You never expect to be in an accident when taking an Uber. In fact, many people take advantage of rideshare services like Uber to safely get to and from their destination. Unfortunately, there are the same risks of being in a rideshare accident as there is in a car accident. The difference, however, is that your legal options and the steps that follow are not always as clear.

Related blog: Car Accidents While Vacationing in Florida

Important Steps to Take After a Pompano Beach Uber Accident

If you are involved in an Uber accident in Florida, it is important to take the following steps:

• Take photos or video of the accident scene: If possible, you should be sure to take photos or videos of the details of the accident, including the positions of the vehicles involved after the accident, any damage to the vehicles, the traffic controls at the scene, and the weather, lighting, road, and traffic conditions at the time of the accident. You should also be sure to document any visible injuries you’ve suffered.
• Seek medical care: The safety of every passenger and driver is a priority. Additionally, it’s important to seek medical care immediately following the accident. Otherwise, you may not be able to prove that your injuries are due to the Uber accident. You may not feel pain or other symptoms of injuries for hours, days, or even weeks following your accident. However, a doctor or other medical provider may be able to identify injuries you’ve suffered via an examination or diagnostic testing.
• File a police report: A police report may become an important part of your case. If the police are not summoned to the scene of the accident, notify the local Florida police of the accident and file an official report.
• Get the contact and insurance information of all the drivers involved in the accident: Be sure to take down the contact and personal auto insurance information for each driver involved in the accident, including the Uber driver; don’t let the Uber driver tell you to just contact Uber — be sure to get his or her personal policy information.
• Contact your insurance company: Florida is a no-fault state, which means you’ll have to contact your insurance company for any injuries you sustained in the accident, even if you were not at fault for the accident. If you have personal injury protection coverage through your own car insurance policy, you will need to first seek coverage under your own policy for medical expenses and other out-of-pocket costs you incur as a result of the accident.
• Contact Uber: Uber has a special line dedicated to emergencies. It is important to notify Uber of the accident so they can make a note of it. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may be able to seek compensation from Uber for any damages and injuries you have suffered in the accident.
  Seek legal representation: Uber accidents can be complicated. Hiring your own personal injury attorney can ensure that you receive the insurance coverage and compensation that you deserve. It may be beneficial to seek legal representation before making an official report with Uber or the insurance adjuster. An attorney can help you understand and evaluate your legal rights and options following your accident. Keep in mind that there are time limits for filing a case. Make sure you seek legal representation before you lose out on your eligibility rights.

Seeking Compensation in a Boca Raton Uber Accident

Although your personal insurance policy should cover some of your damages, these policies are often limited. Uber and their drivers are required by Florida law to carry certain levels of insurance coverage. First, Uber drivers, like all drivers with registered vehicles in Florida are required to carry a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection coverage and $10,000 in property damage liability coverage. However, Florida law also requires Uber drivers, through Uber, to have additional insurance coverage while driving for Uber.

If a driver is logged into the Uber mobile application but is not transporting a passenger, Uber must provide primary liability coverage for bodily injury and death in the amount of $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident, property damage liability coverage of $25,000 per accident, and PIP and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage as required by existing law.

If an Uber driver is transporting a passenger when an accident occurs, Uber must provide primary insurance coverage of at least $1 million for bodily injury and death. Florida law also requires Uber to step in to provide coverage in the event its driver’s coverage has lapsed or is inadequate.

However, this requires that we file a third-party personal injury lawsuit. There are also many details that can complicate the process. Each party may attempt to push off liability in order to avoid paying compensation. For example, Uber may try to argue that its driver was not logged into the mobile application at the time of the accident and therefore an injured party is limited to seeking compensation from the driver’s own insurance policy, or that the driver was not transporting a passenger at the time of the accident, lowering Uber’s insurance requirements. Or Uber may argue that another motorist involved in an accident with an Uber driver was actually at fault for the accident. Maximizing the compensation you receive following an Uber accident will require thorough investigation and close examination of evidence to ensure you have the maximum insurance coverage available to you.

The legalities surrounding rideshare accidents are still fairly new and require the legal knowledge of an experienced lawyer. At Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A., we put our clients and their needs first in every case. We will work through the complicated legal system, determine negligence, and fight for justice. We will work to get you the compensation that you deserve to cover your medical costs, lost wages and benefits, property damage, and pain and suffering.

Related blog: What Is the Purpose of Personal Injury Protection?

Contact a West Palm Beach Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Uber Accident Case in Florida

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to an Uber accident in Florida? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A. represent clients injured because of Uber accidents in Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Miramar, Coral Springs, and throughout Florida. Call 561-898-0497 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 813 Lucerne Ave., Lake Worth, FL 33460, as well as offices in Pompano Beach.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.