Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have exploded in popularity in recent years, offering a convenient alternative to taxis and public transportation. However, with millions of rideshare trips happening every day, accidents involving Uber and Lyft have also become more common.
If you are injured in an accident while riding as a passenger in a rideshare vehicle, or if you or a loved one was involved in an Uber or Lyft accident, you may be eligible to recover compensation for your injuries and other losses through a rideshare accident claim. Contact a Boynton Beach Rideshare Accident Lawyer from Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers to discuss your case during a free consultation.
Table of contents
- Why Choose Us for Your Boynton Beach Rideshare Accident Claim?
- Who is Eligible to File a Rideshare Accident Case?
- Do I Have Grounds to Bring an Uber or Lyft Claim?
- How Does a Rideshare Insurance Work if the Driver is Involved in an Accident?
- What Damages Are Available to Rideshare Accident Victims?
- Contact the Boynton Beach Rideshare Accident Lawyers at Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers Today
Why Choose Us for Your Boynton Beach Rideshare Accident Claim?
At Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers, our attorneys have extensive experience handling complex rideshare accident claims. We understand these cases' unique legal and insurance issues and know how to pursue maximum compensation from all available sources. Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate, personalized representation to each client we serve. We will take the time to listen to your story, answer your questions, and keep you informed at every stage of your case.
Our law firm has the resources and network of experts needed to build strong, persuasive cases against powerful rideshare and insurance companies. We frequently work with accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, and economic experts who can provide compelling testimony to support your claim. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators and trial advocates who will fight for the best possible outcome for your case, whether that means an out-of-court settlement or taking your case to trial.
We understand the financial challenges that often come with a serious accident, so we represent rideshare accident clients on a contingency fee basis. You won’t have to pay any upfront costs to hire our firm; we only collect legal fees if we win compensation for you. If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident in Boynton Beach or anywhere in Southeast Florida, contact Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your legal options.
Who is Eligible to File a Rideshare Accident Case?
Rideshares like Uber and Lyft continue gaining traction in communities like Boynton Beach, Florida. The services continue to gain ground among Americans of all age groups, offering an easy alternative to self-driving, using a taxi, or asking a friend or relative to drive somewhere.
In Boynton Beach, residents and visitors increasingly rely on rideshares for transportation. Visitors no longer have to rely on public transportation, rental cars, or taxis to get to the beach, shopping, restaurants, or nightlife. Residents can use the on-demand ridesharing app to run errands, enjoy nightlife, or even commute to the office.
Unfortunately, Boynton Beach Uber and Lyft drivers are sometimes involved in accidents. When this happens, several parties may suffer injuries and be eligible to file a rideshare accident case, such as:
- Injured passengers: If you were riding as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle and were injured in an accident caused by your rideshare driver or another negligent motorist, you may be eligible to file an injury claim.
- Injured rideshare drivers: If you were driving for Uber or Lyft and were injured in an accident caused by another negligent driver, you may be able to file an injury claim against the at-fault driver's auto insurance policy.
- Injured third parties: If you were driving your own vehicle or were a pedestrian or bicyclist and were hit and injured by a negligent Uber or Lyft driver, you may be able to pursue an injury claim.
- Family members of deceased accident victims: If your loved one was tragically killed in an accident involving an Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare service, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim.
To have a valid rideshare accident claim, you must prove that the negligent or wrongful actions of a rideshare driver or another party directly caused your injuries. You will also need to demonstrate that your injuries meet certain thresholds outlined in Florida law, which may include permanent injury, significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, or death.
Do I Have Grounds to Bring an Uber or Lyft Claim?
Most personal injury claims, including those involving Uber and Lyft accidents, are based on the legal concept of negligence. Negligence occurs when a person or entity fails to exercise the care that a reasonable person would use in similar circumstances, resulting in harm or injury to another party.
To have grounds for a successful rideshare accident claim, you and your attorney must prove the following four elements of negligence:
- Duty of care: You must show that the at-fault party (the Uber/Lyft driver, the rideshare company, or another motorist) owed you a duty of care. All drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles safely and follow traffic laws to avoid causing harm to passengers, other motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Rideshare companies have a duty to screen and hire safe drivers properly and to implement policies that promote passenger safety.
- Breach of duty: Next, you must demonstrate that the at-fault party breached their duty of care through negligent actions or inaction. Examples of careless behavior that could cause a rideshare accident include speeding, distracted driving, fatigued driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or failing to maintain the vehicle properly. For rideshare companies, a breach of duty might involve failing to adequately screen drivers or encouraging unsafe driving practices.
- Causation: You must draw a direct link between the at-fault party's negligent behavior and your injuries, showing that the breach of duty was the proximate cause of your harm. In other words, you would not have been injured if not for the at-fault party's negligent actions. Causation is sometimes split into two parts: actual cause (the accident would not have occurred but for the negligent act) and proximate cause (the at-fault party should have foreseen the consequences of their negligent behavior).
- Damages: Finally, you must prove that you suffered actual damages due to the at-fault party's negligence. Damages can include physical injuries, emotional distress, medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and other losses. You will need thorough documentation of your damages, including medical records, pay stubs, repair bills, and expert testimony, to establish this element of your claim.
Proving the four elements of negligence in a rideshare accident case can be challenging, especially when multiple parties may share fault for a crash. The rideshare companies and their insurers will look for any opportunity to deny liability and limit payouts to injured victims. At Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers, our rideshare accident attorneys conduct thorough investigations to gather compelling evidence of negligence and build the strongest possible case for our clients.
Even if you are not sure whether you have grounds for an Uber or Lyft accident claim, we encourage you to contact our firm for a free consultation. We will review the details of your accident and injuries and provide honest advice on your best legal options for seeking the compensation you need to move forward with your life after a serious rideshare crash.
How Does a Rideshare Insurance Work if the Driver is Involved in an Accident?
Both Uber and Lyft provide insurance coverage for accidents involving their drivers, but the amount of coverage depends on the driver's status at the time of the crash:
- If the driver is not logged into the rideshare app, their personal auto insurance applies. Uber and Lyft's policies do not cover off-duty accidents.
- If the driver is logged in and waiting for a ride request, Uber and Lyft provide contingent liability coverage if the driver's personal auto insurance does not apply. This includes $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage.
- If the driver is en route to pick up a passenger or is transporting a passenger, Uber, and Lyft provide $1 million in third-party liability coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage, and contingent comprehensive and collision coverage (for damage to the rideshare vehicle, as long as the driver maintains personal comprehensive and collision coverage on their own auto policy).
So, if you ride as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft and your driver causes an accident, you should be covered by the $1 million liability policy. If another driver is at fault for hitting your Uber/Lyft, their auto insurance would be primarily responsible, with the rideshare policy covering damages above that policy's limits or if the at-fault driver is uninsured/underinsured.
What Damages Are Available to Rideshare Accident Victims?
Rideshare accident victims may be entitled to several types of damages, depending on the severity of their injuries and the specific circumstances of their case. Some of the most common types of damages available in rideshare accident claims include:
- Medical expenses: You may be able to recover compensation for all medical costs related to your rideshare accident injuries, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, medication, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and any necessary ongoing treatment. You can also claim future anticipated medical expenses if you require long-term care for your injuries.
- Lost wages or income: If your injuries prevent you from working while you recover, you can seek compensation for the income you lose as a result. This includes wages, salary, tips, bonuses, commissions, and self-employment income. If your earning capacity is permanently reduced or you cannot return to work due to your injuries, you may also be entitled to compensation for future lost earnings.
- Property damage: If your personal property, such as a phone, laptop, clothing, or luggage, was damaged in the rideshare accident, you can seek reimbursement for the cost of repairing or replacing those items.
- Pain and suffering: If your accident injuries meet the threshold for a serious or permanent injury outlined in Florida law, you may be able to recover compensation for the physical pain, emotional anguish, and mental suffering you experienced as a result of your rideshare accident injuries. This can include trauma, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, loss of enjoyment of life, and other subjective consequences of your injuries.
- Scarring and disfigurement: If your injuries result in permanent scars, burns, amputations, or other disfiguring conditions, you may be entitled to compensation for the emotional distress and social embarrassment associated with these lasting physical changes.
- Disability or loss of function: If your injuries result in a permanent disability or loss of bodily function, such as paralysis or brain damage, you can seek compensation for how this disability impacts your daily life, relationships, and overall well-being.
- Wrongful death damages: If you lost a loved one in a fatal rideshare accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim to recover damages such as medical and funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship and guidance, and emotional pain and suffering.
Calculating the full value of your rideshare accident damages can be complex, especially in cases involving catastrophic injuries or permanent disabilities. Your lawyer will work closely with medical experts, economic specialists, and other professionals to thoroughly document our clients' losses and demand maximum compensation from all at-fault parties.
Contact the Boynton Beach Rideshare Accident Lawyers at Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a rideshare accident in Boynton Beach or anywhere in Southeast Florida, the skilled legal team at Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers is here to help. We understand the complex legal and insurance issues involved in Uber and Lyft accident cases, and we have the knowledge, resources, and experience to pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.
When you choose our firm to handle your rideshare accident claim, we will:
- Conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of your accident and gather evidence to support your case
- Identify all potentially liable parties and sources of insurance coverage
- Work with expert witnesses to demonstrate the extent and impact of your injuries
- Handle all communication and negotiation with insurance companies and defense attorneys
- Fight tenaciously to recover full and fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages
- Keep you informed and supported at every stage of your case
You shouldn’t have to bear the physical, emotional, and financial burdens of a rideshare accident on your own. Let our legal team of Boynton Beach personal injury lawyers stand up for your rights and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
Contact Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers today at (561) 800-8000 or through our online form for a free consultation with one of our experienced Boynton Beach rideshare accident attorneys. We look forward to putting our skills and resources to work for you.