Uber Accident Injury Attorneys in Fort Lauderdale, FL Fight for Clients Injured in Rideshare Accidents in Broward County and Throughout Florida
It’s not hard to see why Uber and other ridesharing services are popular. With just a few taps on your smartphone, you can “call” for a reasonably priced ride and be transported to the airport or to the beach or to dinner, without ever having to take out your purse or wallet. But most Uber users probably haven’t given much thought to what happens if your Uber driver causes an accident—or another driver causes a motor vehicle accident in which your Uber driver’s car is impacted. At Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A., our Fort Lauderdale Uber accident lawyers recognize that Uber has is frequently utilized in South Florida, by tourists and locals alike. Unfortunately, auto accidents do happen, and our Uber Accident injury attorneys in Fort Lauderdale, FL are here to protect the rights of our clients who have been injured in an Uber accident.
Most commonly we represent Uber accident victims who were passengers in an Uber car, but there are other scenarios in which a claim could arise. For example, if you’re a driver of a car and involved in an accident caused by an Uber driver, that’s another possibility. Or, if you’re an Uber driver—either on duty, off duty, or waiting for a fare—and another driver is liable for an accident in which you’re injured, you might want to pursue a lawsuit.
Keep in mind, too, that this is a relatively fast evolving area of law, so don’t hesitate to contact a Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer with any questions you may have.
Uber Driver Safety Requirements in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Although ridesharing is still relatively new, the Florida legislature has already made changes to the law to reflect the realities of ridesharing. For one, prospective Uber drivers are required to pass a background check (which includes a criminal background check), before they are eligible to drive for the company. Further, the legislature has adjusted insurance coverage requirements, which are different depending on whether the Uber driver is carrying a passenger.
- Uber driver providing a ride to passenger(s): If the Uber driver has one or more passengers in his or her vehicle, Florida law requires liability coverage of at least $1 million for death, bodily injury, and property damage, as well as personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured motorist (UIM) coverage as required by existing law.
- No passenger but logged in: If an Uber river is not carrying a passenger but is logged in to his or her account, Florida law currently requires primary vehicle insurance coverage of $100,000 for death and bodily injury per incident, $50,000 for death and bodily injury per person, and property damage liability coverage of $25,000 per accident, plus PIP and UIM coverage as required by existing law.
Things to Do After an Uber Accident
If you’re a passenger in an Uber vehicle, the following are things to do in the wake of an Uber accident:
- Seek medical attention, if necessary.
- Notify the police, and make sure a police report is created.
- Take photos of the scene and any visible injuries you may have suffered.
- Obtain witness contact information.
If you’re a driver who gets in an auto accident with an Uber vehicle, follow the same steps as above, but also make sure you exchange information—including insurance information—with the Uber driver.
Attorneys Gonzalez & Cartwright Are Experienced Fort Lauderdale Uber Accident Lawyers
If you’ve been injured in an Uber accident it’s worth asking whether prospective legal counsel has experience handing ridesharing accidents specifically. In other words, you want to retain one of our Uber Accident injury attorneys in Fort Lauderdale, FL that has handled Uber cases in the past, as this area of law is more complex than the law that governs “traditional” auto accidents.
And if you feel that you are not being appropriately compensated for your injuries or property damage following an Uber accident, don’t hesitate to contact our office at your earliest convenience. If English isn’t your first language, that’s no problem. Most of the Fort Lauderdale Uber accident lawyers and staffers at our law firm are bilingual, and we are well-known in the local Hispanic community thanks to our long history of public service in the community. More importantly, our Uber Accident injury attorneys in Fort Lauderdale, FL have a reputation for successfully obtaining full and fair compensation from insurance companies in Uber accident cases, not to mention other South Florida auto accidents.
Arrange a Free Consultation to Discuss the Circumstances Surrounding Your Uber Accident
If you or a loved one has been injured in an Uber accident anywhere in South Florida, contact our offices either by phone or via our online contact form to schedule a free initial consultation. We serve all of the communities in Broward County, as well as those in Palm Beach County and the rest of South Florida.
About Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Southeast Florida’s Fort Lauderdale is widely renowned for its beaches and boating canals. The Strip, which is near to the water, is also known as Promenade A1A. The city of Fort Lauderdale has the moniker “Venice of America” because to its extensive network of canals. Throughout its whole length, there are opulent hotels, shops, restaurants with outdoor seating, and bars. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park also offers paths and a lagoon in addition to the International Swimming Hall of Fame and Museum, which has pools and a museum dedicated to the history of the sport. Since 1986, the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival has taken place every year.
The third busiest cruise port in the nation, Port Everglades, is located in Fort Lauderdale. It is crucial for Florida’s oil imports because it is the state’s deepest harbor. Frequent international passenger ferries are operated by Baleària Bahamas Express between Fort Lauderdale and Freeport on Great Bahama Island in the Bahamas.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Lauderdale Uber Accidents
Yes, and one of the big differences is the amount of insurance coverage that the Uber driver is required to cover the two different scenarios. But this area of law is complex and likely to continue to evolve, so it’s advisable to reach out to one of our experienced Fort Lauderdale Uber accident lawyers to get answers to any specific questions you might have.
Yes, Uber is now required to conduct background checks on all prospective drivers and every three years thereafter. Individuals are not entitled to drive for Uber if they have been convicted of a hit-and-run, driving under the influence, or reckless driving, among other offenses. Other disqualifiers include: Being convicted of driving with a suspended or revoked license within the past three years, lack of a valid driver’s license, lack of a valid registration for the vehicle to be used for ridesharing, and being listed on the federal sex offender registry.