Latest Blogs

As ridesharing continues to grow in popularity, accidents during Uber and Lyft rides are becoming increasingly common as well. As a result, it is important for passengers to know their legal rights. If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft, you may be entitled to financial compensation. In this scenario, the first step toward seeking the compensation you deserve is to put an experienced Fort Myers accident lawyer from Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. on your side.

5 Key Facts for Injured Uber and Lyft Passengers

So, what are your legal rights as a rideshare passenger in Florida? Here are five key facts for passengers who have been injured in an Uber or Lyft:

1. Seeking Accountability Starts with Determining Who (or What Company) is Responsible for the Crash

If you were injured in an accident while riding in an Uber or Lyft, seeking accountability will start with determining who (or what company) is responsible for the collision. In this scenario, there are several possibilities, including:

• Your Uber or Lyft driver
• Uber or Lyft
• The other driver involved in the crash
• The other driver’s employer (if the driver was working)
• The manufacturer of one of the vehicles involved in the crash
• A dealership or repair shop
• A road construction contractor

To determine who (or what company) is responsible for your car accident, you will need to determine the cause of the crash. Was one or more of the drivers involved being negligent? Did one of the driver’s brakes fail? Did an issue with the road cause one of the drivers to lose control? These are just a few of many possibilities.

Determining the cause of your Uber or Lyft accident is important because it determines what claims you are eligible to file. If you file your claim with the wrong insurance company, it is not going to pay. When you hire a Fort Myers accident lawyer at Spivey Law Firm to represent you, one of your lawyer’s first priorities will be to conduct a thorough investigation focused on determining where you should seek just compensation.

2. Florida Law Establishes Enhanced Auto Insurance Requirements for Rideshare Drivers and Companies

While Uber and Lyft accidents can have several causes, and while it is important not to make any assumptions, the leading cause of all types of car accidents is driver negligence. As a result, if you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, there is a reasonable chance that your driver is responsible for your injuries.

If you have a claim against your Uber or Lyft driver, Florida’s rideshare insurance law will come into play. This law establishes enhanced liability insurance coverage requirements for rideshare drivers, and it requires rideshare companies to provide coverage if their drivers are illegally uninsured or underinsured.

Under Florida’s rideshare insurance law, when Uber and Lyft drivers provide rides, they are required to have primary liability coverage of at least $1 million for death, bodily injury, and property damage.

This means that if you were injured during a rideshare and your Uber or Lyft driver was at fault, at least $1 million in insurance coverage should be available to you. When you hire a Fort Myers accident lawyer from Spivey Law Firm to represent you, your lawyer will assist with ensuring that you are seeking the full compensation you deserve—more on this below.

3. If the Rideshare Driver Was Not at Fault, You Will Need to Determine What Coverage is Available

While there is a reasonable chance that your Uber or Lyft driver was at fault in the accident, it is also possible that someone else (or something else) is to blame. If your rideshare driver was not at fault, you will need to determine what coverage is available. Depending on the circumstances, a few potential options include:

• Another at-fault driver’s liability insurance
• Your uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage (if you have an auto insurance policy and you opted to purchase this coverage)
• A commercial auto insurance or umbrella insurance policy (if you have a claim against a company that is responsible for the accident)

Determining what claims you are eligible to file can be challenging. But it is a critical step in the process of seeking the compensation you deserve. After investigating your Uber or Lyft accident, your lawyer at Spivey Law Firm will be able to provide a comprehensive assessment of your legal rights.

4. Recovering Full Compensation Will Require Both Proof of Liability and Proof of Your Losses

Regardless of the claims you are eligible to file, recovering proper compensation for significant or permanent injuries from a car accident requires both proof of liability and proof of your losses. Proving liability requires evidence of why your accident happened and who (or what company) is to blame.

Proving your losses requires evidence of your medical bills, other out-of-pocket expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other non-financial losses.  Spivey Law Firm will be able to assist with collecting the evidence you need, and then, our team at Spivey Law Firm will be able to use this evidence to calculate your damages and deal with the insurance companies on your behalf.

5. Hiring a Lawyer to Handle Your Uber or Lyft Accident Case Costs You Nothing Out of Pocket

Finally, if you have a claim after an Uber or Lyft accident in Florida, hiring a lawyer at Spivey Law Firm to represent you costs nothing out-of-pocket. With contingency-fee representation, you only pay if you win. Spivey Law Firm will advance the costs of pursuing your case, and you will not have to pay any legal fees or costs unless you obtain a settlement or verdict.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Fort Myers Accident Lawyer Today

Were you injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Florida? If so, we can help, but it is important that you contact us promptly.

It is important to hire a law firm that is led by an attorney who is certified by the Florida Bar in Civil Trial Law. Attorney Randall L. Spivey, who founded Spivey Law Firm, is a Florida Board-Certified Civil Trial Attorney. Less than 1% of all attorneys licensed by the Florida Bar Association are Board Certified in Civil Trial Law. This means that less than 1% of all attorneys in Florida can represent themselves as experts in this field. Randall L. Spivey is also AV-rated Preeminent from Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest rating standard, signifying the greatest level of professional excellence for communication skills, legal knowledge, and ethical standards.

To speak with experienced Fort Myers accident lawyer Randall L. Spivey at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. about your case in confidence, call us at 239-337-7483 or toll-free at 888-477-4839 or contact us online at SpiveyLaw.com now for a free consultation.