Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer in Orlando

Collisions involving Uber and Lyft vehicles are not handled the same way as ordinary traffic accidents. Rideshare companies operate under different business models and insurance rules, which create complications when trying to recover compensation. An experienced Orlando Uber and Lyft accident lawyer can help you secure fair compensation.

At The Schiller Kessler Group, our legal team has over three decades of experience representing injured individuals in Florida. We stay current on the evolving laws and insurance requirements governing rideshare services so we can best help our clients. Contact us for a free consultation with a knowledgeable Orlando rideshare accident lawyer today.

How an Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer Serving Orlando Can Help Determine Responsibility

Proving who is legally responsible for an Uber or Lyft accident is rarely simple. Unlike taxi companies or delivery services, rideshare corporations classify their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees.

This classification is often used as a legal shield, allowing Uber and Lyft to argue that they are not directly responsible for crashes involving their drivers.

Even so, injured victims are not without legal remedies. A careful investigation conducted by a skilled Orlando car accident lawyer can uncover all parties that may share fault for the collision. Depending on the circumstances, potentially liable parties could include:

• The Uber or Lyft driver
• Uber or Lyft
• Another motorist who contributed to the crash
• A repair shop that performed faulty vehicle maintenance
• A manufacturer responsible for a defective vehicle component
• A government agency if dangerous roadway conditions were involved

It is common for multiple parties to bear partial responsibility in rideshare accidents. When this happens, pursuing compensation can require filing claims with more than one insurer or pursuing legal action against more than one defendant. An attorney familiar with complex liability issues can identify all responsible parties and build a strong case on your behalf.

Florida’s Shortened Deadline for Filing Injury Claims

Florida law now places strict time limits on how long injured individuals have to file a personal injury lawsuit. In 2023, the statute of limitations for negligence-based injury claims was reduced from four years to two years. This means that if you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Orlando, you generally have only two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit.

Failing to act within this time frame can permanently bar you from recovering damages, regardless of how strong your case may be. This shortened deadline makes it especially important to consult an attorney as soon as possible after your accident.

When you retain the services of an Orlando personal injury lawyer, your legal team can immediately begin working to protect your claim by:

• Collecting accident reports, dashcam footage, and traffic camera recordings
• Preserving rideshare app data and trip history logs
• Locating and interviewing witnesses
• Obtaining your medical records and arranging expert evaluations
• Filing all required paperwork correctly and on time

Early legal involvement can prevent crucial evidence from being lost and help ensure that your claim complies with Florida’s procedural requirements.

Insurance Coverage in Uber and Lyft Accidents in Orlando

Uber and Lyft operate under a layered insurance system that depends on what the driver was doing at the time of the crash. Before any rideshare insurance applies, injured parties are usually required to pursue compensatory damages through the driver’s personal auto insurance policy.

This structure allows rideshare companies to limit their financial exposure while shifting primary responsibility to their drivers. The level of coverage available depends on whether the driver was logged into the app and whether a ride request had been accepted.

Driver Not Logged Into the Rideshare App

If the Uber or Lyft driver was not using the app when the accident occurred, the rideshare company typically bears no responsibility for the crash.

In this situation, only the driver’s personal auto insurance policy applies. If that policy is insufficient to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages, you may need to pursue a lawsuit directly against the driver.

Driver Logged Into the App but No Ride Accepted

When a driver is online and waiting for a ride request, Uber and Lyft provide limited liability coverage under Florida law. This contingent policy generally includes:

• $50,000 for bodily injury per injured person
• $100,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 for property damage

This coverage becomes available only after the driver’s personal insurance limits have been exhausted. In serious accidents involving catastrophic injuries, these limits may still be far too low to fully compensate victims, making additional legal action necessary.

Driver Actively Transporting a Passenger or En Route to Pick One Up

Once a ride request has been accepted or a passenger is already in the vehicle, Uber and Lyft’s $1 million commercial liability policy goes into effect. This policy may offer greater protection, but obtaining compensation is not automatic.

The insurance carriers representing Uber and Lyft frequently conduct aggressive investigations and look for ways to reduce or deny claims.

An Orlando Uber and Lyft accident attorney can handle all communication with the insurer, submit required documentation, and challenge unfair settlement offers.

Florida’s No-Fault Insurance System and Its Impact on Rideshare Claims

Florida follows a no-fault insurance system, which means most drivers must carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. After an accident, your own PIP insurance typically pays for a portion of your medical bills and lost income, regardless of who caused the crash.

However, PIP coverage is limited and does not compensate victims for pain and suffering. To pursue compensation beyond PIP, your injuries must meet Florida’s legal threshold for severity. Qualifying injuries include:

• Permanent loss of bodily function
• Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Permanent disability
• Death

If your injuries satisfy this threshold, you may file a claim or lawsuit against the at-fault party for additional damages, including pain and suffering, future medical expenses, and full lost income.

Determining whether your injuries qualify under Florida law and identifying the proper party to sue can be challenging in rideshare cases. This is another reason why legal representation is so important after an Uber or Lyft crash in Orlando.

Get Help From an Orlando Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer

At The Schiller Kessler Group, we have represented more than 30,000 injured clients across Florida and have extensive experience handling rideshare accident claims.

Our attorneys understand the tactics used by large corporations and know how to pursue compensation for injured individuals in Orlando and surrounding communities.

We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay legal fees unless we recover compensation for you. If you were hurt in an Uber or Lyft accident in Orlando, contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation and learn how we can help you move forward.