Miami Rideshare Accident Attorney
There’s no question that rideshare services, like Uber and Lyft, are well established and popular in big cities like Miami. They offer residents and visitors a convenient method of transportation on-demand.
While rideshare services are beneficial in many ways, they still pose risks. For example, rideshare drivers can be involved in or cause accidents, just like any other driver on the road. If you are in a rideshare accident, you may wonder what rights you have and how to recover compensation for your injuries and losses. This is when a Miami rideshare accident attorney’s services can be invaluable.
Even though rideshare services are an accepted way to get a ride, the legal issues around these companies are still there. While taxi services are heavily regulated, some rideshare companies will hire drivers as independent contractors. When they do this, it means the driver uses their personal vehicle for rides.
One of the main concerns related to companies like Uber and Lyft when an accident occurs is whose insurance policy covers the damages and injuries. Usually, insurance companies have clauses in their policies that state they will not cover the driver if they use their vehicle for any type of commercial purpose. Rideshare drivers, though, also use their vehicles for day-to-day activities, like errands, social activities, and more. This is just one complexity that comes up when a rideshare accident occurs and is a reason that you need to hire a Miami rideshare accident lawyer for assistance.
Your Miami rideshare accident attorney can help determine what insurance policy will apply to your case and accident. Just keep in mind that the policy that applies will dictate what is covered and the amount of compensation you can receive.
If you are involved in an accident with a rideshare driver, as another driver or a passenger, get in touch with our Miami rideshare accident lawyer right away. Our attorneys will fight to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Determining Who Covers Injuries and Damages After a Miami Rideshare Accident
As mentioned above, it’s best to get in touch with a Miami rideshare accident attorney as soon as you can after being involved in this type of accident. However, if an accident occurs involving a rideshare driver, there are factors that can impact the coverage that’s available for those who are injured.
For example, both Uber and Lyft have policies that provide coverage of one million dollars (maximum). If you are injured in an accident, the policies will likely cover most of your damages. However, with fatal collisions or those that cause severe injuries, medical bills and lost wages can quickly add up. This means being able to access a higher amount of coverage is essential.
While Uber and Lyft provide one-million-dollar policies, certain circumstances have to exist. These include:
- The driver must be transporting a passenger
- The driver is traveling to get a passenger
Sometimes, a driver is logged in and waiting to accept a ride but hasn’t found a customer yet. In these cases, the policy only provides the following coverage for accident victims:
- $50,000 max for each injured person
- $100,000 max for personal injuries per accident
- $25,000 max for property damage
It’s important to work with a Miami rideshare accident lawyer to ensure you get compensation that is fair for the injuries and losses you incur.
Uber and Lyft also provide underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage in case the driver that caused the accident doesn’t have any or enough insurance or if they leave the scene.
The Importance of Determining Liability in Miami Rideshare Accidents
When you call a Miami rideshare accident attorney, one of the first things they will consider is who is liable for the accident.
Since Florida is a no-fault state, the policies of the driver should cover injuries based on their PIP (personal injury protection) coverage. However, if injuries are caused by another driver, the victims are legally allowed to file a claim against that party to receive the rest of the compensation for their accident-related costs.
Negligence determines liability in Florida car accidents. When a driver violates their duty to use reasonable care while driving, they can be found negligent for a resulting accident. However, when it comes to car accidents, including rideshare accidents, more than one person may be at-fault for the collision.
If this happens, your Miami rideshare accident lawyer may work to divide liability and have a percentage of fault assigned to each party. This is going to ensure that the victims receive compensation from the right party.
The process followed to hold a rideshare driver liable and to have the company’s auto insurance apply to the case can be complex. Having a Miami rideshare accident attorney from the Durham Law Group help with your case is highly recommended. If the rideshare company’s insurance doesn’t cover the injuries, then your own auto insurance may kick in to provide you with the compensation you deserve. This is another aspect of these cases you should discuss with your Miami rideshare accident lawyer.
Fighting for Your Rights After a Miami Rideshare Accident
Hiring a Miami rideshare accident attorney is one of the smartest things you can do after being involved in an accident. They can review the facts of your case to determine liability and ensure the responsible party provides you with the compensation you deserve.
Since rideshare companies are not heavily regulated by the government, the laws and your rights can be confusing. With the help of an attorney, you can feel confident that you have the representation you need to provide you with the damages you deserve.
Our Miami rideshare accident attorneys understand that each case is unique and will ensure that your situation gets the attention it deserves. Our goal is to help you recover the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries and losses. Contact the Durham Law Group Miami office today at 305-913-8913.
