Fort Lauderdale Rideshare Accident Attorney
Rideshare apps have taken hold in many different parts of the world, including Fort Lauderdale. They allow people to get around cheaply and conveniently, but some of those who use rideshare services can get caught up in auto accidents. Passengers could, through no fault of their own, sustain serious injuries or even die because of these auto incidents caused by drivers of rideshare cars, or just other motorists.
Victims of accidents have a right to know the legal action they can take, and what the next steps may be, especially if they have sustained serious injuries that have resulted in medical bills, lost income, or other forms of distress. Accidents that involve a ridesharing company can be more complicated than standard accidents, so it is greatly beneficial for victims to have a Fort Lauderdale rideshare accident attorney on your team.
Who takes responsibility for a ridesharing accident?
If the rideshare driver was negligent, then the responsibility may lie with them. Whereas, if the driver of the other vehicle was negligent and caused the car crash then they may be held responsible. Insurance providers or police officers will often get involved to determine fault, and the person who has caused harm may be held accountable for crash losses.
The importance of determining who is at fault is because there is a significant difference in the insurance policies offered by rideshare companies. There is an issue regarding accessing this insurance because companies are notorious for resisting responsibility. It can be challenging for victims to claim the full amount that they need to be compensated for losses without a good-quality legal rideshare attorney representation.
Uber and Lyft drivers are considered contractors rather than employees, which is another complicating factor when it comes to determining and compensating for fault. It often comes down to the driver’s status at the time of the accident. It depends if they are on their way to pick up a passenger or had the passenger inside their car. Each case will be different, and experienced legal professionals will be able to figure out who to file a claim against.
Florida has a comparative negligence system, which means that if an injured person contributed to causing the auto accident, their damages will be reduced by their percentage of fault. This is most often determined by a court or settled out of court depending on what your lawyer and the other party negotiate.
Florida’s no-fault insurance system regulates that a person who suffers only minor injuries because of a rideshare accident gets compensated from their Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance policy no matter who caused the accident. The victim may claim against at-fault parties in the case of serious injuries.
What are Uber and Lyft’s regulations?
In Florida, rideshare services have to abide by a strict set of rules about who can drive for them and what kind of insurance they must carry. Their insurance must meet the following minimums:
$100K per accident for a bodily injury or death
- $50K per person for bodily injury or death
- $25K for property damage
Uber and Lyft also run background checks on all their drivers to screen out people with felonies, DUI misdemeanours, fleeing or eluding police charges, and various other road crimes. Some argue that these restrictions are not comprehensive enough to keep passengers safe, and particularly that they are far more lenient than the regulations that taxi drivers adhere to.
Why are Uber and Lyft accidents more dangerous?
There are a few distinct reasons why accidents from rideshares are more dangerous and more frequent. Drivers are heavily reliant on GPS systems, and unlike Taxi drivers in many cities, rideshare providers may not be familiar with the area they are driving in. They are also likely to be less experienced with driving, receiving little or no training from Lyft or Uber regarding safe practices on the road. There is also the issue of background checks being less comprehensive.
Drivers are also often forced to perform illegal or dangerous driving moves, which may result in a car accident. They pick up and drop off people in loading zones and areas that are not designed for private car usage because of the way passenger location is shown on their interface. They also may drive more dangerously between clients and do risky things on the road to reach a client, like illegal U-turns.
What compensation could I expect from a rideshare accident?
Many people, after a car crash, require medical care and have ongoing issues as a result. If you were injured from an Uber or Lyft accident, then you may be able to claim financial compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. You may be eligible for the following through a settlement:
- All medical bills associated with the accident
- Rehabilitation
- Transportation to and from medical appointments
- Medication and medical equipment
- Psychiatric treatment
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
How can an experienced rideshare personal injury lawyer help?
Off-duty rideshare drivers may not have the insurance coverage they need to pay for a victim's expenses, even if they are determined to be at fault since, under Florida law, drivers are not required to hold bodily liability insurance. A driver’s coverage may also be too small to fully cover the victim's total costs. In cases such as these, a personal injury lawyer may be able to help you claim compensation for medical costs, lost income, and any other damages.
An experienced rideshare accident attorney will document the costs of an accident to pursue the accurate and complete cost of the accident. They will also demonstrate liability and negotiate with other parties such as insurance companies.
At The Injury Firm, we have years of experience helping victims of preventable accidents claim essential compensation they are entitled to. We will work with you to figure out the best way to proceed with your rideshare accident case so that it will benefit you the most. Contact us today at 954-951-0000 for a free assessment of your case.
