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Home » Pembroke Pines Uber + Lyft Car Accident Lawyer

Uber and Lyft provide an extreme convenience in many cases.  Tourists who do not have a car in Florida, people who have had too much to drink, and others who can’t drive can easily get a car to pick them up.  Unfortunately, the drivers for these services are not usually full employees of Uber or Lyft, and they may not have good oversight or safety training.  If you are involved in an accident as a passenger in an Uber – or while walking down the street, riding a bike, or driving another vehicle – you may be entitled to sue for your injuries.

The Pembroke Pines Uber and Lyft car accident attorneys at Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA represent these victims, fighting to get them the compensation they deserve for serious injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.  If you or a loved one suffered injuries in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft driver, call our law offices today at (305) 694-2676.

Do You Sue Uber or the Driver for a Car Accident?

Uber and Lyft hire their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees.  This effectively distances them from their drivers, allowing them to disclaim liability for car accidents or injuries their drivers cause.  This means that, in most situations, you cannot sue Uber or Lyft, but you can still sue the individual driver for the accident.

Even though the company does not take part in the lawsuit or carry legal blame for the accident, they often have insurance that covers the crash.  These insurance policies work differently in three areas of driving:

Off-Duty Uber and Lyft Accidents

Drivers who work for Uber and Lyft are considered normal drivers when they are not on duty.  This means that Uber and Lyft’s insurance will not cover accidents they cause, and you can sue the driver or file a claim against their auto insurance as the laws of Florida normally allow.

On-Duty Uber and Lyft Accidents

If the driver has the app open on their phone, and they are actively working, then Uber and Lyft might have supplemental insurance that covers accidents they are involved in.  This additional compensation works to cover injuries on top of anything that the driver’s insurance would already cover, helping victims and drivers alike get compensation for their injuries when an Uber or Lyft is involved.

Uber and Lyft Accidents with a Rider

After the Uber or Lyft driver accepts a ride, the rideshare company’s increased insurance covers any accidents they are involved in up until the time they drop off the rider.  That means that any time there is a rider in their car, an enhanced $1 million insurance policy should cover the accident.  This policy also extends to the time between when the ride is accepted and when the Uber picks up a passenger, meaning that accidents caused when the driver stops to pick up the passenger would also be covered.

These insurance policies cover the Uber or Lyft driver, any passengers in those cars, and others outside of the car.  This means that even a pedestrian who is struck by an Uber or Lyft or the drivers and passengers of another vehicle involved in the accident should be covered by this insurance policy.

Damages for Uber and Lyft Crashes in Florida

If you were involved in a crash with an Uber or Lyft driver, it is likely that the rideshare company will send an employee out to try to gather information and negotiate the aftermath of the crash.  At that time or soon after, you may be contacted by a representative who will work to settle the claim using their insurance policy.  In most cases, the insurance policy might be unable to cover the full value of the damages you are entitled to in your claim.

Insurance policies for car accidents in Florida often work to cover the victim’s medical expense and lost wages.  However, these damages are not always covered at their full value, with the insurance company covering only a portion of the damages.  Additionally, an insurance company usually will not pay damages for pain and suffering after an accident, meaning that you cannot get compensation for the physical discomfort and emotional distress of the injury through an insurance claim.

In many cases, these damages are significantly higher than the defendant or their insurance company will admit.  Especially if you suffered injuries resulting in permanent disabilities and ongoing lost wages, you may be entitled to substantial compensation.  Talk to a lawyer for more information about what your claim is worth before accepting anything from the defendant.

If you accept a settlement, it will usually bar you from being able to take your claim to court.  This effectively ends the case and leaves you to pay any additional costs on your own.  Our lawyer can help you ensure that you do not accept anything less than the maximum damages you might be entitled to.  We can work to negotiate settlement agreements when appropriate.  Otherwise, we can fight your claim in open court and work to get the damages you need from a jury verdict.

Call Our Pembroke Pines, FL Rideshare Injury Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one was injured in a car crash that involved an Uber or Lyft driver, they may be entitled to compensation through Uber or Lyft’s insurance policies.  These policies cover injured Uber and Lyft drivers as well as riders, occupants of other vehicles, and pedestrians who were injured in the crash.  for a free legal consultation and more information about what your potential claim might be worth, call our Pembroke Pines Uber and Lyft accident attorney today at Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA.  Our phone number is (305) 694-2676.