Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft have transformed how people travel across Florida. With just a few taps on a smartphone, passengers can quickly request a ride almost anywhere in the state. But as rideshare usage increases, so do the number of accidents involving these vehicles.
If you were injured in an Uber accident in Florida, understanding how insurance coverage and liability work is essential to protecting your rights. Rideshare crashes often involve multiple parties and complex insurance policies, making them different from typical car accident cases.
Rideshare crashes can cause many of the same injuries seen in other motor vehicle collisions. However, passengers in rideshare vehicles may be especially vulnerable because they often sit in the back seat and may not anticipate a crash.
Common injuries from rideshare accidents include:
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Broken bones and fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
- Soft tissue injuries
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, traffic crashes in the United States lead to millions of injuries every year. While the agency does not specifically separate rideshare crashes, researchers have found that the rise of rideshare services has been associated with increased traffic congestion and crash risk in major cities.
Because injuries can range from mild to life-altering, victims may face medical bills, lost wages, and long recovery periods.
Determining rideshare liability is often the most complicated part of a claim. Liability depends largely on what the driver was doing at the time of the crash.
Rideshare companies use a tiered insurance system that changes depending on whether the driver was using the app.
1. Driver Not Logged Into the App
If the driver was not logged into the rideshare app, their personal auto insurance generally applies.
2. Driver Logged In but Waiting for a Ride Request
When a driver is logged in but has not yet accepted a ride request, rideshare companies typically provide limited coverage. For example, rideshare policies often include:
- Up to $50,000 per person for bodily injury
- Up to $100,000 per accident for bodily injury
- Up to $25,000 for property damage
3. Driver En Route or Transporting a Passenger
Once a ride is accepted or a passenger is in the vehicle, much more extensive coverage generally applies. Both Uber and Lyft typically provide up to $1 million in liability coverage for qualifying accidents during this phase.
This tiered system is why an Uber accident in Florida claim or a Lyft injury claim can become complicated quickly.
Several different people may be eligible to pursue compensation after a rideshare crash:
- Rideshare passengers
- Drivers of other vehicles
- Pedestrians or bicyclists
- The rideshare driver (in certain circumstances)
In Florida, victims may be able to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Future medical care
- Property damage
Florida’s personal injury laws and insurance rules can affect how claims proceed, especially because Florida uses a no-fault insurance system that typically requires drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP). However, serious injuries may allow victims to pursue additional compensation beyond PIP coverage.
Rideshare accident cases often involve multiple insurance companies and competing arguments about responsibility. For example:
- The rideshare driver may blame another motorist
- Another driver may claim the rideshare driver caused the crash
- Insurance companies may dispute whether the driver was active in the app
These disputes can delay claims and complicate compensation for injured victims.
If you were injured in an accident involving Uber or Lyft, documenting the incident is important. Helpful steps may include:
- Reporting the crash through the rideshare app
- Seeking medical attention immediately
- Gathering witness information and photos
- Keeping records of medical bills and expenses
Because rideshare liability can involve multiple insurance policies and legal questions, speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney can help ensure your rights are protected.
Contact a Florida Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have been involved in a personal injury incident, seeking legal advice is essential to protect your rights. Our legal team has more than 40 years of experience seeking justice for accident victims. Our attorneys have sought and won millions of dollars for our injured clients.
Call 850-601-1111 to schedule a complimentary consultation with no obligations. This consultation will help you explore your legal options. Let us help you fight for fair compensation.
Mark continued his studies at Florida State University College of Law, graduating cum laude in 2008. While in law school, Mark was a member of the Journal of Land Use & Environmental Law and the Journal of Transnational Law & Policy, as well as a certified legal intern with the FSU Public Interest Law Center, where he assisted low-income clients with a wide range of family law issues. He also served as a law clerk intern to The Honorable L. Clayton Roberts of Florida’s First District Court of Appeal.
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