Tampa is one of the busiest cities in the country and the third largest city in Florida. With a population of 3.1 million people, Tampa definitely has traffic congestion issues. To add to the heavily clogged roads, ride-share services are growing rapidly. Uber and Lyft drivers are filling the streets at virtually all times of the day, every day.
The demand for ridesharing services adds to traffic congestion and creates another disturbing trend. According to science, ridesharing services are injuring and killing people. Rideshare drivers cover more mileage and spend more time driving, so their chances of an accident are higher than the average driver.
If you were injured in a Tampa ridesharing car accident, you may be eligible to recover compensation. Whether you were a customer, another driver, or a passenger in another car, you can seek compensation if someone’s negligence caused your injuries.
To ensure you protect your legal interests, contact a Tampa Ridesharing Car Accident Attorney. They can help you get fair compensation for everything you’ve been through.
Who Is Liable for Tampa Rideshare Car Accidents?
Determining liability in a rideshare accident case can be tricky. But with the help of a Tampa Ridesharing Car Accident Attorney, you will know who to hold accountable. Then you can pursue your rightful financial recovery through the appropriate parties.
Primary Coverage Is Usually Through Your Insurance Provider
There are twelve states in the US that follow “no-fault” insurance laws, including Florida. So after a car accident, everyone uses their personal insurance as a first line of coverage. As such, all drivers must carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage of up to $10,000. You must seek medical care within 14 days of the accident to use your PIP coverage.
The Rideshare Car Driver
If your PIP coverage is insufficient or you don’t have it, you might need to file a claim against the other driver or the rideshare company. However, if you pursue the driver, you must prove their negligence caused the accident and your resulting injuries.
If you suffered any of the following, you might have grounds to file a personal injury claim against the rideshare driver:
- Severe injuries
- Disability
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Substantial limitation to a bodily system or function
- Permanent limitations on a body part or organ
Each rideshare accident case is unique. Therefore, it’s best to have a Tampa Ridesharing Car Accident Attorney assess your case and determine the best next steps.
The Rideshare Company Could Be Liable Under Certain Circumstances
Under very specific circumstances, the rideshare company might be liable for the accident. If the company employs the driver, it could be legally responsible for the driver’s negligence. That said, most rideshare drivers in Florida operate as independent contractors rather than as employees.
Due to this business model, rideshare companies are rarely legally responsible for their drivers’ actions. On top of that, they invest a lot in hiring legal teams to minimize their liability for accidents.
Can I Take a Tampa Rideshare Company to Court for an Accident?
In most cases, no. You will likely need to file a claim through the driver’s or company’s insurance to seek damage compensation.
However, if your Tampa Ridesharing Car Accident Attorney finds that the company was negligent in some way, then you might have valid grounds for a lawsuit. For example, if they were negligent in the hiring process, you might be able to file a lawsuit against them. However, most Uber and Lyft drivers are independent contractors. Therefore, in most cases, the rideshare company is not liable for car accidents. If they are, it’s very circumstantial.
Potential Third-Party Liability
Sometimes it’s possible for a third party to be liable for an accident. Examples of third-party liability include:
- Another driver for a multiple-car accident
- The car manufacturer (for a defective part)
- A negligent mechanic who failed to properly service the vehicle
A Tampa Ridesharing Car Accident Attorney can review your case to identify all liable parties. Then they will advise you on how to proceed. Rideshare car accidents are more complex than regular car accidents, so you’ll need a skilled Tampa Ridesharing Car Accident Attorney who can handle your case.
How Pays for Damages in Ridesharing Car Accidents in Tampa?
Every car accident case is different, but ridesharing car accident cases present an extra level of complexity. To find out who to pursue damages recovery, you need to know what the driver was doing when the accident occurred.
A knowledgeable Tampa Ridesharing Car Accident Attorney who has handled similar cases knows how to determine liability and a fair value for your claim. Before assessing your claim value, you need to know the driver’s status at the time of the accident. That will give light on which insurance company is responsible for covering your damages.
If the Rideshare car driver was offline or the app was off, personal insurance (either yours or the driver’s) is responsible for coverage.
Limited third-party liability might be applicable if the driver was waiting for a ride with the app turned on.
Finally, if the driver was en route to retrieve a passenger or transport a passenger, the rideshare company might be responsible for covering your costs. A big company like Uber has up to $1 million in third-party liability coverage.
What Kind of Damages Can I Seek After a Tampa Ridesharing Car Accident?
After sustaining injuries in a Tampa ride-sharing car accident, you may qualify for the following damages:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Diminished quality of life
Many injury victims are unaware of the full extent of damages they can recover. To avoid any further losses, it’s best to get legal counsel from a Tampa Ridesharing Car Accident Attorney. That way, you can get the maximum possible compensation for everything you’ve been through.
Is It Worth Hiring a Tampa Ridesharing Car Accident Attorney?
Yes. There are many advantages to hiring a Tampa Ridesharing Car Accident Attorney. Rideshare accidents are a fairly new area of law and, therefore, sometimes lack legal precedence. A skilled Tampa Ridesharing Car Accident Attorney who understands legal concepts and strategies can help you devise a winning case strategy.
Many times rideshare car accidents have loopholes that let companies off the hook easily. But a Tampa Ridesharing Car Accident Attorney will help you hold the right people accountable.
Contact an Experienced Tampa Rideshare Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a rideshare accident, you might be eligible for compensation to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and more.
You need a trustworthy Florida personal injury lawyer to investigate your case and fight to protect your rights. With legal experts on your side, you’re more likely to win the maximum compensation possible. Every injury victim deserves quality legal support.
Contact us today for a free initial consultation. We only get paid if you win, so you have nothing to lose.
