Rideshare services like Uber have made getting around West Central Florida more convenient, but they have also introduced a new category of accidents with complicated insurance issues that most people are not prepared to navigate. If you were injured in a crash involving an Uber driver, whether as a passenger, a driver in another vehicle, or a pedestrian, you may be entitled to significant compensation.
At Lucas, Macyszyn & Dyer, Injury Lawyers, we help accident victims across West Central Florida understand their rights and pursue full compensation after Uber and rideshare accidents. The insurance questions in these cases are more complex than standard car accidents, and having the right attorney from the start makes a real difference.
Uber drivers face the same risks as any other driver, and in some cases more. Common causes of rideshare accidents include:
In a standard car accident, you typically file a claim against the at-fault driver’s personal auto insurance. Uber accidents are different because multiple insurance policies may apply, and which policy covers your claim depends on exactly what the Uber driver was doing at the moment of the crash.
Additionally, because Uber drivers are classified as independent contractors rather than employees, Uber can and does argue that it is not responsible for driver conduct. This makes having an experienced attorney essential.
The coverage available after an Uber accident depends on the driver’s status in the app at the time of the crash. Here is how it breaks down:
App Off
If the Uber driver had the app turned off when the accident occurred, only the driver’s personal auto insurance is available to cover your claim. Uber’s commercial coverage does not apply.
App On, Waiting for a Ride Request
When the driver is logged into the app and available for rides but has not yet accepted a request, Uber provides limited commercial insurance coverage. This includes $50,000 in bodily injury per person, $100,000 in bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 in property damage. This coverage supplements the driver’s personal policy if that policy is insufficient.
Ride Accepted or Passenger On Board
Once a ride has been accepted and the driver is either on the way to pick up a passenger or actively transporting one, Uber’s full $1 million commercial liability coverage applies. Underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage is also available. Your personal auto insurance must be exhausted first before this policy is accessed.
Determining the driver’s status at the time of the crash is critical and not always straightforward. Our attorneys investigate this immediately, using app data, records, and other evidence to establish which coverage applies to your claim.
If your claim involves Uber’s commercial insurance, you are dealing with a large corporation that has dedicated legal resources focused on minimizing what it pays out. Uber will look for every available reason to question, reduce, or deny your claim.
At LMD Injury Lawyers, we know how to level that playing field. We have experience going up against large insurance companies and corporate legal teams, and we do not back down. Our job is to make sure your rights are protected and that you receive the full compensation you are entitled to.
No two claims are identical, but the factors that most influence the value of an Uber accident case include:
As with any personal injury claim, recovering compensation after an Uber accident requires proving that another party was negligent. That means establishing four things:
Evidence used to build these cases includes Uber app data, eyewitness accounts, vehicle damage assessments, traffic camera or surveillance footage, police reports, and photos from the scene. Our attorneys gather and preserve this evidence quickly so that nothing is lost.
Rideshare accident cases require attorneys who understand the insurance complexity, know how to go up against large corporations, and will not settle for less than you deserve. When you work with LMD, you get:
Handling an Uber accident claim on your own puts you at a real disadvantage against a company with significant legal resources. The sooner you have an attorney in your corner, the better your chances of preserving evidence, untangling the insurance issues, and securing the outcome you deserve.
Contact Lucas, Macyszyn & Dyer, Injury Lawyers today to schedule your free consultation. We serve clients throughout West Central Florida and we are ready to help.
(727) 849-5353