Most
car accidents are preventable, and that is especially with the case when it comes to Uber and
Lyft accidents. How much can you trust the driver or the rideshare company
to look out for passengers’ safety?
Despite the fact that many of us know how serious car accidents can be,
Uber and Lyft accidents can happen. Most of the time, they occur because
of negligence, and the effects can be just as devastating as any other
accident. Passengers may experience severe and even life-threatening injuries.
Just last month, a woman in Seminole County was involved in a fatal Uber crash.
How can you find the means to heal and be compensated for the costs related
to your accident? Car accident cases boil down to this element: determining
who was responsible and taking action to hold that party accountable.
As Tampa Bay car accident attorneys, our next step would be tasked to
help you file an insurance claim for compensation.
No-Fault Insurance Claims
Florida is a no-fault insurance state, which means that you would file
a claim with your personal insurance company and not the other driver’s,
regardless of who caused the accident.
Every driver in our state must carry some form of personal injury protection
(PIP) to provide in these cases. This process is relatively straightforward
in most car accident cases, but for rideshare companies such as Uber and
Lyft, there is an added layer of complexity.
The general rule for PIP coverage includes the following:
- You must receive treatments within 14 days of the accident
- Insurance will pay for up to $10, 000 in medical bills
- You must see a medical doctor, and not a chiropractor
Be sure that you are aware of this as well: Note, however, that because
ridesharing is a relatively new industry and many automobile insurance
policies may not offer protection for these accidents. Uber and Lyft does
not typically carry a form of PIP coverage and neither do taxis. So, if
you are injured, you may not have the option of filing this claim against insurers.
Do Rideshare Companies Carry Insurance?
PIP covers expenses that include injury and hospital expenses, but also
non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. They do, however, carry
Bodily Injury (BI) coverage, to protect the vehicles, the driver, and
passengers. The maximum payout for liability is $1,000,000.
It may be useful as well to supplement your insurance policy with Uninsured
Motorist (UM) coverage for added safety measures. Remember that many drivers,
whether or not they are driving for rideshare companies such as Uber or
Lyft, continue to drive unlawfully and without insurance.
Speak with a Tampa Bay Car Accident Attorney!
Our Tampa Bay car accident lawyers are your allies through any personal
injury matter. We can help you hold those parties accountable for causing
your accident and help you find justice.
Contact us to schedule a
free case evaluation.