Florida Lyft Accident Attorney
Our Florida Lyft accident attorney at Sharmin & Sharmin P.A. has recovered millions on behalf of clients. We have put more than 20 years of experience behind every new case that comes across our desk. There is no one-size-fits-all solution if you decide to hire our injury lawyers to represent your case, as we approach every matter from a fresh perspective when investigating liability, preserving evidence, or explaining Florida law to clients.
Learn more with a free consultation by calling Sharmin & Sharmin P.A. at 1-844-SHARMIN. You are also welcome to message us here. If you hire us, there are no attorneys’ fees until you win your rideshare accident case.
We Will Investigate Your Accident for Lyft Driver Negligence
Before getting behind the wheel, ridesharing companies screen Lyft drivers, but they do not receive specialized training. This situation can give rise to a force of poorly trained drivers on Florida’s roadways, making conditions dangerous for everyone. The Florida Lyft accident lawyer at Sharmin & Sharmin P.A. will hold the liable driver or insurer accountable for injuries they have caused you.
You may be able to recover personal injury compensation for the following acts of Lyft driver negligence, including:
- Distracted driving
- Hazardous passenger pick-ups
- Aggressive driving
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Intoxicated driving
- Fatigued driving
- Insufficient area knowledge
- Poor road design
- Negligent driving
- And more
A third-party motorist could also be responsible for your injuries. Regardless of how many parties are at fault for your injuries, you can count on Sharmin & Sharmin P.A. to hold them fully accountable for your rideshare accident losses, such as medical bills, missed time at work, and pain and suffering.
Steps to Take After a Lyft Accident
The aftermath of an accident may be traumatic and painful but keeping a clear head can help you protect your physical and financial recovery. If you’re not incapacitated or severely injured, take the following important steps after a Lyft accident:
- Move to the shoulder of the road and call 911 to report the accident
- Render reasonable aid and comfort to any other injury victims
- While waiting for first responders, use your phone to take photos of the Uber car and any other involved vehicles
- Use your phone to take photos of the accident scene and any involved traffic signs, lights, yield signs, intersections, or obstacles
- Collect contact information for all involved drivers and any eyewitnesses
- Seek medical help as soon as possible, either through transport to a hospital by paramedics or by a visit to an emergency room
- Tell the medical professionals about every symptom and ask for detailed records of your injuries, recommended treatment, and prognosis
- Ask for a copy of the police report
- Call a Florida Lyft Accident Attorney to discuss the details of your case
Sharmin & Sharmin P.A. Will Handle Your Case From Start to Finish
Lyft accidents can be more complicated than those involving passenger vehicle accidents. You will likely have to negotiate with multiple insurers since Lyft’s insurance only applies if the Lyft driver was logged into the app at the time of the collision. Otherwise, your personal insurance coverage will apply.
Sharmin & Sharmin P.A. knows how to negotiate under these circumstances and may deploy several strategies if you hire us, including:
- Preserving evidence to support your claims
- Identify all responsible parties
- Fight back if the insurer tries to blame you
- Determine the applicable insurance coverage level
- Negotiate for a fair settlement
- Go to civil trial (if necessary)
Our Florida Lyft accident attorney has decades of expertise in resolving personal injury claim matters and has been at the forefront of rideshare injuries since the start. We will put this knowledge and experience behind your rideshare accident case to demand every penny you are owed by liable parties and insurers.
Is Lyft Liable for Their Driver’s Accidents?
Lyft and other rideshares protect themselves from liability by maintaining that they do not employ drivers but provide only an app service connecting independent contractors with passengers. Florida, like most states, demands that Lyft provide some liability coverage for accidents. This system can be complex and depends on whether or not the driver was functioning as a Lyft service during the accident and at what stage of the service the accident took place. Lyft’s liability coverage works in the following stages:
- When the Lyft driver is using his car in a personal capacity without his Lyft app turned on, his own personal car insurance covers any injuries and property damage in an accident
- When the Lyft driver isn’t carrying a passenger but has his app turned on as he/she actively seeks a passenger or is meeting a passenger for pick up his or her own insurance may cover injuries and property damage, but in many cases will deny the claim. In the event of a denial, Lyft’s mandatory 3rd party liability insurance coverage provides up to $50,000 per person or $100,000 per accident. It also provides $25,000 in property damage coverage.
- If the Lyft driver is actively transporting a passenger when the accident occurs the driver’s personal insurance will not provide coverage so Lyft’s coverage provides up to $1,000,000 in personal injury insurance and full cash value of property damage with a $2,500 deductible.
If you’ve experienced an accident involving a Lyft driver in Florida, a Florida Lyft accident attorney can help you navigate the nuances of this complex system to determine liability in your claim.
How Does Lyft Protect Their Passengers and Drivers?
The rising popularity of Lyft, Uber, and other rideshare apps has led to a 3% increase in car accidents and related fatalities according to a study in 2019, and the number of rideshare vehicles on the roads has only increased since then. Lyft reports that they have a number of policies in place to protect their drivers and passengers. These safeguard measures include the following:
- Lyft drivers must pass annual background checks
- Drivers have mandatory training in driving safety
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Lyft vehicles must pass a safety inspection and in Florida, they must be no older than 2008 models
- Most counties in Florida require Lyft drivers to be at least 25 years old
- The Lyft emblem must be in clear display on the windshield when the car is in rideshare mode
- Drivers must show proof of insurance and valid vehicle registration
Despite these safeguards, the growing numbers of rideshare vehicles on the road combined with driver fatigue and other problems mean many Lyft accidents occur annually.
Contact Our Florida Lyft Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation
Were you or a loved one injured in a Florida Lyft accident? It is difficult to hold the company driver accountable for your damages without a comprehensive understanding of personal injury laws. However, a Florida rideshare accident attorney can help.
Call Sharmin & Sharmin P.A. for your free consultation at 1-844-SHARMIN. You can also message us online directly. Please let us know if you are too injured to travel at the time of calling, and we can meet at your preferred location.