Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Jacksonville

Rideshare cases involve complicated laws and high-stakes insurance negotiations. They can result in costly property damage and lasting injuries. If you’ve been on the wrong end of one, a Jacksonville car accident lawyer can help you seek damages.

Since 2013, Blakeley Law Firm has recovered more than $200 million for our clients. If you’ve been involved in a rideshare crash, a rideshare accident lawyer in Jacksonville can help you pursue financial compensation.

Why Hire a Jacksonville Rideshare Accident Lawyer?

A Jacksonville personal injury lawyer who handles rideshare crash cases can assist you in a number of ways, including:

• Investigating the accident: A lawyer can collect police reports, witness statements, video footage, and other evidence to build a strong case.
• Determining liability: Rideshare accidents often involve multiple potentially responsible parties. An attorney can identify who’s at fault.
• Handling insurance companies: Rideshare insurers are known for denying or undervaluing claims. A lawyer can negotiate aggressively on your behalf.
• Calculating your damages: You may be entitled to more compensation than the insurer initially offers. A lawyer can ensure all of your losses are accounted for.
• Representing you in court: If your case doesn’t settle, your attorney can file a lawsuit and present your case in court.

How Much Does a Rideshare Accident Attorney Cost in Florida?

The rideshare accident lawyers at Blakeley Law Firm work on a contingency fee basis, which means:

• You pay nothing upfront.
• Your attorney only gets paid if they win compensation for you.
• Your attorney’s fee will be an agreed-upon percentage of your total settlement or court award.

What is My Rideshare Accident Claim Worth?

The value of a rideshare accident claim depends on several factors, including:

• The severity of your injuries
• The extent of your medical expenses
• Lost wages and future earning capacity
• The pain and suffering you’ve endured
• Whether you’ll have long-term or permanent disabilities

Minor injuries may result in a settlement of a few thousand dollars, while serious harm could lead to a six or seven-figure payout. A Jacksonville rideshare accident attorney can evaluate your claim and give you a more accurate estimate.

Types of Damages You Can Recover

If you’re injured in a rideshare accident, you can recover several types of damages, including:

• Medical expenses: You can recover compensation for hospital bills, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and future medical treatment.
• Lost wages: If your injuries keep you from working, you can recover the income you’ve lost, as well as any reduced earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering: You can receive compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Property damage: If personal property (like your vehicle or phone) was damaged in the crash, you can seek reimbursement.
• Wrongful death damages: If you lose a loved one in a rideshare crash, you can pursue damages for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and more.

How Does Rideshare Accident Insurance Work in Jacksonville?

Florida law requires Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies to carry insurance. The coverage that applies will depend on the driver’s status at the time of the accident, which breaks down in the following ways:

• Driver not logged into the app: Only the driver’s personal auto insurance applies.
• Driver logged in but not yet matched with a passenger: Rideshare companies must provide minimum coverage in the form of $50,000 for injury/death per person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
• Driver en route to pick up or transporting a passenger: Uber and Lyft provide $1 million in liability coverage and uninsured/underinsured motorist protection.

A rideshare accident attorney in Jacksonville can determine which insurance policies apply to your case and ensure the correct claims are filed.

How Do Rideshare Accident Claims Work?

Here’s how a typical Uber or Lyft accident claim progresses:

1. Medical treatment: You’ll visit a doctor to treat your injuries and document your condition.
2. Investigation and evidence gathering: Your attorney will collect photos, crash reports, app data, and witness statements.
3. Claim filing: A claim will be filed with the appropriate insurance company, depending on the Uber or Lyft driver’s status at the time of the collision.
4. Negotiation: Your lawyer will negotiate with insurers to try to secure a fair settlement.
5. Lawsuit (if necessary): If negotiations fail, your attorney will file a personal injury lawsuit and take your case to court.

What is the Statute of Limitations for Rideshare Accident Claims in Florida?

As a result of House Bill 837, which was passed in 2023, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Florida is now two years from the date of the accident.

If you miss this deadline, you could lose your right to recover compensation. For this reason, it’s essential to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after your accident.

Can I Sue Uber or Lyft for an Accident?

In most cases, you cannot sue Uber or Lyft directly because their drivers are classified as independent contractors. However, there are exceptions. You may be able to sue a rideshare company if:

• The accident resulted from a failure in their app.
• The company negligently retained a dangerous driver.
• The company violated state or federal transportation laws.

A Jacksonville rideshare accident attorney can determine whether the rideshare company bears liability for your crash.

Who Can Be Held Liable for an Uber or Lyft Accident?

Several parties can be held responsible for a Jacksonville rideshare crash, including:

• The rideshare driver: If their negligence caused the accident
• The rideshare company: If their negligence contributed to the accident
• Another driver: If a third-party motorist hit the Uber or Lyft vehicle
• A manufacturer or repair shop: If a defective vehicle part or negligent maintenance contributed to the crash
• A government entity: If unsafe road conditions or missing signage played a role in the accident

A personal injury lawyer in Jacksonville can help determine liability and hold all liable parties accountable.

How Do I Prove Negligence in a Rideshare Accident?

To win a rideshare accident claim, you must prove negligence, which involves four key elements:

• Duty of care: The driver or other party owed you a duty to operate their vehicle safely.
• Breach of duty: They failed to meet that duty.
• Causation: Their actions directly caused the accident and your injuries.
• Damages: You suffered actual losses, such as medical bills or lost income.

Your attorney will use evidence such as police reports, video footage, eyewitness testimony, and expert analysis to prove these elements.

What if I’m Partially At Fault?

Florida enforces a modified comparative fault rule. Under this system:

• As long as you are no more than 50% responsible for a crash, you can still recover compensation.
• However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example, if you’re awarded $100,000 but found to be 20% at fault, you would receive $80,000. If you’re found to be more than 50% at fault for the accident, you will not be able to recover damages.

Who is Eligible for an Uber or Lyft Settlement?

Several people may be eligible for compensation after a rideshare accident, including:

• Passengers injured in an Uber or Lyft vehicle
• Rideshare drivers hurt in an accident caused by another driver
• Occupants of other vehicles involved in a crash with a rideshare vehicle
• Pedestrians or bicyclists struck by an Uber or Lyft driver

Eligibility depends on who caused the accident, when it occurred in the rideshare process (waiting for a ride, en route, transporting a passenger), and the insurance policies that apply. A rideshare accident lawyer can help determine whether you qualify.

What if I Was a Passenger in an Uber or Lyft Accident?

Both Uber and Lyft provide substantial insurance coverage for passengers who are injured while using their services. Florida law allows passengers to file claims for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages caused by negligent drivers, whether it’s the rideshare driver or someone in another vehicle.

A rideshare accident attorney in Jacksonville can help you file a claim so you can focus on your recovery.

What if the Uber or Lyft Driver is Uninsured?

Florida law requires Uber and Lyft to provide commercial insurance coverage for drivers when they’re working. If the driver was logged into the app and was carrying a passenger at the time of the accident, you’re covered under a $1 million liability policy.

However, complications can arise if:

• The driver wasn’t logged into the app.
• The driver’s personal insurance has lapsed or doesn’t apply.
• The rideshare company disputes liability.

In these situations, you may need to turn to your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage or seek help from a lawyer to pursue compensation directly from the rideshare company.

How Long Does It Take Uber or Lyft to Investigate an Accident?

After an accident is reported through the Uber or Lyft app, the rideshare company typically begins an internal investigation. This process can take anywhere from a few days to several months, depending on the incident’s complexity. During the investigation, the company may:

• Review trip data and GPS logs.
• Contact the involved parties.
• Evaluate damage reports and police records.

This internal review is not the same as a legal claim. It’s done to protect the company’s interests, not yours. That’s why it’s important to consult a rideshare accident lawyer.

How Long Does It Take to Settle an Uber or Lyft Claim?

The timeline for settling an Uber or Lyft accident claim varies from case to case. Minor accidents with clear liability might be resolved in a few months, while more complicated claims can take more than a year. Factors that can affect this timeline include:

• How severe your injuries are and how long your recovery takes
• Whether liability is disputed between drivers or insurers
• How cooperative the rideshare company and its insurer are

A rideshare accident attorney can work to speed up this process on your behalf.

Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare drivers are often under pressure to accept and complete rides quickly, which can lead to risky behavior. Common causes of Uber and Lyft accidents in Jacksonville include:

• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Fatigue
• Inexperience
• Negligence by other drivers

Common Injuries in Rideshare Accidents

Some of the most common injuries sustained in rideshare crashes include:

• Whiplash and neck injuries
• Broken bones
• Head and brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Cuts and bruises

If you’ve suffered any of these injuries, a rideshare accident lawyer can help you pursue damages.

What to Do After a Rideshare Accident

If you’re involved in a rideshare crash in Jacksonville, it’s crucial to take these steps:

• Call 911 to report the accident and, if necessary, request medical help.
• Document the scene by taking photos of the vehicles, location, and any visible injuries.
• Exchange contact information with all of the other parties involved in the collision, as well as any witnesses.
• Seek medical treatment, even if your injuries appear minor.
• Report the crash to the rideshare company through their app.
• Avoid speaking to insurance adjusters without a lawyer.
• Contact an attorney to discuss next steps.

Contact a Rideshare Accident Attorney in Jacksonville

Rideshare cases can be complex, but you don’t have to handle yours on your own. A Jacksonville rideshare accident attorney from Blakeley Law Firm is here to provide the guidance and knowledge you need to secure a fair settlement. 

Don’t let the big insurance companies intimidate you or get away without paying you what you’re owed. Schedule a free consultation with our team to take the first step toward getting your life back on track.