Miami Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys

The rise of ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft have led to a pivotal change in the way we get from place to place. Long gone is the understanding that taxis are the only method to allow us to pay a driver for a ride.

Instead, we can now download a smartphone app, book a nearby car, and confirm a ride without the necessity of having dollars in the car. However, along with the advent of Uber and Lyft also comes the inevitable accidents. This is where a car accident law firm in Miami can help.

Uber and Lyft

Uber and Lyft burst onto the scene several years ago and have transformed the market for taxis and other traditional forms of transportation. The steady rise in popularity of both ridesharing services is an indication that Uber and Lyft are here to stay. Uber and Lyft have been able to offer competitive rates to users throughout the country, resulting in a marked decrease in the number of taxi cab rides. However, any cost savings customers enjoy during off-peak times can go out the window with “surge” pricing during busier times.

However, Uber and Lyft drivers are often not employees of the respective companies, but are contract workers. This can impact any personal injury claims and the resulting company’s liability. Drivers must have a set amount of personal liability insurance, and both companies additionally have their own insurance policies. However, the companies will only be held liable when the driver is actually performing a ride for the company. If the Uber or Lyft app is off, then the driver is not actively working for the respective company and therefore will be fully liable for any injuries caused. If the app is on and the driver is either available or the driver is currently on an Uber trip, then the company could be liable.

Uber and Lyft have built the company on the ever increasing use of smart phones and apps. This is the entirety of how the companies operate, and it is no surprise that the drivers are often distracted throughout the ride, from messing with the app to navigating the path. Many drivers have never shuttled passengers around and do not have appropriate training to do so.

Florida Personal Injury Claims

Florida is a comparative negligence state, which means that a victim of a car accident may hold the responsible party liable for the percentage they were at fault for the accident. In the case of Uber and Lyft accidents, either the individual driver or the company could be held at fault for the accident, depending on the unique circumstances.

As the victim of any car accident, you are entitled to bring a claim for damages which includes the following:

An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to assist you in calculating the total amount of damages you are entitled to receive.

Contact Our Injury Lawyers To Discuss Your Uber or Lyft Accident Today

If you or a loved one were injured in an accident caused by an Uber or Lyft driver, do not hesitate to contact the attorneys of Lipcon & Lipcon. A car accident is a car accident, and the responsible party should be held liable, regardless of whether they were acting as an employee of Uber and Lyft, or were returning home after a trip. Our attorneys will work closely with you to understand the facts of the accident and which party should be held responsible for the accident. Contact our Miami office today for your initial free consultation.