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Rideshare passengers who suffer serious collision-related injuries have clear rights under Florida law. Rideshare drivers are subject to enhanced auto insurance requirements, and if a rideshare driver does not have Florida’s mandatory liability insurance, the rideshare company (i.e., Uber or Lyft) is required to provide coverage. Were you injured in a rideshare accident in Florida? Learn more from an experienced Fort Myers accident lawyer at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

How Auto Insurance Works in Florida Rideshare Accident Cases

In the vast majority of cases, seeking financial compensation after a rideshare accident in Florida involves filing an insurance claim. If your rideshare driver was at fault in the accident, you should be able to file a claim under his or her policy. By law, rideshare drivers in Florida must have the following types of insurance coverage:

When Rideshare Drivers are Logged in But Not Providing Prearranged Rides

• $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person
• $100,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident
• $25,000 in property damage liability coverage

If the driver is in an accident while waiting for a ride request, the liability limits are lower than when they have a passenger, but still more than some standard auto policies.

When Rideshare Drivers are Providing Prearranged Rides

• $1 million in total liability coverage for bodily injury (including death) and property damage

This means that if you were injured in an accident as a rideshare passenger, the driver should have $1 million in liability coverage available. You can hire a Fort Myers accident lawyer at Spivey Law Firm to help you file a claim, and your lawyer can deal with the rideshare driver’s insurance company while you focus on your recovery.

What if the rideshare driver is not covered? Despite Florida’s mandatory insurance requirements, some rideshare drivers are still uninsured. If you were injured in an accident caused by an uninsured Uber or Lyft driver, you have the right to file a claim under Uber’s or Lyft’s insurance policy.

What if the rideshare driver was not at fault? Rideshare drivers’ and rideshare companies’ liability insurance only applies when a rideshare driver is at fault in a collision. If another driver (or some other factor) were to blame, determining what options you have available will require a thorough investigation.

Compensation Available to Rideshare Passengers Under Florida Law

Regardless of the insurance claim (or claims) you are eligible to file, if you suffered significant or permanent injuries in a rideshare accident, you are entitled to just compensation for all of your losses resulting from the collision. While every car accident victim’s circumstances are unique, common accident-related losses include:

• Medical bills and other out-of-pocket costs
• Lost income and benefits
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma and distress
• Loss of companionship, consortium, and enjoyment of life

If you have a claim for your rideshare accident, you are entitled to just compensation for your present and future losses. An experienced Fort Myers accident lawyer with Spivey Law Firm will be able to calculate the full damages you are entitled to recover, and then your lawyer will be able to fight for just compensation on your behalf.

Your Legal Rights as a Rideshare Accident Victim in Florida

With all of this in mind, what are your legal rights as a rideshare accident victim in Florida? Regardless of who (or what company) is legally responsible for the accident, your rights include:

1. You Have the Right to Find Out (and Prove) What Caused the Accident

Determining the cause of your accident is one of the first steps toward recovering the financial compensation you deserve. Under Florida law, you have the right to gather the evidence you need to find out (and prove) what caused the accident—whether this involves conducting a forensic investigation or obtaining the rideshare driver’s cell phone data records.

2. You Have the Right to Seek Treatment from a Provider of Your Choosing

After any type of car accident, you have the right to seek treatment from a provider of your choosing. The auto insurance companies cannot tell you where to go for treatment. To protect yourself, you should see a doctor whom you choose based on their credentials. This will help ensure that you get the treatment you need to minimize any long-term effects of the collision.

3. You Have the Right to Seek Full Compensation for Your Accident-Related Losses

As a rideshare accident victim, you can (and should) seek just compensation for your accident-related losses. Not only can these losses add up quickly, but in many cases, they can continue to accumulate for a very long time. By working with an experienced accident lawyer to seek the full compensation you deserve, you can help ensure that the consequences of the accident are no greater than necessary.

4. You Have the Right to Decide When (and if) to Settle Your Claim

Most successful rideshare accident claims settle, and if you have a claim, your accident lawyer will work to secure a favorable settlement offer on your behalf. If a settlement offer is on the table, it will be up to you to decide whether to accept. Your accident lawyer can (and will) provide you with personalized legal advice, but you get to decide whether you are willing to settle or you want to keep fighting for more.

5. You Have the Right to Hire an Experienced Lawyer at No Out-of-Pocket Cost

When you are dealing with the consequences of a serious rideshare accident in Florida, you have the right to hire an experienced lawyer at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. to represent you—and you have the right to do so at no out-of-pocket cost. You can hire a lawyer with Spivey Law Firm to represent you on a contingency-fee basis, which means that your legal fees (if any) will be deducted from your financial recovery.

Do You Have a Claim? Find Out from an Experienced Fort Myers Accident Lawyer for Free

Were you injured in a rideshare accident as a passenger in Florida? If so, we are prepared to fight for the full compensation you deserve. To discuss your claim with an experienced Fort Myers accident lawyer at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. for free, call us at 239-337-7483 or toll-free at 888-4777-4839, or contact us online at Spiveylaw.com today.