Both Uber and Lyft have a significant presence in and around the West Palm Beach area. Residents and visitors alike use these transportation services to get from place to place all year round. However, when an accident involving these vehicles occurs, injury and property damage victims should have a way to recover compensation. At GOLDLAW, we are here to help if you need a West Palm Beach Uber and Lyft accident attorney by your side.
West Palm Beach Uber and Lyft Accident FAQs
- How is Liability Determined?
- How Much Compensation is Available?
- How Does an Attorney Help?
- What is the Statute of Limitations?
Why Choose GOLDLAW for Help?
- At GOLDLAW, our personal injury team has specialized in representing clients injured in vehicle accidents throughout the state of Florida, including right here in West Palm Beach.
- We have an extensive track record of success, recovering both significant settlements and jury verdicts on behalf of injury victims throughout the state.
- We firmly believe in putting clients first every step of the way, which means open communication about the progress of the case. You will never be left in the dark when you work with GOLDLAW.
Uber and Lyft Accident Liability
After a vehicle accident involving an Uber or Lyft driver in West Palm Beach, determining liability is essential. Both companies have insurance coverage for all of their drivers, but each driver will also have their own personal insurance coverage. It will be essential to examine the status of the driver at the time the incident occurred, meaning we need to look at whether or not they were operating as a rideshare driver or handling the vehicle for personal matters.
When an Uber or Lyft driver is involved in an accident, they will be treated like any other driver in Florida as far as an investigation is concerned. If a rideshare driver was not signed into the respective company app to work, then the incident will be treated like any other vehicle accident in Florida. Drivers will turn to their own insurance carrier for no-fault coverage, though they could step out of the no-fault system if certain injury and property damage thresholds are met.
In the event the driver is signed into the app to work but does not yet have a passenger, both Uber and Lyft do provide supplemental insurance policies that help provide coverage if the driver’s personal insurance policy limits are met. If an Uber Lyft driver is signed into the app to work and is either on the way to pick up a passenger or already has a passenger, then both companies have insurance policies worth more than $1 million to cover expenses for all individuals involved in the incident. This includes passengers inside the vehicle as well as drivers and passengers in other vehicles or bystanders affected.
How Much Compensation is Available?
There are several factors that can affect how much compensation an Uber or Lyft accident victim receives in West Palm Beach. Some of these factors include the severity of the injuries or any property damage as well as how long it takes a person to recover. However, navigating the complex insurance systems in Florida and the rideshare companies can be incredibly challenging.
We strongly encourage individuals connected by an Uber or Lyft accident to reach out to a skilled attorney as soon as possible. A lawyer will work with trusted economic and medical professionals to help adequately calculate a crash victim’s total losses so they can negotiate with insurance carriers or make an argument in court for injury.
How an Attorney Can Help
Because of the challenges posed by an Uber or Lyft accident, an attorney is going to be an essential part of recovering compensation for your losses. From the very beginning, an attorney can step in and begin an investigation into the incident. They will gather all of the evidence associated with the incident, including photographs and video surveillance footage, and they will speak to any eyewitnesses to the incident.
If necessary, an attorney will work to obtain rideshare data records, including dispatch notifications, the driver’s history, as well as GPS data.
While investigating the incident, an attorney will ensure that their client is evaluated by trusted medical professionals who can help establish how much medical care is going to be needed. During this timeframe, an attorney will open communication with insurance carriers and any other party involved. A lawyer will handle all negotiations necessary, and they will prepare to file a civil personal injury lawsuit in order to recover fair compensation on behalf of their client.
How Long do You Have to File an Uber or Lyft Claim in West Palm Beach?
It is important to file an Uber or Lyft accident claim as soon as possible. There are various deadlines that individuals need to be aware of, beginning with limitations put in place by insurance carriers. Typically, insurance carriers for these rideshare companies want the claim to be filed as promptly as possible, and failing to do so could result in a claim delay or denial.
In addition to the insurance carrier deadlines, there is an overall personal injury statute of limitations for these claims. In the event an Uber or Lyft accident victim is able to file a personal injury lawsuit against another party, it must be done so within two years from the date the incident occurred. The overall deadline used to be four years in the state of Florida, but recent tort reform laws (March 2023) changed this from four years to two years.
If you have any questions about the time frames related to your particular incident, we encourage you to reach out to a West Palm Beach car accident attorney who can help you get your claim filed as soon as possible.
Call a West Palm Beach Uber and Lyft Attorney Today
If you or somebody you care about has been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in West Palm Beach, we encourage you to reach out to the team at GOLDLAW for assistance as soon as possible. We have extensive experience handling complex rideshare accident claims throughout Florida, and we want to make sure that you are cared for. You need compensation to get through this, and we are ready to help. Contact us to schedule a free consultation today when you need a West Palm Beach Uber or Lyft accident lawyer.