Rideshare Accidents and Incidents

Learn About Your Legal Rights from an Experienced Fort Myers Rideshare Accident Attorney

As rideshare accidents and incidents become increasingly common, we are increasingly hearing from people who need help protecting their legal rights after collisions or incidents involving Uber and Lyft vehicles. If you have been injured or harmed in an Uber or Lyft accident or incident, we can help, but it is important that you contact us promptly. Once you get in touch, we will arrange for you to speak with an experienced Fort Myers rideshare accident attorney at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. as soon as possible.

Experienced Legal Representation for Uber and Lyft Accident Claims in Fort Myers

We provide experienced legal representation for Uber and Lyft accident claims in Fort Myers and the surrounding areas. Whether you were injured while driving or riding as a passenger—either in a rideshare vehicle or your own or harmed by an assault or the negligence of a rideshare company — our rideshare accident or incident lawyers can use their experience to assist with your case and help you seek the full compensation you deserve.

While insurance claims involving Uber accidents and Lyft accidents are similar to other types of accident-related claims in many respects, there are also some important differences. It is critical to ensure that you file the right claim—or claims.

Types of Rideshare Accident Cases We Handle

We handle all types of rideshare accident and incident cases. We have handled rideshare cases ranging from injuries from auto accidents, wrongful death, sexual abuse, and product liability. No matter what happened, if you have been seriously injured in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle or abused, assaulted, or harmed as a result of Uber’s or Lyft’s negligence, we encourage you to speak with a Fort Myers rideshare accident attorney at our firm right away. The types of cases we handle include:

Rideshare Passenger Claims

If you were injured in an accident or harmed as a rideshare passenger, you may be entitled to compensation. Under Florida law, rideshare drivers are required to carry liability insurance that covers victims’ injuries when they cause accidents. This insurance specifically applies when rideshare drivers are providing prearranged rides—in addition to applying in certain other circumstances. This insurance is typically provided by Uber or Lyft.  Additionally, rideshares typically carry uninsured or underinsured insurance.

It is important to have an experienced Fort Myers rideshare accident attorney on your side. Fault or negligence can take many forms, including (but not limited to):

• Distracted driving (including texting, navigating, or using the Uber or Lyft app)
• Fatigued driving
• Impaired driving
• Reckless or aggressive driving
• Speeding, tailgating, or weaving through traffic
• Turning without looking or attempting to merge without the right of way
• Negligently transporting a minor without consent
• Sexual assault or battery
• Negligent design and products liability regarding rideshare apps

As we mentioned above, seeking financial compensation after a rideshare accident can also involve filing a claim with Uber or Lyft’s insurance company in some cases. For example, you may need to deal with Uber or Lyft’s insurer if the rideshare driver’s insurance coverage has lapsed. If you have auto insurance, your Fort Myers rideshare accident attorney may also be able to assist you with filing a personal injury protection (PIP) claim or seeking coverage under another part of your policy – and there may also be uninsured or underinsured motorist benefits, if the other driver caused or contributed to the accident or incident.

Rideshare Driver Claims

If you were injured in an accident while driving for Uber or Lyft, your legal rights depend on why the accident happened. If the accident was your fault, you may be limited to seeking coverage under your PIP policy. However, if another driver was at fault, or if an issue with your vehicle or the road caused (or contributed to causing) your injuries, you may be entitled to recover full compensation for your medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other losses.

When you hire a Fort Myers rideshare accident or incident attorney at Spivey Law Firm to represent you, your attorney will investigate the accident to determine why it happened and who (or what company) is to blame. You should not be making any assumptions about fault at this stage. Once we know what claim (or claims) you can file, we can focus on determining how much you are entitled to recover and working to help you secure just compensation.

Claims Involving Collisions with Rideshare Vehicles

If you were injured in a collision with a rideshare vehicle, your options for seeking proper compensation depend, in part, on the severity of your injuries. If your injuries are relatively minor, you may be limited to filing a PIP claim under Florida’s “no-fault” auto insurance law.

But, if your injuries qualify as “significant” or “permanent” under Florida’s “no-fault” auto insurance law, then you may be able to seek additional compensation under the rideshare driver’s policy (or under Uber or Lyft’s policy, if necessary). If you have a claim for a vehicle or road defect, a Fort Myers rideshare accident attorney may be able to help you seek full compensation in this scenario as well. Once we investigate your accident, then we will be able to determine what claim (or claims) we can file on your behalf.

Claims Involving Sexual Assault or Violent Crime

Sadly, many people in Florida and throughout the country have been harmed as a result of alleged sexual assault, abuse, or criminal acts perpetrated or facilitated by rideshare drivers or companies.  These claims can include drivers assaulting their riders or drivers negligently transporting children to abusers.  The law is very complex regarding these horrific issues. Our firm has experience with, and has successfully handled, claims involving sexual assault, criminal acts, and rideshares.  It is very important to contact a Fort Myers rideshare accident lawyer as soon as possible after an incident involving a rideshare to ensure all evidence is preserved and your recovery is maximized. 

Claims Based Upon Products Liability

Technology is always evolving and rideshares market their applications to riders and drivers to make a profit.  By putting their applications into the stream of commerce, rideshare companies are required to appropriately design and manufacture reasonably safe applications.  When the applications are not properly designed or executed, they put riders, passengers, and the general public in harm’s way.  Our firm analyzes accidents and incidents from all angles and works with leading technology and rideshare industry experts to vigorously pursue claims. Our Fort Myers rideshare and incident lawyers will investigate to determine whether rideshare companies were negligent through their applications and if they may be liable to you for damages.   

Rideshare Accidents Involving Pedestrians and Cyclists

Our rideshare accident lawyers also handle claims on behalf of injured pedestrians, cyclists, and their families. If you, your child, or another loved one got hit by a rideshare driver in Fort Myers, you need to make sure you have a clear understanding of your legal rights, and the steps involved in seeking the financial compensation your family deserves.

Our lawyers can explain everything you need to know, and if you have a claim, we can seek full compensation on your behalf. Collisions with pedestrians and cyclists often result in life-altering (if not life-threatening) injuries. These injuries can lead to financial and non-financial costs for years (if not decades) to come, and this makes it critical for victims and their families to assert their legal rights effectively.

Determining Liability After a Rideshare Accident

Several factors can cause (or contribute to causing) serious accidents and incidents, and determining liability after a rideshare accident requires a comprehensive assessment of all potential causal factors. Some examples of common causal factors include:

• Negligent Drivers – Most rideshare accidents involve driver negligence, whether on the part of the rideshare driver or another driver involved in the collision. All of the factors listed above are examples of driver negligence.
• Vehicle Defects – Some vehicle defects can cause (or contribute to causing) accidents, while others can increase the severity of accident victims’ injuries. If you have a claim for a brake failure, airbag failure, tire blowout, or any other type of vehicle defect, the vehicle’s manufacturer may be liable.
• Road Defects or Construction Issues – Road defects such as potholes, low shoulders, and confusing lane markings can give rise to liability claims as well. In certain scenarios, contractors may be liable for negligence. 
• Crime Victims and Victims of Sexual Assault- Sadly, many people in Florida and throughout the country have been harmed as a result of alleged criminal acts, including sexual assault and abuse allegedly perpetrated or facilitated by rideshare drivers or companies.  These claims can include drivers assaulting their riders or drivers negligently transporting children to abusers.  Each case is unique and should be carefully analyzed by an experienced attorney.  
• Products Liability- Rideshares market their applications to riders and drivers to make a profit.  By putting their applications into the stream of commerce, rideshare companies are required to appropriately design and manufacture reasonably safe applications.  Rideshare companies’ failure to appropriately design and place a reasonably safe application into the stream of commerce may entitle you to damages depending on the facts and circumstances of the accident or incident. 

Again, these are just examples. Determining liability after a rideshare accident requires a thorough investigation and experienced legal representation. To make sure you are seeking to hold the appropriate party (or parties) accountable, you will need to work with a team of experienced rideshare lawyers who know what it takes to effectively seek the financial compensation you deserve.

How Our Rideshare Accident and Incident Lawyers in Fort Myers Can Help

Let us say you choose Spivey Law Firm to handle your rideshare accident or incident claim in Fort Myers. What can you expect from us?

Here are just some of the ways our rideshare incident lawyers can help:

1. Determining Liability for the Accident

We will begin by determining liability for the accident. We will launch an investigation right away, and we will work quickly to gather the evidence we need to determine what claim (or claims) we can file to hold the at-fault party (or parties) accountable.

2. Calculating Proper Compensation for Your Losses

We will calculate proper compensation for your losses resulting from the accident or incident. If you have a claim outside of PIP, you are entitled to full compensation for your financial and non-financial losses—both now and in the future.

3. Fighting for Full Compensation on Your Behalf

 We will fight for full compensation on your behalf. While this will most likely involve working to negotiate a favorable settlement with the at-fault party or their insurance company, we will take your rideshare accident claim to court if necessary.

Talk to a Fort Myers Rideshare Accident Attorney for Free

Do you need to know more about your legal rights after a rideshare accident or rideshare incident in the Fort Myers area? If so, we encourage you to contact us promptly for a free, no-obligation consultation. To speak with Randall L. Spivey, an experienced Fort Myers rideshare accident attorney at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in confidence, call us 24/7 at (239) 337-7483 or toll-free at 888-477-4839, or contact us online today.