Orlando Uber and Lyft accident attorney
An Uber or Lyft accident can involve multiple drivers, several insurance policies, and app-based evidence that may determine which coverage applies. Jeremiah Jaspon helps injured passengers, rideshare drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists understand their options after an Orlando rideshare crash.
- Save screenshots of the app, trip receipt, driver information, and vehicle details.
- Get medical care, report the crash to police, and preserve photographs and witness information.
- Do not assume an insurer’s first answer or first settlement offer is the full value of your claim.
Injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Orlando?
Uber and Lyft are convenient ways to get around Orlando, but a rideshare collision can change a routine trip in seconds. A passenger may be injured while being picked up, during the ride, or when another vehicle hits the rideshare car. Other motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and rideshare drivers can also be seriously injured in these crashes.
Rideshare claims are different from many ordinary car-accident claims because the driver’s status in the app can affect the insurance analysis. The key questions often include who caused the crash, whether the driver was logged in, whether a trip had been accepted, whether a passenger was in the vehicle, and what insurance policies are available.
At The Jaspon Firm, you work directly with attorney Jeremiah Jaspon. We investigate the crash, identify available insurance coverage, preserve important evidence, and deal with the insurance companies while you focus on treatment and recovery.
Who can have a rideshare accident claim?
Passengers
A passenger is rarely responsible for causing the collision. The claim may involve the Uber or Lyft driver, another driver, and available rideshare coverage.
Other motorists
If a rideshare driver caused the crash, an injured driver or passenger in another vehicle may have a claim against the responsible driver and available coverage.
Pedestrians and cyclists
A rideshare collision can injure people outside either vehicle. The driver’s app status and the facts of the collision can be especially important in these claims.
Why Uber and Lyft claims are more complex
In a typical crash, the primary question may be which driver caused the collision. In a rideshare claim, that is only the beginning. The insurance company may also need to determine whether the driver was personally driving, logged into the app and waiting for a request, traveling to pick up a rider, or actively transporting a rider.
Rideshare companies, drivers, and insurers may each have different records and interests. A driver’s personal policy may contain exclusions for driving for hire. Meanwhile, trip data, app activity, GPS records, electronic receipts, vehicle data, and communications may help establish what happened and what coverage applies.
Important evidence in a rideshare case
- Police reports, photographs, video, and witness information
- Uber or Lyft trip receipts and screenshots from the app
- The driver’s name, license plate, insurance information, and vehicle information
- Electronic records showing when the driver logged into or out of the app
- Medical records, work-loss documentation, repair estimates, and receipts
- Nearby business, traffic, dashcam, or residential video when available
Rideshare insurance coverage in Florida
Florida law sets different insurance requirements for transportation network company drivers based on the driver’s status. The specific policy language and crash facts matter, but these stages are a useful starting point when evaluating an Uber or Lyft accident claim.
When the driver is offline
If the driver is not logged into the rideshare app, the crash is generally treated like an ordinary car accident. The driver’s personal insurance and any other responsible party’s insurance may be the primary coverage sources. A rideshare company’s policy may not apply in the same way it would during a rideshare trip.
When the driver is logged in and waiting for a request
When a driver is logged into the app but has not accepted a ride, Florida law requires primary coverage of at least $50,000 for bodily injury or death per person, $100,000 per incident, and $25,000 for property damage. The law also includes applicable PIP and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage requirements.
When the driver has accepted a ride or is carrying a passenger
When a driver is traveling to pick up a rider or actively transporting one, Florida law requires at least $1 million in primary automobile liability coverage for death, bodily injury, and property damage, along with other required coverage. Determining whether that coverage applies requires a careful review of the trip status, records, and policy terms.
Florida’s transportation network company insurance requirements are set out in Florida Statutes §627.748.
What to do after an Uber or Lyft accident
- Call 911 and seek medical care.
Get emergency help when needed and seek a medical evaluation promptly. Some serious injuries, including concussions and internal injuries, may not be obvious at the scene. - Make sure a crash report is created.
Ask the responding officer for the report number and contact information. The report can identify drivers, witnesses, insurers, and key initial facts. - Capture the rideshare information.
Take screenshots of the Uber or Lyft app, trip receipt, driver name, license plate, vehicle information, route, and trip status. - Document the scene and injuries.
Photograph vehicle damage, road conditions, injuries, traffic controls, debris, and anything else that may help explain how the crash occurred. - Save records and avoid social-media posts.
Keep bills, treatment records, work-loss information, and receipts. Do not post details or images about the crash where an insurer may try to use them out of context. - Speak with an attorney before accepting a settlement.
Rideshare claims can involve multiple policies and time-sensitive electronic evidence. An early offer may not account for the full impact of an injury.
Damages after a rideshare accident
Compensation depends on the specific facts of the case, including liability, injuries, available coverage, medical treatment, lost income, and the long-term effect of the crash. When another party is legally responsible, a claim may seek compensation for:
- Emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, medication, and future medical treatment
- Income lost while recovering and reduced future earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, disability, and loss of normal activities when supported by the evidence
- Vehicle repair or replacement, personal property damage, rental costs, and other documented expenses
- Wrongful-death damages when a rideshare collision causes the loss of a loved one
Common injuries in Uber and Lyft crashes
Passengers may be seated in the back of the vehicle without a clear view of traffic and without time to brace for impact. A collision can cause injuries ranging from painful soft-tissue damage to life-changing trauma.
- Whiplash, neck injuries, and soft-tissue damage
- Back injuries, herniated discs, fractures, and spinal-cord trauma
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones, internal injuries, and severe lacerations
- PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other emotional effects after a serious collision
PIP, uninsured drivers, and coverage gaps
Florida’s no-fault/PIP rules and rideshare coverage can overlap in ways that are not always straightforward. Depending on who was involved and what coverage is available, PIP benefits, health insurance, the at-fault driver’s liability policy, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, and rideshare coverage may each become relevant.
Do not assume you have no options because the responsible driver is uninsured, underinsured, or driving a personal vehicle for rideshare work. An attorney can review the available policies, exclusions, app status, and other possible sources of recovery.
When an insurance company denies or undervalues the claim
An insurer may dispute fault, question whether the driver was using the app, argue that a crash was minor, minimize the injury, or point to a gap in treatment. A proper response may require additional investigation, records, expert analysis, witness statements, medical evidence, or litigation.
Jeremiah Jaspon prepares cases with the understanding that the insurance company may resist payment. If a fair settlement is not offered, we are prepared to pursue the matter through the appropriate legal process.
How long do I have to bring a rideshare accident claim?
Deadlines can be short. Many Florida negligence claims are subject to a two-year filing deadline, but the correct deadline can vary based on the facts, the parties involved, the type of claim, and possible exceptions. A claim involving wrongful death, a government entity, or a defective vehicle or part may involve different rules. Speak with an attorney promptly so the deadline can be evaluated and evidence can be preserved.
Talk directly with an Orlando Uber accident lawyer
You should not have to sort through multiple insurance policies and app-status questions while you are trying to heal. Jeremiah Jaspon personally reviews new rideshare accident cases and can explain the next steps. There are no fees or expenses unless we recover money for you.
Uber and Lyft accident questions
What if I was an Uber or Lyft passenger when the crash happened?
You may have a claim against the at-fault driver and potentially other available coverage. Save the trip details, seek medical care, and do not assume an insurer’s first explanation is the final answer.
Does Uber or Lyft insurance cover every crash?
No. The driver’s app status matters. Coverage can differ when the driver is offline, waiting for a request, traveling to pick up a rider, or actively transporting a rider.
What if another driver caused the rideshare crash?
The other at-fault driver may be responsible for the injuries and losses caused by the crash. The rideshare driver’s status and other available policies may still be relevant to the overall insurance analysis.
Should I report the crash through the Uber or Lyft app?
Report the incident and save screenshots or receipts associated with the trip. You should also report the crash to police and seek medical care when appropriate.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault?
Possibly. Florida uses comparative-fault principles in many negligence cases. A person’s share of fault may affect recovery, so the evidence should be reviewed carefully before accepting an insurer’s assessment.
Do I need a lawyer after an Uber or Lyft accident?
Rideshare claims can involve several insurers and time-sensitive electronic evidence. An attorney can investigate the crash, identify coverage, handle insurer communications, and pursue fair compensation.