Are you one of the thousands of people in Miami using Uber and Lyft as a faster, safer, and easier means of getting around town? If so, you’ve probably noticed that many of these drivers not only have a terrible sense of direction but also are constantly looking at their phone to navigate.
As an avid Uber / Lyft consumer, I find it so unsettling that neither Uber nor Lyft has implemented a strict policy requiring all drivers to use a mount on the dashboard, so they can easily view their phone without taking their eyes off the road. These and other driving behaviors put your safety as a passenger at risk.
Legal Rights of an Injured Passenger in Rideshare Accidents
If you’re a passenger in an Uber or Lyft accident, you have certain legal protections. To ensure you receive fair compensation, make sure you file a claim promptly after the incident.
You can file a claim in one of three ways:
- File a Claim With Your Own Insurance Policy
Florida has a no-fault insurance system. This means that you can file a claim with your own insurance company for your injuries, regardless of who was at fault. Personal Injury Protection coverage pays for medical expenses and lost wages up to a certain limit.
- File a Claim Against the Driver of the Rideshare Vehicle
This is possible if the driver’s negligence caused the accident. Your claim should cover any medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering beyond your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits.
- File a Claim Against the Driver of the Other Vehicle
If the other driver’s negligence caused the accident, you can file a personal injury claim against them. This is typically done after exhausting your own PIP benefits.
Strengthen Your Case: Document Every Detail
To receive the compensation that you deserve, it’s important to gather evidence and document your losses. At the accident scene, take photos and videos of the vehicles, your surroundings, and any visible injuries. Gather witness statements and obtain a copy of the police report. As you receive medical treatment, organize your medical bills and treatment records.
This evidence helps establish liability and prove the extent of your injuries and financial losses. A well-documented case increases your chances of a fair settlement.
More on Uber and Lyft Accidents in Florida
It is very simple: Distracted drivers cause accidents. So many of these accidents lead to serious bodily injuries, and in many cases, fatalities. If you’ve been in an accident in Miami due to the careless or reckless driving of an Uber or Lyft vehicle, or if the accident was caused by another driver on the road while you were the passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, Aigen Injury Law can help you win your case. Our skilled attorneys have handled numerous cases involving Uber and Lyft vehicles.
It is important to remember that when you decide to use Uber, Lyft, or another type of Transportation Network Company as your method of transportation, you will be covered with one-million-dollar ($1,000,000) insurance policy limits. That means you’ll have $1,000,000 in bodily injury coverage available to cover your injuries in a rideshare accident.
On the other hand, if you are a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, and another driver on the road causes your accident, you will have $1,000,000 in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage available to protect you in the event there are injuries sustained. In other words, as long as you’re a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle while engaged in a ride that you purchased on your phone app, you are covered for any accident or injury that may ensue.
If you live in Miami or the South Florida area, or simply just vacationing here, and you are injured while riding in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, Aigen Injury Law can assist. Our law firm can help you through the complex process of investigating your accident, determining the at-fault driver, and fighting to ensure that we maximize your financial recovery for the injuries you’ve sustained.
Please do not hesitate to submit an online Free Case Review. At Aigen Injury Law, an experienced lawyer is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week working relentlessly on behalf of injured victims. We offer a free consultation for your Uber or Lyft accident and there is no fee unless we recover for you.
Originally published Mar 30, 2022. Updated November 1, 2024.