Am I Entitled to Compensation if a Rideshare Driver Hit my Car?

Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft are becoming increasingly popular, especially in large metropolitan areas like West Palm Beach. Any person injured in a rideshare service car wreck may be entitled to compensation from a negligent rideshare driver. If this happens to you, a skilled car accident attorney could help you prepare a comprehensive case and collect all the important evidence.

Gathering Evidence After a Crash

If you are hit by an Uber or Lyft driver, it may be extremely important to work with a lawyer when collecting evidence of negligence. The first thing anyone involved in a car accident should do is call the police and seek appropriate medical attention. After that, the following actions—preferably taken as soon as possible after such a wreck occurs—could be key to constructing a strong case:

• Collecting the names and contact information of all of those involved, including the rideshare driver, any passengers, and any witnesses

• Gathering insurance information from the driver(s) involved

• Determining whether the rideshare driver was on their way to pick up a passenger or completing a trip

• Taking pictures of the accident scene

A car accident lawyer could help you asses these factors in order to evaluate your eligibility to pursue compensation.

Rideshare Insurance Coverage

While most rideshare services require their drivers to have their own insurance policies that are in compliance with Florida state minimums, companies like Uber and Lyft may also provide a minimum of $1 million liability coverage for when their drivers get into accidents during paid trips. However, if there was no passenger in the rideshare car, this insurance may not cover your damages entirely, and the driver might have to use their personal insurance to cover the rest.

In general, a rideshare company’s insurance is not applicable to a civil case unless the driver involved was either completing a trip with a passenger in the car or had already accepted the trip request. Both scenarios indicate that the driver is “on-duty,” which means their conduct could fall at least partially under the responsibility of the rideshare company. An attorney can help you understand which aspects of a rideshare’s insurance policy may affect your ability to pursue compensation.

Seeking a Car Accident Lawyer

If you were involved in an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver, you should reach out to one of our experienced car accident lawyers at DCY Law. We have a knowledgeable team that understands the complexities of rideshare car accident cases in Southern Florida. Contact us today to learn whether you qualify to pursue damages for your losses.