West Palm Beach Uber Accident Lawyer
Many Palm Beach County residents depend on rideshare services like Uber to get around town. Uber makes it possible to schedule a door-to-door ride simply by tapping a couple of commands on a smartphone. For many people, that is an unbeatable form of convenience.
But what happens if you are injured in an accident while riding in an Uber? Or what if you are another driver or pedestrian hit by a vehicle providing an Uber ride? Is Uber itself liable for your damages? An experienced West Palm Beach Uber accident lawyer can help you in answering these questions. Smith, Ball, Báez & Prather is a team of experienced Florida personal injury lawyers who represent accident victims throughout Palm Beach County in seeking compensation for their medical bills and other losses.
What Is Uber’s Financial Responsibility for a Florida Car Accident?
Florida law governs a rideshare company’s liability obligations with respect to auto accidents involving their contracted drivers. The degree of liability depends on the actual status of the driver when an accident takes place. Here is a brief rundown:
- If an Uber driver has a passenger in their vehicle, or is on their way to pick up a passenger who scheduled a ride, Uber must provide at least $1 million in liability coverage, as well as contingent collision coverage and uninsured/underinsured (UM) motorist coverage.
- If an Uber driver is logged into the Uber app and available to accept a ride request–but does not have an actual passenger scheduled or in the vehicle, Uber only needs to provide a minimum of $100,000 in liability coverage per accident, including $50,000 for bodily injury to one person and $25,000 for property damage.
- If an Uber driver is not logged into the app, then any accident they get into must be covered by their personal auto insurance policy. Uber is not required to provide any coverage.
Please note that these laws only cover the rideshare company’s responsibility for an accident. The normal rules governing Florida personal injury claims govern other parties. For example, if you are a passenger in an Uber vehicle and are hit by another negligent driver, that driver can still be sued and held responsible for their actions independent of Uber’s potential liability/
Contact Smith, Ball, Báez & Prather Today
If you have been involved in an accident involving an Uber vehicle, either as a passenger or a third party, it is critical that you seek independent legal advice as soon as possible. Uber and its insurer may attempt to settle your claim for far less than it is actually worth. Indeed, in many cases accident victims agree to a settlement before they even realize the full value of their own financial and other losses.
You should never feel pressured to sign away your legal rights without first consulting an experienced West Palm Beach Uber accident lawyer. We can review your accident, help you determine who is legally responsible for your injuries, and seek full and just compensation on your behalf. Contact Smith, Ball, Báez & Prather today to schedule a case evaluation.
