Uber Accident Attorney

A lot of people who use ride-share services like Uber and Lyft do not really know that much about how the business works. They just know that they can use an app on their phone, and that someone who works with the app’s company will arrive and pick them up, then take them to their destination. It seems easy, and often costs less than a taxi would. Despite the convenience and cost factors, though, these services do not operate the same way as a taxi service, are not under the same rules and regulations, and do not have the same requirements for their drivers, which could make them riskier to use in some cases.Uber auto accident lawyers and Lyft auto accident lawyers have a strong grasp on these rules and regulations.

Drivers who work for companies like Uber and Lyft are contractors, and are not considered employees of the company they drive for. This affects how they are paid and the benefits they get, but it also affects the type of insurance coverage they are required to have. They are not driving a company vehicle, and they are not professional drivers. They are simply normal people who are using their personal vehicles for their own needs as well as the ride-share service. Because insurance requirements for these drivers are very different from what would be required of actual employees, care must be taken to protect your interests, which an Uber auto accident lawyer or Lyft auto accident lawyer is equipped to do.

Typically, if you are injured in a ride-share accident you would make a PiP claim against your insurance company if you personally own a car. Because not all states require PiP coverage for taxis and limos, ride-share cars often get put into the same type of category. Since the driver is logged into the app and has accepted the ride-share request, the insurance company would be able to prove the driver was working for the ride-share company at the time of the accident, and could deny your claim based on not covering that type of service. That is not always the case, as there are some ride-share insurance policies.

If you are unsure about how to handle a claim with your insurance company after being involved in a rideshare accident, an Uber accident lawyer or Lyft auto accident lawyer can help.

WHAT CAUSES RIDESHARE ACCIDENTS

South Florida is known for having a high number of accident and drivers often have to be on the defense. Distracted driving is one of the biggest contributors to accidents in South Florida. While rideshare drivers need to be on their phones in order to accept ride requests, they are encouraged not to use their phones during a ride. Rideshare accidents are not always the fault of the driver but the large majority may result from based on some form of driver negligence. Here are some factors that contribute to rideshare accidents.

Acts of nature

These are unpreventable and sometimes inevitable. Anything from high winds and heavy rain to ice and sleet can make driving conditions unsafe.

Driver Fatigue

Rideshare drivers often put in a lot of hours since many of them drive for more than one company. This may lead to fatigue, which causes them to be less alert.

Improper vehicle maintenance

Rideshare drivers accumulate a lot of mileage. Failure to properly maintain a vehicle may lead to tire blowouts, steering issues, airbag failure or a number of other issues that can impact passenger safety.

Speeding

This is a common cause of the majority of car crashes. Rideshare drivers are considered as common carriers and have a increases duty of care when transporting passengers.

WHAT TO DO AFTER A RIDESHARE ACCIDENT

As with any car accident, it is advisable to have a Lyft auto accident attorney on your side. Rideshare accident claims work in a similar manner to regular car accident claims but may have an additional layer of complexity when seeking to hold the ride share companies liable. Hiring an Uber accident lawyer or Lyft accident lawyer will ensure that you are properly guided throughout the entire process and can help to take a lot of stress of you so you can focus on your recovery. Here is what is advised after a rideshare accident:

Safety first

Be sure to check that you and everyone else is fine. Seek medical attention if necessary and contact the police. A police report is essential for filing your claim and an personal injury attorney will review it and use it in your case.

Document everything

Gather as much as evidence as possible. Pictures and videos will help to support your narrative later down the road.

Report the car crash to your insurance company

Contact your own insurance company and make them aware of the accident. Be careful not to give a recorded statement. Any communication with your insurance company should be directed through your personal injury attorney.

Contact a Miami Uber car accident lawyer

An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to help you file a claim for any injuries that you suffered as a result of the accident. An Uber auto accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve.

There May Be Insurance Available

In 2016, some insurance companies started to offer ride-share policies. Not all states have them, and they can still be difficult to get, but there will likely be more opportunity for these types of policies as ride-sharing programs and companies continue to grow. In the meantime, Uber and Lyft both provide secondary coverage for liability up to $1 million, and offer uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage that also reaches $1 million. Personal liability insurance is available in some cases, and drivers can ask about that option. While it is not available everywhere, drivers should check to see if they can select it and what it costs. When it comes to keeping up with the various changes to the law where rideshare is concerned, an Uber accident attorney or Lyft accident attorney is your best bet. Uber auto accident lawyers deal with numerous cases and are very knowledgeable on the matter.

Unfortunately, most of that insurance protection is for the Uber or Lyft driver, and not for the passengers that driver is carrying around. However, an Uber auto accident lawyer or Lyft auto accident lawyer can help you to understand the various aspects of your coverage. If you are a passenger in the vehicle and are injured in an accident, your coverage options and opportunities may still be more limited than you would expect. Finding out about that before you use a ride-share service is a great idea, but it is not always practical. It is also not something most people think of, and that can mean they end up with a serious concern and the need of a legal professional, a true Uber accident lawyer and Lyft accident lawyer, so they can move toward recovering damages based on their injury.

WHAT INSURANCE IS AVAILABLE FOR UBER AND LYFT DRIVERS?

Both popular rideshare companies have similar policies for covering drivers. The type of insurance that is available to ride share drivers after a car crash depends greatly on when it took place. Drivers’ times are usually divided into three periods.

1. App is turned on and the driver is waiting for a passenger request

Since Uber and Lyft drivers are considered independent contractors, these companies do not take responsibility for ride share accidents that occur on a driver’s own time. Uber and Lyft do not consider themselves liable for automobile accidents that happen when the app is simply running but the driver is not actually in the process of a ride.

2. The driver has accepted a ride request and is en route to the passenger

In this instance, ride share companies will provide third part liability coverage for both drivers and passengers. However, there are some cases when things may get a bit tricky. For instance, if a ride is canceled during a ride share accident and the driver is unable to make it to the passenger, the company may try to classify the ride as being in period one. An experienced Uber accident lawyer or Lyft accident lawyer will be able to help you handle both the rideshare and insurance companies successfully.

3. The ride is in progress

This is perhaps the most straightforward of the three periods. Once the pickup has occurred, it is to establish some form of liability on the part of the rideshare companies. However, it is still advisable to have a personal injury lawyer on your side as they will be better equipped to handle the situation on your behalf.

TYPES OF PERSONAL INJURY LAWSUITS AFTER A RIDE SHARE ACCIDENT

The insurance company is usually the first point of contact for car accident victims. However, there are also other avenues available to ensure that you are fairly compensated if you suffer any injuries. Any entity that contributed to your injuries following your automobile accident may be liable for damages. Consult with an Uber accident These include:

Third parties that may not directly be involved in the automobile accident

Anyone who contributed to the accident can be held liable. This may even include government agencies that are responsible for ensuring that roads are properly maintained.

Rideshare driver

If the driver’s insurance company does not want to pay out your claim, an Uber accident attorney can file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf against the driver if your injuries were as a result of their negligence.

Negligent drivers

If your automobile accident is as a result of the other driver’s negligence and not the fault of your rideshare driver, then an Uber accident attorney or Lyft accident attorney can file a lawsuit against that negligent driver.

Companies and manufacturers

If a defective product contributed to your car crash, then you have options for recovering compensation. It may be a faulty brake or tire, or perhaps an problem with the air bag caused you additional injury. If that is the case, the manufacturer of the product that contributed to your ride share accident can be held liable.

WHAT DAMAGES ARE AVAILABLE TO RIDESHARE ACCIDENT VICTIMS?

There are a host of monetary compensation available if you suffer an injury from a rideshare accident. An attorney can help to ensure that you are not underpaid and get the maximum compensation to help you pay your medical bills and handle your expenses in the event that you are unable to work because of your injury. Available compensation may include:
Emotional distress

• Current and future lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Hospital and medical bills
• Property damage
• Death and disfigurement
• Disability
• Household services

Contact an Uber accident attorney or Lyft accident attorney for assistance on what type of compensation would be best for your needs.

WILL UBER OR LYFT PENALIZE ME FOR FILING A CLAIM?

A ride share accident can be a traumatizing experience and many car accident victims may be concerned that they will no longer have access to Uber or Lyft is they go forward with filing a claim. This is a justifiable concern when riders accept the Terms of Use from the companies, they agree that their account can be deactivated if they are found to be “in breach of contract”. The Terms of Use also state that claims brought against these companies will be settled through an arbitration process. Neither services explicitly state that personal injury claims will cause a passenger to lose accident to their account. However, it is possible that a passenger’s account may be suspended during the arbitration process until it is complete, or a settlement is reached. These various legal stipulations may be difficult to understand on your own. Therefore it is advisable to work with an Uber accident attorney or Lyft accident attorney.

If you rely on rideshare for transportation in your everyday life, having your account deactivated after filing a personal injury claim can be concerning. A qualified Uber accident lawyer or Lyft accident lawyer can help to review your case and determine whether or not you have been unfairly restricted from accessing your account.

LET US FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS AND GET YOU MAXIMUM COMPENSATION FOR YOUR INJURIES!

If you or someone you love has been involved in a Ride Share car accident in Miami or anywhere in South Florida, you need an experienced Uber accident attorney or Lyft accident lawyer in Miami on your side. Contact the Dante Law Firm, P.A. to get in touch with a Miami Uber car accident lawyer and learn more about all of your legal options.

Representing Uber or Lyft Accident Victims in these Florida cities:

• Miami
• Miami Gardens
• North Miami
• North Miami Beach
• Opa-locka
• Aventura
• Fort Lauderdale
• Hallandale Beach
• Hollywood
• Sunny Isles Beach

Dante Law Firm
221 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd, Suite 208
Hallandale Beach, FL 33009
(954) 365-FREE