Tampa Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer
Florida law requires Uber and Lyft to provide up to $1 million in insurance coverage for injured accident victims. If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, your coverage will vary based on the driver’s status when the accident occurred. The process can be confusing when you’re coping with injuries. Our experienced Tampa Uber accident lawyers can manage these details for you and help you recover maximum compensation. Call us today at (813) 358-0490 to start your claim.
Whether you use Uber or Lyft to transport you to Tampa’s rich nightlife in Ybor City or SoHo, drive you to work, or shuttle you to and from the airport in Tampa or St. Pete, you rightfully expect to arrive safely at your destination.
When the unthinkable happens, count on our experienced Tampa rideshare accident lawyers to navigate the confusing insurance process for you. Whether you were injured as a rideshare rider, driver, or a third party in another vehicle, you may be eligible to recover significant financial compensation through an Uber or Lyft accident claim. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
How Can Farah & Farah Help You After an Uber or Lyft Accident
Our client-centric law firm treats clients like family and gets big results. Our small but dedicated team of Tampa rideshare accident attorneys have access to the financial resources of our large law firm. Since our establishment in 1979, we have recovered over $2 billion for injured accident victims. Our results are no accident. They come about through caring, understanding, and hard work.
Our attorneys combine resources, skills, and experience to employ the most effective team strategy to maximize your results. You can count on our Tampa rideshare accident attorneys to do the following in our quest to win you the maximum award available:
- Investigate your accident, gather evidence, identify who is responsible, and determine the applicable insurance coverage.
- File your Uber or Lyft insurance claim.
- File a lawsuit if the insurance refuses to pay your full claim value.
- Negotiate a fair and just settlement.
- Fight for you in court if the insurance company refuses to pay fair compensation.
We will advise you of your rights, answer your calls, and keep you informed about your case until it is resolved. We charge no upfront fees, and you only pay if we win. Call us today at (813) 358-0490 for a free case review.
How To File an Uber Accident Claim
The first step in filing an Uber accident claim is to confirm that Uber’s insurance coverage applies to your case. This determination involves a detailed investigation of the accident to determine who is liable. You must also confirm that the driver was logged into the app when the accident occurred.
Before you file your claim, you will need to know your claim value. Proper valuation involves a complex calculation of your financial and emotional losses. It will require a thorough review of your medical records and, in many cases, consultation with experts, such as life care planners, vocational specialists, and medical professionals.
Once you file your claim, the insurance company may deny coverage or attempt to minimize your damages. If the company refuses to pay fair compensation, you may need to file a lawsuit. You must then go up against Uber’s insurance company and lawyers.
You don’t have to jump through these hoops alone. Our experienced Tampa Uber accident attorneys can navigate this entire process so you can focus on recovery without the stress of a legal battle. Contact our skilled Tampa car accident lawyers today for a free consultation.
Testimonials From Our Satisfied Clients
We have helped thousands of accident victims recover significant compensation, and we treat every client with honesty, dignity, and respect. We are overwhelmed with the positive feedback we receive every day from the people we have helped, such as the following:
“I have had the unique pleasure of working with my attorney, Kaley. From our very first phone interaction to our last, Kaley was instrumental in bringing guidance, outstanding professionalism, and a sense of peace during a very chaotic time. Her expertise, timely responses, and encouraging words were exactly what anyone needs in a time of distress after an accident. She always walked me through each phase of my case, leaving me well-informed and reassured. I highly recommend Kaley with Farah & Farah should you ever need legal representation. She is amazing at helping people through their obstacles while working diligently to fight on your behalf.” – Adriane C
“I would like to say that from day one, when I decided to choose the team of Farah & Farah to represent me as my attorney after being involved in an automobile accident, I knew I made the right choice. My appointed attorney, Kaley, kept me informed every step of the way. Her guidance and communication throughout this difficult time was very much appreciated. She handled my case with impeccable professionalism, exceeding my expectations. Thank you, Kaley & the entire team of Farah & Farah.” – Edwin Rodriguez
How Does the Uber & Lyft Insurance Policy Work?
What Does Rideshare Company Insurance Cover?
If the driver is transporting a passenger or on the way to pick up a passenger after accepting a ride, the rideshare company provides $1 million in coverage for death, bodily injury, and property damage.
If the driver is logged onto the app and available to provide a ride, Uber and Lyft provide $50,000 in coverage for death and bodily injury per person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. The table below summarizes this coverage.
| Driver’s Status | Which Coverage Applies | Minimum Coverage |
| Logged off | Driver’s personal policy | $10,000 property damage liability |
| Logged on and available | Uber or Lyft’s policy | $50,000 bodily injury per person $100,000 bodily injury per accident $25,000 property damage |
| Transporting a passenger or en route to pick up a passenger | Uber or Lyft’s policy | $1 million for death, bodily injury, and property damage |
If the driver is personally liable but the driver’s insurance has lapsed, the rideshare company’s insurance must cover the accident.
No-Fault Insurance and Uber Accidents
If you were driving or a passenger in another vehicle during an Uber or Lyft accident, you must file your initial claim under your own personal injury protection, or PIP, coverage to comply with Florida’s no-fault law. You can file a claim against Uber or Lyft if your injuries qualify as severe.
Florida law doesn’t require PIP insurance companies to provide coverage to rideshare passengers, even if they own PIP policies. Thus, if you don’t have a PIP policy or your PIP policy excludes rideshare rides from coverage, you can file a liability claim against Uber or Lyft’ insurance regardless of whether your injuries are severe.
Liability in an Uber/Lyft Accident
Proving liability in an Uber or Lyft accident can be complex because rideshare drivers are independent contractors. Although Florida law requires rideshare companies to provide insurance when their drivers cause accidents, it doesn’t allow you to hold the companies themselves liable for a driver’s negligence.
However, you may be able to hold Uber or Lyft responsible for its own errors if the company knowingly or negligently hired an unsafe driver or ignored complaints about the driver. If your injuries are severe, you may need additional damages. We will investigate, analyze the accident, and identify all liable parties, including the driver, the rideshare company, and third parties, such as the following:
- Mechanics
- Manufacturers of defective vehicle parts
- Other drivers
- Government entities responsible for maintaining roads
- Property owners
Establishing liability is one of the most important responsibilities of a skilled Tampa Uber and Lyft accident lawyer. We will work tirelessly to determine who is to blame for your injuries and hold them accountable. Contact us today for a free consultation.
What if Another Driver Caused the Accident?
If a driver other than the Uber driver caused the accident while you were a rider, the other driver’s insurance would apply. The same is true if you’re a rideshare driver on duty.
If the other party’s insurance doesn’t cover all of your injuries, you can file a claim against Uber or Lyft’s underinsured insurance policy. If the at-fault driver is uninsured, you can file a claim against Uber or Lyft’s uninsured motorist coverage.
Fault in an automobile accident isn’t always 100 percent on one driver. Even if the other driver seems to be completely to blame, the Uber or Lyft driver may be partly at fault. Under Florida’s comparative negligence law, each party is responsible for the damages in proportion to their share of the fault.
What Types of Compensation Am I Entitled to After an Uber or Lyft Accident?
Damages after an Uber or Lyft accident may include economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. The amount you recover will vary based on such factors as the severity of your injuries, the available insurance coverage, your financial status before the accident, and whether your injuries will result in permanent disabilities.
Punitive damages are only available in limited cases when you have clear and convincing evidence of deliberate misconduct or gross negligence. For example, you may be able to recover punitive damages if the Uber driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Economic damages compensate for verifiable monetary losses. Non-economic damages compensate for the impacts of the injuries on your life. Damages may include your current losses and projected future losses. Examples of economic and non-economic damages include the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost future earnings
- Loss of society
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disability
- Loss of bodily functioning
- Emotional distress
- Physical pain
You can count on our Uber and Lyft accident attorneys in Tampa to fight for the maximum compensation available. If you’re coping with injuries after an Uber or Lyft accident, call us today at (813) 358-0490 for a free consultation.
Damages Available in Fatal Uber and Lyft Accidents
If your loved one dies from an Uber or Lyft accident, your family deserves justice. Our compassionate and skilled Tampa rideshare injury attorneys can help your family file an Uber or Lyft insurance claim and, ultimately, a wrongful death lawsuit if the insurance company fails to treat you fairly.
Wrongful death damages in Florida may include compensation for your funeral expenses, lost inheritance, your loved one’s pain and suffering, loss of your loved one’s lifetime income, loss of companionship, and similar losses.
How Common Are Rideshare Accidents in Tampa?
The Florida Department of Highway Safety reports that 27,460 car accidents occurred in Tampa in 2023, resulting in 18,874 injuries and 233 deaths. Recent studies have found an increase in accidents, including fatal accidents, in cities where rideshare services are offered.
According to a study by the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, rideshare apps have increased traffic fatalities by three percent yearly. Based on this data, we can expect an additional seven traffic deaths in 2024 in Tampa due to rideshare apps.
While this data cannot confirm direct rideshare vehicle involvement, a 2018 study by a transportation planning company found that rideshare apps increase traffic congestion. The added traffic is a problem Tampa drivers didn’t need. A study by the navigation company TomTom found that Tampa is the 20th most congested city in the nation.
For every vehicle mile driven, rideshare apps add 2.8 more. Approximately 60 percent of rideshare users would have walked, bicycled, or used public transit if rideshare apps weren’t offered. Even for riders who would normally drive, rideshare vehicles add to the traffic due to the miles driven while en route to pick up riders.
What Causes Uber/Lyft Accidents in Tampa?
The causes of an Uber or Lyft accident are similar to other car accidents, whether the rideshare driver or another driver is to blame. The following factors may lead to Uber or Lyft car accidents in Tampa:
- Distracted or inattentive driving
- Drunk driving
- Driving while drowsy
- Speeding
- Driving the wrong way on a one-way street
- Aggressive driving
- Failure to yield
- Lane departures
How Long Do I Have To File A Rideshare Accident Claim?
In most cases, Florida’s personal injury statute of limitations gives you two years to file a rideshare accident claim. However, you shouldn’t wait to contact an attorney. Your attorney will need early access to your case to investigate thoroughly before important evidence becomes unavailable.
Uber, Lyft, and their insurance companies are large, wealthy corporations, and your attorney will need time to build a strong case against them. Once your case is filed, the defendants can access your evidence.
If you miss the filing deadline, you will lose your right to recover compensation for your injuries. Don’t take a chance on letting the statute of limitations pass you by. Contact our experienced rideshare attorneys in Tampa today so that we can protect your rights.
Florida Rideshare Laws
When Uber and Lyft first offered rides in Tampa in 2014, they operated illegally. The Public Transportation Commission fined drivers, ruling they were essentially taxi services out of compliance with state and local laws. Uber and Lyft paid the driver’s fines and continued to offer the service until the laws changed.
The state legislature has since passed laws clarifying that rideshare companies are not taxis and are not subject to for-hire driver regulations. In addition, the rideshare laws imposed requirements on rideshare companies and drivers.
Background Check Requirements
Uber and Lyft are required to perform background checks before allowing drivers to work. Background checks must include a multi-state and multi-jurisdiction criminal check, a driving history review, and a national sex offender registry lookup.
Rideshare companies must also perform background checks on drivers at least once every three years. The companies must disqualify drivers with any of the following on their records:
- Three or more moving violations in the last three years
- Felony convictions within the last five years
- Misdemeanor DUI
- Reckless driving offenses
- Record of fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement
- Violent misdemeanors
- Sexual battery
- Lewdness or indecent exposure
- Driving on a suspended or revoked license in the last three years
- A sex offender registered on the National Sex Offender Public Website
- Lacks a driver’s license or proof of registration for the vehicle to be used
Drug and Alcohol Policies
Uber and Lyft are required to implement and enforce a zero-tolerance policy towards drug and alcohol use while the driver has access to the network.
If either company receives a complaint that the driver was under the influence of alcohol while logged onto the app or providing a ride, the company must suspend the driver’s ride acceptance privileges and investigate. The suspension must remain in place until the investigation is completed and the driver is cleared.
Farah & Farah Will Help Get You the Compensation You Deserve
If you or your loved one was injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in the Tampa Bay area, you shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s mistake. Our caring and skilled Tampa Uber accident lawyers are committed to being there for you when you need us most. Call us today at (813) 358-0490 for a free, no-obligation case review.
How Can Farah & Farah Help You After an Uber or Lyft Accident
Testimonials From Our Satisfied Clients
How Does the Uber & Lyft Insurance Policy Work?
What Types of Compensation Am I Entitled to After an Uber or Lyft Accident?
How Common Are Rideshare Accidents in Tampa?
What Causes Uber/Lyft Accidents in Tampa?
How Long Do I Have To File A Rideshare Accident Claim?
Farah & Farah Will Help Get You the Compensation You Deserve
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