Uber and Lyft are the top rideshare companies in the country. While many factors came into play in their rise to the top, part of that was that these companies learned very early how to protect themselves from liability in the event of a crash. Fortunately, with the help of an experienced Uber and Lyft accident attorney in Davie, you can still recover the money you need.
At The Schiller Kessler Group, we keep apprised of the ever-changing laws and regulations regarding the relatively new field of rideshare laws. We can help you pursue the compensation you need and deserve after suffering damages in a wreck. Contact us today to schedule a free case review with a Davie rideshare accident attorney from our team.
Assessing Liability Following an Uber and Lyft Accident
Before you can recover compensation for damages suffered in an accident, you must first determine who is to blame. In Uber and Lyft accidents, these companies are adept at protecting themselves against liability. Part of this protection is the classification of their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees.
By using this classification, the rideshare driver is typically the primarily responsible party in the event of a crash. However, under certain circumstances, you may still qualify to pursue compensation from the rideshare company and their insurance provider.
Of course, there are a variety of other parties that could potentially be to blame for a crash. Among the commonly liable parties in Uber and Lyft accident cases are:
- The rideshare company
- The driver of the rideshare vehicle
- The driver of another vehicle involved in the crash
- A third-party driver whose actions led to the collision but who was not directly involved
If it is determined that the rideshare driver was to blame for the accident, your first place to look for compensation will be with their insurance provider. If your damages are greater than the limits of their coverage, you may be able to recover the rest of the money you need from the insurance of Uber or Lyft or through a lawsuit against the driver or the rideshare company with help of a Davie car accident lawyer.
More people choose The Schiller Kessler Group because they know that we’re a cut above other personal injury law firms.
File Your Uber or Lyft Accident Lawsuit Before Time Runs Out
If you are planning to file a lawsuit after suffering damages in an accident, you must be aware of the state’s Davie personal injury statute of limitations. In Florida, new legislation altered this statute in 2023, reducing the amount of time that victims have to file from four years to two years after the date of the accident.
If you fail to submit your lawsuit before the filing deadline, you may find that you are out of options for recovering compensatory damages. However, you need to realize that the cutoff date is not set in stone. Various factors can potentially alter this date, either providing you with extra time to file or further limiting the amount of time you have to take legal action.
The best way to protect yourself from a surprise deadline is by contacting an experienced Uber and Lyft accident attorney serving Davie, as soon as possible after your accident. Your lawyer will review your case to determine the exact filing deadline that applies and ensure that all of the required paperwork gets submitted well before the cutoff date. If you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident in Davie, Florida, don’t hesitate to contact a Davie Personal Injury Lawyer for expert legal guidance and support.
No matter what time of day it is, you can contact The Schiller Kessler Group to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
How the Uber and Lyft Insurance Policies Work
If you are pursuing damages after an Uber or Lyft accident, you need to familiarize yourself with how the insurance policies of these companies are structured. These two companies use similar insurance coverage that helps limit their liability. Requiring that all the independent contractors that drive for them carry their own insurance coverage is a key component.
The insurance policies of drivers for these companies serve as the initial coverage for accident victims seeking compensation following a wreck. However, the insurance policies of Uber and Lyft will also come into effect under certain circumstances.
The main factor used to determine whether the insurance of the rideshare company is activated is the status of the driver when the crash occurs.
Coverage When the Driver Is Not Logged In
If the Uber or Lyft driver was responsible for the accident and was not logged into the rideshare app at the time of the crash, they will be fully liable for any resulting damages. If you are seeking compensation and your damages exceed the driver’s insurance limits, you will have to file a lawsuit against them to recover the full amount to which you are entitled.
Coverage When the Driver Is Logged In but Hasn’t Accepted a Ride
When the driver of the Uber or Lyft vehicle has logged into the rideshare app but has yet to accept a ride, the insurance coverage for the company will be in partial effect. Your first option for recovering damages will still be through the insurance of the driver.
However, if your damages exceed their coverage limits, you can pursue compensation from the insurance of Uber or Lyft. It is essential to understand that the coverage limits for the rideshare company in this situation would be minimal, which means that you may still need to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover the full amount to which you are entitled.
Coverage When the Driver Is Logged In and Has Accepted a Ride
If the driver that caused your damages is logged in to the Lyft or Uber app at the time of the accident and has accepted a ride, the rideshare company’s insurance policy will be in full effect. It does not make any difference whether the driver has picked up their passenger yet or is on the way to the pickup point.
Once again, you will first seek compensation through the driver’s insurance provider. However, the insurance policy for Uber or Lyft will cover any additional damages you sustained, up to $1,000,000.
Reach Out to an Experienced Davie Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer Today
At SKG, we have a proven track record of success in handling rideshare accident cases. Our team of Lyft and Uber accident lawyers in Davie will work diligently to ensure you recover the compensation you need and deserve. Contact us today by phone or through our online contact form to schedule your free case evaluation.
Injured? Call The Aggressive Attorneys Today
