Palm Beach Gardens Lyft Accident Lawyer
Lyft is a popular ridesharing service used by many Palm Beach County residents to get around the area if they do not have their own car, or simply do not want to drive themselves. Unlike traditional taxicab companies, rideshare services like Lyft function as a smartphone app that matches riders on-demand to drivers, most of whom are simply using their personal vehicles to make some extra money. But what happens when you take a Lyft and that driver gets into an accident?
Florida laws surrounding rideshare companies are quite complex. The Palm Beach Gardens Lyft accident lawyers at Steinberg Law can help you navigate these rules and seek compensation following a crash where you sustained serious injuries. In many cases, Lyft’s own insurance is responsible for covering your medical bills and other losses. But depending on the specific circumstances of your accident, other parties may also be liable.
Lyft’s Financial Responsibility Depends on a Driver’s Status
Florida law regulates Lyft and similar apps as “Transportation Network Companies” or TNCs. A TNC must carry at least $1 million in primarily liability insurance. This provides coverage in the event a Lyft driver’s negligence results in an accident while that driver is either transporting a paying customer or en route to pick up that customer. If you are a passenger or third party–such as a pedestrian–injured by a Lyft driver in this scenario, then you can seek compensation from this $1 million policy.
There are, however, other Lyft accident scenarios that would alter the scope of the company’s liability:
- Another Driver At-Fault — Let’s say you are riding in a Lyft vehicle and another negligent driver strikes your car. You would then need to seek compensation against that driver’s policy first. But if the other driver was uninsured or lacked sufficient insurance to fully compensate you, you would need to rely either on your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage or pursue a personal injury lawsuit directly against the negligent driver.
- You Are In Another Vehicle — If you are a driver or passenger in another vehicle that is struck by a Lyft driver who is providing a ride, then Lyft’s $1 million policy would cover your injuries, the same as if you were a passenger in the Lyft vehicle.
- You Are Hit While the Driver Is Not Active — Florida’s TNC law requires Lyft to provide limited liability coverage–just $50,000 per person or $100,000 per accident–if a driver causes an accident while logged into the app and waiting to accept a ride. Basically, this coverage applies if a Lyft driver who is “on duty” but not in the process of serving a customer causes an accident with another vehicle or a pedestrian.
Contact Steinberg Law Today
Sorting out legal responsibility for an accident involving a Lyft or other rideshare vehicle often requires careful investigation and negotiation with multiple insurance companies. This is where working with an experienced Palm Beach Gardens Lyft accident lawyer can prove crucial. Contact Steinberg Law today to schedule a consultation.
