Rideshare Accidents in Florida: Who’s Liable—Uber, Lyft, or the Driver?

Rideshares are the simplest and most convenient form of transportation when you do not want to drive. Unfortunately, things get complicated if you are involved in an accident with a rideshare vehicle.

The rules around rideshare accidents depend on multiple variables. If you are wondering who is liable in rideshare accidents in Florida—Uber, Lyft, or the Driver—our attorneys at The Florida Firm may be able to help.

Determining the Responsible Party

In the state’s no-fault system, when you are hurt in a wreck, you initially file a claim with your personal injury protection (PIP) insurer for your medical bills and lost wages. If you do not have PIP because you do not own a car, the PIP of the vehicle’s driver should cover you. This procedure applies regardless of who caused the accident.

Fault becomes important if your losses exceed PIP coverage. To recover your damages, you must prove that another party’s negligence caused the accident.

Our Florida rideshare accident attorneys could review the police report, dashcam footage, and other relevant evidence, including the driver’s app data, to determine what caused the accident and whether Uber, Lyft, or the driver is responsible. If the rideshare driver is at fault, financial liability for the crash depends on their status at the time.

Off-Duty Driver

If the driver was using their vehicle for personal business and not logged into the app, the driver’s personal insurance covers the accident. In this case, the rideshare company does not have responsibility for your losses.

On-Duty Driver

If the rideshare driver was logged into the app and either waiting for a fare, driving to pick up a passenger, or carrying a passenger, Uber or Lyft could be liable for the accident. Florida Statutes § 627.748 requires rideshare companies to maintain substantial insurance coverage for these situations.

Who Is Responsible if You Were a Rideshare Passenger?

If you were an Uber or Lyft passenger when the accident occurred, the rideshare company is ultimately responsible for your losses. The law requires these companies to carry $1 million liability policies to cover injured passengers.

You must submit a claim to your own insurer if you have PIP.  If you do not have PIP, the rideshare company’s policy provides it. If your losses exceed the PIP coverage, you can file a claim against the rideshare company’s liability policy.

However, the rideshare company may challenge your claim. They may try to shift blame onto other involved drivers or third parties. You will need an aggressive Florida attorney who can assert your rights and stop the company’s attempts to transfer liability for the rideshare crash.

Contact The Florida Firm To Discuss Liability in Your Uber or Lyft Rideshare Wreck

Getting hurt in a vehicle crash is always stressful. When the accident involves a rideshare company, such as Uber or Lyft, determining liability becomes more complex. Do not let this increase your anxiety. We have experience determining who is liable in rideshare accidents in Florida—whether Uber, Lyft, or the driver.

Contact the attorneys at The Florida Firm. We have been successfully representing people injured in rideshare accidents for years, obtaining favorable outcomes for our clients. We do not accept fees or expenses unless we win. Talk to us today about your rideshare crash.