Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Miami, Florida

Top-Rated Rideshare Lawyer
Uber Accident Lawyer | Lyft Accident Lawyer

Driving services like Uber and Lyft have become one of the most convenient ways for people to get from one place to another, all through the use of an easy-to-use phone application. Despite their prevalence in our society, ridesharing services are not perfect and come along with many risks. One of the risks that comes with taking an Uber or Lyft—getting into an accident—often necessitates the expertise of a personal injury attorney. These professionals work closely with law firms and liability insurers to ensure that insurance claims are properly handled. With the ever-growing presence of ridesharing services in our daily lives, it is increasingly crucial for passengers to be aware of their rights and the role of insurance companies in the event of an accident.

Knowing your rights when involved in an Uber, Lyft, or other ridesharing accident can empower you to seek strong legal representation for any accident-related injuries. Finding a skilled Uber/Lyft injury lawyer is the first step in beginning the process of securing fair compensation for your injuries.

If you are in a ride-sharing accident and suffer an injury, or experience assault at the hands of a ride-share driver or passenger, call today at 305-486-7468 or schedule a free case evaluation.

Ridesharing Vs. Taxis: What’s The Difference?

Ridesharing services, like Uber and Lyft, were created with the goal of offering a lower-cost, more convenient and efficient alternative to traditional taxi services. While both taxis and ridesharing services can provide transportation, one of the main differences between the two is how they are accessible.

Ridesharing Companies

Uber

Uber, founded in 2009 as “UberCab”, is the leading ridesharing service across the world. As of 2022 Uber is available in over 80 countries, with that list growing by the day. Uber has rapidly expanded from its initial goal of serving as a cheaper and more convenient alternative to hailing a taxicab. In addition to being an alternative for taxicabs, Uber also provides food delivery, grocery delivery, alcohol delivery, and special promotional offerings to its users.

Additional Uber options, which utilize varying vehicle sizes, styles, and service various needs, are as follows:

Uber Comfort
UberXL
Uber Green
Uber Pet
Uber Connect
Uber Premier
Premier SUV

Lyft

Lyft, the second most widely used rideshare app. in the United States, was first founded in 2012. While Lyft is based in San Francisco, it currently operates in over 645 cities across the U.S. and Puerto Rico and in 10 cities in Canada.

Lyft operates the same general business model as Uber, in that both ridesharing services can be accessed through your smartphone. Just like with Uber, users must go in the app. store contained on their smartphone and download the Lyft app. After a user downloads the Lyft app, they must enter their personal information (i.e. name, phone number, payment information), and request a ride.

Lyft’s services include:

food delivery services
scooter rental
car rental
bicycle-sharing

Much like Uber, Lyft offers private for hire vehicles in the following sizes, styles, and comfort levels:

Lyft Standard
Lyft Shared
Lyft Wait and Save
Lyft Preferred
Lyft XL
Lux
Lux Black
Lux Black XL

Visible Lyft app on phone, in someone's hand.

Are Uber and Lyft Drivers Certified or Trained?

Uber and Lyft drivers are typically provided some type of informal training before being permitted to pick up passengers. However, there is no certification requirement to become an Uber or Lyft driver, or drivers are not required to carry any type of professional driver’s license. Although all drivers are required to submit to a background check prior to driving for Uber or Lyft, oftentimes these backgrounds checks are limited in the types of offenses that would disqualify a candidate.

According to current and former drivers, the amount of training Uber or Lyft provide is limited. As a result, rideshare drivers are often left ill-equipped to protect the safety of passengers. They often are not even given adequate training to keep themselves safe of the road.

In response to public outcry, Uber and Lyft have recently given drivers training that focuses on preventing human trafficking and sexual violence. Yet there has been nothing done by ridesharing companies to address unsafe and dangerous drivers.

What Should I Do After A Rideshare Accident?

Whether you are a driver or passenger, getting into an accident with a ridesharing vehicle can be a confusing experience. Here are some of the most important things to remember if you are involved in a rideshare accident:

1. Seek immediate medical attention

The number one priority in the event of an accident, is the safety of everyone involved. Immediately check the health of anyone vehicle occupants. In the event of injury, it is important to call for immediate medical assistance as soon as possible. Prolonging seeking medical care may lead to more serious consequences down the road.

Paramedics and EMS can render vital aid immediately at the scene, while also ensuring that you are promptly transported to the hospital. Emergency room physicians will properly diagnosis any resulting injuries and provide the necessary medical attention. Failure to swiftly address injuries resulting from a rideshare accident can not only lead to significant medical problems but can also delay resolution of your claim.

2. Take down any details of the incident and contact police

Once you have sought medical care for anyone involved, you’ll want to gather as much information and details concerning the accident as you can. This may include taking photos, videos, or jotting down notes. Feel free to use your phone to help you memorialize any details regarding the accident.

Contact the police in order to report the accident, whether you are a driver, passenger, or struck by a rideshare driver. Police officers responding to the scene will prepare a police report, which is crucial when making a Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare claim.

3. Contact a rideshare accident lawyer to discuss the details of your case

The next step is to call a Lyft accident or Uber accident lawyer who can help you understand your rights in the event of accident-related personal injury.

At The G Law Group our top-rated Uber accident lawyers and Lyft accident lawyers have the experience necessary to help you obtain every penny you deserve in just compensation. We offer a free initial case evaluation with our rideshare accident lawyers, so that we may answer any questions you have before decided to proceed with making a rideshare accident claim.

4. File an Uber accident or Lyft accident claim, if you choose

If your case is eligible, then our top-rated Lyft accident attorneys and Uber accident attorneys will discuss all the pros and cons associated with making a rideshare accident claim. However as with all our other cases, the final decision on whether to make a claim or file a lawsuit will rest with you, the client.

Some reasons why you might decide to file a rideshare accident claim:

to secure compensation for property damages not covered by insurance
to secure compensation for uncovered medical bills or other expenses
to secure compensation for lost wages
to secure compensation for pain and suffering caused by the accident

Our Lyft and Uber accident attorneys would be happy to explain this process in greater detail once you contact our office, should you have any additional questions.
To find out how much in compensation you are entitled to as a result of your rideshare accident fill out contact form below!

Police lights visible, car accident in the background.

Insurance Requirements For Rideshare Services

Details you may wish to record include:

Photos/videos of any cuts/bruises/scraps/swelling
Any other injuries you may have
Any injuries of other vehicle occupants
Photos/videos of any damage to the vehicles involved.
Photos/videos of the accident scene
Screenshot of the trip on your Uber/Lyft app
Photo of the driver’s license plate
Photos/videos of any damages to other drivers, pedestrians, or property
Telephone and other contact information for drivers/witnesses/anyone else on the scene
Insurance information of other drivers or pedestrians involved

Every driver on the road is required to have personal auto insurance, but rideshare drivers must also opt into the insurance provided by Uber of Lyft. This rideshare insurance can coverage for accident-related injuries, property damage, and vehicle damage. Depending on whether a driver is logged on to the app. or in the process of picking up a passenger, different insurance coverage will apply.

While rideshare companies tend to be treated differently under the law than other transportation services, recent local legislation has vastly changed the landscape nationwide. That is why it is always important to consult a top rated Uber or Lyft accident attorney for a free case evaluation. For a general overview rideshare insurance requirements throughout the country click the link below. Some state specific rideshare statutes can also be found below.

How much insurance coverage does my Uber/Lyft Accident policy contain?

Issues of liability and eligibility for insurance coverage in a rideshare accident can depend on the nature of the accident as well as the ride status.

Uber/Lyft Accidents While Not Logged into The Rideshare App

Drivers who are contracted by Lyft, Uber, or any other rideshare company are only eligible for rideshare insurance coverage when they are logged into their app. If drivers get into an accident on their own time and not while logged into the app., they can only seek coverage through their personal auto insurance policy.

Uber/Lyft Accidents While Logged Into The Rideshare App Without Passengers

For drivers who are logged into their rideshare app and are waiting for a ride request, they may be eligible for the following coverage:

$50,000 in bodily injury per person
$100,000 in bodily injury per accident
$25,000 for property damages

If your personal insurance does not apply, Lyft and Uber offer the above coverages for bodily injury and property damages resulting from an accident that occurred while the rideshare app. was on.

Uber/Lyft Accidents While Logged into The Rideshare App And Waiting For A Request

As long as Lyft, Uber, or any other rideshare drivers are logged into their app and accepting work, they have access to the same coverage as those who are logged in but without passengers.

Rideshare Accidents During A Trip Or En Route to A Ride Request

Rideshare insurance coverage is provided for both the driver and passengers, as soon as a driver has accepted a ride request via the Uber/Lyft app. This coverage continues to apply until the passenger(s) has fully left the vehicle. Both Uber and Lyft offer similar plans for insurance coverage in the event of an accident either during or en route to a ride request. These plans include the following:

$1,000,000 third-party liability
Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury and/or first-party injury insurance, the amount of coverage varies substantially state-by state
Contingent comprehensive and collision, up to actual cash value of the vehicle ($2,500 deductible)

Drivers for Uber and Lyft are insured up to $1 million in third-party auto liability coverage for injuries to passengers, another driver, and pedestrians. Rideshare companies also carry continent comprehensive & collision coverage, which will pay up to the actual value of any vehicle involved in the accident. This collision coverage applies, regardless of fault, and is intended to cover damage to your vehicle. However, this additional coverage does usually come with a $2,500 deductible, which must be paid by the rideshare driver.

Uninsured/Underinsured motorist bodily injury and/or first-party injury insurance covers bodily injuries to the rideshare driver. It also covers any injuries to the rideshare passengers or other parties involved in the accident, in excess of the 1,000,000 in third party liability coverage. However, the amounts can vary widely from State to State as shown below.

Questions To Ask A Rideshare Attorney

There are several specific questions you should ask any rideshare attorney in order to better understand your rights to compensation and your best course of action. For a more detailed list of questions you should ask any attorney evaluating your case, please check our FAQS.

What are my rights following a rideshare accident?

If you are passenger and your Uber or Lyft driver gets into an accident during your trip, then certain coverages apply. This means you may be entitled to up to $1,000,000 dollars for injuries you sustained as a result of an Uber or Lyft driver’s negligence.

If you are another driver and you are struck by an Uber or Lyft driver during a trip or while en route to a trip, then certain coverages apply. This also means you may be entitled to up to $1,000,000 dollars for injuries you sustained, if the Uber or Lyft driver is deemed at fault.

If you are a Uber or Lyft driver, any accident that occurs when you are logged into their app or while you are en route to a trip or during a trip, then different coverages apply. This means that rideshare drivers are often left relying on the other drivers’ insurance or any Uninsured/Underinsured motorist bodily injury and/or first-party injury insurance provided by Uber or Lyft. As the amounts of coverage tend to vary widely state-by-state, do not hesitate to schedule a consultation with one of our top rated Uber and Lyft accident attorneys. We will be happy to answer any specific questions you may have.

How long do I have to file a rideshare accident claim?

An accident attorney is one of the first people you should ideally contact in the event of a rideshare accident, in addition to your rideshare company, the police, and 9-1-1 for medical assistance. In most legal cases, the sooner you contact an attorney to begin the claim filing process, the better. As with all legal claims, there is often a legal time limit for filing your claim. This is known as the statute of limitations. The Statute of Limitations applicable to your case will vary based on where your Uber of Lyft accident occurred. For example, if your accident occurred in Florida you have 4 years from the date of accident to file a lawsuit. If your accident occurred in Georgia you only have 2 years from the date of accident to file a lawsuit. If you have any questions regarding whether you can still file a claim for you rideshare accident, schedule a consultation with one of our top rated rideshare accident lawyers.

What are your fees?

One of the biggest concerns people have when seeking an attorney to represent them, is the cost. With injury cases, many lawyers receive a percentage of whatever amount they can recover for the client as part of their compensation. Clients may also be responsible for additional case-related costs, such a filing fees, court reporter fees, and expert costs. For rideshare accident cases we do not charge any fees or costs to the client, unless we are able obtain compensation for their injuries.

Attorney’s fees and costs can vary on a case-by-case basis. For more information on what these fees and costs might be based in your specific case, schedule a consultation with one of our top rated rideshare accident attorneys.

How much is my rideshare accident case worth?

There is no average value for each rideshare accident case, as the injuries and facts of loss can greatly affect the value of your case. The best way to find out how much your case is worth is to contact a rideshare accident attorney. Schedule a free case evaluation with one our top rated rideshare accident lawyers and find out how much your case is worth.

What are the difference in filing an Uber claim vs. Lyft claim?

Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies claim handling processes vary greatly. As you may already know, Uber and Lyft both have different policies as it relates to how they treat and compensate their drivers. The same goes for how they treat drivers, and passengers after an accident has occurred.

First: Who is the insurer? Lyft uses companies like Progressive, Allstate, Liberty Mutual, and more to insure their drivers involved in rideshare accidents. Uber uses companies like USAA, State Farm, Progressive, and more to insure their drivers involved in rideshare accidents. For example, the compensation averages offered by USAA change drastically compared to those offered by Progressive.

Second: Who is handling the claim? Depending on the state your accident occurred in, rideshare companies take many different approaches to claims handling. For example, in certain states Uber relies on its insurer for the entire claims handling process. This can significantly affect the amount of any compensation you receive.

Third: How the claim is submitted? In certain states the claim must be submitted directly through Uber or Lyft app., as opposed to submitting the claim directly to the insurer. When your claim is first received can have significant implications for the priority of your claim, especially if there are other injured parties in the rideshare accident.

Only an experienced rideshare attorney can help explain to you how this can affect the value of your claim.

If you have been involved an Uber accident, find out about your rights to an Uber accident settlement or other compensation here.

If you have been involved a Lyft accident, find out about your rights to a Lyft accident settlement or other compensation here.

Will I lose access to my Uber or Lyft services if I file a claim?

Many people who drive for ridesharing services have concerns about taking any action they believe may jeopardize their employment. It is also very common for people to be unaware of their rights, which can create even greater uncertainty and confusion.

We know that understanding your rights after an accident can be tricky, especially when you are working for such large and powerful companies like Uber and Lyft. However, understand that rideshare drivers who bring a valid personal injury claim cannot be penalized. Your right to file a valid claim under the ridesharing company insurance policy is legally protected..

The same applies for any passengers involved in a rideshare accident. Uber and Lyft cannot legally remove you from the app. for filing a valid injury claim. If you have been involved in a rideshare accident, schedule your free case evaluation today. We can discuss your rights, and help you determine the best course of action.

Contact Our Top-Rated Rideshare Accident Attorneys

At The G Law Group, P.A., we represent clients on a contingency fee basis. This means you will not pay any legal fees, unless we secure a financial recovery for you. The bottom line is that we don’t any concerns about paying upfront for a lawyer to keep you from seeking the legal help that you need. We know how a lawyer can make a major difference for you and your loved ones as you move forward after a rideshare accident.