Rideshare Accidents

Ridesharing continues to grow in popularity in The Villages, and many local residents are increasingly relying on Uber and Lyft drivers to get them where they need to go. Unfortunately, as ridesharing is becoming more prevalent, the number of rideshare accidents is increasing as well. At Whittel & Melton, LLC, we represent drivers and passengers who have been injured in rideshare crashes in or around the community. If you need a The Villages rideshare accident lawyer, we encourage you to contact us promptly.

When you call an Uber or Lyft service, you are absolutely entitled to expect professional behavior and safe driving from the driver. Anytime you get into a vehicle driven by another person, you are essentially placing your life in their hands. While you may think nothing of this as this is such a normal activity, rideshare drivers are human and can make mistakes or fail to use their better judgement and operate their vehicles in unsafe manners. If your rideshare driver was speeding talking on the phone, using their GPS navigation, or even texting while driving and caused a crash that left you injured, then we can help.

Rideshare apps like Lyft and Uber often shirk their responsibility to properly screen drivers because of the excuse that drivers are independent contractors. This means that these drivers are not actual employees of the company, and therefore may be driving without a valid driver’s license or proper insurance. With that said, it is no surprise that many people are seriously injured in rideshare accidents every year. Uber and Lyft limitations on passenger coverage and insurance companies being unwilling to pay victims of crashes their fair share can place injury victims in very complex situations. Our Villages Rideshare Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton have dealt with Uber and Lyft car accidents, so we can help you understand what to expect with your case and provide you with the expert legal counsel you need to recover maximum compensation for your injuries, medical costs, and other damages.

In certain respects, rideshare accidents are similar to other types of vehicle collisions. Recovering just compensation involves determining who was at fault in the collision, and most injury claims are resolved through negotiated settlements with the insurance companies. The most common causes of rideshare accidents are similar to those in other accidents as well. They include:

• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence
• Driving while fatigued
• Aggressive and reckless driving
• Other common driving mistakes

However, there are also many aspects of rideshare accidents that make them unique. This is particularly true when the rideshare driver is at fault in the collision.

While rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have gone to great lengths to try to avoid liability for their drivers’ negligence (i.e. by attempting to classify drivers as independent contractors rather than employees), they can still be held liable in many cases. In fact, both Uber and Lyft carry liability insurance for accidents involving their drivers; and, in Florida, this coverage is mandated by law. Florida’s rideshare law also requires companies like Uber and Lyft to take affirmative steps to vet drivers before authorizing them to offer rides through their apps. So, if you have been injured in a rideshare accident and the driver was at fault, not only can you pursue a claim under the driver’s insurance policy (which must provide enhanced coverage under Florida law), but you may be able to pursue a claim under the rideshare company’s policy as well.

In order to protect your legal rights after a rideshare accident in The Villages, there are some steps you should try to take promptly. First and foremost, you should seek a thorough medical diagnosis, and you should move forward with any necessary treatment immediately.

Then, as soon as you are able, you should consult with a The Villages rideshare accident attorney. Your lawyer will need to investigate promptly, and you will need to work closely with your attorney as he or she pursues your claim for just compensation. Getting started quickly can be important to preserving your claim for damages, so we encourage you to schedule a free consultation at our law offices in The Villages today.

Do you need to seek financial compensation for a rideshare accident in The Villages? If so, our accident attorneys are available to assist you. To discuss your case in confidence as soon as possible, call 352-369-5334 or tell us about your accident online now.