With the rise of rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft, the state has enacted statutes that specifically address transportation network companies. These laws establish that if you are driving for Uber, you must carry specific insurance policy requirements to legally operate and protect yourself in the event of a crash.
At Kaire & Heffernan, our attorneys have seen how these regulations can become complicated when they intersect with insurance issues. If you are an injured driver, passenger, or someone else involved in a rideshare accident, working with an attorney who understands insurance policy requirements for Uber drivers in Aventura can help you avoid common legal pitfalls and maximize whatever financial recovery you might be entitled to.
Florida Statutes § 627.748 governs insurance requirements for Uber and other rideshare drivers. The law separates insurance obligations into two phases: the app-on phase and the passenger phase. When the Uber driver has the app on but has not accepted a ride request, the law requires $50,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $100,000 in bodily injury coverage per incident, and $25,000 in property damage coverage.
From the time a ride is accepted until the passenger exits the vehicle, Uber must provide at least $1 million in liability coverage. This statute ensures that injured people, whether drivers, riders, or others, can access compensation even when the Uber driver’s personal auto policy does not apply.
Personal auto insurance policies often exclude coverage when individuals use their vehicle for commercial purposes. That exclusion makes it essential for Aventura Uber drivers to understand and comply with the state’s rideshare insurance policy laws and disclose their activity to their insurers.
Relying solely on your insurer or Uber’s insurer to manage your insurance claim can cause problems. Insurance companies primarily protect their own financial interests, not yours. Many people assume the $1 million policy will automatically provide fair compensation, but that assumption is, unfortunately, incorrect.
The insurers will try to deflect liability. You can expect them to attempt to shift blame, downplay injury severity, or deny the insurance claim altogether. The insurance company may offer an injured passenger a fast settlement before the victim fully understands their injuries. The Aventura accident lawyers at Kaire & Heffernan understand the policy requirements for Uber drivers and will handle insurance communications on your behalf to ensure the protection of your rights.
According to the law, when an Uber driver is involved in a crash in Aventura, whether transporting a passenger or waiting for a ride request, multiple insurance policies can be triggered. The process usually starts with a report through the Uber app. Uber will notify its insurer, typically James River Insurance, which should launch an investigation.
If another driver caused the crash, a third-party insurance claim can typically be pursued. If the Uber driver is at fault, the Uber commercial policy should apply depending on the service phase. The legal process includes:
The state uses a modified comparative negligence standard under Florida Statutes § 768.81. This means if you are found more than 50 percent at fault, you cannot recover damages. That rule makes thorough evidence collection and legal representation especially important in Uber accident cases.
Understanding the insurance policy requirements for Uber drivers in Aventura is essential after a rideshare accident. If you were injured while driving for Uber or while riding as a passenger, legal representation can ensure that your rights and compensation are fully protected. The team at Kaire & Heffernan has proudly earned recognition from Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Contact us to speak to a lawyer today.
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