Palm Beach Gardens Rideshare Accident Lawyer
It is difficult for many people to imagine getting around Palm Beach County today without rideshare services. Companies like Uber and Lyft offer convenient transportation to work, shopping, and entertainment at the push of a button. But the growing popularity of ridesharing also means an increasing number of accidents involving Uber and Lyft vehicles.
Determining legal and financial responsibility for a rideshare accident is not as simple as your typical car accident. The Palm Beach Gardens rideshare accident lawyers at Steinberg Law can help you in sorting these matters out. We represent Uber and Lyft crash victims seeking compensation for their medical bills and other losses arising from the negligence of a rideshare driver or third party.
Is Uber or Lyft Responsible for Your Injuries?
If you are already covered by a Florida no-fault auto insurance policy, you may first need to turn to your own Personal Injury Protection benefits to pay for your medical bills and lost wages. For example, if you are a pedestrian struck by an Uber or Lyft driver, you would seek PIP benefits just as you would in any other accident involving a motor vehicle. But what if you are simply a passenger in a rideshare vehicle who does not have any PIP coverage?
At that point, the rideshare company may be financially liable if its driver’s negligence contributed to the accident. Florida law requires all rideshare services–known as Transportation Network Companies (TNCs)–to carry a minimum of $1 million in liability coverage for personal injury or property damage. This coverage kicks-in whenever a rideshare driver has a passenger in their vehicle or has accepted a ride request and is en route to pick up a passenger.
If, however, a rideshare driver’s negligence causes an accident when they are simply logged into the Uber or Lyft app and “available” to accept rides, Florida law only requires a TNC to provide liability coverage of $50,000 for personal injury and $25,000 for property damage. And if the driver is not logged into their rideshare company’s app at all, then the TNC is not liable for any accident involving that driver. Any liability coverage for serious injury would come from the driver’s personal auto insurance.
Other parties that may be liable for personal injury in a Florida rideshare accident include:
- Another Driver — Even if the Uber or Lyft driver did nothing to cause the accident, another driver involved may be the responsible party.
- Car Manufacturer — If the accident was the result of a defective vehicle, or any of its parts, the victim can sue the manufacturer under Florida product liability laws.
- Your Own Insurer — If a negligent driver’s auto insurance is not enough to cover all of your accident-related losses, in addition to any PIP benefits you may be entitled to coverage under your own uninsured/underinsured motorist policy.
Contact Steinberg Law Today
Taking an Uber or Lyft should not be a risky activity. But if you are injured in an accident involving one of these vehicles, it is best to seek out qualified legal advice as soon as possible. To speak with a Palm Beach Gardens rideshare accident lawyer today, contact Steinberg Law to schedule a consultation.
