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Weston Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys

A Weston Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer at Justin Morgan Law Explains What You Need to Know About Rideshare Accidents

Uber and Lyft are the two most popular taxi-alternative rideshare services. To use a rideshare service, you simply install the app on your phone, contact the service to arrange the ride, and wait for them to appear and take you wherever you need to go. Rideshare has become so popular that many companies use them as a delivery service, delivering packages across town to other businesses. They are fast, generally reliable, and generally safe. Unfortunately, sometimes accidents do happen. It can be complicated if you were involved in a rideshare collision, so it is important to speak with a Weston Uber and Lyft accident lawyer at Justin Morgan Law.

Uber/Lyft Statistics

In 2018, the last year these statistics were published, Uber co-founder and CEO Travis Kalanick announced the rideshare startup reached two billion total trips completed on its platform. According to Business of Apps, Lyft generated $2.3 billion in revenue in 2020, a 36 percent decrease year on year. Lyft's average revenue per rider increased to $45.40 in 2020, and in Q4 2020, 12.5 million people rode with Lyft. This is 45 percent fewer riders than in Q4 2019.

The Rules for Rideshare Companies

Unfortunately, the regulation governing rideshare varies from state to state. Accordingly, Florida has its own set of rules under “The Uber/Lyft Bill,” which governs rideshare companies. The bill revolves around two main areas: insurance and background checks. A Weston motor vehicle accident attorney at Justin Morgan Law is already familiar with the rules.

Insurance

Florida law requires ridesharing companies to carry specific insurance for bodily injury, uninsured motorists coverage, wrongful death, and property damage, depending on the facts and circumstances of how the app was in use at the time of the accident. Additionally, Florida No Fault (PIP) benefits may be available for payment of medical bills.

What is PIP Insurance?

When driving with a passenger, any Uber or Lyft driver must be covered by at least $1,000,000.00 for wrongful death, bodily injury, and property damage. If the rideshare vehicle is involved in an accident, the driver must present proof of insurance to the officer at the scene of the accident, just like in a common personal vehicle accident. Justin Morgan Law is very familiar with the insurance carriers for Uber and Lyft, so even if you are not provided the insurance information, we will have it and/or can promptly obtain the insurance information.

Background Checks

Uber and Lyft are now required to perform background checks on drivers. The following issues disqualify persons from becoming a driver:

  • Named on a sex offender registry.
  • Not having a valid driver's license.
  • Not having the proper insurance.
  • Not having a vehicle registration.
  • A felony in the past five years.
  • Three or more moving violations in the past three years.
  • A misdemeanor for drunk driving.
  • A misdemeanor for reckless driving.
  • A misdemeanor for hit-and-run.
  • Fleeing from a police officer in the past five years.
  • A misdemeanor for a violent offense.
  • A misdemeanor for sexual battery.
  • A misdemeanor for indecent exposure in the past five years.
  • Driving with a suspended license in the past three years.

The law imposes a zero-tolerance policy if a rideshare driver is caught using alcohol or drugs or practicing discriminatory activities. Finally, the company is required to disclose fares before passengers enter the vehicle, and the driver must display a photograph and license plate number. If you are involved in a rideshare accident, a Weston Uber and Lyft accident attorney at Justin Morgan Law will gather any evidence of rules broken by the driver, and damages caused.

In any event, the rules, laws, and regulations are constantly evolving and can become quite complex. If you have been in a wreck, a Weston rideshare accident accident lawyer at Justin Morgan Law can help you decipher the rules, navigate your situation, and fight for the financial compensation you're entitled to.

The Risks of Rideshare In Florida

While rideshare companies are frantically moving to resolve the issues plaguing them, it's inevitably incumbent for riders to take responsibility for their safety. The major risks faced by rideshare passengers include, in part:

  • Impersonating a Driver: Unless they check the driver's credentials or call the company to verify the identification, riders may mistakenly get in a car with a driver who is not their rideshare driver. Always check to make sure the license plate on the vehicle you are entering matches the plate listed on the app.
  • Assault, Sexual Assault, Theft, and Other Crimes: Not all drivers are good citizens, and some even take a driving job to lock a passenger in and commit crimes like people are kidnapped off the street.
  • Low-Rated Drivers: Rideshare companies typically don't allow drivers with low ratings, but this doesn't happen immediately, and you may draw a low-rated driver who is in the process of being removed.
  • Accidents: As discussed below, rideshare drivers are involved in their fair share of accidents. Many rideshare drivers are not expert drivers or even relatively experienced.

What Do I Do if I'm a Passenger in a Rideshare Vehicle That is Involved in an Accident?

  • First, do what you can to apply first aid to any seriously injured persons.
  • Next, call 911 to report the accident.
  • Exchange information with all other parties involved in the crash.
  • Get the rideshare driver's contact information and insurance information.
  • Take pictures and videos of the accident scene, including close-ups and further context pictures.
  • Get the contact information of any witnesses to the accident.
  • Seek medical attention either at the scene or immediately after leaving the scene, depending on the severity of your injuries.
  • Contact a Weston Uber and Lyft accident attorney at Justin Morgan Law immediately for other tasks that may need to be done at the accident site.
  • Do not speak to any insurance company. We'll handle that for you.

How Can Justin Morgan Law Help Me if I've Been Involved in a Florida Rideshare Accident?

We prioritize keeping up with the ever-changing legal landscape of rideshare. Contact us immediately by calling toll-free at 1-800-9JUSTIN or 1-800-958-7846, even before speaking with an insurance company. After that, you can defer all questions by simply stating, “speak with my lawyer.” Your problem becomes our problem, and we'll handle all the insurance and legal issues involved.

Contact A Weston Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer at Justin Morgan Law Today

Do not hesitate to contact us because there are time limits for filing a claim. We'll handle all of your legal and insurance issues and fight to deliver the best possible results for you. There is no cost, risk, or obligation for you. We offer free consultations and will not charge you fees or costs unless we recover money for you. We are multilingual, and although most of our clients come from the tri-county South Florida area, we do regularly represent clients throughout the state of Florida.

“Justin and his team go above and beyond for their clients, always on top of every detail. After an awful accident they made sure I had everything taken car of, from car rental to doctor appointments. Very grateful to have found them during this time.”
- Nicolas Jaime