Uber and Lyft have essentially replaced taxis throughout much of the country. However, unlike taxi drivers, Uber and Lyft drivers aren’t exactly employees of their respective companies. This means you might not be able to sue Uber or Lyft directly for a car accident case involving one of their drivers, but you can still get compensation for your Uber or Lyft accident. If you were injured in a car accident because you were hit by an Uber or Lyft driver or because you were a passenger using one of these services when the crash occurred, talk to an attorney about your case. Miami Uber accident lawyer Prosper Shaked represents victims of these kinds of accidents and fights to get them the compensation they need for their injuries in Florida
Can You Sue Uber or Lyft Directly After a Crash?
Uber and Lyft’s drivers may seem like they “work for” these companies, but in most cases, Uber or Lyft would not be directly responsible for an accident. Instead, the driver and their insurance policy will usually cover the injuries and vehicle damage for any car accidents involving an Uber or Lyft.
First, it is important to understand how these companies are organized. The drivers for these companies use their company’s app to connect with riders, and the riders pay them through their rider app. Uber and Lyft each keep a cut of the money and pay the drivers the rest, but the drivers are not “employees” of these companies. That means that Florida’s “vicarious liability” rules would not allow you to extend a lawsuit to include Uber or Lyft as a responsible party in your lawsuit. However, this does not mean you can’t get compensation for an accident involving an Uber or Lyft. Miami car accident lawyer Prosper Shaked can guide you in this process.
Can Uber’s Insurance Cover My Accident?
Uber and Lyft both require their drivers to carry their own insurance policies, but they usually supplement these policies with their own $1 million insurance policies. Having drivers carry their own insurance ensures that the driver has some coverage that can help cover injuries to passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, or other drivers in the event that they cause an accident. However, Uber and Lyft also supplement these insurance policies with their own, high-value insurance policies.
Different insurance policies cover an Uber or Lyft accident at different points in the service. While the driver is off-duty, their personal insurance covers the crash just like any other car accident. While the app is turned on and the driver is cruising looking for rides, Uber or Lyft’s insurance policy can step in to cover up to $100,000 per accident and $50,000 per person for injuries. From the time a driver accepts a ride until the moment they drop off their passengers, the “million-dollar insurance policy” covers any accidents. That means that if you are injured while driving another car or in a pedestrian accident or bicycle accident, Uber or Lyft’s insurance policy can cover up to $1 million in personal injury, per accident.
Even though you cannot sue Uber or Lyft directly, their insurance should still cover the injuries and damage for any accident their drivers cause. If you are injured as a passenger, these insurance policies may cover you even if your driver is not at fault for the crash.
Can I Sue for an Uber Accident Instead of Filing an Insurance Claim?
In many cases, insurance payouts offer limited damages that might not fully cover your needs. As a car accident victim, you could face serious medical expenses and may be out of work for an extended period. Especially if you suffered serious injuries like traumatic brain injury or a spinal cord injury, you could also experience intense pain and suffering. Most insurance policies pay for medical expenses and lost wages, but they may limit these damages, and they will not pay for pain and suffering. Instead, filing your case in court could fully cover these needs in the event the insurance company does not.
Miami Uber and Lyft Car Accident Lawyer Offering Free Consultations
Talk to an Uber + Lyft car accident attorney about your options for receiving compensation after an Uber or Lyft accident, whether it be a negligent driving accident, self-driving Uber accident, or other cause for a rideshare crash. These companies may not be eligible for a lawsuit, but their insurance policies may still cover your needs whether you file an insurance claim or take your case to court. Always talk to an attorney before accepting any payments for a car accident injury to ensure that the payments cover your full damages. For a free consultation on your case, contact Miami personal injury lawyer Prosper Shaked today at (305) 694-2676.