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Florida Keys Injury Lawyers > Key West & Marathon Uber, Lyft & Taxi Accident Lawyer

Key West & Marathon Uber, Lyft & Taxi Accident Lawyer

For several years now, Uber and Lyft have made their presence known from Key West to the heart of The Keys in Marathon and beyond. Whenever and wherever you need a ride, you can find an Uber or a Lyft to take you there. You can also easily hail a taxi at the airport or call one to pick you up. What are your rights if you are hit by a negligent Uber, Lyft or taxi driver? What if you are injured while riding as a passenger? Finally, what should you do as an Uber or Lyft driver who gets into an accident with a negligent driver? The answer in all situations is to call Florida Keys Injury and talk to a lawyer.

Our Key West & Marathon Uber, Lyft & Taxi Accident lawyers have obtained many substantial six and seven-figure settlements for Florida car accident victims who suffered severe physical injuries along with significant emotional pain, mental suffering and loss in quality of life. You don’t deserve what happened to you, and you shouldn’t be forced to bear the costs of your medical bills and suffering when someone else is to blame. Call Florida Keys Injury to speak with an aggressive car accident attorney who takes the time to listen to your situation and lets you know how he can help. We are your neighbor’s trusted attorney. Let us be yours too.

Am I Safe in an Uber, Lyft or Taxi?

Catching a ride from a rideshare company or cab company is generally safe; whether the drivers are full-time professionals or not, you would expect them to pay extra attention to their driving not only for their own safety but precisely because they are transporting strangers for a fee. This isn’t always the case, however. Uber, Lyft and taxi drivers spend more time on the road than most other people, so they are statistically more likely to get into an accident. Cab drivers spend all day behind the wheel, while Uber and Lyft drivers might log into their app after a long shift at their day job. Either way, these drivers are at risk of drowsy driving and fatigue, even falling asleep at the wheel.

Another risk factor for Uber and Lyft drivers is that they are more likely to spend more time fiddling with their GPS and taking their eyes off the road to view route information on their phones. Experienced cab drivers know The Keys like the backs of their hands, but that’s not always the case with drivers for Uber and Lyft. Many don’t even live in The Keys but merely drive down during the weekends to make some extra money. The most ambitious rideshare drivers have been known to drive for both Uber and Lyft and to log into both apps simultaneously to maximize their odds of matching with ride requests. This practice increases a driver’s visual, manual and cognitive distractions and adds to the danger of a crash.

Who Pays the Damages if I Get Hit by an Uber, Lyft or Taxi Driver?

Policy limits vary depending on the status of the driver at the time of the accident. In some cases, the available insurance can be quite high. Because the rules shift, it’s important to have an experienced auto accident attorney on your side who can ensure you file the right claim against the proper party. Even when policy limits are low, you might still be able to recover significant compensation for your injuries, so don’t hesitate to call Florida Keys Injury after a crash. Your call is free, and there is no fee until after we recover compensation on your behalf.

Insurance policies for Uber, Lyft and taxi drivers in Florida are as follows:

  • Drivers who are not logged in to their app are on their own time and are not covered by Uber or Lyft insurance policies, even if their only job is driving for the rideshare company. If one of these drivers runs into you, you’ll need to file a negligence claim against their liability insurance, if they have any. Of course, this only applies if you suffered a serious injury under Florida law. Otherwise, you will file a claim for no-fault benefits through your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage.
  • Once the driver has turned their app on, insurance provided by Uber or Lyft kicks in, even if the driver hasn’t accepted a ride request or isn’t transporting anyone at the moment. Both companies provide liability coverage of $50,000 in bodily injury liability per person and $100,000 per accident, plus $25,000 in property damage.
  • If the driver has already matched with a rider or is actually transporting a passenger at the time of the crash, then both Uber and Lyft provide a one million dollar insurance policy, along with uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage and no-fault PIP coverage.
  • Taxis are required by Florida law to carry $125,000 in bodily injury liability (BIL) per person or $250,000 per accident, plus $50,000 in property damage liability coverage. This coverage is the same regardless of whether the taxi has picked up a fare, is on the way to pick up a fare, or is merely deadheading (driving the streets while waiting to get hailed). If you are injured as a passenger in the cab, this policy would cover you as well.

What if I Get Hit by a Negligent Driver While Driving for Uber or Lyft?

Be careful, because as soon as the other driver finds out you were on the clock for a rideshare company, they are going to try and make you out to be the one responsible, because of the significant insurance coverage available. If this isn’t the case, you need a strong attorney on your side who can not only prove the other driver’s fault but also keep you from being unfairly blamed for contributing to the crash, which can greatly diminish the amount of compensation you can get.

As far as your own injuries go, you would file a claim for no-fault benefits or a negligence claim against the other driver if your injuries are severe. Uber and Lyft both provide you uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage in case the other driver doesn’t have bodily injury liability insurance. You’ll also have contingent comprehensive and collision coverage, provided you also carry such coverage personally. This insurance can be used to repair or replace your vehicle, subject to a $1,000 (Uber) or $2,500 (Lyft) deductible.

Florida Keys Injury Lawyers Are Here to Help After an Uber, Lyft or Taxi Accident

If you get hit by a taxi or person driving for Uber or Lyft, if you are injured as a passenger, or if you get hurt by another negligent driver while driving for a rideshare company, you need to know all the different coverage levels and exemptions that might apply to your particular situation. All you really need to know, though, is that help awaits you at Florida Keys Injury. Our job is to know the law and how to help you when you are injured because of the negligence of another driver. We listen, we care, and we aggressively pursue full compensation on your behalf. Call now for a free consultation. There’s no fee unless and until we recover compensation for you.

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