurance information of everyone else involved in the crash.
- Preserve rideshare information: If you were riding in the rideshare vehicle, save your trip receipt, ride confirmation, information about the driver, and relevant app communications.
- Document the scene: If it is safe to do so, photograph the vehicles, road conditions, traffic signals, skid marks, and your injuries.
- Seek medical attention: Go to Tampa General Hospital, AdventHealth Tampa, or another local hospital to receive medical treatment.
- Notify your insurance company: Report the collision to your own insurance company, but avoid speculating about fault or the severity of your injuries.
- Keep records of your losses: Save medical bills, prescriptions, repair estimates, receipts, and documentation of missed work.
- Contact a lawyer: An attorney from Distasio Law Firm can investigate the collision, identify the applicable insurance policies, and explain your legal options.
Tampa Rideshare Accident Frequently Asked Questions
We know that a rideshare crash can bring about a lot of uncertainty and complicated questions about how to seek compensation. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions we see from clients.
What Percentage Does a Rideshare Accident Lawyer Take?
The rideshare accident lawyers at Distasio Law Firm typically take roughly one-third of your settlement as payment for our services. If you do not recover compensation, you won’t owe us anything.
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay attorney’s fees upfront. Instead, your lawyer receives an agreed-upon percentage of the compensation you recover through a settlement or court judgment.
How Long Do I Have to Sue After a Tampa Rideshare Accident?
According to Florida Statute § 95.11 (as amended by House Bill 837), the general statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits in Florida is two years from the date of a car accident. In addition, you typically have four years to file a property damage lawsuit.
Exceptions can apply in certain cases, such as if your case involves minors, delayed injuries, or government-owned vehicles. Missing the applicable deadline can prevent you from recovering compensation through a lawsuit, which is why you should contact Distasio Law Firm immediately after an accident.
Who is Liable in a Tampa Rideshare Accident?
Multiple parties may share fault, including:
- The rideshare driver: A driver who speeds, runs a red light, follows too closely, drives while distracted, or otherwise acts negligently may be responsible for injuries they cause.
- Another motorist: A driver who causes a collision with a rideshare vehicle may be held liable for any resulting damages.
- A vehicle owner: In certain circumstances, the owner of a vehicle may be responsible for another person’s negligent driving.
- A vehicle manufacturer: A manufacturer may face liability if a defective component contributed to the accident.
- A maintenance provider: A repair shop or maintenance company may be liable if negligent work contributed to a mechanical failure.
- A government entity: A public agency may potentially be responsible when a dangerous roadway condition contributed to the crash.
A rideshare accident attorney in Tampa from Distasio Law Firm can help determine who is responsible for your damages.
What if the Driver Was Between Rides?
If the driver was logged out, their personal auto insurance will serve as the primary coverage. If the driver was logged in and waiting for a request, the rideshare company’s limited liability coverage will apply.
Lastly, if the driver had already accepted another passenger’s request, the rideshare company’s $1 million liability coverage will apply.
What if I Was Partially at Fault?
You can still recover compensation after a Tampa rideshare accident as long as you are no more than 50% at fault for the crash. However, under Florida Statutes Section 768.81, which lays out Florida’s modified comparative negligence law, your compensation will be reduced based on your percentage of fault.
If you are assigned 51% or more of the responsibility for the crash, you will not be able to pursue damages.
See How a Rideshare Accident Attorney in Tampa Can Help You
If you or one of your loved ones was injured in a rideshare crash, a Tampa rideshare accident attorney from Distasio Law Firm is ready to assist with your case. We will guide you through the process of filing a claim and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Schedule a free consultation to discuss your accident with an attorney.
Call or text (813) 259 0022 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form