Orlando Rideshare Accident Lawyers
Uber and Lyft Accidents in Orlando, Florida
Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft have become a popular and convenient way to get around town quickly for a reasonable rate. However, rideshare auto accidents can and do occur, either from the driver’s negligence or caused by another vehicle.
If you or a loved one has been injured while riding as a passenger of an Uber or Lyft driver, or if you were involved in a crash with an Uber or Lyft driver, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries and recovery time.
Our all-female team of Orlando rideshare accident attorneys at Legally Pink Law can help. Backed by an engineering background, Attorney Salzmann understands the mechanics behind car accidents and can use this knowledge to effectively recreate the scene of the accident and determine what went wrong.
In many Florida rideshare collisions, responsibility is not immediately clear, and multiple parties may point fingers at one another to avoid paying fair compensation. We carefully review trip data, app records, police reports, and any available video from busy Orlando roads and highways like I-4 or State Road 408 to help show how the crash occurred and who should be held accountable. By acting quickly after a wreck involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle, we can better protect important evidence and begin building a strong claim on your behalf as your rideshare accident attorney in Orlando.
Don't let complex Uber or Lyft insurance policies delay your recovery. Our dedicated legal team is ready to cut through the red tape and demand the compensation you deserve. Contact us today at (888) 979-4941 for a free, no-obligation case review.
Why You Need an Attorney After a Rideshare Accident
Major rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft have liability policies that can provide substantial coverage for their drivers, passengers, and third parties. However, these accident cases can be very complex as they might involve up to three insurance groups - the driver’s private insurance, the rideshare company’s liability policy, and the other driver’s insurance. Also, if you were involved in an auto accident not as a passenger, but while driving your own vehicle, then your private insurance would be involved as well.
Once the accident has occurred, it is vital that you or your loved one seek medical attention as soon as possible. It will also be important to document as many details about the car crash as you can recall. We highly recommend that you refrain from speaking with any insurance companies or adjusters until you’ve had the opportunity to meet with your own legal counsel. The insurance company will not have your best interests at heart during this process, so it’s important to ensure that you are protected by an attorney who does.
In addition to protecting your rights with insurers, we can help you understand how Florida’s no-fault rules, personal injury protection coverage, and potential claims against negligent rideshare drivers fit together in your specific situation. Many people are unsure whether to file through their own insurer, the rideshare company, or the at-fault driver, and making the wrong choice early on can slow down or limit your recovery. By working with an Orlando Lyft accident lawyer who regularly handles these claims, you gain guidance on the best path forward and support in avoiding common missteps that can undermine your case.
How Legally Pink Law Can Help
To help you or your loved one navigate the complexities of rideshare auto accidents and to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries, your best bet is to contact a knowledgeable personal injury attorney who has experience in rideshare auto accidents.
To date, Legally Pink Law has handled thousands of car accident cases and has recovered tens of millions of dollars for our clients. Carolyn Salzmann, founding partner of the firm, is an award-winning personal injury attorney who also has an engineering degree. With her combination of legal and mechanical knowledge, we can build a strong case in favor of maximum compensation for your pain and suffering.
For your convenience, we are available 24/7 and accept rideshare accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t be asked to pay any upfront fees or out-of-pocket expenses. Rather, we’ll only charge once the case has been successfully settled, taking a small percentage of the overall settlement amount awarded to you.
When you work with our team after an Uber crash, we can coordinate with your medical providers, gather detailed records of treatment at local facilities such as Orlando Health or AdventHealth, and calculate the full value of your losses. We also prepare every matter as though it could go to court in Orange County, which puts you in a stronger position, whether your claim resolves through settlement or litigation. Having an Uber accident lawyer in Orlando who knows the local courts and understands how rideshare carriers defend these cases can make the process less stressful while you focus on healing.
What To Do After an Orlando Rideshare Accident
After a rideshare collision, many people feel overwhelmed and are unsure of the steps they should take in the hours and days that follow. Your actions during this time can affect your health, the documentation of the incident, and the strength of any future claim. By following a few practical guidelines, you can protect yourself and create a clearer record of what happened on busy Central Florida roads.
If it is safe to do so, start by calling 911 so law enforcement can respond and prepare an official crash report, which is often an important piece of evidence. Seek medical attention right away, even if you believe your injuries are minor, because symptoms from whiplash, concussions, or internal injuries may not appear until later. Whenever possible, take photos or video of the scene, the vehicles, visible injuries, and landmarks such as nearby intersections or highway signs, for example, where the accident occurred on I-4 or near downtown Orlando.
You should also collect names, contact information, and insurance details for the rideshare driver, other drivers involved, and any witnesses who saw the crash. Avoid discussing fault at the scene or on the rideshare app, and be cautious about giving recorded statements to insurance companies before you understand your rights. As soon as you are able, consider reaching out to a rideshare accident lawyer Orlando who can explain how to report the crash through the app, deal with the different insurers, and help you make informed decisions about your next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I covered by insurance if I am injured as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft?
Yes. Under Florida law, transportation network companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft are required to carry a $1 million commercial liability insurance policy. This top-tier coverage is active from the exact moment your driver accepts the ride request until you safely exit the vehicle, meaning you are highly protected as a passenger.
Whose insurance pays for my medical bills first after a rideshare accident?
Because Florida is a no-fault state, your initial medical bills are generally covered by Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. If you do not have your own auto insurance policy with PIP, the rideshare company's policy provides a baseline coverage that pays up to $10,000 for medical bills and lost wages. If your injuries are severe and exceed this amount, you can pursue additional compensation from the at-fault party's liability coverage.
What happens if another driver caused the crash, not my Uber driver?
If another motorist caused the accident, you would file a claim against their bodily injury liability insurance. However, if the at-fault driver fled the scene, is completely uninsured, or lacks enough coverage to pay for your damages, Uber and Lyft's $1 million Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) policy will step in to cover your remaining medical expenses and losses.
Can I sue Uber or Lyft directly for my injuries?
In most cases, you cannot sue the rideshare companies directly. Florida classifies Uber and Lyft drivers as independent contractors rather than direct employees. Instead of suing the corporation itself, your Orlando personal injury lawyer will file a claim directly against the comprehensive commercial insurance policy that the rideshare company provides for that specific trip.
How long do I have to file an injury claim after a Florida rideshare accident?
Florida recently shortened its legal deadlines. For any negligence-based accident that occurred on or after March 24, 2023, you now have a strict two-year statute of limitations from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this two-year window, you will permanently lose your right to recover financial compensation.
What should I do immediately after the crash to protect my claim?
Your health comes first—seek medical attention immediately. Florida law requires you to receive initial medical treatment within 14 days to qualify for PIP benefits. Before leaving the scene (if you are physically able), take photos of the vehicles, take a screenshot of your active ride in the app, and report the accident through the rideshare platform. Finally, consult with an Orlando rideshare attorney before giving any recorded statements to insurance adjusters.
Demand the Compensation You Deserve After an Orlando Rideshare Crash
Navigating the aftermath of an Uber or Lyft accident can be overwhelming, especially when you are forced to deal with complex corporate insurance policies and aggressive adjusters while trying to heal. You do not have to face this battle alone. Our experienced legal team understands the nuances of Florida's rideshare laws and is committed to fighting for the maximum compensation you need to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Focus on your physical recovery while we handle the legal heavy lifting. Contact us today at (888) 979-4941 for your free, no-obligation case evaluation and let us help you get your life back on track.
Have Questions? GET ANSWERS
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What types of damages can I claim?
In all cases, there are two general categories of damages – economic damages and non-economic damages. You can be compensated for both past and future economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are things such as wage loss, mileage expense to go to doctor appointments, prescription costs, co-pays on insurance, over-the-counter medications, diminution in value to your car, etc. The other category is non-economic damages, which may include things such as pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, etc.
The non-economic damages are often greater than the economic damages if the injuries are significant enough. Consult with an attorney for a full explanation of these types of damages.
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Are there deadlines for filing claims?
Yes. Under Florida law, there are very specific, detailed deadlines to file claims. If you do not meet these deadlines, you may be forever barred from bringing your claim forward.
These time restrictions are known as statutes of limitations, and they vary depending on the type of claim you are bringing. It is critical that you consult with an attorney as soon as possible after your incident so you can receive good legal advice on the time limits for filing a personal injury claim.
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How can I recover lost wages?
Wage loss is paid out under your Personal Injury Protection benefit, which happens to be mandatory coverage for auto insurance in the State of Florida. There are exceptions, such as when you elected to have your wage loss reimbursement excluded on your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefit when you obtained your policy.
Normally, people who have their wage loss benefits excluded are those who are not employed for some reason or another. You can also elect to have a standard PIP (which covers wage loss at 60%) or extended PIP (which covers wage loss at 80%).
You will need to provide proof of income in the form of a paycheck stub, income tax return, or some other verifiable means. The remaining percentage of your wage loss not covered by your PIP insurance will become part of your claim against the defendant driver.
When cases do not involve PIP coverage, the wage loss becomes part of the demand to the at-fault party. In most cases, proof of lost income is rather simple if the injured person receives a paycheck. For our clients who are self-employed, we work very closely with them to help them assemble the necessary documentation to prove the wage loss claim. Tax returns can be helpful in instances where clients are self-employed.
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How can I recover my out-of-pocket expenses?
Out-of-pocket expenses are always made part of your claim and are part of your economic damages that we seek to recover from the at-fault party. When your claim is presented to the at-fault party, we include your out-of-pocket expenses as part of the demand package.
If your case does not settle in what we call the "pre-suit phase," then your case will proceed to court where we will ask a jury for your out-of-pocket expenses as part of your economic damages on the verdict form.
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Will my insurance premiums increase if I report an accident to my insurance company?
Your insurance premiums should not go up if you are not at fault for the accident. It will be part of your insurance record, but if you are not at fault, your premiums should not increase.
In most situations, your own insurance company will go after the insurance company that insures the at-fault party to recover the costs it may have paid to you for things such as car repairs or additional medical expenses.
