Rideshare services carry millions of passengers across Florida every year. According to Uber’s 2022 U.S. Safety Report, more than 99.9 percent of trips are completed without any safety incident. Even so, accidents do happen, and when they do, the legal and insurance landscape is significantly more complicated than a standard two-car collision.
If you have recently been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, speaking with an Orlando Uber and Lyft accident attorney is one of the most important steps you can take. At Wooten, Kimbrough, Damaso & Dennis, PA, our attorneys will work alongside you to maximize your chances of recovering monetary compensation for your injuries.
What You Need to Do After You Have Been Injured in an Uber or Lyft Accident
Below, we have briefly outlined what you can do if you have recently been involved in an Uber or Lyft accident. Following these steps improves your likelihood of building a claim with a favorable outcome when you work with an attorney.
1. Call Emergency Services
It almost goes without saying, but you need to get to a safe place and then call emergency services for assistance. Regardless of whether or not you have been hurt, it’s crucial to call 911 as they will send an ambulance to check your injuries and a police unit to assess the scene and create an accident police report.
The report the police create and that the ambulance gives will help you should you decide to initiate a claim at a later date.
2. Seek Medical Attention
The sooner you seek medical attention, the quicker you are likely to recover. Even if you don’t believe that you’re injured, you need to seek medical attention from a private doctor or a hospital.
Along with the police report, seeking medical care will allow you to have a record of your injuries as it will provide proof that the Uber or Lyft accident you were involved in caused the injuries you’re suffering from.
Additionally, it’s recommended to always seek medical care regardless of how you’re feeling as you never know when an injury can make itself apparent. Often, you could have an injury and not realize it. If you try and claim that the injury you have was caused by the Uber or Lyft accident, you could have a hard time proving it if you only sought out medical attention for it at a later date.
3. Make a Record of Your Rideshare
Every time you commence an Uber or Lyft ride, it’s an excellent idea to make a record of your rideshare for your safety in the event you’re involved in an accident.
Essentially, all you need to do is simply take a screenshot of the trip information, including the driver’s details and vehicle registration information. It might not seem plausible, but this information can help you when you want to initiate a claim against the Uber or Lyft driver.
4. Gather Witness Information
It’s highly likely that there were witnesses who saw the Uber or Lyft accident occur. Eyewitnesses can provide an unbiased review of what happened during your accident. If you are not injured too severely, you need to try and obtain witness statements and their information.
This will help you, your lawyer, and your insurance company determine who was at fault for the accident or help prove that you were indeed injured while taking an Uber or Lyft ride.
5. Take Pictures of the Accident
After the accident has occurred, it’s beneficial to take pictures of the scene of the accident, of any damages to your belongings, and of any injuries you have sustained. These pictures can be crucial pieces of evidence in an Uber or Lyft accident case as they will prove that you sustained damages due to the accident you were involved in.
6. Hire a Car Accident Attorney
After an accident, it can be incredibly challenging to manage legal proceedings. By hiring an attorney immediately after your Lyft or Uber accident, you are increasing your likelihood of obtaining a fair settlement and the justice you deserve.
A lawyer can handle all legal proceedings involving the Uber or Lyft driver, the company itself, and any other parties involved in the accident that caused your injuries. In addition to this, a qualified Orlando car accident attorney can also help take care of all insurance company communications.
Florida’s PIP Law and the 14-Day Medical Deadline
Florida operates under a no-fault insurance system, which means that after any car accident, including one involving an Uber or Lyft driver, you must first file a claim with your own auto insurance company through Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. There is a strict deadline attached to this requirement: Florida law requires that you seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident to activate your PIP benefits.
If you miss this 14-day window, you lose your right to PIP coverage entirely, regardless of how serious your injuries turn out to be. Because rideshare injuries are not always immediately apparent, this deadline is especially important. Do not delay seeking a medical evaluation after an Uber or Lyft accident, even if you feel fine at the scene.
PIP provides up to $10,000 in coverage for medical expenses and a portion of lost wages. If your injuries are serious and exceed your PIP limits, or if you qualify under Florida’s serious injury threshold, your attorney can help you pursue a claim directly against the at-fault driver, the rideshare company, or both. The applicable insurance coverage shifts depending on whether the Uber or Lyft driver was logged into the app, had a passenger, or was off duty at the time of the accident, making the legal analysis in these cases more involved than a standard crash.
Get in Touch with an Orlando Attorney Today to Discuss What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident
Lyft accident cases and Uber accident cases are often tricky. They can be challenging to understand if you don’t know the various legal requirements surrounding initiating a lawsuit against an Uber or Lyft driver or the companies themselves. That’s why it’s usually best to leave the legal proceedings to a dedicated and committed Orlando Lyft and Uber accident attorney.
Wooten, Kimbrough, Damaso & Dennis, PA, attorneys can help you with your Uber or Lyft accident case. Not only do we have more than 60 years of legal experience, but we were also voted as the Best Law Firm in Orlando in 2020.
Our Orlando firm is dedicated to helping our clients obtain the compensation they deserve. If you have sustained injuries in an Uber or Lyft accident, we can help you look into your options. Contact us here to schedule a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Uber and Lyft Accidents in Florida
Who is liable for injuries in an Uber or Lyft accident in Florida?
Liability in a rideshare accident depends on the driver’s status at the time of the crash. If the driver was logged into the app and carrying a passenger, Uber or Lyft’s commercial liability insurance policy, which provides up to $1 million in coverage, may apply. If the driver was logged in but had not yet accepted a ride, a lower coverage tier from the company applies. If the driver was off duty, only their personal auto insurance is available. An attorney can determine which coverage tier applies to your specific situation.
What is the 14-day medical deadline for Florida rideshare accidents?
Florida law requires anyone injured in a car accident, including a rideshare accident, to seek medical treatment within 14 days to qualify for Personal Injury Protection benefits. Missing this deadline eliminates your PIP claim regardless of your injuries. Many accident injuries, including whiplash and soft tissue damage, are not immediately apparent, which makes seeking an evaluation promptly after the crash essential even when you feel relatively well.
Can I sue Uber or Lyft directly after an accident?
In most cases, Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, which limits the company’s direct liability for driver negligence. However, both companies carry substantial commercial insurance policies that apply when a driver is actively working on the platform. If the company’s own negligence, such as inadequate background checks or app design, contributed to the accident, a direct claim against the company may also be possible. Your attorney can evaluate the full range of potential defendants in your case.
Does my own car insurance cover me as a passenger in a rideshare accident?
If you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft when the accident occurred, Florida’s no-fault rules still apply to your PIP claim, which typically runs through your own auto insurance policy if you have one. If you do not own a vehicle and do not carry personal auto insurance, you may be able to access PIP coverage through the rideshare company’s policy or through an uninsured motorist claim. The specifics depend on your coverage and the circumstances of the crash.
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit after a rideshare accident in Florida?
Florida’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. This applies to claims against Uber and Lyft drivers as well as the companies themselves. Missing this deadline will typically bar your lawsuit entirely. Because building a rideshare accident case requires gathering app records, driver data, and insurance information that can be difficult to obtain later, contacting an attorney as soon as possible after the accident is strongly recommended.
Legally Written and Reviewed by a Managing Partner
Wooten, Kimbrough, Damaso, and Dennis, P.A.
Our content is written and reviewed by our founding attorneys Butch Wooten, Orman Kimbrough, Mike Damaso, and Tom Dennis. Helping the injured since 1966, they’ve successfully handled thousands of personal injury cases across Florida. Whether you’re a Florida resident or an out-of-state visitor injured in Florida, we’re dedicated to providing clear and reliable information to help you navigate your legal options confidently.