Florida Personal Injury Firm Skillfully Represents Accident Victims
Using rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft has become commonplace for adults of all ages, from college students to retirees. It is a convenient way to get around, whether you do not have a license or a car, or you just want to avoid the hassle of finding a place to park.
Unfortunately, just as climbing into any car is not without risk, neither is riding in Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare service. Filing a personal injury claim for an accident involving a rideshare service can be complicated; the experienced personal injury team at Ged Lawyers skillfully represents accident victims, successfully recovering just compensation for their injuries.
Rideshare Accident Victims Can Find Relief Under Florida Personal Injury Law
A rideshare accident victim in Boca Raton, Florida, can recover damages under state law. The type of claim you file will play a part in the damages you can receive, but generally, you could recover:
- Present and future medical costs
- Transportation costs
- Property repair or replacement costs of your vehicle or personal items (laptop, cellphone, watch, etc.)
- Physical therapy
- Mental health therapy
- Medical equipment (crutches, wheelchair, etc.)
- Lost wages or self-employment income
- The value of your lost earning potential
- Pain and suffering damages (mental anguish, loss of quality of life, severe or permanent injuries, etc.)
Our Legal Team Will Take Care of Every Step in Your Boca Rideshare Accident Case
When we take on your case, our injury lawyers serving Boca Raton will dedicate themselves to providing you with a just and proper resolution. Our legal team works together to seek the compensation you deserve. Your rideshare car accident case is our priority. That means we handle everything. The duties we handle for you include:
- Managing communications with the rideshare company, the at-fault driver, and the insurance company (You will not have to speak to the other party or parties.)
- Identifying the at-fault or liable parties
- Speaking to rideshare crash witnesses
- Gathering evidence and documentation (traffic footage, dashcam footage, photos, crash reports, medical records, etc.)
- Calculating the total value of your financial and non-financial losses
- Working toward a fair settlement offer in negotiations
- Suing the liable party in court, if necessary
- Keeping you current on your case
Florida Insurance Requirements for Rideshare Companies in Boca Raton
In July 2017, Florida legislators enacted a law that imposes new insurance requirements for rideshare companies.
If operating in Florida, a rideshare company, also called a transportation network company (TNC), must maintain liability insurance for its drivers during two distinct periods of work:
- While the driver is on duty, carrying, or headed to pick up passengers
- While the driver is signed in to the app but waiting to receive ride requests
Driver On Duty and Carrying or Traveling to Passengers
When a driver is transporting a passenger or en route to pick one up, the TNC must provide a $1 million liability insurance policy. The policy covers passengers and third-party accident victims for bodily injury and property damage. Drivers aren’t covered in this instance.
Driver On Duty But Not Yet Engaged in a Ride
Rideshare companies must cover drivers after they log in to a rideshare app, but they are not yet engaged in a ride request. The companies must provide $50,000 per person up to $100,000 per accident for injuries, $25,000 for property damage, and $10,000 in personal injury protection for drivers. This coverage kicks in only if the driver does not have enough insurance to cover the accident on their own.
Insurance While Drivers Are Off Duty
At a minimum, rideshare drivers must obtain $10,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) coverage and $10,000 of property damage liability coverage to meet Florida’s auto insurance requirements. This coverage is the only protection drivers have if an accident occurs while they are off duty or not logged in to the Uber or Lyft app.
Our Boca Raton Rideshare Accident Attorney Can Guide You Through Your Claim or Lawsuit
Personal injury law protects those who have been injured in accidents that are the result of another person or entity’s negligence. Individuals who have been injured in accidents involving rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft may find the personal injury claims process particularly complicated due to the fact that many rideshare drivers are independent contractors.
As such, the accident may not be covered under the rideshare company’s insurance policy. Sometimes rideshare drivers are involved in accidents while they are in between fares or when they are not providing fares at that time.
It’s important to speak to a Boca Raton rideshare accident attorney if you get into a car accident with an Uber or Lyft. A Florida car accident lawyer with our firm can determine who is liable for paying your damages and the type of claim you must file to recover compensation. Navigating the process alone could leave you overwhelmed and result in a payout less than what you deserve.
What Are the Time Limits for Filing a Personal Injury Claim in Boca Raton, Florida?
The statute of limitations – the legal time frame allowed for filing a lawsuit in the civil court – varies from state to state. In Florida, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is two years from the time the accident occurred, per F.S.95.11.
This deadline is firm; if you fail to file your personal injury claim within two years, unless there are extenuating circumstances, the court will refuse to hear your case at any time. So, if you are contemplating filing a personal injury claim, it is best to consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible within this time frame.
Injured in a Boca Raton Uber or Lyft Accident? We Can Help
If you have been injured in an accident involving Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare service, embarking on the personal injury claims process can be daunting. We can help. At Ged Lawyers, our experienced accident attorneys understand the complexities of the law and skillfully navigate the claims process to recover just compensation for our clients who have been injured in rideshare accidents.
Arrange for a free case review with a member of our team to discuss your case and the available legal options; call our office today or reach out to us online. Ged Lawyers represents a diverse clientele, with multilingual services available in Arabic, Creole, Greek, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, and other languages.
