Lyft Accident Injury Attorneys in Fort Lauderdale, FL Fight for Clients Injured in Rideshare Accidents in Broward County and Throughout Florida
It’s easy to see why Lyft and other ridesharing services are so popular. After you’ve downloaded an app like Lyft—which offers the tag line, “a ride when you need one”—you can “call” for a ride and be transported to or from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood airport or anywhere else in South Florida, without having to take out your purse or wallet. But most devoted Lyft users probably haven’t given much thought about the possibility of being injured in an accident caused by a Lyft driver, never mind another possible scenario (in which a driver is negligent and hits the Lyft car in which you are riding). At Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A., we recognize that Lyft is now a popular choice for sharing rides throughout our region, frequently utilized by tourists and locals alike, no doubt to the chagrin of our local taxi industry. But accidents will continue to happen, which is one reason our Fort Lauderdale Lyft accident lawyers continue to devote themselves to protecting the rights of clients who have been injured in Lyft accidents.
Most commonly, we represent accident victims who were passengers in a Lyft driver’s car. Yet there are many other scenarios in which a legal claim could arise. In part, this is because ridesharing is an evolving area of law. So if you believe you have a claim in the wake of a wreck in which a Lyft driver was involved, you shouldn’t hesitate to contact our Lyft accident injury attorneys in Fort Lauderdale, FL as soon as possible.
Lyft Driver Safety Requirements in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Much like ridesharing law, the requirements for becoming an Uber or Lyft driver have evolved over time. And as technology continues to improve and new safety issues arise, the Florida legislature will undoubtedly continue to tweak the requirements going forward. One important change came in 2017 when the state of Florida updated the requirements for becoming a Lyft (or Uber) driver. This had the effect of making the regulations consistent statewide, replacing what had been a patchwork of rules.
One of the major requirements is that all applicants are now required to pass a background check (which includes a national and county background check) before they are eligible to transport Lyft customers. Equally important, the legislature has altered the auto insurance coverage requirements, which vary depending on whether the Lyft driver is carrying a passenger or not.
- No passenger but logged into his or her Lyft account: If a Lyft driver is not carrying a passenger but is on the Lyft platform, Florida law now requires insurance coverage of $100,000 (per incident) for death and bodily injury, $50,000 (per person) for death and bodily injury, and property damage liability coverage of $25,000 per accident. This is in addition to the Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and uninsured motorist (UIM) coverage that was already required.
- Lyft driver with one or more passengers in their car: If the Lyft driver has a fare on board, Florida law requires liability coverage of at least $1 million for death, bodily injury, and property damage. Again, PIP and UIM coverage is mandatory as well.
Recovering Compensation with a Lyft Accident Lawsuit
Keeping all of the above in mind, there are multiple possible paths for recovering financial compensation in the wake of a Lyft accident.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Uninsured Motorist (UIM) insurance.
- The Lyft driver’s insurance.
- Lyft’s insurance policy.
- A personal injury lawsuit.
Naturally, every case is different and the possible avenues for recovering compensation depend on the facts of your case. But the first place to look is your own PIP and UIM coverage, which covers you not only when you are driving your own car, but when you are a passenger in another person’s car. To collect via this route you have to file a claim with your own insurance company, as you’re looking to recover money under your own policy. A second possibility is the Lyft driver’s insurance. If he or she was negligent you may be able to recover from his or her insurance company. A third possibility is to get compensation via Lyft’s $1 million insurance policy, which covers damage that may occur between the time a driver accepts a fare and terminates the ride in the app. The final option is to file a personal injury lawsuit, which is typically a good option if you have severe injuries and the Lyft driver’s insurance company refuses to compensate you. If you were in a car that was in an accident with a Lyft driver you can find more information on our Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers page.
Gonzalez & Cartwright Are Veteran Fort Lauderdale Lyft Accident Lawyers
Gonzalez and Cartwright, P.A., was founded in 2010, about the same time that Lyft and Uber came into existence. Why is this important? If you’ve been injured in a Lyft accident it’s worth asking whether your prospective legal counsel has experience handling cases involving ridesharing companies, as this area of law is more complex and hiring a Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer without the appropriate background and experience could compromise your case.
Get a Free Consultation to Discuss Your Lyft Accident Case Today
So if you or a loved one has been injured in a Lyft accident in Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs, Hollywood, Sunrise, or anywhere else in South Florida, contact our offices at via phone call or this online contact form, to schedule a free initial consultation. We serve all of the communities in Broward County and Palm Beach County.
About Fort Lauderdale, Florida
The city of Fort Lauderdale, which is located on Florida’s southeast coast, is well known for its beaches and boating canals. Promenade A1A, often known as “The Strip,” is located close to the water. The city of Fort Lauderdale has been dubbed “Venice of America” because to its extensive network of canals. There are lavish hotels, stores, outdoor dining venues, and bars all along its length. Together with the International Swimming Hall of Fame and Museum, which features pools and a museum devoted to the history of the sport, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park also has trails and a lagoon. The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival has been held annually since 1986.
Fort Lauderdale is home to Port Everglades, the third busiest cruise port in the country. As the deepest harbor in Florida, it is essential for the state’s oil imports. Baleària Bahamas Express frequently operates international passenger ferries between Fort Lauderdale and Freeport on Great Bahama Island in the Bahamas.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Lauderdale Lyft Accidents
No, typically Lyft drivers do not have a commercial driver’s license, nor are their automobiles registered as commercial vehicles. They aren’t considered to be employees of Lyft, either. Instead there are viewed as independent contractors, and as a result, Lyft is generally not responsible for a Lyft driver’s negligence.
If, for instance, you were in a car hit by a Lyft driver you might hear from that driver’s insurance adjuster. He or she might ask you loaded questions like: “Are you feeling better?” “What are your injuries?” “Did you take pictures of the damage to your car?” This adjuster may also ask you if you’re okay with him or her recording the call.
A good rule of thumb is not to speak to an insurance adjuster—much less agree to make a recorded statement—without consulting with a Fort Lauderdale Lyft accidents lawyer beforehand. This helps ensure that you don’t unwittingly compromise your case. Moreover, if you decide to hire one of our Fort Lauderdale Lyft accident lawyers, he or she can deal with the insurance adjuster for you, giving you one less thing to worry about.