Experienced Uber Accident Lawyer in Tampa FL Near You

Experienced Uber Accident Lawyer in Tampa, FL

If you’ve been injured in an Uber accident involving an Uber driver, it’s crucial to call an experienced and reliable Uber accident lawyer or attorney right away. The Uber accident lawyers at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk, who are knowledgeable and professional, have extensive experience representing victims of Uber accidents and can help you file an Uber accident lawsuit or claim. They can investigate the liability, negligence, and damages in your case, negotiate a fair settlement, and represent you in court if necessary. Their expertise in personal injury law, combined with their compassionate and dedicated approach, ensures you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Whether your case involves personal injury or insurance disputes, they will assist you in recovering damages and securing a favorable outcome. Don’t hesitate; contact an affordable, competent, and trustworthy lawyer today to support you through the legal representation process and handle your Uber accident case effectively.

Unlike traditional taxis, Uber operates through a rideshare app, allowing users to arrange for a pickup by requesting a ride from nearby drivers. Uber drivers are independent contractors who use their personal vehicles to provide rides to passengers. They are not professional chauffeurs, nor are they employees of Uber. These drivers have the flexibility to choose when and how long they wish to drive. All payments for rides are processed through the Uber app.

Uber is a popular rideshare service that connects passengers with drivers in real time. As convenient as it is, there are risks involved. If you have been injured during a ride with Uber, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. At The Abrahamson & Uiterwyk Law Firm, our Tampa-based car accident lawyers can assess whether you have a case against the company or one of its drivers. Get in touch with us to explore your options.

While Uber helps reduce the number of drunk driving accidents by offering a safer alternative for intoxicated individuals, accidents involving Uber still happen on Florida roads. According to a study from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, the presence of ridesharing services like Uber has been linked to a 3% increase in motor vehicle fatalities and fatal accidents.

In fact, Uber’s own US Safety Report revealed that there were 107 fatalities across 97 fatal crashes involving the Uber app during 2017 and 2018.

If you’re involved in an Uber accident, it’s important to stay calm and immediately call 911 to request police and medical assistance. Make sure to provide the exact location, the road you’re traveling on, and the direction you’re heading. This will help emergency responders reach you as quickly as possible.

Once medical attention has been provided, it is critical to contact an experienced Uber accident lawyer to begin the claim process. You don’t need to reach out to your personal insurance company first. A dedicated Uber accident lawyer will guide you through the steps necessary to protect your rights and secure the compensation you are entitled to.

Who’s Responsible in Different Uber Accident Scenarios in Florida?

Responsibility in Uber accident cases in Florida depends on how the crash occurred, who caused it, and whether the Uber driver was actively using the app at the time of the collision, because insurance coverage shifts based on the driver’s status and the role each party played in the accident. As a result, different insurance policies may apply depending on whether the injured person was an Uber passenger, another driver, or a passenger in another vehicle. The sections below break down how liability and insurance coverage typically work in each situation.

Injured While Driving for Uber (Another Driver Caused the Crash)

One of the biggest challenges for Uber drivers injured by another motorist is dealing with Florida’s limited insurance requirements. Many drivers carry little or no bodily injury coverage, which can leave injured Uber drivers facing major medical bills and lost income, with limited insurance available. Another complication is determining which insurance policy applies based on whether the Uber app was offline, waiting for a ride request, or actively engaged in a trip.

In most cases, the claim begins against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. Depending on the Uber driver’s app status, additional coverage may be available through Uber’s contingent or commercial insurance policies. Recovery may also involve the driver’s personal collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, or UM/UIM coverage if those protections were purchased separately.

Injured While Riding as an Uber Passenger (Another Driver Caused the Crash)

Uber passenger claims involving another at-fault driver often create disputes between multiple insurance companies over who is responsible for paying damages. Even though the passenger did nothing wrong, insurers may attempt to shift blame or minimize injuries.

The primary claim is usually made against the driver who caused the accident. If that driver’s insurance is insufficient, Uber’s commercial liability coverage may provide additional compensation depending on whether the ride was active at the time of the crash. Injured passengers may also have access to their own UM/UIM coverage or other household insurance policies if damages exceed available limits.

Injured While Riding as an Uber Passenger (Uber Driver Caused the Crash)

When an Uber driver causes the accident, the legal issue is usually less about fault and more about maximizing available insurance coverage. Serious injury cases can quickly exceed standard policy limits, particularly in crashes involving permanent injuries or long-term medical treatment.

During active rides, Uber’s commercial insurance policy may provide up to $1 million in liability coverage for injured passengers. Depending on the facts of the case, additional insurance policies may also become relevant, including UM/UIM coverage carried by the passenger or members of the passenger’s household.

Injured While Driving Another Vehicle Hit by an Uber Driver

These cases frequently involve complicated insurance questions because Uber coverage changes depending on the driver’s status in the app at the time of the crash. Insurance companies often dispute whether the driver was offline, waiting for a request, or actively transporting a passenger.

Recovery generally begins with the Uber driver’s applicable insurance coverage. If the driver was actively using the Uber app, Uber’s contingent or commercial insurance policies may apply. When available coverage is not enough to fully compensate the injured driver, personal UM/UIM coverage may become an important source of additional recovery.

Injured While a Passenger in a Vehicle Hit by an Uber Driver

Passengers injured in vehicles struck by Uber drivers often face overlapping insurance claims involving multiple parties and carriers. The biggest challenge is identifying every available source of insurance coverage while preserving evidence showing the Uber driver’s app status at the time of the collision.

Claims may involve the Uber driver’s insurance, Uber’s commercial liability policy, the driver of the passenger’s vehicle, and potentially UM/UIM coverage carried by the injured passenger or members of their household. The amount of available coverage often depends on whether the Uber driver was actively engaged in a ride at the time of the accident.

Under Florida law, specifically Florida Statute 627.748 governing Transportation Network Companies (TNCs), Uber insurance coverage depends entirely on what the Uber driver was doing at the exact time of the accident. The amount and type of insurance available can change dramatically depending on whether the driver was offline, waiting for a ride request, driving to pick up a passenger, or actively transporting a passenger.

• Period 0 – Offline: The Uber driver is not logged into the Uber app and only their personal auto insurance applies.
• Period 1 – Logged In and Available: The driver is logged into the Uber app and waiting to accept a ride request. During this stage, Uber generally provides contingent liability coverage in Florida, typically including $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage, if the driver’s personal insurance does not apply.
• Period 2 – En Route to Pick Up Passenger: The driver has accepted a trip and is on the way to pick up the passenger. Uber’s commercial insurance increases significantly and may provide up to $1,000,000 in third-party liability coverage for covered accidents.
• Period 3 – Transporting Passenger: The passenger is inside the Uber vehicle and the trip is actively in progress. Uber’s full commercial insurance applies, including up to $1,000,000 in third-party liability coverage for injuries and property damage arising from a covered accident.

Under Florida Statute 627.748, Uber must provide increased liability insurance coverage during Periods 1, 2, and 3. However, one of the most important and frequently overlooked issues in Uber accident claims is that Uber generally does not provide broad Uninsured Motorist (UM) or Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage for passengers or third parties injured by another negligent driver. This can create a serious coverage gap when the at-fault driver has little or no bodily injury insurance available.

Many people get injured in crashes involving Uber vehicles. Sometimes these crashes are the fault of an Uber driver and other times they are the fault of another driver. Regardless, the passenger of the Uber should not be considered at fault. Uber carries insurance coverage of up to $1 million, which could be available to you in the event of an accident. Uber accident settlements depend greatly on the unique circumstances of each case which is why there is no accurate average settlement amount for Uber accidents in Florida. Our firm of Tampa Uber Accident Lawyers has handled numerous cases involving Uber vehicles. Here are two Uber accident settlement examples:

In one of these cases, our client was a driver for Uber who was working at the time the defendant negligently struck our client’s vehicle in the rear. Our client suffered several herniated discs in his neck and lower back. He underwent conservative care followed by injections into the spine. We made a claim against the at-fault party and their insurance company and after extensive negotiations, we were able to resolve the case for a fair and reasonable amount of monetary compensation to our injured client.

In another case, our client was a passenger in an Uber vehicle when the driver stopped to allow an ambulance to proceed. The defendant driver was unable to stop in time and ended up striking the Uber vehicle in the rear. Our client suffered neck and back injuries for which he treated conservatively with a chiropractor. Through his doctor, we demonstrated that our client would require long-term care in the future for his condition. Again, we were able to settle the case for an amount that provided our injured client fair compensation for their injuries.

$600,000 Rideshare Accident Settlement Example

On November 17, 2023, in Hillsborough County, a client was riding as a back-seat passenger in a rideshare vehicle when the driver attempted a left turn at a traffic light. The driver failed to yield and collided with another vehicle that was traveling straight through the intersection.

The impact was severe. The client struck her head against the side window and briefly lost consciousness. Emergency medical services responded to the scene and evaluated her, but she did not seek further medical treatment until the following day at a walk-in clinic.

After retaining legal representation, she was referred to multiple specialists for further care. She reported ongoing symptoms consistent with a traumatic brain injury, including migraine headaches, brain fog, memory loss, as well as neck and back pain. She participated in physical therapy for her spine and later underwent radiofrequency ablation procedures in her neck and back to help manage her pain. She also received neurological care that included an advanced oculomotor tracking evaluation to assess her brain injury symptoms.

A lawsuit was filed shortly after the accident, and the case was aggressively moved toward mediation. At mediation, a demand of $600,000 was made, but the defendant did not agree at that time. After continued litigation pressure, the defendant ultimately agreed to settle the case for $600,000, resolving the claim without the need for trial.

When you have been injured in an Uber accident you can file an Uber injury claim on their website. However, an experienced Florida Uber accident lawyer who deals with rideshare settlements can also help you do that quickly and efficiently.

As stated on their website, all Uber rides are insured. Uber’s insurance policy covers damages caused by third parties, such as negligent drivers. It also provides coverage for injuries sustained by passengers when their vehicles collide with those driven by Uber drivers.

If you are a passenger in an Uber and become injured in an accident, you should be covered by the rideshare liability policy. The coverage should protect you even if your driver was not at fault for the accident. This insurance would also cover anyone outside the vehicle who is injured by the rideshare vehicle while a passenger is being transported if the driver is found at fault.

One important issue many passengers and drivers do not realize is that Uber generally no longer provides broad Uninsured Motorist (UM) or Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage in Florida. This can create a major coverage gap after a serious accident. For example, if you are riding in an Uber that is hit by an uninsured driver, or by a driver carrying only minimal insurance coverage, there may be very limited compensation available unless you carry your own UM/UIM coverage. Because Florida does not require many drivers to carry bodily injury liability insurance, uninsured and underinsured driver claims are far more common than most people expect.

Florida law requires all vehicle owners to carry a minimum amount of car insurance. The minimum required is $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 in property damage liability insurance (PDL). In the case of rideshare drivers, Florida law requires more than the minimum. Rideshare drivers are required to have a minimum of $50,000 in liability insurance per person and $100,000 per incident, in addition to $25,000 in property damage coverage. This coverage applies while a rideshare driver is logged into the rideshare app and waiting to connect with a passenger. Florida law additionally requires $1 million in liability insurance, which applies when a rideshare driver is either driving to pick up a new passenger or dropping a passenger off at their destination.

When you are involved in a rideshare accident, liability and insurance claims can be complex and confusing. Chances are you’re not only dealing with the rideshare company’s insurance but also possibly with the driver’s insurance and your own insurance. It is worth speaking with an Uber car accident lawyer; they can help you navigate these difficult claims.

If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident or electric scooter accident, or require more information from a Tampa Uber accident lawyer, reach out to Abrahamson & Uiterwyk online or call 866-984-9268 to schedule your free consultation.

An experienced Uber attorney in Tampa and nearby FL can help you navigate complicated insurance issues. If you’ve been injured in Pinellas County, contact a Pinellas County, FL auto accident lawyer. We have significant experience handling Lyft accidents as well.