Can I Sue Uber or Lyft if I’m Injured in a Rideshare Accident?
Florida calls rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft ‘transportation network companies.’ This term is significant because it supports Uber and Lyft’s claim that they are not transportation companies; they are technology companies. This twist generally prevents injured rideshare passengers from obtaining personal injury damages directly from the rideshare company. However, exceptions apply under Florida law.
If you were injured in a Lyft or Uber, you need an experienced Clearwater rideshare liability lawyer from the Law Offices of Tragos, Sartes, & Tragos. Schedule a free and confidential rideshare accident consultation with their personal injury attorneys today.
Understanding Corporate Liability for Rideshare Accidents
In traditional motor vehicle accident cases involving working drivers, the driver, vehicle owner, and driver’s employer are all liable for driver negligence. Uber and Lyft intentionally structured their companies differently. Rideshare drivers are independent contractors, not Uber and Lyft employees. They also drive their personal vehicles. This prevents injured passengers from obtaining personal injury damages directly from Uber or Lyft under traditional Florida vicarious liability laws.
Obtaining Damages from Mandatory TNC Liability Insurance
Due to the unique legal structure inherent in Clearwater Uber and Lyft accidents, Florida adopted special laws requiring rideshare companies to provide high-value insurance coverage to passengers injured by driver negligence. If you’re seriously injured during an active rideshare (or by a rideshare driver activity providing services), an attorney might help you demand the following personal injury damages up to $1,000,000 from Uber and Lyft’s mandatory auto insurance policy (Florida Stat. §627.748):
- Medical bills
- Lost income and benefits
- Physical pain
- Emotional suffering
- Inconvenience
- Frustration
- Loss of consortium (spousal companionship)
- Inability to enjoy life and previous activities
Different bodily injury limits apply if the rideshare driver was logged into the application but not actively providing services, and you might still demand damages from an off-duty driver’s personal auto insurance policy. Nonetheless, Florida's no-fault law still applies. Uber and Lyft provide no-fault coverage, but you must suffer from a serious qualifying injury to obtain high-value damages.
Holding Uber and Lyft Directly Liable for Clearwater Rideshare Accidents
In rare cases, an experienced personal injury lawyer can hold Uber or Lyft directly responsible for your injuries if the rideshare company violated Florida’s TNC laws. These regulations require rideshare companies to perform mandatory criminal background and traffic record checks on drivers, ensure vehicle safety, and protect riders from potential fraud. If Uber or Lyft allowed a dangerous driver to continue operating on their platforms, and you suffer an injury as a result, dedicated attorneys might demand damages directly from the rideshare company.
Legal Help After Serious Clearwater Uber and Lyft Accidents
Even if you cannot recover damages directly from Uber or Lyft, Florida law still requires TNC companies to carry substantial insurance policies to cover passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers injured by negligent rideshare drivers. Discuss your rideshare injury claims with the Clearwater Uber and Lyft accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Tragos, Sartes, & Tragos for free by calling 727-441-9030 or contacting us online.