Uber has revolutionized our commute, providing a convenient and efficient transportation solution for everyone in Florida. Whether you’re a Miami resident heading to work, a tourist exploring the Magic Kingdom, or a college student enjoying a night out in Miami Beach, the chances of using an Uber ride are high. Yet, in the unpredictability of daily life, accidents can happen anytime, even when you’re a passenger in an Uber.
If you find yourself in an Uber accident in Florida, it is essential to know what to do and where to turn for help. An experienced Florida rideshare accident lawyer at Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys is here to help you through this difficult time. Our team knows how to handle rideshare accidents, and we work tirelessly to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve after a serious Uber accident.
Using Uber in Florida
The Uber app is easy to use and allows anyone in Florida to access a ride wherever they are and at any time of the day or night. When you enter your location and your destination, the app finds a driver in your location that can get to you quickly. You can watch in real time as your driver makes their way to your location, allowing you to plan your departure and arrival precisely.
The company has made it a priority to ensure that every ride is convenient and safe. Uber has implemented stringent safety measures extending to drivers and vehicles to do this. They require all their drivers in Florida to undergo comprehensive background checks. These checks help identify any red flags in a driver’s history, ensuring that only individuals with a clean record and a commitment to safety are allowed to serve as Uber drivers.
Moreover, Uber requires vehicles used for its services to meet specific safety standards. This includes regular inspections and maintenance to ensure every vehicle in their fleet is in safe driving condition.
Immediate Steps After an Uber Accident
Unfortunately, accidents still occur even with strict safety checks and vehicle maintenance. When you’re involved in an Uber accident, you may not know what to do next or where you can turn for help. That’s where we can help.
Follow these seven steps after an Uber accident in Florida:
- Check for Injuries and Seek Medical Treatment
- Contact the Police
- Exchange Information
- Gather Evidence
- Notify Uber
- Contact Insurance Company
- Call an Uber Accident Lawyer
Check for Injuries
In the event of an accident, the safety of everyone involved should be your top priority. Check yourself and others for injuries. If anyone requires medical attention, call 911 immediately. Even if you don’t believe you’re injured, you should be evaluated by a trained medical professional. This is key to preventing serious medical complications from occurring. It is also essential when seeking compensation after an accident. A medical exam and diagnosis can help your attorney prove that your injuries directly resulted from your accident.
Seeking medical assistance is necessary under Florida Statutes § 627.736 to get the benefits of personal injury protection insurance. You only have 14 days from the accident date to seek medical attention for injuries. If you fail to do so, you cannot get PIP benefits.
Contact the Authorities
Regardless of the accident’s severity, contacting the local authorities is essential. They will assess the situation, file a police report, and document any injuries. This is often required under Florida Statutes § 316.066.
A police report provides an objective, third-party account of the accident. It includes crucial details such as the crash’s date, time, and location, the parties involved, witness statements, and the responding officer’s observations. This official record is a foundation of facts that can substantiate your version of events, preventing disputes or contradictions.
The police report often includes the officer’s assessment of fault or contributing factors in the accident. This determination can be instrumental in determining liability, which is crucial in personal injury cases. If the report indicates that the Uber driver was at fault or identifies other contributing factors, it can significantly strengthen your position in a legal claim.
When you’re involved in an Uber accident, multiple insurance policies may come into play, including Uber’s commercial insurance and the driver’s personal insurance. Having a police report can assist in expediting the insurance claims process. It gives insurers a clear, official account of the accident, helping them assess liability and determine compensation.
Exchange Information
Exchange contact and insurance information with the Uber driver and other parties involved in the accident. Exchanging information with all parties involved in the accident helps identify and document everyone who played a role in the incident. In addition to the Uber driver, this might include other drivers, passengers, or pedestrians. This information ensures you can contact the relevant individuals or their insurance providers if necessary.
You’ll often need to file insurance claims to cover medical expenses, property damage, or other losses resulting from the accident. Having the Uber driver’s insurance information allows you to initiate this process. Additionally, if the Uber driver’s personal insurance policy is involved, they must have their details for filing claims with their insurer.
Noting the vehicles’ make, model, and license plate number serves multiple purposes. It aids in confirming the identity of the vehicles, especially in cases where multiple cars are present. This information is also essential when reporting the accident to the police and insurance companies, as it helps accurately document the vehicles involved in the collision.
Gather Evidence
Any information and evidence you can gather at the crash scene will help your case. Unless you are seriously injured, take pictures and videos of the accident scene and any other relevant information that might help your attorney build your personal injury case.
Capture images of the vehicles involved from multiple angles and photograph all visible injuries and road conditions. This visual evidence can be instrumental in assessing costs and determining liability after an Uber accident.
If there are eyewitnesses present, collect their names and contact information. Their willingness to testify can be crucial if your case goes to court.
Notify Uber
Contact Uber through the app to report the accident. The Uber app provides an immediate and direct channel to report the accident. This means you can initiate the process quickly, ensuring that the incident is documented as close to the time of the accident as possible. Prompt reporting is essential for an accurate account of events.
Uber provides insurance coverage for passengers involved in accidents during their rides. You can start the insurance claims process efficiently by reporting the accident through the app. Uber’s support team can help you understand the next steps, such as providing the necessary information to the insurer. They will guide you through the process and provide necessary assistance.
Contact Insurance
Even though Uber provides insurance coverage, your insurance company must know the situation. Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, is a crucial aspect of insurance coverage in Florida. Florida is a no-fault insurance state, meaning PIP insurance can cover medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who is at fault in an accident. If you have your own PIP coverage, it can come into play after an Uber accident to address your immediate medical needs.
Contact an Uber Accident Lawyer
Personal injury law can be complicated, especially regarding rideshare accidents. An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights after an Uber accident, ensuring that you’re fully informed about what you’re entitled to. In Florida, as in many states, specific laws and regulations govern rideshare services like Uber. Your rideshare accident attorney can explain how these laws apply to your case and ensure your rights are protected.
Insurance companies, even Uber’s insurers, often employ tactics to minimize payouts. Your lawyer will communicate with insurers, ensuring you don’t fall victim to unfair settlement offers. To maximize your compensation, they can assess your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future expenses.
If your claim becomes an Uber lawsuit, your attorney can negotiate with insurers and litigate your case in court if necessary.
Dealing with the aftermath of an Uber accident can be emotionally draining. Having an attorney by your side gives you the peace of mind of knowing you have a strong legal ally ready to fight for you. This lets you focus on your recovery and rebuilding your life after an Uber accident.
Act Quickly: Call Our Florida Uber Accident Lawyers
After an Uber accident, your thoughts are undoubtedly focused on your injuries and recovery. However, valuable evidence can get lost or destroyed if you don’t act quickly. Call experienced Uber accident attorney Prosper Shaked today to begin protecting your rights after a serious Uber accident. He will investigate your case, protect evidence, and ensure you don’t miss any critical deadlines for filing your claim.
We offer free case consultations to anyone injured in an accident in Florida. Call Prosper Shaked today at (305) 694-2676 or fill out our confidential contact form.