Helping Victims Navigate Complex Auto Accidents in Clermont, Florida
Rideshare apps like Uber or Lyft are excellent ways to get around if you can’t (or don’t want to) drive. Unfortunately, because there are so many rideshare vehicles on the road, rideshare accidents are becoming increasingly common. Injured clients and passengers could face expenses like medical bills, property damage repairs, lost wages, and more.
Rideshare accidents are more complex than other car accidents, as multiple parties and insurance companies are involved. Determining who to file a claim with and how to hold the guilty party liable can be difficult, especially when healing from serious injuries. Fortunately, by working with a personal injury attorney on our team, you can recover compensation while focusing on your physical health.
At our personal injury law firm, our team has extensive experience helping clients seek compensation after a rideshare accident. We are confident that after reviewing your case and the severity of your injuries, we can recover damages on your behalf to pay for your expenses. To receive a free consultation and learn more about our legal services, contact an experienced lawyer on our team by calling 407-573-7483 today.
What Should You Do After a Rideshare Accident?
If you or your loved one get into a rideshare accident, it can be challenging to know what to do next. Taking the proper steps immediately after the accident occurred can help you collect evidence in your case to prove negligence later.
If you get into a Clermont car accident with an Uber or Lyft driver, take the following steps:
Seek Medical Attention
If you are injured, call emergency services or go to the hospital right away. If anyone else involved in the accident is hurt or unconscious, call emergency services to get them medical treatment. Keep a record of any medical bills you pay out of pocket, as you can claim them later.
Gather Information from the Other Drivers
Gather personal information from all other parties involved, including their names, phone numbers, and license plate numbers. Also, gather the other driver’s personal insurance policy and their rideshare insurance company policy, if applicable.
Contact the Police
Florida law requires drivers to contact law enforcement officers for any accident involving bodily injury or property damage of over $500. If you need to, contact emergency services and ask for police officers to come to the scene. A comprehensive accident report or police report can be used as evidence in your personal injury lawsuit.
Take Photos of the Accident
Photos and videos help bolster your personal injury case. Take photos of the accident and any injuries you have suffered. Screenshot your ride status in the Uber or Lyft app and gather witness testimony to call upon later.
Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers
The sooner you begin building a personal injury case, the sooner you can recover financial compensation to pay for your expenses. Reach out to our experienced legal team today to start gathering evidence for your personal injury claim.
Who is Liable for a Rideshare Accident?
In order to receive compensation for your injuries and other expenses after an accident, you must prove liability. Unfortunately, proving liability in a rideshare accident can be difficult, as there are multiple parties involved, even if only one driver is at fault. According to Florida law, Uber and Lyft drivers fall under regulatory processes when determining liability after car accidents.
Liability can depend on the following factors:
- Whether the rideshare driver had passengers in their car
- Whether the rideshare driver was logged into the rideshare app and waiting for a ride request
- Who was the at-fault party for the cause of the accident
The status of the ride and whether or not you were active on the app can impact which insurance company you make a claim through. If you were a passenger in a rideshare vehicle, the driver’s status can affect how you file your claim. Depending on the facts of your case, the rideshare company may or may not be held liable for damages.
After an Uber or Lyft accident, the surest way to recover compensation is by contacting an experienced lawyer on our team.
What Are the Insurance Requirements for Rideshare Services?
Uber and Lyft drivers must have personal auto insurance of their own. However, rideshare companies provide insurance coverage for accidents that happen while drivers are working.
Each rideshare company provides up to $1 million in protection for their drivers as long as one of the following factors is true:
- The driver was actively logged into the app and waiting for ride requests
- The driver was on their way to pick up a passenger
- The driver was transporting a passenger
Florida law states that the minimum insurance coverage for rideshare drivers is as follows:
- $50,000 for death and bodily injury per car accident victim
- $25,000 for property damage
- $100,000 for bodily injury per accident
- Personal injury protection (PIP insurance) and underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage
For drivers carrying passengers in their vehicles, rideshare companies must provide $1 million liability coverage for bodily injury, property damage, and death. Determining which insurance company to file a claim through can be confusing after a rideshare accident. For more information on rideshare app insurance policies, contact our team of car accident lawyers today.
What Sort of Compensation Could You Potentially Recover with a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
After a rideshare car accident, Florida law allows accident victims to pursue economic and non-economic damages to help compensate them for losses suffered in the crash.
Economic damages may include the following:
- Burial expenses in the event of a fatal collision
- Lost wages and lost income earning capacity
- Past medical bills and future medical expenses
- Property damage, vehicle repairs, and property loss
- Travel expenses for medical treatment
Non-economic damages are more difficult to assess in personal injury cases. However, with a strong case, it is possible to recover compensation for non-economic losses.
Non-economic damages may include the following:
- Disfigurement, dismemberment, and disability
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Lost quality of life
- Physical pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
If you have any legal questions about recovering a fair settlement for your case, please contact our law firm. We would be proud to act in your best interests in pursuit of the maximum compensation you deserve for your personal injury case.
What Injuries Are Commonly Associated with Car Accidents?
Rideshare accidents can happen in a variety of ways, similar to any other type of motor vehicle accident. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, distracted driving, texting while driving, reckless driving, and dropping off passengers at unsafe locations are common causes of rideshare accidents in Florida.
Common rideshare accident victim injuries include the following:
- Back and neck injuries
- Broken bones and bone fractures
- Burns
- Facial trauma and dental injuries
- Head trauma and concussions
- Loss of limb
- Loss of vision or hearing
- Organ damage and internal bleeding
- Post-traumatic stress disorder and psychological injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash
- Wrongful death
After our legal team works to determine the cause of your rideshare crash, we will seek a fair settlement for your injuries and other losses. It should be unthinkable for a car accident victim to be responsible for their own medical expenses following an auto accident. With our legal representation, we feel confident that we can recover the compensation that you deserve. It is in your best interest to work with personal injury lawyers experienced in the complexities of rideshare accident cases to learn more about how we may assist you during this difficult time. Please contact our Florida law firm to schedule your free initial consultation today.
Schedule a Free Consultation with an Experienced Car Accident Attorney in Clermont, FL, Today
Ridesharing accidents have the potential to cause serious bodily injuries with long-lasting symptoms. Unfortunately, receiving financial compensation after a rideshare accident can be difficult, as there are many parties and insurance companies involved. The surest way to get the payout you deserve is to contact an experienced team of lawyers to represent your personal injury or wrongful death case.
Our team at The Law Office of Jerry Jenkins, P.A., has extensive knowledge about auto insurance claims and rideshare accidents. We are confident that, with our legal assistance, you can recover the compensation you deserve for your expenses. To learn more about our legal services and to receive a free initial consultation, contact our law firm by calling 407-573-7483.