Uber and Lyft Accidents Injury Attorneys
The improvement and near universal use of handheld technology (smartphones) has created a new industry, commonly known as ride-share. This trend is personified by the speedy growth of the brands Uber and Lyft. Uber completes over 15 million rides each day and Lyft is not far behind. This is because instead of hailing a taxicab or renting a car at the airport, an app in the palm of our hand, will deliver a car and driver to us. Since Uber/Lyft accidents are fairly new concepts, many legal issues remain in flux.
How Can An Attorney Help Victims of Ride Share Accidents?
What does “ride-share” mean? A car service where a person uses a smartphone app, the two most popular being Uber and Lyft, to arrange a ride – usually in a privately owned vehicle is considered a ride-share.
Even though the ride-share market is fairly new, our personal injury attorneys already have experience with these type cases, as well as, fighting for and protecting clients injured in Uber and Lyft accidents. We can help answer your questions, including what to do if:
- You are a pedestrian, passenger, cyclist or in another vehicle and are injured in an accident due to the negligence of an Uber or Lyft driver?
- You are a passenger in a Lyft or Uber car and are injured as by an uninsured or under-insured motorist?
- You are an Uber or Lyft driver and are seriously hurt in an accident with an uninsured driver.
Things You Should Know About Uber and Lyft Accidents
- Uber/Lyft do not consider drivers to be their employees, drivers are contract employees. This impacts how drivers are paid, their benefits as well as insurance coverage requirements.
- Vehicles are owned and primarily insured by the individual driver and not by Uber or Lyft.
- Uber/Lyft cars are used for both personal and business use.
- If the Lyft/Uber driver is logged into the app, has accepted a ride and/or has a passenger in the car will impact the coverage available for your claim
- A Personal Injury Protection (“PIP”) claim can be made, but as is often the case, it will likely be a claim on your policy if you own a car in Florida or live with a Florida car owner and maxes out at $10,000 of coverage.
- PIP coverage is not required for limo and taxis in Florida and while ride-share is a separate category, claims are often denied by the insurance of driver’s working as Uber and Lyft.
- Ride-share driver insurance policies do exist, but the auto insurers only began offering them to Florida drivers in late 2016.
Insurance Coverage That Might Be Available To Cover Uber and Lyft Accidents
- Uber/Lyft do provide liability insurance up to $1 million dollars – as secondary insurance to the driver’s coverage
- Uber/Lyft do provide uninsured/under-insured Insurance up to $1 million dollars
- Uber/Lyft driver’s personal liability insurance may be available
When you are involved in car accident with Uber or Lyft, you will have many questions about your options and rights, including:
- Who is going to pay for my injuries?
- What if I can’t work and pay my bills?
- How do I do I fight a huge corporation like Uber?
Our team of accident attorneys at Gulisano Law have the experience and skills you want on your side to answer these questions and we will fight to get you the money you deserve.
Gulisano Law Can Help Victims of Uber and Lyft Accidents
Too often, we see big insurance companies and powerful corporations take advantage of victims. Since the regulations and laws around ride share services are still evolving the aftermath of an Uber or Lyft accident is often complex. Put your energy into healing and let us handle the complicated details. Please call Gulisano Law today at 954-947-3972 to put our skilled team to work for you and your family. The call and the advice are free. If you are unable to come to us, we will come to you and we never get paid unless you get paid.