Hurt in a Rideshare Accident in Florida? Here’s What to Know

 Posted on April 10, 2024 in Car Accidents

Rideshare services are a very convenient way for people to get around. Whether you do not own your own car, there were unforeseen changes with the public transportation you had planned on using, or you were out drinking with friends and want to be responsible on the roads, services like Uber and Lyft can present a useful solution for many different challenges. Unfortunately, like with all cars and drivers, rideshare services also carry a risk of getting in an accident. If you are in a car crash with a rideshare driver, it may not be clear who exactly is liable for the resulting damages. A qualified Broward County, FL car accident attorney can review your case and offer helpful legal guidance.

Questions of Liability

In the vast majority of car accidents, if a driver crashes into your car, he is liable for any damages caused. When the driver responsible is employed and causes the crash while on the job or driving their employer’s vehicle, the employer generally needs to handle the compensation for any damages through their insurance. However, if the car was being used by a rideshare driver, questions regarding liability can become more complicated because rather than employing their drivers, rideshare companies tend to act more as a matching service connecting passengers and drivers.

In determining who is liable in an accident with a rideshare driver, there are three main questions to ask:

• Was the rideshare driver transporting a passenger at the time of the accident? If so, the rideshare company will likely accept liability and have your claim handled by their insurance.

• Was the driver actively seeking a passenger? Even if the driver did not have a passenger at the time of the accident but was using the app and available to drive, there might be some insurance coverage offered through the rideshare company.

• Did the driver have their rideshare app closed? If the driver was off duty, unavailable for potential passengers, and using their car for personal reasons, they will likely not be covered by the rideshare company’s insurance. In that case, you would need to pursue compensation through the driver’s personal insurance policy.

 Schedule a Free Consultation with a Fort Lauderdale, FL Car Crash Lawyer

If someone crashes into you and causes you bodily harm or damage to your car, you deserve to be compensated for your related expenses regardless of who drove the other car. If the driver responsible was working with a rideshare service at the time of the accident, it can complicate matters, but that does not mean you should give up. Call The Law Offices of John D. Ameen, P.A. at 800-555-4011 to schedule a free consultation with a skilled Broward County, FL auto accident attorney who can help you navigate the process.