Were you recently involved in a car accident involving an Uber or Lyft driver in Lakeland, FL? It’s important to hire an experienced Lakeland Uber & Lyft accident lawyer who can help you stand up to the insurance companies. Call Thomas C. Grajek, Attorney At Law, at (863) 999-9000.
Our Lakeland Uber & Lyft accident attorneys have helped countless clients like you recover the compensation they deserve after a crash. Injury victims and their families have trusted our team since we opened our doors.
Now, we’re here to help you stand up to the insurance companies and fight for a fair deal. Contact our law offices in Lakeland, Florida, today and arrange a free consultation with a lawyer who can protect your interests.
How Can Thomas C. Grajek, Attorney At Law Help After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Lakeland
Rideshare accident cases are often more complex than typical car accident claims. Rideshare accidents involve drivers for hire. Multiple defendants will likely be involved. Each will have their own insurance company and defense team.
You have enough to deal with right now. Contact our experienced Lakeland personal injury attorneys at Thomas C. Grajek, Attorney At Law for legal advice today. We’ll handle the heavy lifting while you focus on your recovery.
That means our Lakeland car accident lawyers will:
- Launch our own detailed investigation into the crash
- Collect evidence to prove your case
- Identify all parties who share legal responsibility for your losses
- Defend against accusations that you caused the crash
- Enlist the help of leading industry experts who can testify about your case
- Negotiate aggressively to secure a full insurance settlement
- Take your case to trial if necessary
Our Lakeland personal injury lawyers know the cost of an accident can be shocking. We’re here to help you maximize your settlement or verdict–so that you can get the treatment you need and move on with your life. Just call our law firm today to schedule a free consultation with a Lakeland Uber & Lyft accident lawyer. We’re ready to get started when you are.
Can I Sue the Rideshare Company for Damages?
Uber and Lyft have fought for years to classify their drivers as independent contractors. That helps them because it means you can’t sue Uber or Lyft when their drivers cause accidents.
That said, both Uber and Lyft are now required to carry commercial insurance coverage. That coverage may be available if you were hurt in a crash.
How Does Insurance Work if I Was Injured in a Rideshare Accident in Florida?
Insurance is complicated in rideshare accident cases. Of course, because Florida is a no-fault insurance state, you first file a claim with your own insurance carrier. When your injuries are serious, however, that might not be enough. Once you exhaust your policy, you may be able to go after the at-fault driver’s policy.
The rideshare driver’s insurance company might deny your claim. If the insured driver was using the vehicle for profit at the time of the crash, they don’t always have to cover your claim.
Available insurance will then depend on what the driver was doing when the crash happened.
The app Is On and the Driver is Available to Take Requests
Say the rideshare driver was simply driving around waiting for a passenger request.
If they’re involved in a crash, the rideshare company’s insurance may cover up to:
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury
- $100,000 per crash for bodily injury or death (assuming multiple victims)
- $25,000 for property damage
First, you’ll have to exhaust any other available insurance coverage. When your damages exceed that coverage, you can seek compensation from the Uber or Lyft policy.
Driver Has Accepted a Ride Request
In Florida, Uber and Lyft must carry a $1 million policy that becomes effective the moment a rideshare driver accepts a ride request. This policy is effective while the driver is en route to pick up the passenger and for the duration of the trip.
What Is My Lakeland Uber & Lyft Accident Case Worth?
Even after you identify the available insurance coverage limits, you don’t automatically receive the maximum. You’ll have to prove your case value to the insurance company. That requires evaluating your specific losses.
In most personal injury cases, the following factors are most relevant in assessing the case value:
- Your medical treatment costs
- Whether you will recover fully or suffer a permanent or long-term impairment
- Whether you missed work and lost wages due to the injury
- How the injury will impact your future earnings, opportunities and quality of life
- Your physical pain and emotional trauma
- Expected future expenses for medical care, rehabilitation, in-home assistance, etc.
Our lawyers know how the process works. We’ll help you identify and account for every loss you’ve suffered due to the accident and injury.
What Types of Compensatory Damages Are Available to Uber & Lyft Accident Victims in Lakeland?
Like any car accident victim in Florida, you can seek compensation for your economic damages and non-economic damages.
Some common examples of the damages rideshare accident victims suffer include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost employment benefits
- Lost earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Specialized care and therapy
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Emotional distress
- Depression
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium and other damages for wrongful death
Let our Lakeland Uber & Lyft accident attorneys handle the insurance battle while you recover. We’re always available to discuss your case, so call for a free case review today.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Personal Accident Lawyer After an Uber or Lyft Accident?
Like most personal injury law firms in Lakeland, our team at Thomas C. Grajek, Attorney At Law works on a contingency fee basis. After your case is resolved, we take a set percentage of your settlement or verdict. That way, you can always afford quality legal representation.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Rideshare Accident in Lakeland?
If the insurance company can prove that you were somehow responsible, you can lose your right to compensation.
Florida operates under a modified comparative negligence law. You cannot recover compensation if you’re found to be more than 50% responsible for the crash. Even if your share of fault is less, your compensation will be reduced by that percentage.
Our Uber & Lyft Accident Attorneys in Lakeland Will Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Injuries
Uber & Lyft accidents can inflict serious, life-changing injuries. That’s true whether you were a rideshare passenger, driving your own vehicle, or simply walking down the street as a pedestrian.
At Thomas C. Grajek, Attorney At Law, we handle all types of injury claims in Lakeland, including those involving:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Multiple broken bones
- Burns
- Facial injuries
- Concussions
- Shoulder injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Crushing injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Chest injuries
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Your first step should be seeking medical treatment at the closest hospital or medical facility. The sooner you get medical help, the better the outcome. Your medical records will also be a critical piece of evidence if you later decide to seek compensation.
What Causes Most Uber & Lyft Accidents in Lakeland?
Rideshare drivers aren’t trained professionals. There’s always the possibility that they’ll be involved in a crash.
Some common causes of Uber and Lyft accidents include:
- Distracted driving due to texting, GPS, or unfamiliarity with the neighborhood
- Speeding
- Reckless driving and aggressive driving
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Tailgating
- Lane departures
- Dangerous or illegal turns
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Drunk driving
- Drug use
- Fatigued rideshare drivers
- Vehicle defects
If you aren’t sure why the accident happened, that’s okay. Our lawyers will listen to your story and conduct an investigation to find out what happened.
How Do I Prove I Deserve Financial Compensation After a Rideshare Accident in Lakeland?
Negligence is the most common theory involved in accident and injury claims. Additional legal theories may also be relevant.
To prove negligence, you must establish that:
- The defendant had a duty of care
- They breached that duty somehow
- That breach directly caused the accident
- You suffered losses or damages
The police report will contain important details. It’s unlikely that it’ll be enough to prove your case. Our lawyers know how to locate and evaluate all evidence that will support your case. Contact us today to get started.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After an Accident Involving Uber or Lyft in Florida?
The statute of limitations in Florida is two years. The clock starts running on the day of your accident. Once two years pass, you’ve missed the deadline and are no longer eligible to seek compensation.
Contact a Skilled Lakeland Uber & Lyft Accidents Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Do you have questions about your legal options after a rideshare accident in Lakeland, FL? Is the insurance company giving you a hard time? Call an experienced Lakeland Uber & Lyft accident lawyer at Thomas C. Grajek, Attorney At Law today. We know how to fight for you.