Experienced Uber Accident Injury Attorneys in Boynton Beach, FL Fight for the Rights of Rideshare Accident Victims in Palm Beach County and Across Florida
It may seem hard to believe but Uber has only been in existence since the spring of 2009. In the ensuing decade-plus Uber has become an exceedingly popular service. With a few taps on a smartphone, users can now hail a ride to and from just about anywhere. And by and large, your Uber experience is going to be a good one the overwhelming majority of the time. But what about those very rare occasions when it isn’t? There’s always the possibly that your Uber driver will cause an accident, one in which you and any fellow passengers might be seriously injured. Or perhaps the wreck isn’t your driver’s fault at all; instead another driver in, say, Boynton Beach, makes a left turn in front of the Uber vehicle in which are your riding, when your driver has the right of way at an intersection. In situations you like that you want to call one of our Boynton Beach Uber accident lawyers as soon as possible.
Notice that we said “Uber accidents lawyer”? A run-of-the-mill motor vehicle accident attorney is not sufficient. Why? Uber accidents can be especially complex, as more than the usual number of parties may be involved. Also, ridesharing law is an evolving area of law and if you’ve retained an attorney unfamiliar with the nuances and ongoing changes, you risk leaving money on the table—or getting nothing at all.
But Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A., was founded right around the same time as Uber, and we’ve been following the company’s meteoric rise—and handling Uber accident cases—since the company’s early days. Anyway, it’s not a bad idea to retain Boynton Beach Uber accident lawyers with the extra experience; after all, it’s not always immediately apparent that an Uber vehicle has been involved in a crash, as this detail isn’t necessarily included on police reports.
What to Do After an Uber Accident in Boynton Beach, FL
Fortunately, the steps you should take to protect yourself after a wreck involving an Uber vehicle are much the same as any other motor vehicle accident:
- Call emergency services: The first step after any car wreck is to call 911 and seek medical attention as needed; staying calm is easier said than done, because most people are in a state of shock following a motor vehicle accident. But you want to do your best to keep your wits about you.
- Get medical attention: The next thing you want to do is to get medical attention, at a hospital if necessary. Also, keep in mind that some injuries aren’t visible or immediately evident following a wreck, as the surge of adrenaline you experience might initially mask what turns out to be a painful and debilitating condition. When in doubt, see a doctor.
- Take photos, exchange contact information: If you’re physically able to, take photos at the scene of the accident, including the damage to the involved vehicles. You also want to exchange information—including insurance information—with all of the drivers involved in the wreck, and obtain the contact information of witnesses as well.
Uber Safety Requirements in Florida
We mentioned above that that the law surrounding Uber and other ridesharing services is evolving all the time. There are two relatively recent changes of note, one which concerns insurance and the other background checks.
Insurance: If the Uber driver is not carrying a passenger but is logged into his or her Uber account, Florida law now requires insurance coverage of $100,000 for death and bodily injury per incident, $50,000 for death and bodily injury per person, and $25,000 for property damage. If an Uber driver has one or more passenger(s), Florida now requires primary automobile liability coverage of at least $1 million for death, bodily injury, and property damage.
Background checks: Meanwhile, Florida now requires prospective Uber drivers to pass a background check, Disqualifying conditions include:
- A hit-and-run accident within the past five years.
- A conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) within the past five years.
- A conviction for driving with a suspended or revoked license within the past three years.
- The lack of a valid driver’s license.
Also, if an applicant is on the federal sex offender registry, he or she cannot begin driving for Uber. It’s also worth noting that existing Uber drivers have to undergo a background check anew every three years.
Other areas where we handle Uber and Lyft Accident :
- Atlantis Uber and Lyft Accident
- Boca Raton Uber and Lyft Accident
- Delray Beach Uber and Lyft Accident
- Greenacres Uber and Lyft Accident
- Highland Beach Uber and Lyft Accident
- Lake Worth Uber and Lyft Accident
- North Palm Beach Uber and Lyft Accident
- Palm Beach Gardens Uber and Lyft Accident
- Palm Springs Uber and Lyft Accident
- Riviera Beach Uber and Lyft Accident
- Royal Palm Beach Uber and Lyft Accident
- Tequesta Uber and Lyft Accident
- West Palm Beach Uber and Lyft Accident
- Coconut Creek Uber and Lyft Accident
- Coral Springs Uber and Lyft Accident
- Dania Beach Uber and Lyft Accident
- Davie Uber and Lyft Accident
- Deerfield Beach Uber and Lyft Accident
Choose Gonzalez & Cartwright to Protect Your Interests Following an Uber Accident in Boynton Beach, FL
Of course, background checks are no guarantee that every ride will end safely. If you’ve been involved in an Uber accident and you feel you aren’t being fairly compensated for your injuries or property damage, contact our offices today. Our personal injury lawyers have a longstanding reputation for successfully obtaining full and fair compensation from insurance companies and can help you as well.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Boynton Beach Uber Accident Lawyers Today
Our office can be reached via phone call as well as by filling out this online contact form. We’re conveniently located on Lucerne Avenue in downtown Lake Worth and also have a presence in Pompano Beach. Our Uber accident injury attorneys in Boynton Beach, FL can also travel to meet you at your home or in the hospital, and weekend & evening appointments are also available.
About Boynton Beach, Florida
Boynton Beach is a community located in the American state of Florida’s Palm Beach County. Due to its closeness to some of the most beautiful beaches in the area, Ocean Inlet Park consistently ranks as one of the most popular locations in the area. This charming tiny town in Florida, which also calls itself “America’s Gateway to the Gulfstream,” is well-known for the numerous, diverse public art exhibitions that can be found nearby. The town actually doesn’t cover much land—just a few square kilometers at most.
Residents of Boynton Beach enjoy a laid-back way of life that is enhanced by an abundance of live entertainment, a selection of retail stores, and restaurants that are located along the water. Also, there are numerous dining and retail options available to residents. Residents do not need to travel outside the city limits in order to shop, eat, or have fun because the city has a large number of malls, outdoor leisure centers, and restaurants. This is a result of the vast mall infrastructure in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions About Boynton Beach Uber Accidents
If a working Uber driver is suspected of driving under the influence (DUI), Uber must suspend them from offering rides. In fact, they must suspend them regardless of whether or not the incident in question took place while driving for Uber. And if the driver is convicted, he or she can no longer drive for the company.
Rideshare drivers are independent contractors, so it’s difficult to hold Uber liable for the careless or reckless actions of drivers. So, in general, Uber has not been found to be responsible for the negligence of their drivers beyond their insurance policy. Having said that, there may be some instances where our Boynton Beach Uber accident lawyers can pursue action against Uber. For instance, if they failed to properly evaluate a driver before accepting them that could be a scenario in which the company might be liable.