Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer in Tamarac

Car accidents involving Uber or Lyft vehicles present a unique set of legal challenges. The laws surrounding these vehicles and liability are new and evolving, which can make pursuing a claim challenging. If you’ve been hurt in a rideshare-related crash, having a skilled Tamarac Uber and Lyft accident lawyer by your side is essential.

At The Schiller Kessler Group, we’ve been representing accident victims across Florida for over three decades. Our legal team stays at the forefront of changes in rideshare laws to protect the rights of injured passengers, pedestrians, and drivers.

If you were harmed in a rideshare crash, don’t wait. Set up your free consultation with a Tamarac rideshare accident lawyer today.

A Lyft and Uber Accident Lawyer Serving Tamarac Can Help You Prove Liability After a Rideshare Collision

One of the most complex aspects of rideshare accidents is establishing liability. Uber and Lyft drivers aren’t employees in the traditional sense. Instead, they’re classified as independent contractors. This legal distinction often limits the companies’ direct responsibility in the event of an accident.

However, that doesn’t mean there’s no path to compensation. A detailed investigation led by a knowledgeable Tamarac Uber or Lyft accident attorney can identify who may be held legally accountable.

Responsible parties could include:

• The rideshare driver
• Uber or Lyft
• A negligent auto repair shop
• A vehicle manufacturer
• A local government agency responsible for maintaining roads
• Another driver involved in the crash
• A third-party motorist whose actions contributed to the incident

If the Uber or Lyft driver caused your accident, your first option for pursuing compensation will always be to file a claim against their personal car insurance coverage.

If their policy limits don’t cover your losses, your lawyer may pursue a claim under the rideshare company’s commercial policy or explore other avenues for financial recovery.

Each accident is unique, and your case may involve multiple claims against different parties. An experienced Tamarac car accident lawyer can help identify the best path forward.

Act Quickly to Meet All Deadlines That Apply to Your Case

In 2023, Florida passed a major change to its personal injury statute of limitations. Now, instead of four years, you have only two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit against the liable party. If you miss this critical deadline, you could lose your chance to seek compensation altogether.

That’s why it’s essential to contact a Tamarac personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. When you work with our firm, we’ll move quickly to:

• Ensure your claim is filed accurately and within the legal timeframe
• Gather and preserve important evidence such as medical records, crash reports, and dashcam video before they are lost or corrupted
• Interview witnesses and record their sworn testimony while their memories are still fresh

Failing to act promptly or provide thorough documentation can seriously weaken your claim. Our legal team will help ensure you avoid these costly mistakes while protecting your right to compensation.

How Insurance Coverage Works in Tamarac Rideshare Accidents

Uber and Lyft’s business models are built around the classification of their drivers as independent contractors, which shifts much of the insurance burden to the drivers themselves. In addition, they require their drivers to carry their own insurance coverage, which provides an additional level of protection for these companies if their drivers are involved in a crash.

Beyond that, Uber and Lyft both use tiered insurance coverage systems, with different coverage levels being available depending on the details of your accident.

The liability of the rideshare company and the type of insurance coverage available depend on what the Uber or Lyft driver was doing at the time of the crash.

Driver Not Logged Into the Uber or Lyft App

If the rideshare driver wasn’t logged into their app at the time of the accident, then Uber and Lyft bear no responsibility, as the driver is considered to be off the clock.

In this situation, if the rideshare driver was responsible for your accident, your only option for recovering damages will be to pursue a claim through the driver’s personal auto insurance.

If their insurance policy doesn’t cover your damages, you may need to sue the driver directly.

Rideshare Driver Logged Into the App but No Ride Accepted

When the driver is logged into the Uber or Lyft platform but hasn’t yet accepted a ride, limited contingent liability coverage may apply. Florida law mandates that rideshare companies provide the following minimum coverage in these cases:

• $50,000 in bodily injury coverage per person
• $100,000 per accident
• $25,000 in property damage coverage

This coverage kicks in only after the driver’s personal insurance policy limit has been met. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may still find these limits insufficient. In this situation, you would need to file a lawsuit to recover the full value of your losses.

Driver Has Accepted a Ride or Is Transporting a Passenger

Once the driver accepts a ride or has a passenger in the vehicle, Uber and Lyft’s $1 million commercial liability policy becomes active.

While this seems like generous protection, accessing this policy can still be a challenge. You’ll need to file with the driver’s insurer first, then escalate your claim to the rideshare company’s policy if necessary.

Working with an experienced Uber and Lyft accident attorney serving Tamarac can make all the difference in securing the compensation you are entitled to receive.

No-Fault Insurance in Florida

Another wrinkle in the process of recovering compensation after a rideshare accident is that Florida is a no-fault insurance state. This means that anyone injured in a crash must first pursue compensation through their own insurance coverage.

You will only be able to file a claim against another party or their insurer if you suffered an injury that qualifies as “serious” under state guidelines.

Secure the Services of a Knowledgeable Uber and Lyft Accident Attorney in Tamarac Today

Uber and Lyft have robust legal teams and powerful insurers whose goal is to minimize payouts. Without help from an experienced Lyft and Uber accident lawyer in Tamarac, recovering compensation can be incredibly challenging.

At The Schiller Kessler Group, we’ve successfully represented more than 30,000 personal injury clients across Florida and are ready to help you.

Call us now or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free case evaluation with a member of our legal team and let us help you get the justice and financial compensation you deserve.