Florida Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Florida Uber & Lyft Rideshare Accident Lawyers Near You

Rideshare accidents are becoming increasingly common. As the number of Uber and Lyft drivers on Florida’s roads grows, so too does the number of accidents involving rideshare vehicles. If you have been injured in one of these accidents in Florida, you have clear legal rights, and you should speak with a rideshare accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Under Florida law, specifically Florida Statute 627.748 (the Transportation Network Company law), rideshare insurance coverage depends on what the driver was doing at the exact time of the crash. This statute governs how companies like Uber and Lyft must provide insurance coverage based on different stages of a ride, and the available coverage changes significantly from one stage to another.

• Period 0 – Offline: The driver is not logged into the rideshare app and only their personal auto insurance applies.
• Period 1 – Logged In and Available: The driver is logged in and waiting for a ride request. During this stage, rideshare companies generally provide 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 ride request and is driving to pick up the passenger. Rideshare companies generally provide up to $1,000,000 in third-party liability coverage for covered accidents.
• Period 3 – Transporting Passenger: The passenger is inside the vehicle, and the ride is in progress. Rideshare companies generally provide up to $1,000,000 in third-party liability coverage for injuries and property damage arising from a covered accident.

Importantly, under Florida law, transportation network companies (including Uber and Lyft) must provide increased liability coverage during Periods 1, 2, and 3. However, one of the biggest issues in Florida rideshare accident cases is that rideshare companies generally do not provide Uninsured Motorist (UM) or Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage for passengers injured by another negligent driver.

The grounds for filing a claim after a rideshare accident in Florida are the same as those for filing a claim after any other vehicle collision. If you have any reason to suspect that the Uber or Lyft driver was to blame, you should speak with an attorney. Likewise, if you were injured while riding in an Uber or Lyft vehicle and you suspect that another driver was to blame, you should speak with an attorney in this scenario as well.

Some examples of potential grounds to file a claim after an Uber accident or Lyft accident include:

• Distracted driving (i.e., attempting to follow GPS directions to an unfamiliar location)
• Driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs
• Fatigued driving (i.e., if a rideshare driver is driving late at night or after getting off from another job)
• Running a red light, running a stop sign, or failing to yield the right of way
• Speeding, tailgating, passing dangerously, and other forms of aggressive or reckless driving

Along with these (and other) types of driver negligence, rideshare accident victims in Florida can also potentially pursue claims on other grounds. For example, road maintenance issues and vehicle defects can cause (or contribute to causing) accidents in many cases; and, if a rideshare company fails to properly screen drivers in accordance with Florida’s rideshare law, the rideshare company could potentially be liable as well.

1. You Were a Rideshare Passenger and the Rideshare Driver Caused the Accident

Primary Insurance Sources

• Your own PIP coverage (for initial medical expenses)
• Uber or Lyft’s $1 million commercial liability policy

Secondary/Additional Insurance Sources

• Your own Medical Payments (MedPay) or health insurance

Key Factor
Because you were on an active ride, the highest level of Uber/Lyft’s commercial liability insurance automatically applies to cover your pain, suffering, and remaining medical bills.

2. You Were a Rideshare Passenger and Another Driver Caused the Accident

Primary Insurance Sources

• Your own PIP coverage
• The at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability insurance

Secondary/Additional Insurance Sources

• Your own personal or household Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) policy

Key Factor
The UM/UIM Gap: If the at-fault driver has no insurance, Uber/Lyft do NOT provide UM/UIM coverage to passengers. In this case, your own personal UM/UIM policy is your primary safety net.

3. You Were Driving Another Vehicle and Were Hit by a Rideshare Driver

Primary Insurance Sources

• Your own PIP (No-Fault) coverage

Secondary/Additional Insurance Sources

• Rideshare driver’s personal policy or Uber/Lyft’s Commercial Policy

Key Factor
The amount of coverage available depends entirely on whether the rideshare driver’s app was turned on or off (Periods 1, 2, or 3).

4. You Were a Passenger in Another Vehicle and the Rideshare Driver Caused the Accident

Primary Insurance Sources

• Your own PIP coverage or a resident relative’s PIP coverage (if you do not own a vehicle)

Secondary/Additional Insurance Sources

• Uber/Lyft’s Commercial Policy, your own UM/UIM, and/or the host driver’s policy

Key Factor
You may be able to file claims against both drivers (the rideshare driver and the driver of your vehicle) to maximize compensation.

5. You Were the Rideshare Driver and Another Driver Caused the Accident

Primary Insurance Sources

• Your own PIP coverage
• The at-fault driver’s liability insurance

Secondary/Additional Insurance Sources

• Your own personal or household UM/UIM coverage (if purchased)

Key Factor
Uber/Lyft do not provide UM/UIM coverage if you are hit by an uninsured driver. Damage to your vehicle may be covered by Uber/Lyft’s contingent collision coverage, depending on your app status.

Injured While Driving Rideshare (Other Party Is At Fault)

When a rideshare driver is hit by another motorist, the biggest issue is often whether the at-fault driver actually carries enough insurance to cover injuries. Florida’s insurance system creates frequent gaps, especially for serious bodily injury claims, and UM/UIM availability can become the deciding factor in whether full compensation is possible.

Recovery typically starts with the at-fault driver’s bodily injury and property damage coverage. If that coverage is missing or insufficient, attention shifts to the rideshare driver’s personal policy, including collision coverage for vehicle damage and UM/UIM coverage for injuries, if it was purchased. Depending on app status, Uber or Lyft contingent coverage may also come into play, but it is not always the primary source of recovery.

Injured While A Passenger In A Rideshare (Other Party Is At Fault)

These cases often involve multiple insurance layers, but the main complication is identifying which policy pays first when a third-party driver caused the crash. Even though the passenger is not at fault, insurance companies frequently dispute liability allocation between carriers.

The at-fault driver’s bodily injury and property damage liability coverage is the primary source of recovery. If that coverage is inadequate, Uber or Lyft’s contingent $1 million liability policy may apply, depending on whether the ride was in Period 2 or Period 3. Additional recovery may come from the passenger’s own UM/UIM coverage, if available, especially in severe injury cases involving uninsured or underinsured drivers.

Injured While A Passenger In A Rideshare (Rideshare Driver Is At Fault)

When the rideshare driver causes the crash, liability is usually more straightforward, but the fight often shifts to policy limits and coverage exclusions. Injured passengers typically have strong claims, but damages can quickly exceed available insurance in catastrophic injury cases.

Uber or Lyft’s $1 million commercial liability policy is the primary source of recovery during active rides or while en route. The rideshare driver’s personal insurance is generally excluded once the app is active, though it may become relevant in Period 0 scenarios. In severe cases, additional recovery may depend on the passenger’s UM/UIM coverage or other household policies.

Injured While Driving A Vehicle Hit By A Rideshare

These claims often involve layered coverage disputes because multiple insurers may point fingers at each other. A key issue is determining whether the rideshare driver was offline, waiting for a ride, or actively engaged in a trip, since that controls whether Uber or Lyft coverage applies at all.

The at-fault driver’s insurance is always the starting point. If the rideshare driver was in Period 1, 2, or 3, Uber or Lyft coverage may apply, ranging from limited liability coverage to a $1 million commercial policy. If those sources are insufficient, the injured driver’s own UM/UIM coverage often becomes critical for full compensation.

Injured While A Passenger In A Vehicle Hit By A Rideshare

These cases combine passenger injury law with rideshare insurance rules, making coverage highly dependent on app status and injury severity. Even though the passenger has no control over the crash, insurers often dispute which policy is responsible for paying damages.

Primary recovery comes from the at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability coverage. If the rideshare driver was active in Period 2 or 3, Uber or Lyft’s $1 million liability policy may also apply. If total damages exceed available coverage, the passenger’s own UM/UIM policy (or household coverage) may be a key source of additional recovery.

As with other types of car accidents, recovering your losses after a rideshare accident usually involves dealing with the insurance companies. But, determining whose insurance company is liable after a rideshare accident is a bit more complicated. This is one of several reasons why it is important to have an experienced rideshare accident lawyer on your side.

Let’s say you were injured in an accident that was the rideshare driver’s fault. In this scenario, there are four primary options for filing a claim:

1. 1. Period 2 & 3: The Rideshare Driver was Providing a Ride or En Route to Pick Up a Passenger
      If the rideshare driver was either (i) providing a ride, or (ii) on the way to pick up a passenger who had requested a ride, then the rideshare company’s insurance policy applies. Under Florida law, rideshare companies must have at least $1 million in liability insurance coverage for these types of accidents. Additionally, Lyft’s accident policy for passengers ensures coverage in such situations, offering an extra layer of protection when a driver is actively fulfilling a ride request.

1. 2. Period 1: The Rideshare Driver was Logged in and Waiting for a Ride Request
      If the rideshare driver was logged in but still waiting to receive a ride request, the rideshare company’s insurance policy still applies. However, the required coverage is less. In this scenario, the rideshare company must provide liability coverage of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident.

1. 3. Period 0: The Rideshare Driver Wasn’t Logged in and You Suffered Significant or Permanent Injuries
      If the rideshare driver wasn’t logged in at the time of the accident, then Florida’s ordinary “no fault” auto insurance law applies. This means that if you suffered “significant” or “permanent” injuries in the crash (as defined by Florida law), you can file a claim with the rideshare driver’s insurance company.

1. 4. Period 0: The Rideshare Driver Wasn’t Logged in and Your Injuries Aren’t Significant or Permanent
      If the rideshare driver wasn’t logged in and your injuries do not qualify as “significant” or “permanent,” then you may be limited to seeking coverage under your own auto insurance policy (if you have coverage). But, before you assume this is the case, or make any other assumptions that could jeopardize your financial recovery, we strongly recommend that you speak with one of our rideshare accident attorneys.

One of the most important and often misunderstood aspects of rideshare accident claims is the issue of Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, governed in part by Florida Statute 627.727 (Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage). Transportation network companies (including Uber and Lyft) generally do not provide UM/UIM coverage to passengers or third parties injured in a rideshare-related crash.

This creates a significant coverage gap. If another driver causes the crash and that driver either does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance to fully compensate you for your injuries, and you do not carry UM/UIM coverage under your own policy, there may be very limited sources of recovery available.

A majority of rideshare accident claims settle through the insurance companies, settlement amounts depend on your injuries and damages. When you have a claim after a rideshare accident in Florida, your losses are unique to you. Your injuries, medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering are just some of the factors that will determine how much you may be entitled to recover. Speaking with a car accident lawyer in Winter Haven can help you understand what compensation may be available in your specific case.

Are you wondering, “How do I choose a rideshare lawyer near me?” If so, here are five reasons to choose the lawyers at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk:

• Our Experience – We have been representing accident victims and families in Tampa, FL and the surrounding areas for more than 35 Years.
• Our Focus – We focus our practice exclusively on helping accident victims and families recover just compensation for their accident-related losses.
• Our Results – As a result of our focus and experience, we have been able to recover hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients.
• Our Reviews and Testimonials – We are proud of the hundreds of 5-star reviews and testimonials we have received from satisfied clients.
• Our Commitment to Your Recovery – Above all, when you choose our rideshare accident attorneys to represent you, you can be confident that we are 100% committed to your recovery.

Also, we have obtained a Best Law Firm rating from U.S. News & World Report, and you can trust our ridesharing car accident lawyers to fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.

If you need help after a rideshare accident in Florida, we encourage you to contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our team assists clients throughout Florida. To speak with a rideshare accident lawyer near you in Tampa, Florida, call 866-921-3219 or tell us how we can reach you online now.

If you’ve been involved in a Turo accident, we’re here to help. Contact our office today.