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As Uber and Lyft continue to grow in popularity, accidents involving rideshare vehicles are becoming much more common. This is especially true in cities like Fort Myers, where getting a ride is often the fastest and easiest way to get where you need to go. If you have been injured in a rideshare accident, it is important to protect yourself, and this starts with hiring a Fort Myers accident lawyer to explain your legal rights.

The Process of Filing a Claim for an Uber or Lyft Accident: An Overview

When you hire a lawyer to represent you, your lawyer will guide you step-by-step through the process of filing a claim. Below is a brief overview of what you can expect as you move forward.

1. Proving Who was At Fault in the Accident

Whether you are pretty sure you know what happened, or you have no idea, filing a claim for an Uber or Lyft accident starts with proving who was at fault in the crash. This requires a prompt investigation, which makes it important to hire a lawyer as soon as possible.

While rideshare drivers are often responsible for Uber and Lyft accidents, this is not always the case. Other drivers, vehicle defects, road defects, and various other issues can lead to accidents involving rideshare vehicles as well. To assert your legal rights effectively, you first need to find out what claim (or claims) you need to file.

2. Determining What Insurance Coverage is Available

Once you know who is to blame for your rideshare accident, then you can figure out what insurance coverage is available. Florida has a law that mandates liability insurance for all Uber and Lyft drivers. Uber and Lyft are also required to have insurance that covers accidents if a rideshare driver is illegally uninsured.

If you have auto insurance, your policy may also apply. This is true whether you were riding in an Uber or Lyft or you got hit by an Uber or Lyft driver. At a minimum, you should be able to use your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, and if you have uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, your lawyer can help you file a claim under your UIM policy if you need to as well.

3. Filing a Claim (or Claims)

After determining what coverage is available, the next step is to file your claim (or claims). You will want to have your lawyer do this on your behalf. When dealing with the insurance companies, mistakes can be very costly, and insurance adjusters will try to talk you into saying things that they can use against you.

It is important to file your insurance claim (or claims) as soon after the accident as possible. Unnecessary delays can prove costly, and while you have two years from the date of the accident to take your case to court, evidence can be lost and witnesses can disappear if you do not act quickly after an accident to hire a lawyer. Filing your claim (or claims) as soon as possible is one of the best ways to ensure that you are able to maximize your financial recovery in a rideshare accident case.

4. Calculating Your Financial Costs

Regardless of the claim (or claims) you can file, it is up to you to make sure you don’t settle for less than you deserve. This means that you need to work closely with your Fort Myers accident lawyer to calculate your immediate and long-term financial costs. Over time, accident-related injuries can prove incredibly expensive, and ensuring that you have a clear understanding of these costs is critical for making informed decisions about settlement.

5. Calculating Just Compensation for Your Non-Financial Losses

If you have a liability claim for your rideshare accident, you are entitled to proper compensation for your non-financial losses as well. Florida law allows accident victims to recover just compensation for their pain and suffering, emotional trauma, permanent scarring and disfigurement, loss of consortium and companionship, and loss of enjoyment of life. You should work with your lawyer to ensure that you are seeking an appropriate compensation award for these losses as well.

6. Negotiating for a Fair Insurance Settlement

Just like other types of car accidents, most successful claims for rideshare accidents result in insurance settlements. It’s ultimately up to you to decide whether to settle (if you receive a settlement offer), and you will need to rely on your lawyer to negotiate for a fair settlement on your behalf. After calculating just compensation for your financial costs and non-financial losses, your lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company (or companies), and if a settlement is on the table, your lawyer will help you make an informed decision.

7. Going to Court if Necessary

If you do not receive a fair settlement offer after your rideshare accident, then you will need to go to court. While this takes time, it will be worth it in the end if this is what it takes to win the financial compensation you deserve. Going to court requires experienced legal representation, and while your lawyer will represent you in court, you will need to play an active role in the process.

Even if you end up needing to go to court, settling is still a possibility. Many car accident cases settle with a trial date pending. Oftentimes, showing the insurance companies that you are willing to go to trial will spur good-faith settlement negotiations. In any case, it is up to you to protect your legal rights, and this starts with putting an experienced Fort Myers accident lawyer on your side.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Fort Myers Accident Lawyer Randall L. Spivey at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

Were you seriously injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Florida? If so, we encourage you to contact us promptly to discuss your legal rights. To schedule a free consultation with Fort Myers Randall L. Spivey as soon as possible, call 239-337-7483 or 888-477-4839 or contact us online at SpiveyLaw.com today.