How Do Car Accidents While in an Uber or Lyft Work in Florida?

Uber and Lyft are transportation network companies. This means that if a rideshare driver was involved in an accident that caused you to suffer injuries, you can file a claim with the rideshare company, whether it be Lyft or Uber, as well as the at-fault driver. In fact, a person who was struck by a negligent Uber or Lyft Driver while in another vehicle can still file a claim against both the rideshare company and the negligent driver. Rideshare accidents frequently occur in Fort Lauderdale, so it is good practice for car accident victims and/or their lawyers to check if the at-fault driver was logged in to the Uber or Lyft app at the time of the accident—even if the driver did not have a passenger in the vehicle. Doing so may obtain liability coverage for an injured party whose injuries are not covered by the driver’s personal policy, or if the driver does not carry bodily injury coverage at all. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon in South Florida for drivers to only be covered by the minimum state requirements of personal injury protection and property damage. Sometimes, an at fault driver doesn’t have any insurance at all! So, it’s important to obtain all the knowledge you can to protect yourself and obtain compensation for damages caused by another person’s negligence. There are several nuances in proceedings with a rideshare company, and both Uber and Lyft have their own policies and procedures. Dealing with insurance adjusters, third-party liability companies, growing medical bills from treating facilities, and scheduling repairs for your property damage all while trying to heal from your injuries can be extremely stressful. Luckily, an experienced car accident attorney in South Florida such as attorneys at Rosen Injury Law can sort out these issues so you can focus on getting better.

For more information, see Checker Cab Operators, Inc. v. Miami–Dade County, 899 F. 3d 908 (Fla. 11th Cir. Ct. 2018).