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Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have become a permanent part of transportation in Miami and throughout South Florida. With year-round tourism, major events, dense urban traffic, and constant rideshare availability, thousands of Uber and Lyft vehicles are on Miami roads every day. While these services offer convenience, they also contribute to an increased number of traffic accidents involving rideshare drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists.

If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Miami, you may be dealing with medical bills, lost income, physical pain, and uncertainty about who is responsible for paying for your damages. Unlike traditional car accidents, rideshare crashes often involve multiple insurance policies, app-based driver status issues, and complex liability questions. Understanding how these cases work under Florida law is critical before pursuing a claim.

This article explains how Uber and Lyft accident claims typically work in Miami, how insurance coverage applies, and what legal options may be available after a rideshare accident.

Why Uber and Lyft Accidents Are Different From Regular Car Accidents

At first glance, an Uber or Lyft accident may look like any other car crash. However, rideshare accidents involve additional legal layers that do not exist in standard vehicle collisions.

The primary difference is that Uber and Lyft drivers are not traditional employees. They are classified as independent contractors who use their personal vehicles while operating through a rideshare platform. Because of this structure, liability and insurance coverage depend heavily on the driver’s status within the app at the exact moment the accident occurred.

Insurance companies often dispute which policy applies, making these cases more complicated than ordinary auto accidents.

Understanding Uber and Lyft Driver Status and Insurance Coverage

Uber and Lyft insurance coverage is typically divided into three distinct periods based on the driver’s app activity.

Period One: Driver Is Offline

If the Uber or Lyft driver was not logged into the app at the time of the accident, the rideshare company’s insurance coverage generally does not apply. In this situation, the driver is treated as a private motorist, and the accident is typically handled through the driver’s personal auto insurance policy.

Uber or Lyft is usually not financially responsible for damages during this period. However, the rideshare company may still be involved to verify app data or confirm that the driver was not actively working at the time of the crash.

Period Two: Driver Is Logged In and Waiting for a Ride Request

When a driver is logged into the Uber or Lyft app but has not yet accepted a ride request, the rideshare company generally provides limited third-party liability coverage. This coverage typically may include, subject to the applicable policy terms and circumstances:

• Up to $50,000 per injured person

• Up to $100,000 per accident

• Up to $25,000 for property damage

This insurance is intended to apply if the rideshare driver causes an accident while waiting for a passenger request. However, coverage may depend on fault determinations, policy exclusions, and whether the driver’s personal insurance also applies.

Period Three: Driver Has Accepted a Ride or Is Transporting a Passenger

Once a driver accepts a ride request or is actively transporting a passenger, Uber and Lyft generally provide their highest level of insurance coverage. In many cases, this includes up to $1 million in third-party liability coverage.

Depending on the circumstances, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may also be available. This coverage is designed to protect passengers and others if another driver causes the accident and lacks sufficient insurance.

All rideshare insurance coverage remains subject to policy limits, exclusions, and factual determinations about how the accident occurred.

What If You Were a Passenger in an Uber or Lyft?

Passengers injured in Uber or Lyft accidents are often not at fault. In many cases, injured passengers may be able to pursue compensation through one or more insurance policies, including:

• Uber or Lyft’s commercial insurance policy

• The rideshare driver’s personal auto insurance

• Another at-fault driver’s insurance policy

Passenger claims can become complicated because multiple insurance carriers may dispute responsibility. Determining which policy applies often requires reviewing trip data, app records, and accident reports.

Florida’s No-Fault Insurance System and Rideshare Accidents

Florida operates under a no-fault auto insurance system. This means that many Florida drivers must first rely on their Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage after an accident, regardless of who caused the crash.

PIP coverage typically provides:

• Up to 80% of reasonable and necessary medical expenses

• Up to 60% of lost wages

These benefits are subject to policy limits, medical necessity requirements, and strict timelines for seeking treatment. Not every accident victim is covered in the same way. Eligibility may depend on residency, vehicle ownership, insurance status, and how the accident occurred.

When Can You Pursue a Claim Beyond PIP?

Florida law allows injured individuals to step outside the no-fault system if their injuries meet the legal threshold for a serious injury. When this threshold is met, an injured person may pursue a claim against the at-fault party for additional damages.

Serious injuries under Florida law may include:

• Significant or permanent loss of an important bodily function

• Permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability

• Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement

• Death

Whether an injury qualifies as serious depends on medical documentation, expert opinions, and the facts of the case.

Common Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents in Miami

Uber and Lyft accidents often occur for the same reasons as traditional car accidents, but certain risk factors are more common in rideshare cases, including:

• Distracted driving caused by GPS navigation or app interaction

• Driver fatigue from long or irregular working hours

• Speeding or aggressive driving in congested areas

• Heavy traffic near beaches, entertainment districts, and tourist attractions

• Poor weather conditions or hazardous roadways

Miami’s constant traffic congestion and high rideshare volume increase the likelihood of these accidents.

Injuries Commonly Seen in Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, some of which may not be immediately apparent. Common injuries include:

• Whiplash and soft tissue injuries

• Back and spinal cord injuries

• Broken bones and fractures

• Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries

• Internal injuries

Prompt medical evaluation is critical after any rideshare accident, even if symptoms appear mild at first.

What Compensation May Be Available After a Rideshare Accident?

Depending on the circumstances of the case, compensation may be available for economic and non-economic damages, including:

• Past and future medical expenses

• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional distress

• Property damage

Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, are generally available when injuries meet Florida’s serious injury threshold.

Important Steps to Take After an Uber or Lyft Accident

Taking the right steps after a rideshare accident can help protect both your health and your legal rights. Consider the following actions:

1. Seek medical attention immediately
2. Contact law enforcement and obtain an official accident report
3. Photograph vehicles, injuries, and the accident scene if possible
4. Report the accident through the Uber or Lyft app
5. Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies without legal guidance

Documentation and early medical care are often critical in rideshare accident claims.

Why Uber and Lyft Accident Claims Can Be Challenging

Rideshare accident claims often involve multiple insurance companies, disputes over driver status, and complex policy language. Insurance carriers may attempt to minimize payouts or shift responsibility to another party.

A thorough investigation is often necessary to determine liability, identify applicable insurance policies, and evaluate available coverage.

Speaking With a Miami Uber and Lyft Accident Attorney

If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Miami, consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights under Florida law. An attorney can review the facts of your case, analyze insurance coverage, and help guide you through the claims process.

Rideshare accident cases are legally complex, and informed legal guidance can play an important role in protecting your interests and pursuing fair compensation!

 

Contact The Farber Law Firm Today!

PHONE: 305-774-0134

EMAIL: info@dfarberlaw.com

ADDRESS: 2199 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Suite 301, Coral Gables, FL 33134

WEBSITE: www.thefarberlawfirm.com