Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer In Homestead, FL
Just like any other accident, you have the right to file for compensation if you sustained injuries, property damage, emotional trauma or other costs in an Uber or Lyft accident. A professional Homestead, FL Uber andLyft accident attorney can help you investigate your claim, build a liability case, and fight for your rightful compensation.
Uber and Lyft services have grown in popularity over the past several years, thanks to their convenience and competitive cost. Their user-friendly apps are also a major reason for the high adoption rates of their ridesharing services. With a jump in the usage rates of such services, ridesharing drivers are placed in a position of more responsibility to not only drive safely and professionally but to also be wary of road laws and other risks. This is important as their passengers’ safety lies in their hands.
Unfortunately, not all Uber and Lyft drivers understand this, and some drive carelessly or in under-maintained vehicles. If you are a victim of such irresponsible behavior, Florida auto and road laws allow you to file for compensation to cover physical, emotional, and financial damages that result from the negligence of an Uber or Lyft accident.
Common Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents
- Distracted driving – Ridesharing drivers can be easily distracted by various things, resulting in a drop in focus and ultimately a crash. The major distraction found amongst Uber and Lyft drivers is texting while driving.
- Sleeplessness and fatigue – These could be caused by fixed deadlines, day and night driving with no time to rest, or driving far from home with no access to rest areas.
- Driving under the influence – Another major cause of Uber and Lyft accidents is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and this has caused many severe injuries and claimed many lives in the past.
- Tailgating – This happens when a car drives too close to another car in front of it. While this is not a common cause of Uber and Lyft accidents, it is still a possible cause that should be kept in mind while investigating the causes and effects of a ridesharing accident.
- Faulty vehicle parts – This type of issue is often the fault of the mechanics of the vehicle.
- Also, according to the NHTSA, speeding is a major cause of accidents in general, with approximately one out of three road accidents involve speeding. Speeding is also a common cause of Uber and Lyft accidents.
Who Is at Fault?
The victim of an Uber or Lyft accident can sometimes have a partial fault in causing the accident. In this case, your lawyer can file for comparative negligence damages, though your compensation will be reduced. You may, however, still be able to cover certain bills and losses. Speak to our lawyers to discuss your case and identify what, if anything, you can claim.
Sometimes Uber or Lyft passengers can also be at fault, especially if he or she was drunk and intentionally and directly prevented the driver from driving carefully.
According to NHTSA’s National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey, 94% of all accidents are the driver's fault. Establishing this in a court of law may require proof of the driver driving under the influence of alcohol, texting while driving, or driving negligently or recklessly.
Lastly, if the accident occurred because of mechanical errors, the mechanic who worked on the vehicle could be held responsible.
Can Injured Uber or Lyft Drivers Be Compensated?
When you are involved in an Uber or Lyft accident as a driver, you are also eligible for compensation, especially if the other party is at fault. Certain limits and provisions apply, depending on whether or not the driver was carrying passengers at the time, whether or not the official ridesharing app was on, and whether or not the damages and/or claims meet or exceed the driver’s personal insurance or Uber and Lyft’s driver coverage limits.
Can Uber or Lyft Be Held Liable?
Unlike taxi companies, Uber and Lyft use contract drivers who own their own cars. There is no formal employer-employee relationship between Uber and Lyft and their drivers.
It is, therefore, usually difficult to connect the two and in most cases, the company may not be obligated to pay for damages. However, our professional Homestead Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help establish fault, gather evidence, and investigate whether or not the company can be held responsible if the accident happened when the driver was transporting a passenger or was en route to a pickup.
Coverage by Insurance
Unlike buses and taxis which are insured as commercial vehicles, Ubers and Lyft vehicles are not usually easily categorized as such since they are personal cars used for commercial purposes. For this reason, some insurance companies do not insure insuring Uber and Lyft vehicles with regular private insurance policies.
However, this does not mean that you cannot receive compensation when involved in an Uber or Lyft accident as a driver, passenger, cyclist, or pedestrian. Uber and Lyft drivers are required to subscribe to primary automobile coverage and PIP, which covers injuries and damages sustained in an accident up to an amount of $10,000.
Uber and Lyft accidents can be very complicated, and without a professional lawyer by your side, you may recover very little or no compensation, and this means you will have to deal with the medical expenses on your own, not to mention your loss of wages.
Call us Today
To navigate the complex realm of ridesharing insurance, legal provisions that apply to ridesharing accidents, and to determine liability and investigate your claim, call us today at 305-928-2909 for a free and private consultation. From investigating and filing a claim to representing you in court, we provide contingency-based services – pay nothing until you win. Call now.