Most people appreciate the convenience of rideshare services, which save time and money. Despite Lyft, Inc.’s stringent hiring process, accidents caused by its drivers still occur. If you were injured in a rideshare accident, our experienced and dedicated Davie accident lawyer will help you file a compensation claim for various injuries, including physical, emotional, and financial damages.
If you choose our legal team to represent your case, Rosen Injury Law, P.A., will stand beside you throughout the legal process. We understand the importance of aggressively advocating for the rights of injury victims and are ready to help. Take the first step towards civil justice by calling 954-787-1500 to schedule your free consultation.
You Have the Right to File a Lyft Accident Claim Against Negligent Parties
Under Florida’s no-fault system, your insurance company will pay for your medical bills and lost wages up to a specific limit. However, there are some circumstances in which a victim may want to pursue a claim based on the concept of fault. Under such circumstances, claims for non-financial damages, such as pain and suffering, may be pursued in addition to any direct financial losses per Florida Statute § 627.730.
The Davie injury lawyers at Rosen Injury Lawyer, P.A., have helped injured parties file rideshare claims as:
- Lyft passengers
- Third-party motorists
- Rideshare drivers
- Pedestrians
- Bicyclists
- Other injured people
Our legal team can handle many claims against Lyft, drivers, and other parties involved in your injuries. Count on us to deliver the resources, knowledge, and skills necessary when fighting on your behalf.
Our Davie Lyft Accident Lawyer Will Fight for a Fair Award
At Rosen Injury Law, P.A., our injury lawyers in Davie prioritize strong and consistent advocacy when handling Lyft accident claims. We understand their insurance companies will protect their financial interests. However, your Davie Lyft accident lawyer will actively assert your rights and interests when demanding a fair award.
Our legal team will review your case to determine if the liable parties owe you the following:
- Medical bills
- Future healthcare costs
- Lost wages and benefits
- Future lost earning capacity
- Physical pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
- Other civil awards
Our legal team will meticulously review your case to determine a fair and reasonable number that Florida’s civil code says insurers owe you. Your Davies Lyft accident lawyer will also preserve evidence, negotiate with insurers, and hold liable parties accountable while you focus on your health and well-being.
How Florida Law Governs Lyft Accidents
Lyft accidents in Florida are not handled the same way as standard two-car collisions. A specific state statute, Florida Statute § 627.748, governs Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) like Lyft and Uber, creating a tiered insurance framework that determines how much coverage is available based on what the driver was doing at the moment of the crash. Understanding these tiers is one of the most important — and most misunderstood — aspects of any Lyft accident claim in Florida.
The Three Phases of Lyft Coverage
Florida law divides a Lyft driver’s activity into three distinct phases, each carrying different insurance obligations:
Phase 1 — App on, no ride accepted. When a Lyft driver has logged into the app and is available but has not yet accepted a passenger request, the driver is in Phase 1. During this period, most personal auto insurance policies do not apply because they exclude commercial activity. Under Florida Statute § 627.748, Lyft must provide minimum liability coverage of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury and death, plus $25,000 for property damage. These limits can be exhausted quickly in a serious crash.
Phase 2 — Ride accepted, en route to passenger. Once a Lyft driver accepts a ride request and begins driving to pick up the passenger, coverage increases substantially. The required minimum liability coverage jumps to $1 million for death, bodily injury, and property damage under § 627.748. This higher coverage applies even before the passenger has entered the vehicle.
Phase 3 — Passenger in the vehicle. From the moment a passenger enters the Lyft vehicle until the ride is completed, the same $1 million minimum coverage applies. Lyft and other TNCs also provide contingent comprehensive and collision coverage during this phase, though typically with deductibles of $1,000 or more.
App off. If the Lyft driver was not logged into the app at the time of the crash, only their personal auto insurance applies. Lyft has no insurance obligation during this period.
One important protection built into Florida’s TNC statute: under § 627.748(7)(d), if a Lyft driver’s personal insurance has lapsed or does not provide the required coverage, Lyft’s insurer must cover the claim from the first dollar. And under § 627.748(7)(e), Lyft’s insurance cannot require the driver’s personal insurer to deny the claim first before stepping in.
Why Lyft Accident Claims Are More Complex Than Standard Car Accident Claims
Lyft accident claims are more complicated than ordinary car accident cases for several reasons that go beyond the three-phase insurance framework.
Independent contractor status. Lyft classifies its drivers as independent contractors, not employees. Under Florida law, this generally means Lyft is not vicariously liable for a driver’s negligence the way an employer would be for an employee’s actions.
However, Lyft remains responsible for maintaining the required insurance coverage and, in certain cases, may face direct liability for negligent hiring or for failing to conduct adequate background checks.
Identifying the correct phase. Which phase the driver was in at the moment of impact can determine whether $50,000 or $1 million in coverage is available — a massive difference in a serious injury case. Establishing the driver’s app status at the exact time of the crash requires prompt investigation, including obtaining Lyft’s app records and internal data, which the company controls.
Multiple insurers. A Lyft accident claim may involve the driver’s personal auto insurer, Lyft’s commercial insurer, your own PIP coverage, and potentially your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Each insurer has its own interests, and they frequently dispute which policy should respond and in what order.
Florida’s modified comparative fault. Under Florida Statute § 768.81, your compensation can be reduced by your own percentage of fault — and if you are found more than 50 percent at fault, you recover nothing. Lyft’s insurer will look for every opportunity to shift blame, making thorough preservation of evidence and skilled legal representation critical from the start.
What to Do After a Lyft Accident in Davie
The steps you take immediately after a Lyft accident can significantly affect your ability to recover compensation:
- Call 911. Request that law enforcement respond and file an official report documenting the crash.
- Seek medical attention immediately. Florida’s 14-day PIP rule under § 627.736 requires initial medical treatment within 14 days of the accident. Missing this deadline eliminates your access to PIP benefits, with no exceptions for delayed symptoms.
- Document the scene. Photograph the vehicles, road conditions, visible injuries, and any damage. Note the Lyft vehicle’s license plate.
- Screenshot your Lyft app. If you were a passenger, take screenshots of your ride confirmation, driver’s name, vehicle information, and the trip route before closing the app. This establishes the driver’s app status at the time of the crash.
- Report the accident through the Lyft app. This creates an official record with the TNC and may be necessary to access insurance coverage.
- Collect witness information. Bystander accounts can be powerful, independent evidence in a disputed liability case.
- Avoid giving a recorded statement. Do not speak with any insurance adjuster — Lyft’s insurer or anyone else’s — before consulting with an attorney.
How Long Do You Have to File a Lyft Accident Claim in Florida?
Florida’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including those arising from Lyft accidents, is two years from the date of the accident under Florida Statute § 95.11, as amended by House Bill 837 in 2023. This applies to accidents occurring on or after March 24, 2023.
Two years may seem like an adequate amount of time, but Lyft accident cases require prompt action. App records, internal data, and witness accounts can disappear quickly. The sooner an attorney is involved, the better positioned you are to preserve the evidence that determines how much coverage applies and who bears liability.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lyft Accidents in Davie
What if the Lyft driver’s app was off when the crash happened?
If the driver was not logged into the Lyft app at the time of the crash, Lyft has no insurance obligation. The driver’s personal auto insurance is the only applicable coverage. This is still a viable claim against the driver individually, but it does not involve Lyft’s $1 million policy.
Can I file a claim against Lyft if I was a passenger who was injured?
Yes. As a Lyft passenger during an active ride (Phase 3), you are covered by Lyft’s $1 million liability policy. You can pursue a claim for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
What if another driver caused the crash, not the Lyft driver?
If a third-party driver caused the accident, their insurance is the primary source of liability coverage. If they are uninsured or underinsured, Lyft’s UM/UIM coverage during Phases 2 and 3 may provide additional protection.
Does my own PIP coverage apply in a Lyft accident?
Generally, yes. Your own PIP coverage is typically the first source of payment for your medical bills after any car accident in Florida, including Lyft accidents, regardless of fault. If you do not own a vehicle and carry no PIP, the TNC’s insurance must provide PIP benefits during an active trip.
Rosen Injury Law, P.A., Will Help You at No Cost
Rosen Injury Law, P.A., will represent your matter throughout the process. From the initial investigation to getting your matter paid, our Davies Lyft accident lawyer will not refer your case to other legal practitioners. We handle your personal injury case with the utmost confidentiality and on a contingency fee, meaning we do not get paid until you win! Our legal team will be with you every step of the way, providing the support and guidance you need. Call Rosen Injury Law, P.A., to schedule your free consultation at 954-787-1500.