Managing a vehicle accident claim with serious injuries is complicated because of the state’s no-fault rules. The process becomes far more complex when one of the involved vehicles is an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare.
A Kissimmee rideshare accident lawyer from our firm is available to help. At Colling Gilbert Wright, our car crash attorneys have years of experience achieving excellent results for people injured in all types of vehicle accidents, including those involving rideshares. We are well known in the community for our professionalism, care for our clients, and outstanding record of success. In fact, most of our cases are referred to us by other attorneys who trust our firm to handle their clients’ most complex and high-stakes injury claims.
Do No-Fault Rules Apply to Rideshares?
The state’s no-fault system requires people injured in vehicle accidents to first submit a claim against their own personal injury protection (PIP) policy. If you do not have your own PIP or live with a family member who has this coverage, you typically claim against the policy of the person driving the vehicle you were in.
This system works as usual if you were in a vehicle that got into an accident with a rideshare vehicle. You would submit a claim to your PIP or the driver’s PIP for your medical expenses and lost wages. If PIP is insufficient to cover your losses and your injuries are severe, you can bring a claim in court against the at-fault driver.
However, if you were a passenger in a rideshare vehicle and have no PIP, the driver’s PIP is unlikely to cover you. Insurance companies typically exclude coverage when a driver is using their vehicle for commercial purposes. You will need to consult our Kissimmee car accident attorneys about filing a claim against the rideshare company’s policy for all of your losses.
Insurance Requirements for Rideshare Companies
Rideshare services are unique because the drivers operate their personal vehicles and are independent contractors of rideshare companies. If a driver is not on duty and is operating their vehicle for personal purposes when they get into an accident, any claims arising out of the crash are treated in the usual way.
However, when the rideshare driver is logged into the app or transporting a passenger, different rules apply. Florida Statutes § 627.748 imposes enhanced insurance requirements on rideshare companies to cover accidents that happen while the driver is on duty.
Disputes sometimes arise about whether a driver was on duty at the time of a crash, or whether a passenger is entitled to claim against the rideshare company’s insurance. Our Kissimmee lawyers could subpoena data from the rideshare company to determine the driver’s status when the crash occurred.
Driver Is Available or Traveling To Pick Up a Passenger
The rideshare company must have bodily injury coverage of at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per incident that is triggered when a driver is on duty but not actively transporting a passenger. A driver is considered on duty when they are logged into the app and available to accept a ride, as well as when they have accepted a ride and are on their way to pick up the passenger.
Driver Is Transporting a Passenger
The rideshare company must provide bodily injury coverage of $1 million that is available when a pre-booked passenger is in the vehicle.
Take Immediate Steps To Preserve Your Rights
Although rideshare companies provide substantial coverage for injured passengers, accessing it can be challenging. If your injuries allow, there are several steps you can take to reduce the chances the company will reject your claim.
Report the accident through the rideshare company’s app and call the police. Take pictures of the scene and the crash damage, including a time stamp when possible. Get the contact information for all the involved drivers and any witnesses.
Seek a medical evaluation as soon as possible, even if you think you are not hurt. Symptoms of traumatic injuries are sometimes delayed, so an immediate exam can prevent you from aggravating your injuries and speed your recovery. In addition, our Kissimmee attorneys could use the medical record to tie your injuries to the rideshare accident.
Work With Our Kissimmee Attorneys on Your Rideshare Accident Claim
Resolving an injury claim is more difficult when a rideshare company is involved. If you are seriously hurt, it makes sense to entrust your case to a Kissimmee rideshare accident lawyer from our firm.
Our team of skilled legal professionals at The Florida Firm is adept at handling complex vehicle accident cases and achieving favorable results. We collect nothing unless we obtain compensation for you, so reach out today to schedule a free consultation.