What Happens When Ridesharing Turns into an Uber Disaster?

Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft provide a convenient way to get to your destination, often for a lower price and with greater availability than traditional taxis. However, as these services have surged in popularity over the past several years, they have presented a variety of legal challenges. Some of these challenges arise when a rideshare vehicle is involved in an accident resulting in injury or property damage to a passenger, another driver, or a pedestrian.

As with any other car accident, the first step to take if you are involved in a rideshare accident is to call 911 and seek medical attention. Try to document the scene of the accident, taking photos or videos and speaking to witnesses, and keep copies of all your medical records, bills, and other important documentation, such as records indicating that you’ve had to take time off work due to your injuries. In addition to these critical steps, there are a few important things to know about ridesharing accidents:

• Rideshare companies will typically provide coverage for a passenger’s injuries—but the exact amount will depend on various factors. For instance, Uber and Lyft carry liability insurance of up to $1 million, but this coverage will only come into play if the driver was logged into the app and available to accept passengers and/or transporting paying customers at the time of the accident. Therefore, another key step to take if you’ve been involved in an accident is to file a claim with the rideshare company; they will review your case and determine whether their insurance policy will help cover your medical expenses and other losses.
• The driver’s auto insurance may also play a role. All drivers in Florida are required to carry at least $10,000 in personal injury protection and $10,000 in property damage liability. A 2017 state law imposed higher requirements for coverage on rideshare drivers, but these amounts are typically satisfied by the rideshare company’s insurance as long as the driver is using the app. Under some circumstances, however, the driver’s personal car insurance policy may take effect and provide additional coverage for injured passengers.
• Liability for rideshare accidents is a complex and evolving area of law, so working with a qualified attorney is one of the most important steps you can take if you’ve been involved in an accident with a rideshare driver. Since ridesharing is still a relatively new concept, the legal system continues to navigate the many complexities it presents. In addition to the challenges involved with determining insurance coverage in an accident, other legal questions may arise—for instance, whether a negligence lawsuit against the driver or the rideshare company is a viable option. As a victim of a rideshare accident, consulting a personal injury attorney with experience handling these types of cases is the best way to protect your rights and maximize any compensation to which you may be entitled.

If your rideshare experience has turned into an uber disaster, the team at Leighton Panoff Law is here to help. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling rideshare and other vehicle accidents, and will advocate on your behalf when working with insurance companies, the ridesharing company, and other parties involved. Call us at 888.988.1774 to schedule a consultation!