millions of users throughout the world. However, car accidents involving Uber and Lyft rideshare services have also increased in recent years.
Uber and Lyft accidents are bound to happen, especially with the amount of people who use rideshare services to get from one place to another. If you or someone you love were injured in a rideshare car accident, then you could be entitled to receive compensation under Florida Law. However, it is often difficult to determine liability after an Uber or Lyft rideshare accident, and you will need a skilled lawyer to take on the case.
The Law Place has over seventy-five years of collective experience when it comes to fighting Uber or Lyft rideshare services in Port Charlotte and across the State of Florida. Our team of personal injury lawyers has successfully handled car accident cases ranging from reckless driving, drunk driving, and much more.
Our law firm has the best rideshare accident lawyers in town, and we want to be the ones to pursue your case in Port Charlotte. We understand that you must be struggling with the pain and expenses following a car accident, and we want to help to ease the pressure. Our personal injury lawyers will handle every aspect of your case while you take the time that you need to heal and get back on your feet. Rest assured that we will fill you in every step of the way so that you do not need to worry about the progress of your case.
Contact The Law Place on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation today, and a car accident lawyer will fight for the compensation that you deserve following an Uber or Lyft rideshare car accident in Port Charlotte.
The Beginning of Uber and Lyft in Port Charlotte, FL.
Uber has skyrocketed as a rideshare company since its humble beginning in the year 2009. It has become the more preferred method of transportation, as opposed to waving down a taxi or having to call a cab company. It also offers more privacy than public transportation such as the train or the bus.
Uber was developed with a mobile application, which allows a customer to simply type in their current location and destination, and then they are linked with the closest available driver. Once the ride has been confirmed, the customer will see the driver, their ratings, vehicle, and model specifications. Payments are also made through the mobile application, including tipping.
The success of Uber inspired the development of Lyft in the year 2012. Lyft mirrors the company model of Uber, and both services gained the name ‘rideshare programs.’ A rideshare company is expected to provide a safe environment for the rideshare driver and the passengers who pay for their service.
Uber and Lyft have excelled in their field since the early days, and they both rake in millions of dollars every year, which means that they can afford to hire the best legal team in the event that an accident occurs. If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft car accident, then you will need to hire a rideshare accident lawyer with the skills and resources to protect your legal rights and fight for the compensation that you are owed.
Hire a Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Port Charlotte, FL.
We highly recommend that you speak with a car accident lawyer following a rideshare accident in Port Charlotte. It is not easy to defend yourself against big-time rideshare companies on your own, especially when they have major insurance companies and a strong legal defense on their side.
The bottom line is that if you were hurt in an accident, then you will need a lawyer. It is imperative that you take the necessary measures to protect your rights, and that means hiring a rideshare accident lawyer. Call The Law Place today to set up a free consultation. Our team of personal injury lawyers will discuss the details of your case and answer all of your questions in Port Charlotte.
Liability for Uber and Lyft Rideshare Accidents in Port Charlotte, FL.
If you were injured in a car accident caused by an Uber or Lyft rideshare driver, then you could be entitled to seek compensation from the insurance coverage provided by Uber and Lyft or from the rideshare driver depending on the circumstances of your individual case.
In the event that you are injured in a car accident as a passenger in a Uber or Lyft motor vehicle caused by another driver, then you could be limited to holding the driver liable for your injuries and other damages instead of the rideshare company or the Uber and Lyft driver.
In the event that an Uber or Lyft driver is responsible for an accident, then enforcing liability will depend on whether the rideshare driver was signed into the rideshare service mobile application, in the middle of transporting a passenger, or they were on the way to pick up a passenger at the time that the crash happened.
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Services Provided by Uber and Lyft in Port Charlotte, FL.
Uber is the most widely used rideshare service throughout the United States of America, and Lyft comes in second place as Uber’s top competitor in the market.
A list of Uber services include:
- UberX – A traditional, average-sized motor vehicle.
- UberBLACK – A stylish, black-on-black luxury sedan motor vehicle.
- UberSUV – A back SUV motor vehicle for larger groups of people.
- UberSELECT – A rideshare service in a high-end motor vehicle for an Uber experience with a touch of luxury.
- UberXL – A rideshare service in a large van or SUV that can hold up to six riders and extra space for luggage.
A list of Lyft services include:
- Lyft rideshare – A traditional, standard size motor vehicle.
- Lyft bicycle – A bike-sharing service that is accessible through the mobile application in select locations.
- Lyft scooters – A motorized scooter service for convenient transportation through the mobile application in select locations.
- Food delivery – Lyft offers food collection and delivery to your home or other chosen location.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
Steps to Take After Getting into a Rideshare Accident in Port Charlotte, FL.
Rideshare services are widely popular, but many people are still unaware of the steps that they should take after getting involved in a Uber and Lyft rideshare crash. It might seem overwhelming and harder to think clearly following the initial impact of a car accident, but it is crucial that you follow these steps to protect your legal rights:
- Put safety first – Your safety and the safety of your passengers should always be the number one priority in the aftermath of a car accident. If you or anyone else was injured or fell unconscious, then call 911 for medical assistance immediately.
- The police – A rideshare driver is usually the one who is responsible for contacting the police to notify them of an accident when they are on the clock. However, if the rideshare driver is not in the position to make the call, then you should pick up your phone to contact the police immediately. A police officer will be able to offer assistance and file an official report of the accident.
- Contact details – It is important that you gather the contact details of all the drivers involved in the accident, including names, phone numbers, insurance information, and license plate numbers.
- Evidence – A police officer will usually take notes of all the important details once they arrive at the scene of the accident. However, you also might want to take your own notes of the accident before and after their arrival. A list of important details that you might want to collect as evidence includes taking pictures of the scene, the time, screenshot of your rideshare status on the Uber or Lyft mobile application, injuries, property damage, motor vehicles, eyewitness testimonies, and more.
- Medical treatment – If you suffered an injury or not, you will still have to go to the hospital. It is possible for some injuries to not reveal themselves until much later, and that is why you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
- Insurance company – Your insurance company requires that you inform them of an accident as soon as possible. Remember not to share any details in regard to your accident, as they will twist your words and use them against you as a way to prove that you were partially at fault for an accident. If you do not feel like talking to them, you can ask your car accident lawyer to speak to your insurance company on your behalf.
- Hire a Port Charlotte Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyer – One of the most important phone calls that you will make after getting involved in a Uber or Lyft crash is to a rideshare accident lawyer. Call The Law Place to set up a free consultation today, in which a rideshare accident lawyer will offer you professional legal advice and guide you through the legal system in the State of Florida. Our law firm will help you to win the compensation that you deserve.
How Rideshare Accidents Are Handled in Port Charlotte, FL.
The law regards Uber and Lyft rideshare drivers differently than other transportation drivers in the State of Florida. For example, Uber and Lyft drivers are subject to regulatory processes that are specific to rideshare services when it comes to determining who is liable in a car accident. The regulatory laws are different according to state.
A rideshare accident will be handled depending on these factors:
- The driver was logged into the rideshare service mobile application and waiting for a ride request when the accident happened.
- The driver had passengers in the motor vehicle.
- The driver is determined to be at fault for the crash.
Every driver for Uber and Lyft is required to follow company-specific insurance procedures before they are qualified to transport passengers through the mobile rideshare application. Uber and Lyft drivers are also required to carry personal auto insurance. However, they are also covered under the insurance coverage provided by the rideshare company in the event that an accident happens while the rideshare driver is using their motor vehicle for rideshare purposes.
Uber and Lyft both carry $1 million in insurance protection for their rideshare drivers in the event that an accident occurs under the following conditions:
- The rideshare driver was actively logged into the mobile application and waiting for a ride request.
- The rideshare driver was on their way to pick up a passenger.
- The rideshare driver was in the middle of transporting a passenger.
The status of a ride (waiting for a ride request or transporting a passenger) has an impact on the amount of insurance coverage that the rideshare driver has under the company. However, further details are written in the policy of the rideshare company.
It can be difficult to determine liability in a rideshare accident. The best way to pursue compensation following an Uber or Lyft rideshare accident is to consult with a skilled lawyer from The Law Place. Call us now to set up a free consultation.
Rideshare Accident Laws in Port Charlotte, FL.
Rideshare companies are regulated through the “Uber/Lyft” bill, also known as House Bill 221, which was written into law in May 2017. The bill outlines the requirements for rideshare drivers and their network companies.
One of the main requirements states the minimum insurance coverage for rideshare drivers who were actively logged into the mobile application or in the middle of transporting passengers. It is an important distinction to make, as this will determine whether the rideshare driver was using the motor vehicle for business or personal use. That is why Uber and Lyft drivers have to carry personal auto insurance along with the rideshare company’s insurance coverage. A driver who was not using their motor vehicle for ridesharing purposes will not be covered by the Uber and Lyft company insurance coverage in the event that an accident happens.
Statute of Limitations for Rideshare Accidents in Port Charlotte, FL.
The statute of limitations for rideshare car accidents refers to the amount of time that a driver has to take legal action after getting involved in a crash. However, the laws vary depending on the state.
The State of Florida currently does not have a statute of limitation that is specific to rideshare car accidents. However, people have up to four years to file a personal injury claim after suffering injuries in a car accident – which includes Uber and Lyft car accidents.
It is imperative that you take legal action and seek compensation as soon as possible following an Uber or Lyft rideshare accident in Port Charlotte. A rideshare accident attorney will provide you with the necessary support and guidance that you need to make the right decisions in regard to your case.
Common Injuries Sustained in Rideshare Accidents in Port Charlotte, FL.
Every car accident is different from the next, and they vary in severity. Injuries sustained in rideshare car accidents can result in minor or major injuries depending on the factors involved. Many people involved in rideshare accidents sustain the following:
- Whiplash injuries.
- Severe lacerations.
- Broken and dislocated bones.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Internal bleeding.
- Internal organ damage.
- Concussions.
- Traumatic brain injuries.
Every injury will require medical attention, and they have the potential to lead to piles and piles of medical bills. In most cases, a person who was injured in a rideshare accident might not be able to work while they are recovering from their injury, which means that they cannot receive the income that they need to support themselves and their family in Port Charlotte.
Types of Compensation Available After a Rideshare Accident in Port Charlotte, FL.
If you were involved in a car accident caused by a rideshare driver, then you could be entitled to many types of compensation. Damages tend to fall into two different categories – economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
- Medical expenses – You will need compensation to cover hospital stays, visits to the doctor, surgery, medical equipment, physical therapy, rehabilitation, prescription medication, and more.
- Lost wages – You will need compensation to cover lost income from not being able to work, as well as a difference in your usual income if your injury prevents you from earning your previous amount of income.
- Property damage – You will need compensation to cover the costs of damage to your motor vehicle, clothes, mobile phone, and more.
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering – You will need compensation for a diminished quality of life, including physical pain, mental anguish, and emotional trauma since the accident.
- Wrongful death – You will need compensation for the loss of a loved one in an accident which will cover funeral expenses, pain and suffering, medical costs, and more.
Contact The Law Place Today in Port Charlotte, FL.
If you were injured in a car accident that was caused by an Uber or Lyft driver, then you could be entitled to receive compensation by filing a claim against the rideshare company or the rideshare driver themselves, depending on the circumstances surrounding your case in Port Charlotte.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of combined experience in filing personal injury claims for clients who have been injured in rideshare accidents in Port Charlotte and all over the State of Florida. Our team of personal injury lawyers has won compensation for hundreds of people who have suffered as a result of negligent rideshare drivers, and we know that we can help you too.
Our law firm has the necessary skills and resources to help you navigate the legal system in the State of Florida. If you put your trust in us, we will fight for the compensation that you are owed. Our team of personal injury lawyers will investigate your accident, gather facts and information, deal with paperwork, negotiate with the rideshare company and the insurance company involved, build your personal injury claim, and do our best to settle your case without the stress of having to go to court. Rest assured that we will recover the maximum amount of compensation that will pay for all of your medical costs, lost wages, property damage, and more.
Contact The Law Place on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation today, and a car accident lawyer will fight for the compensation that you deserve following an Uber or Lyft rideshare car accident in Port Charlotte.