Stepping into an Uber or Lyft, you’re probably focused on where you’re going, and what you’ll do once you get there.
Few of us consider the possibility that we won’t make it to our destination at all…but instead find ourselves as the passenger in an Uber or Lyft accident.
Unfortunately, rideshare accidents aren’t uncommon, especially considering the pressure drivers face to not only pick up and drop off their passengers in a timely manner, but maximize their profits each shift. This is why it’s paramount that customers of Uber and Lyft know how to pursue compensation should they suffer injuries in an accident.
To obtain compensation for injuries suffered in any auto accident, liability must be established.
If you were injured as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft-related accident, there are two scenarios to consider:
- Your Uber or Lyft driver was responsible for the accident. Under these circumstances, as a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the accident, you can file a claim for compensation directly against the Uber or Lyft driver. However, to actually obtain compensation in this way will require that the Uber or Lyft driver has a commercial insurance policy OR a personal insurance policy that includes a provision which covers them for any accident they cause while actively working as a rideshare driver; in most cases, neither will apply.
This is where the $1 million third-party liability insurance coverage carried by both Uber and Lyft will save the day—and your bank account and your peace of mind. This $1 million limit applies per accident for any personal injuries resulting from an accident caused by the Uber or Lyft driver.
- Your Uber or Lyft driver was not responsible for the accident. If this is the case, you would be able to file a claim for compensation against the at-fault driver’s auto insurance company. However, if you’ve suffered serious injuries, it may very well be the case that the at-fault driver’s insurance policy limits will be insufficient to cover the entirety of your claim. Another possibility is that the at-fault driver does not even have auto insurance.
If the at-fault driver is underinsured or uninsured, it could complicate your ability to recover the full value of your claim. While Lyft originally had $1 million in uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage in Florida, it was reduced to just $250,000 in 2018, and as of March 30, 2020, Lyft has altogether removed UM/UIM coverage from its Florida insurance certificate.
Uber’s Florida UM/UIM policy isn’t much better: It provides just $10,000 per person in an accident and $20,000 total per accident, regardless of how many people file a claim.
Uber and Lyft’s UM/UIM coverage (or lack thereof) highlights the value of obtaining UM/UIM coverage on your own auto insurance policy, as it could potentially pay for damages that exceed the limits of the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. Alternatively, you may be able to recover damages from a family member’s Florida UM/UIM policy, as long as you reside with them.
Navigating the claims process for an Uber or Lyft-related accident can be challenging and stressful, and obtaining the maximum amount of compensation you deserve can be downright impossible without the right knowledge and ample time.
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re simply trying to make it through each day, recover from your injuries, and get on with your life. The Uber and Lyft accident attorneys at Fenstersheib Law Group, P.A. in Florida can help you do this.
By hiring Fenstersheib Law Group, you’ll have decades of knowledge and expertise in your corner. Your attorneys can do the communicating for you, so you can rest rather than preoccupy yourself with insurance adjusters whose only aim is to devalue your claim and minimize your damages.
The seasoned and compassionate rideshare attorneys at Fenstersheib Law Group, P.A. will fight for your right to obtain compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses related to the injury (hospitalization, rehabilitation, prescription medication, etc.)
- Lost wages (past and future) and property damage
- Loss of earning capacity (e.g., due to long-term disability)
- Pain and suffering experienced as a result of the accident
- Punitive damages when applicable
Don’t hesitate to call today for answers to any and all of your questions. We’re eager to hear your story.
Our main office is located in Hallandale Beach, Florida, and we have secondary Florida offices located in Hollywood, Miramar, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Sarasota, Tampa, & Jacksonville.
Call Fenstersheib Law Group, P.A. at 800-TELL-ROBERT
