Ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft have become increasingly popular all across the country. This meteoric rise in the popularity of these companies is based on the convenience of being able to book a ride from your phone, getting picked up in a few minutes from your preferred location, and having to pay a price for a trip much lower than a conventional taxi.
However, as the number of Uber and Lyft vehicles on our roads increases, the chances of accidents involving drivers of these ridesharing companies also rise. If a driver of an Uber or Lyft hit you while you were driving, biking, or walking, or if you were a passenger in an Uber that was involved in an accident, you should immediately seek help from an experienced auto accident attorney.
What are the legal implications of getting into an accident while riding as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft? Or what if you are the driver or passenger in a vehicle that collides with a rideshare car? Or what if you are a pedestrian hit by an Uber or Lyft vehicle? What should you do if this happens, and how can it affect your life going forward? Here are answers to some of the questions you may have after being involved in an Uber/Lyft/rideshare accident in Miami.
There are multiple ways in which you may be involved in an Uber or a Lyft related accident in Miami. The most common of them are:
Although Uber and Lyft have become popular modes of transportation in cities across the country, there are major concerns regarding the business models of these companies from a legal standpoint. These concerns include:
Although government agencies and ridesharing companies are working together to ensure road, vehicle, driver, and passenger safety, the number of accidents involving these ridehailing services continue to rise. Some major factors that contribute to Uber and Lyft crashes in Miami include:
Uber and Lyft are not considered conventional taxi services. This means the kind of liability associated with a taxi accident is not applicable in an accident claim involving an Uber or a Lyft.
Uber and Lyft are software companies that provide an application (App) that allows passengers to hail rides from drivers who are also using the app. These drivers are not directly employed by Uber or Lyft and instead are considered independent contractors.
Uber and Lyft have used their business model to shield themselves from liability in case of an accident. Courts across the country have ruled that these rideshare companies owe a duty to their passengers. Hence, these companies have been forced to accept stricter regulations and increased scrutiny over safety.
In order to have a valid personal injury case in Miami, a victim must be able to prove that the Uber or Lyft driver was at-fault and his or her negligence led to the accident. It has to be proven that:
If you have been the victim of an accident involving an Uber or a Lyft, our team of Uber and Lyft accident lawyers in Miami recommends that you do the following:
As Uber and Lyft hire their drivers on a contract basis, these drivers are not entitled to rights similar to those of traditional employees. Uber and Lyft cannot be held responsible for the negligent acts of its contracted drivers.
Uber or Lyft accidents, like any other vehicle accident, will need evidence to show liability when making a claim in Miami. Fortunately, Uber and Lyft keep track of where the rideshare driver is going while they are working on behalf of their business through GPS and electronic records. Many rideshare drivers also have dash cams or even interior cameras that capture outside traffic, as well as passengers entering and leaving the vehicle. This evidence is important, and the rideshare company must keep it for the safety of the Uber or Lyft driver and their passengers.
The law demands that Uber or Lyft immediately saves that evidence once a collision happens. If you’ve been in an accident involving one of the rideshare companies and need help seeking compensation, our dedicated team at Kaire & Heffernan will take the time to ensure all evidence is preserved. We work hard so that your case can be resolved as quickly as possible and you get the outcome you desire.
The deadline for filing your personal injury claim is known as the statute of limitations. If you’ve been injured due to another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. To recover the damages owed for your personal injury claim under the law there must be a filing with all proper documentation within stated deadlines – otherwise, claims will be dismissed.
In Florida, a personal injury accident has a four-year statute of limitations. This implies that failing to file within four years from the date of the incident will most likely result in your right to compensation being lost. While four years might appear to be a long time, it’s easy to lose track of essential dates when you’re recovering from a serious injury and dealing with a lot of legal procedures. Be sure to contact an expert Uber and Lyft accident lawyer from Kaire & Heffernan in Miami if you want to avoid missing any deadlines.
The rideshare company should be held liable for an accident and they should have insurance coverage for any accidents that may occur. Our personal injury attorneys will fight tooth and nail on your behalf if you are hurt in an accident with an Uber or Lyft vehicle, so don’t wait until it’s too late to contact us.
While Uber and Lyft both require their drivers to carry their own insurance policies, most companies will decline coverage if a vehicle is being used for hire. Thus, the coverages of these rideshare companies will kick in if the driver’s insurance policy does not cover the accident.
These companies consider “ three periods” while determining eligibility for coverages. Whether a victim receives a coverage depends on when the accident took place, as detailed below:
This period starts when the app is turned on and the driver is awaiting ride requests. In this period, drivers receive limited liability coverage ($50,000/ per person/ $100,000 total/ $25,000 property damage).
Period two begins when the driver goes to pick up a passenger. Uber and Lyft provide handsome coverages in this period with up to one million dollars of liability coverage and full coverage for vehicle damages. Uber and Lyft demand proof that a driver was on course to pick up a passenger when the accident occurred. If the driver fails to provide sufficient proof, the rideshare company can claim driver was in period one.
This period is active during the time a passenger is in the vehicle. This is probably the easiest period for a Miami Uber and Lyft accident lawyer to prove. Presence of a passenger makes insurance claims of both the passenger and the driver almost undeniable. In such cases, attorneys will be able to negotiate fair settlement terms without much resistance. Coverages are similar to those in period two.
An experienced Miami Uber/Lyft/rideshare accident attorney will not only assist you to determine the type of Insurance that applies to your case, but will also help you to go after right party to seek compensation.
As you have to take time off work and forego paychecks while you recover from your injuries and face costly medical expenses and other bills, it becomes impossible for you to run from pillar to post collecting evidence to seek compensation.
Experienced Uber and Lyft accident lawyers like Kaire and Heffernan have the resources to help you to navigate through the complex legal process, investigate the accident thoroughly for you, secure evidence needed to prove negligence of the liable party, and handle negotiations with insurance companies on your behalf. Given below are the types of damages that our qualified and experienced attorneys help a victim of a Uber and Lyft accident to recover:
An experienced rideshare collision lawyer ensures that you fully understand the Federal, State and Local laws that might apply to your case and also determines when is the right time to file a lawsuit if negotiations for settlements with insurance companies breakdown. Florida statute of Limitations for Uber and Lyft related accidents is four years after the accident occurred.
Accidents happen all the time, but when you’re dealing with an Uber/Lyft/rideshare accident in Miami, it can be difficult to know whether to file a claim with the driver’s personal insurance policy or the company’s auto insurance policy. You also have to gather enough evidence, stay on schedule, and pursue legal action, all while trying to recover and get back to the tasks of your daily life. Luckily, a rideshare accident attorney can make things easier for you.
Uber or Lyft accident lawyers will be able to gather proof regarding liability for the accident, which will show you should get compensation for your rideshare car accident injuries and other damages. Our attorneys at Kaire & Heffernan assist accident victims with filing a claim, navigating the complicated insurance and legal systems, interacting with the rideshare’s or driver’s insurance company, determining the true worth of their medical bills, lost wages, and other damages, and fighting to get fair compensation.
If you have been in an accident with an Uber driver or Lyft driver, reach out to Kaire & Heffernan for a free consultation by calling (305) 876-6001 or filling out our online form.
(305) 876-6001