Uber and other rideshare companies provide rides to tourists and locals and have largely replaced traditional taxis. More rideshare vehicles on the road means more accidents, and getting fair compensation in a rideshare collision claim can be a struggle without skilled legal representation.
When you are looking for an Orlando Uber accident lawyer, turn to the firm that lawyers and other local professionals use when they need representation in a vehicle accident case. At Colling Gilbert Wright—The Florida Form—we have an outstanding reputation based on our skill, ethics, and exceptional record of success.
What Makes Rideshare Accident Claims Different?
Florida’s no-fault system for managing vehicle accident claims is meant to simplify the process of getting reimbursed for losses you suffer in minor accidents. Every vehicle owner must have personal injury protection (PIP) insurance that covers medical expenses and lost wages. When you get into an accident, you submit your claim to your own PIP carrier regardless of who caused the crash.
If an Uber driver is at-fault in an accident and your PIP does not cover your losses, you will need to bring a legal claim against the driver for compensation. The driver’s liability insurance pays if you can prove that the Uber driver’s negligence caused the accident, and depending on the circumstances, Uber’s contingent liability insurance might be available as well.
Dealing with multiple insurance companies leads to complex disputes over liability. It is wise to work with an Orlando attorney experienced in handling Uber accident cases.
How Uber’s Coverage Works
Florida Statutes § 627.748 requires rideshare companies, which the law calls transportation network companies, to provide a commercial insurance policy that covers losses from incidents involving their drivers. However, when you get into a wreck with an Uber driver in Orlando, the driver’s personal insurance is primary in many scenarios.
Uber’s policy is not effective unless the driver is logged into the Uber app at the time of the accident. If the driver is waiting to accept a fare, Uber’s secondary liability coverage will pay if the Uber driver is at fault and the driver’s personal coverage is insufficient to cover your damages. The company offers:
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury
- $100,000 per incident for bodily injury
- $25,000 for property damage
If the driver has accepted a ride and is either en route to pick up a passenger or transporting a passenger when the wreck happens, Uber provides $1 million in contingent coverage. You must exhaust your PIP and the at-fault driver’s personal coverage before Uber’s coverage kicks in. Uber provides coverage to occupants of other vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists only when the Uber driver is at fault.
Coverage for Passengers in an Uber
If you were a passenger in an Uber when the crash happened, you must first file a claim under your own PIP, if you have one. Uber’s insurer will pay your damages that exceed your PIP coverage limits.
However, if a party other than the Uber driver was at fault for the wreck, the insurer may deny coverage until you have tried to collect from the at-fault party’s insurance. These are legally complicated issues, and you should always seek representation from a capable Orlando injury attorney if you were hurt while a passenger in an Uber.
Understanding Your Damages
In any vehicle accident case, you can sue the at-fault party for damages if you meet the legal threshold to bring a lawsuit and can prove the crash resulted from the at-fault party’s negligence. Your damages include any medical expenses and lost wages your PIP did not cover, incidental expenses you incurred because of your injury, and compensation for your pain and suffering.
You can prove your economic damages through receipts, invoices, insurance Explanation of Benefits statements, tax returns, and similar documents. Proof of your pain and suffering is more subjective. Our Orlando lawyers can present your medical records, photographs, and video demonstrating disfigurement and disability, personal journals, and testimony from you and your loved ones to prove your pain and suffering after an Uber accident.
Many injured people are understandably curious about how much their case may be worth. It is impossible to say with certainty because the amount you collect depends on numerous factors, including whether you have any responsibility for the crash. What is certain is The Florida Firm’s extensive record of obtaining generous verdicts and settlements for our clients injured in vehicle accidents.
Our Attorneys Can Help You Seek Compensation After an Uber Accident in Orlando
Accident claims involving rideshare vehicles often involve multiple insurance companies and complex disputes over liability. An Orlando Uber accident lawyer at Colling Gilbert Wright has the knowledge and experience to ensure you receive fair compensation for your losses. You can work with us at no risk because we cover all expenses and charge no fees until we win your case. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more.