An Uber or Lyft accident can leave you with immediate questions, especially about insurance. Unlike a typical car crash, rideshare accidents often involve multiple insurance policies, and the coverage available may depend on what the driver was doing in the app at the time of the collision.
While those questions are being sorted out, the financial impact can start quickly. Medical bills, lost income, and other expenses may begin adding up before insurers determine who is responsible. Insurance companies may also dispute liability, minimize injuries, or point to another party’s coverage instead of accepting responsibility.
A Florida rideshare accident lawyer can help protect your interests during that process. At Uriarte Law, we help people injured in Uber and Lyft accidents across Florida identify the available insurance coverage, investigate liability, deal with the insurance companies, and pursue compensation for their injuries and losses.
What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Florida
Your health comes first after any crash. Once you are safe and you address any urgent medical needs, a few practical steps can also help protect your claim later on:
Call 911 and report the crash to law enforcement.
Document the scene, including photos of the vehicles, the road, and the app screen showing the trip.
Exchange information with the rideshare driver and any other drivers involved.
Report the accident through the Uber or Lyft app.
Seek medical care, even if you feel fine at first.
Prompt medical records also tie your injuries to the crash, which matters if a claim follows. Once you have taken care of yourself, consider reaching out to an attorney as soon as possible. Early legal guidance can help you understand your options before speaking with any insurer.
Why Injured Floridians Turn to Uriarte Law After an Uber or Lyft Crash
After a rideshare crash, choosing who to call can feel almost as stressful as the accident itself. What many people want most is a team that listens, explains each step, and treats the relationship as more than a case file. That focus on client relationships and local communities shapes how we handle each Uber and Lyft claim here at Uriarte Law.
Backed by Thousands of Cases
We have handled more than 10,000 cases, which means we understand how insurers approach injury claims. You can rely on us to respond to their calls and pursue a fair recovery rather than settle for the first number offered.
A Bilingual Team Rooted in the Community
Our team works in English and Spanish, making it easier to get answers, understand your options, and stay informed throughout your case. We offer free consultations, and through the URIARTE Foundation, we remain actively involved in supporting our community.
Client Testimonials
“Uriarte Law is an exceptional firm that truly stands out for its commitment to clients. The team is not only highly knowledgeable but also incredibly compassionate and responsive. Everyone from the receptionist team to the closing team did an excellent job. Special shout out to David for getting the maximum compensation for my case. Brian and Angel for keeping close communication during the closing process and explaining everything in detail. Erika and Gabriel for reducing my medical bills as much as possible. And Linda and Sharon for making sure everything was well prepared. They all took the time to understand the unique needs of my case, ensuring that I felt supported and informed throughout the entire process. Their expertise and dedication make navigating legal challenges much more manageable. If you’re looking for a firm that combines professionalism with a personal touch, Uriarte Law is an excellent choice. Highly recommended!” — Melanie H.
“I had an excellent experience with Uriarte Law, P.A., especially thanks to Gabriela’s outstanding customer service. She was always attentive, explained everything clearly, and made me feel like my case was a priority. The entire team was professional and efficient, handling my accident case with care. I highly recommend Uriarte Law, P.A. for their exceptional service and dedication.” — Dany P.
How to Know If You Have a Florida Rideshare Accident Case
Not every crash leads to a claim, but a few factors tend to point toward a viable case:
Another party’s negligence contributed to the crash.
You have documented injuries.
There is a clear link between the crash and the harm you suffered.
Sufficient insurance coverage is available to pursue a claim.
While no outcome can be guaranteed, these factors can indicate a valid claim. A free legal consultation with a personal injury firm is a simple way to find out where you stand before any deadline passes.
Who Pays After a Florida Rideshare Accident?
After a rideshare crash, the hardest question is often which insurance policy applies. In Florida, the answer usually depends on what the driver’s app was doing at the time of the collision, as set out in Florida’s rideshare insurance law.
The App Was Off
If the driver was not logged into the app, the trip had nothing to do with Uber or Lyft. In that situation, the driver’s personal auto insurance generally applies, the same as in any ordinary crash.
The Driver Was Logged In but Had No Ride
If the driver was available and waiting for a request but had not yet accepted one, a contingent layer of coverage can apply. Under Florida law, that generally means at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per crash for injuries, plus $25,000 for property damage.
The Driver Had Accepted a Ride or Had a Passenger in the Vehicle
Once a rideshare driver has accepted a ride request or is transporting a passenger, rideshare company insurance may provide up to $1 million in third-party liability coverage. This is the stage of a trip that many injured passengers fall under, and it is often a key source of coverage in serious injury claims.
The available coverage can depend on the circumstances of the crash and the terms of the applicable insurance policies, making it important to determine exactly what stage of the trip the driver was in at the time of the collision.
What’s the Difference Between Filing an Uber vs. Lyft Accident Claim in Florida?
For the most part, there isn’t a legal difference between an Uber or Lyft accident claim. Both rideshare companies carry comparable coverage tiers tied to the same driving periods. The real differences are more practical, such as the paperwork, the insurer’s adjuster, and the rideshare app.
Who pays for a rideshare accident depends on your role in the crash, who caused it, and what stage of the trip the rideshare driver was in at the time:
Passengers injured during an Uber or Lyft trip may have access to the rideshare company’s insurance coverage, which can include up to $1 million in liability coverage during an active ride.
Drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and other road users injured by a rideshare vehicle may have a claim against the rideshare driver’s insurance, the rideshare company’s coverage, another at-fault party, or a combination of those sources depending on the facts of the crash.
Rideshare drivers injured by another motorist will often pursue a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance first, although additional rideshare coverage may be available in some situations.
After a crash, report the incident through the rideshare app and save screenshots of the trip information if possible. Those records can help establish what stage of the trip the driver was in and which insurance coverage may apply. An attorney can then help identify the available sources of compensation before you agree to a settlement or provide a recorded statement.
Common Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents in Florida
Rideshare driving puts extra demands on a driver’s attention. Common causes of rideshare accidents include:
Distracted driving tied to the app and GPS
Fatigue from long shifts behind the wheel
Speeding to fit in more trips
Unfamiliarity with the route or area
Sudden stops for pickups and drop-offs
Impaired driving
Each of these circumstances may contribute to a finding of negligence depending on the facts of the accident. When a crash involves impaired driving specifically, the fallout can reach beyond the civil claim into criminal penalties as well.
Common Injuries in Florida Rideshare Crashes
Injuries from a rideshare crash range widely, and some take days to fully surface. Common injuries include:
Whiplash and other neck injuries
Back and spinal injuries
Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries
Broken bones and fractures
Internal injuries
Cuts and lacerations
Some of these injuries may heal quickly, while others can lead to lasting pain or long-term care. Strong medical documentation can make a significant difference in a personal injury case because it helps show that your injuries were caused by the accident and demonstrates the full extent of your damages.
What Compensation Can You Pursue After a Rideshare Accident?
After a rideshare accident in Florida, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits are often the first source of coverage for medical expenses and lost income, regardless of who caused the crash. PIP can help cover a portion of medical expenses and lost wages.
Subject to Florida’s statutory limits and eligibility requirements, PIP generally pays:
80% of reasonable medical expenses
60% of lost wages
Keep in mind, though, that Florida law generally requires you to seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident to qualify for those benefits.
PIP coverage may only be the beginning. When an injury meets Florida’s threshold for recovering non-economic damages like pain and suffering, additional compensation may be available through a claim against the at-fault party.
Depending on the circumstances of the crash, compensation may include:
Medical expenses, including future treatment costs
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
Property damage
Pain and suffering and other non-economic losses when permitted under Florida law
Rideshare accidents can involve multiple insurance policies, so it can help to identify all available sources of compensation. Our rideshare accident lawyers at Uriarte Law work to pursue the full compensation available under Florida law for our clients’ injuries and losses.
How Long Do You Have to File a Rideshare Accident Claim in Florida?
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a negligence claim in Florida. That two-year window comes from a 2023 reform, which took effect on March 24, 2023, and shortened the previous deadline.
Reaching out to a rideshare accident attorney as soon as possible can help, since app records and the trip screen that show what happened may not stay available forever.
Speak With a Florida Uber or Lyft Accident Lawyer From Uriarte Law
Rideshare accident claims can involve multiple insurance policies, disputes over coverage, and questions about who is responsible for paying for your injuries. The sooner those issues are addressed, the easier it can be to preserve evidence and understand what options may be available.
If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident anywhere in Florida, we can review the facts of your case, explain how the applicable insurance coverage works, and help you pursue compensation for your injuries and losses. Our team works in English and Spanish, and we offer free consultations.
Alejandro Uriarte is the founding attorney of Uriarte Law, a Miami-based personal injury firm with over 12 years of experience and more than 10,000 cases successfully handled across Florida and Texas. He earned his Juris Doctor from Barry University and has built his career representing clients injured in car, truck, motorcycle, rideshare, bicycle, and pedestrian accidents, as well as slip and fall and premises liability cases. Alejandro’s mission is straightforward: maximize every client’s recovery and ensure they have direct access to their attorney, full transparency, and fierce representation from start to finish.
