You will face many challenges in the aftermath of a car accident. If you are severely injured, you could miss work for months while you heal. Your medical expenses and other costs can be overwhelming, and your debts can last for years after you have recovered from your injury.
In most cases, you will rely on your own No-Fault insurance, but you may need additional help. If the driver works for a rideshare company, it may not be clear who is liable. Our rideshare accident lawyer in Port Charlotte can help you get the compensation you deserve.
At Viles & Beckman, our Port Charlotte car accident lawyers have helped us recover more than $100 million for Florida residents hurt in accidents due to no fault of their own. We are the 5-Star Law Firm®. Call now to schedule your free consultation and tell us what happened.
How Can an Attorney Help After a Rideshare Accident?
It is always a good idea to consult with an attorney when you are hurt in an accident, even if you believe the liable party is a reputable company like Uber or Lyft. Remember, they deal with cases like yours all the time, and their insurers have powerful attorneys to protect their interests.
Sometimes, that could mean paying you less than what your accident claim is really worth, or trying to claim that you were responsible for the crash. When you are injured, you have enough to deal with without battling insurance companies. Don’t try to take them on alone.
Our Port Charlotte personal injury lawyers will handle your claim, deal with the paperwork, and interact with insurance companies on your behalf. We will shoulder the legal burden and fight for the compensation you are entitled to. Your job is to focus on healing and recovery.
Expect More, Receive More: Legal Support That Feels Like Family
Can You Sue Uber or Lyft After an Accident?
You may have a claim against a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft in certain circumstances. However, their drivers are contractors, not employees, which shields these rideshare companies from liability in many accident cases.
Our rideshare accident attorneys in Port Charlotte will investigate the accident to learn how it happened and identify who is responsible. This could be the rideshare company, the driver, or both. In some cases, a third party may also have played a role.
When the Rideshare Company Is Liable
The company is typically liable when the driver is logged into their rideshare app and on duty. This means either waiting for an assignment, on the way to pick up a passenger, or in the process of transporting a passenger.
Liability policies of up to $1 million apply when the driver is transporting a passenger or on the way to pick one up.
When the Driver Is Liable
If the driver is not logged in and performing company business, they are typically liable for your damages, and you’ll file a claim with their insurer.
What Compensation Can You Get for a Rideshare Accident?
The settlement or award you can receive when you are injured in a rideshare accident depends on your damages and the extent of your injuries. Our legal team will evaluate your hardships and seek maximum compensation that fully covers your losses.
This can include:
- Your medical expenses, both current and future
- Wages and benefits you lost when you couldn’t work
- Out-of-pocket costs for things like housekeeping and child care
- Non-economic damages like pain and suffering
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim After a Crash With a Rideshare Driver?
As outlined in Florida Statute § 95.11, you will have two years from the date of your crash to file a lawsuit after a rideshare accident under most circumstances. However, certain factors can change this timeframe, such as when a minor victim is involved.
You have 14 days to get medical treatment under No-Fault insurance regulations. After that, get in touch with our Port Charlotte rideshare accident lawyers as soon as possible. Our team will explain the deadlines that apply to your claims and make sure your case stays on track.
Talk to Our Rideshare Accident Attorneys in Port Charlotte
An accident with a rideshare driver involves all of the frustrations that come with any car crash. You will need to deal with the hardships it has caused you and your family, and file claims with insurance companies that might do everything they can to avoid paying your full damages.
But you will also have to figure out who is liable based on the circumstances of the crash. Our rideshare accident attorneys in Port Charlotte can work to hold the driver, the rideshare company, or both accountable so you can get the financial compensation you need.
Our team at Viles & Beckman has more than four decades of combined legal experience, advocating for injured accident victims in Florida. We care for our clients like we would our family. Call today to schedule your free consultation and discuss your rideshare accident.