Injured In A Rideshare Accident In The Tampa Bay Area? Call Our Uber And Lyft Injury Accident Lawyers.
Uber and Lyft are two common rideshare options for residents and visitors alike in Florida who are looking for a convenient and affordable means of transportation. There are many different reasons that people in Florida choose to use Uber and Lyft, whether they need one for a night out, to get to or from an airport, or to ride to an attraction, a hospital or any other place in Florida.
While Uber and Lyft are excellent options for travel, there is always the risk of being injured in an accident while riding in a Lyft or Uber vehicle. When this happens, you may not be sure of what you should do, as it can be a bit more complicated than when you’re injured in your own vehicle. This is why it is wise to speak with an Uber and Lyft accident lawyer in Tampa Bay who can help you understand your rights after being injured in a ride-sharing accident in Florida.
Here at Dumas & Sanclemente, PLLC, our compassionate and experienced lawyers understand how devastating and stressful it can be when you’re involved in any type of ride-sharing accident. They are prepared to help victims of these accidents by protecting their rights and working to ensure that they are able to recover the maximum amount of compensation available to them under Florida law.
We offer free consultations, and our lawyers can help you and your family recover compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical bills and other damages caused in an Uber or Lyft accident in the Tampa Bay metro region.
How Rideshare Accidents In Florida Are Different From Other Types Of Motor Vehicle Accidents
According to research, rideshare accidents are on the rise with an increase of approximately 2% to 3% in car accident-related deaths in the last few years. Uber reports that there are over 100 Uber-related fatalities each year. While ride-sharing accidents may appear to be quite similar to other types of motor vehicle accidents, after you are involved in a ride-sharing accident, you will see how different the aftermath of Uber and Lyft accidents is from that of other car accidents.
If you try to contact Uber or Lyft directly after being involved in a car accident, they typically will refer to their lawyers or insurance companies. Typically, this process can be lengthy, and in the end, they will often tell you that the driver was only an independent contractor or freelancer, not an employee of their company.
Many times, the insurance company of the rideshare driver will try to claim that the insurance policy does not cover personal injuries of victims who are injured while the driver is working. The reason for this is that if the driver fails to tell their insurance company that they are driving for a rideshare company such as Uber or Lyft, then the insurance company is not required to provide compensation for injuries.
Drivers of rideshare companies such as Uber or Lyft often do not notify their insurance companies because, typically, their insurance premiums will then go up. And, if you try to notify your own insurance company of the accident, it will tell you that you have to recover compensation from the at-fault party, not from your own policy.
As you can see, trying to navigate the process of recovering compensation for your injuries can be complex and stressful. A consultation with an experienced Uber and Lyft injury accident lawyer is essential if you hope to recover all available compensation.
What You Should Do After Being Involved In An Uber Or Lyft Accident?
After being injured in an Uber or Lyft crash, there are certain steps that you should take to set yourself up with the best opportunity to recover the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to.
These steps are similar to those you must take after a regular car accident, but there are some unique ridesharing steps to take, too. These include the following:
- Call 911: If you or someone else is injured in a rideshare accident, the first thing you should do is call 911.
- Get evidence from the Uber or Lyft app: A screenshot can show whether a paid ride was still in progress as well as the location of where the accident occurred.
- Seek medical treatment: It is important to receive medical treatment if you are injured. Even if you believe that you were not injured, it is a good idea to seek medical attention for assessment just in case you suffered an injury that may not be apparent immediately but will require medical treatment at a later date. Getting medical attention also initiates a record of any injuries sustained.
- Talk to witnesses and take photographs of the scene: It is important to take down contact information from witnesses should you need them to serve as witnesses in a trial. Snapshots of the scene can serve as evidence. If you are severely injured, ask a friend or loved one to take these photos.
- Contact an experienced rideshare accident attorney: This step is vital to you successfully receiving compensation for your injuries. It is important to contact a rideshare accident lawyer first before you speak with any insurance companies, as insurance companies may try to get you to say something that could hurt your case.
How Our Experienced Uber And Lyft Injury Accident Lawyers In Tampa Bay Can Help You
Being injured in a Lyft or Uber accident can be scary, but our team of personal injury lawyers is experienced in navigating the complexities of recovering compensation after an Uber or Lyft accident. Some attorneys will not fight back for clients as they should, allowing rideshare companies to withhold compensation that their clients are eligible for.
But that will not happen at Dumas & Sanclemente, PLLC. Our compassionate and experienced car accident lawyers will fight back against the rideshare company and insurance companies to recover the compensation you are entitled to. This includes proving that rideshare companies were negligent in hiring unsafe drivers or that they failed to provide proper training and reassessments of their drivers.
Get Answers And Help Today
For answers to your questions, please reach out to us, a bodily injury law firm, to schedule your free consultation by dialing 844-400-2667 or using our convenient online contact form to send us a message.