Steps to Take After an Uber Accident in Florida
Companies that offer ride sharing services, such as Uber and Lyft, have made affordable transportation easier than ever to obtain. While these companies often take great care when hiring drivers, accidents involving Uber drivers and their passengers continue to occur at an alarming rate. Holding the at-fault party accountable in these types of accidents comes with unique difficulties, making it especially important for accident victims to take certain steps after a collision. To learn more about what to do if injured in an accident with an Uber driver, please contact one of our dedicated car accident attorneys today.
Seeking Medical Assistance
One of the first things that any car accident victim should do after a collision is seek medical assistance if necessary. This could include calling emergency services for oneself, or helping anyone else who was injured in the crash. Once the health of all parties has been guaranteed, an injured party can proceed with the next step of contacting his or her insurance carrier.
Speaking with the Insurance Company
Florida is a no-fault auto insurance state, so those who are injured in car crashes are required to go through their own insurer when seeking compensation for their losses. In the event that an Uber driver was the cause of an accident, the company may be willing to pay for the damages and reimburse the injured party’s insurer. However, even in these cases, the injured party will still need to communicate with his or her own insurer before speaking with Uber’s representatives.
Contacting a Lawyer
In Florida, a law that specifically governs the services of ride sharing companies in the state requires Uber drivers to carry no less than $1 million in liability coverage. Unfortunately, some at-fault Uber drivers refuse to acknowledge liability. In these cases, the best way to ensure that Uber doesn’t offer you an unfairly low settlement is to speak with a lawyer as early as possible in the claims process. In some cases, it may be necessary for the injured party to file a lawsuit against the company, or an injured party’s insurer may want to be reimbursed by Uber’s insurance provider to cover the damages. In either situation, an experienced attorney can play a critical role in ensuring that injured parties are not taken advantage of by large, well-funded companies like Uber.
Filing a Claim
Once an injured party has contacted his or her insurer and an attorney, he or she may need to begin the process of filing a claim in court. Under Florida law, car accident victims only have four years from the date of their injury to file a claim for damages. Furthermore, a plaintiff will only have a chance at success if he or she is able to demonstrate proof of a permanent injury, disfigurement, serious harm to the body, or the significant loss of a body function. If provided with this proof, a court may be willing to award an injured party compensation for loss of income, property damage, legal expenses, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
Call Today for Legal Assistance
To schedule a free consultation with one of the dedicated Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys at Boone & Davis, please call 954-566-9919 or complete one of our brief online contact forms today.
Resource:
uber.com/drive/insurance/
