Get Real Justice with Rideshare Injury Lawyers Serving Fort Lauderdale & South Florida
If you need a Fort Lauderdale rideshare accident lawyer, you’ve probably been injured in an Uber or Lyft crash and been left with more questions than answers. Maybe you’re looking at a stack of bills, missing work, getting calls from insurance companies, or wondering who’s actually responsible for this: the rideshare driver, another driver, Uber, Lyft, or someone else entirely?
Rideshare accident claims are complicated because insurance coverage can depend on what the driver was doing at the time of the crash. Were they offline? Waiting for a ride? On the way to pick someone up? Already driving a passenger? These details can change everything.
At Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, we Keep It Real. We’ll listen to your story, explain your options, and help you understand how this is going to work. Your first priority is your health and well-being, of course. Our priority is handling your claim, helping you find care and transportation, dealing with the insurance companies, and staying trial-ready so we can fight for the Real Justice you deserve.
Call our team of Fort Lauderdale rideshare accident attorneys today at 954-866-1111 or reach out online for a FREE case review. You pay nothing unless we win for you.
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FAQs About Fort Lauderdale Rideshare Accidents
If you are contacted by Uber or Lyft after an accident, here’s what you should do:
- Keep the conversation brief and decline to give a recorded statement. Rideshare insurance adjusters often call quickly to gather details they can use to downplay your physical injuries or shift blame.
- Avoid signing any authorization forms or medical releases without legal advice. Providing open access to your medical history lets rideshare insurers dig into your past for unrelated pre-existing conditions.
- Direct the representative to your legal team to manage all future communications. Protecting your rights means letting a trusted advocate handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on your health and future.
Uber, Lyft, and their insurers are protecting their bottom line. We Keep It Real about that from the start.
It’s not uncommon to be presented with an early settlement offer from a rideshare company. While it may be tempting to sign the offer and move on, you need to be aware of what this means. A fast offer isn’t the same as a fair offer.
First, early settlement offers from rideshare networks are usually lowball numbers. Claims adjusters want to close claims quickly before the full extent and long-term costs of your injuries are known.
Also, signing a release form means waiving your right to seek additional funds. If your medical bills begin to pile up or you miss extended time at work because of your injuries, you cannot go back and ask for more compensation later once you sign a release.
This is why you should always consult a dedicated legal advocate to evaluate the true financial worth of your claim before you ever sign an offer. Real Justice means fighting for an amount that reflects the full cost of the crash for you and your family.
One of the more confusing aspects of rideshare accidents is determining which insurance policy applies. If the driver’s personal insurance denies the claim, don’t panic. Florida law allows personal auto insurers to exclude coverage while a driver is logged into a rideshare app or providing a prearranged ride.
Instead, you should:
- Rely on Florida’s rideshare laws to bridge the gaps in liability coverage. Under state law, Uber and Lyft must provide backup coverage that steps in from the first dollar if the driver’s insurance has lapsed or doesn’t provide the required rideshare coverage (Florida Statutes § 627.748(7)(d)). That coverage doesn’t have to wait for the personal insurer to deny the claim (§ 627.748(7)(e)).
- Identify the driver’s app status at the moment of the crash. Whether the driver was waiting for a fare or actively driving a passenger decides which tier of insurance takes over.
A denial isn’t necessarily the end of your claim. We identify the coverage that applies and push the right insurer to pay.
If an Uber or Lyft driver hits you while carrying passengers, the driver was likely completing a rideshare trip. In Florida, that usually means higher insurance coverage if the rideshare driver caused the crash.
Still, the insurance company won’t automatically pay just because passengers were in the vehicle. You’ll need evidence showing how the crash happened, who was at fault, and more.
Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers can deal with the insurers, protect you from unfair blame, and fight for compensation that addresses the real cost of the crash.
If an Uber or Lyft driver hits you without passengers in the car, the key question is whether the driver was using the app. No passengers does not always mean no rideshare coverage.
The driver may have been offline, logged in and waiting for a ride, or already on the way to pick someone up. Each situation can point to different insurance coverage.
That’s why it’s so important to get and keep app records, trip details, driver status, the crash report, photos, and witness statements. They’ll help show whether the driver was working through the app and which policy applies.
Our Fort Lauderdale rideshare accident attorneys can sort through the details and push the insurer to take responsibility.
Yes, rideshare passengers are almost never at fault for motor vehicle collisions and are protected by law. While the driver is engaged in a prearranged ride, Florida law requires at least $1 million in primary liability coverage for death, bodily injury, and property damage. (Florida Statutes § 627.748(7)(c)).
This means you should pursue compensation regardless of whether your rideshare driver or another motorist caused the crash. Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may also be available if another driver caused the crash and didn’t have enough insurance, but the amount available depends on the policy.
Make sure to document your ride information right away. Save screenshots of your digital receipt and trip route. This data will help prove your passenger status at the time of the crash.
No, rideshare companies don’t automatically send checks to accident victims. Even with clear insurance rules, claims adjusters will aggressively investigate the wreck to minimize their financial liability.
You have to file an insurance claim and present strong evidence to get compensation. You’ll have to submit accident reports, medical records, and proof of lost wages to verify your financial and physical losses.
These claims involve legal and insurance hurdles that can lead to an undervalued settlement and require persistent and steadfast advocacy to ensure you get what you need and deserve.
You can, but Florida uses a modified comparative negligence system (Florida Statutes § 768.81). This means you can still pursue financial damages, provided your share of responsibility is 50% or lower.
If you are awarded compensation, the amount you receive will be reduced by your exact percentage of assigned fault. For example, if a jury determines you are 30% responsible for the accident, your final payout will decrease by that same 30%.
While this can work in your favor, it’s also important to understand how insurance companies can use it against you. If they are able to convince a jury that you are 51% or more at fault for the accident, you’ll be completely barred from recovering damages. Our skilled attorneys can challenge attempts to place unfair blame on you.
Yes, out-of-state visitors and international tourists can pursue compensation when they are injured in a rideshare accident. If you are injured in Fort Lauderdale, your claim will be handled under Florida’s specific insurance and personal injury statutes.
And you don’t have to keep flying back to Florida to pursue your claim. Our Fort Lauderdale team can handle the legal work and keep you informed.
Get medical care as soon as possible after the crash. Prompt treatment and detailed medical records can help document your injuries and how they’ve affected you.
The total value of your claim depends heavily on the severity of your injuries and economic losses. There is no one-size-fits-all number because every crash impacts an individual’s life, career, and physical health differently.
Instead, the value of your claim is calculated by adding up several critical damages categories, including:
- Past & future medical care, rehabilitation & related expenses.
- Lost wages & reduced future earning capacity.
- Physical pain, emotional suffering & loss of enjoyment of life.
It’s important to work with a Fort Lauderdale rideshare accident lawyer who will ensure the full extent of your damages is taken into account so you can recover the full amount of compensation you deserve.
You are not legally required to hire an attorney, but facing corporate legal teams alone is very difficult. Rideshare claims involve layers of state laws, insurance policies, and defense tactics designed to protect company profits.
An experienced advocate can make sure you don’t settle for less than what your case is worth and take some of the burden of building a claim off your plate. This includes:
- Handling all relevant paperwork
- Gathering police reports and conducting a full investigation
- Calculating compensation
- Building a strong argument to hold corporate giants accountable
- Negotiating with insurers and, if necessary, representing you in court
Having a trusted partner to handle these matters allows you to focus on healing. We Keep It Real and guide you through every step of the process.
It costs nothing up front to hire us. At Bernheim Kelley, we operate entirely on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront or out-of-pocket expenses. Our clients never have to worry about hourly fees or legal retainers while recovering from a serious injury.
We only get paid when we recover compensation for you. No win, no fee. We’re fully invested in fighting for the strongest result possible and helping you regain your financial peace of mind.
Our free case reviews also give you answers, guidance, and a clear understanding of your options with zero upfront costs or obligation. To get started, call us today at 954-866-1111 or reach out online.
The Real Deal: Fort Lauderdale Rideshare Accident Claims
- Get medical care first. Prioritize your health, then protect your claim. Florida’s PIP rules require medical care within 14 days of the crash.
- Uber and Lyft claims can be more complicated than regular car accidents. Insurance coverage changes depending on whether the driver was online, waiting for a ride, on the way to pick someone up, or already driving a passenger.
- You usually have 2 years to file a negligence lawsuit in Florida. Waiting can make it harder to build a solid case.
- Fault can affect your compensation. If an insurance company tries to blame you, that could reduce your recovery or even block you from any compensation at all.
Who Can File a Rideshare Accident Claim in Fort Lauderdale?
Several people could have the right to file a claim after a rideshare crash in Broward County. It really depends on who was hurt and who caused the accident.
You may have a rideshare accident claim if you were:
- A passenger in an Uber or Lyft
- Driving another vehicle hit by a rideshare driver
- A pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorcyclist hit by an Uber or Lyft driver
- A rideshare driver injured by another careless driver
- A family member who lost a loved one in a fatal rideshare crash
For passengers, it can feel especially scary right now. You weren’t in control of either vehicle. You got in the car expecting a safe ride, and now you’re dealing with injuries, medical bills, and insurance questions that you don’t know the answer to.
The same is true if an Uber or Lyft driver hit you while you were driving, walking, or riding your bike. You deserve answers about what happened, who’s responsible, and how your bills are going to get paid. The Fort Lauderdale rideshare accident attorneys at Bernheim Kelley can help get you real answers.
What To Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Fort Lauderdale
Before worrying about anything else, get medical care and make sure you’re safe.
If you can, try to:
- Call 911 if you or anyone else is hurt or the crash created a dangerous situation.
- Get medical care as soon as possible, even if you don’t think your injuries are that serious.
- Report the crash to the police and through the Uber or Lyft app.
- Take screenshots of your ride, route, driver information, receipt, and trip status.
- Take photos of the scene, injuries, weather and road conditions, and the location of any nearby traffic cameras if you can safely.
- Get names and contact info for drivers, passengers, and witnesses.
- Ask for the crash report number from the responding officer.
- Avoid recorded statements until you understand your rights and have talked to an attorney.
- Reach out to Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers before signing anything, talking on the record, or accepting a settlement.
If you’re too hurt to do any of this, that’s okay. Do what you can. Our team of experienced Fort Lauderdale rideshare accident attorneys can help track down records, witness information, app data, insurance details, and other evidence while you focus on getting better.
Why Choose Us?
When you’re facing one of the toughest moments of your life, you need more than just a lawyer—you need a trusted ally who will stand with you and fight for your rights.
Why Rideshare Accident Claims Are More Complicated Than Regular Car Accident Claims
In a typical car accident, your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage is usually the starting point for medical bills and lost wages, regardless of who caused the crash. If your injuries are severe enough to meet Florida’s serious injury threshold, you may also have a claim against the at-fault driver. In a rideshare crash, figuring out which insurance policies apply can be much more complicated.
The rideshare driver’s personal auto insurance may deny coverage if the driver was using the vehicle for Uber or Lyft. The rideshare company’s coverage may depend on whether the driver was logged into the app or actively completing a ride. Another driver’s insurance may also be involved if that person caused or contributed to the crash.
And insurers could point fingers at each other. One company might claim the driver wasn’t logged into the app. Another may say someone else caused the crash entirely. Uber or Lyft could take their time to explain what coverage applies.
That’s why evidence is so important. App records, trip receipts, driver status, crash reports, medical records, photos, video, and witness statements can all help show exactly what happened.
At Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, we Keep It Real. We dig into the details and push for the full and fair compensation for you and your family.
How Uber & Lyft Insurance Works After a Florida Rideshare Accident
Florida law requires Uber and Lyft drivers to carry different levels of insurance coverage depending on what they were doing when the crash happened (Florida Statutes § 627.748(7)).
- If the driver was not logged into the app, the claim is usually handled through the driver’s personal auto insurance policy. Florida drivers are generally required to carry PIP and property damage coverage. (Fla. Stat. §§ 627.733 and 324.022)
- If the driver was logged into the app and waiting for a ride request, Florida law requires at least $50,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. (Fla. Stat. § 627.748(7)(b))
- If the driver had accepted a ride or was transporting a passenger, at least $1 million in coverage may be available. (Fla. Stat. § 627.748(7)(c))
Even when there’s coverage, rideshare accident claims can still be complicated. Insurance companies may dispute fault, injuries, damages, or the driver’s status in the app at the time of the crash. Our team can help identify the available coverage and push back if insurers try to avoid responsibility.
Who’s Responsible for a Rideshare Accident in Fort Lauderdale?
Who’s responsible depends on what happened. Uber or Lyft isn’t automatically responsible just because the app was involved.
Any of the following could be held liable:
- The Uber or Lyft driver
- Another driver
- The rideshare company
- A vehicle owner
- A company responsible for vehicle maintenance
- A vehicle or parts manufacturer
- A government entity in limited road-condition cases
For example, if your Uber driver ran a red light and caused the crash, the claim may focus on that driver and the rideshare coverage available at the time. If another driver hit your Lyft, that driver’s insurance may be responsible. If both drivers made mistakes, more than one insurance policy may be involved.
The key is not guessing. The key is investigating what happened, confirming the app status, and identifying every available source of recovery.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Rideshare Accident?
Your claim should account for the full impact of the crash, not just the bills that have already arrived. Depending on your injuries and the specifics of your case, compensation could include:
- Emergency care
- Hospital bills
- Physical therapy & rehabilitation
- Future medical care
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain & suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Transportation costs & other out-of-pocket expenses
If a rideshare crash caused the tragic death of someone you love, surviving family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim. No amount of money can replace a loved one. A claim is meant to get accountability and financial support after a devastating loss.
How Florida Law Can Affect Your Rideshare Accident Claim
Florida law can affect which insurance applies, how fault is handled, and how long you have to file a lawsuit.
- Florida is a no-fault state, which means PIP coverage may pay some medical bills and lost wages first, no matter who caused the crash. But serious injuries can allow a claim against the at-fault driver or another responsible party (Fla. Stat. §§ 627.736 and 627.737).
- Florida also has a 2-year deadline for rideshare accident lawsuits (§ 95.11). If you wait too long, you could lose your right to file one. It’s better to get legal guidance ASAP, while there’s still time to gather evidence and build a strong case.
- Florida uses a modified comparative fault rule (§ 768.81). That means that if you’re partly at fault, your compensation could be reduced by your percentage of fault. And if you’re found more than 50% at fault, you generally can’t recover damages at all.
Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers has Real Experience with motor vehicle accident claims of all kinds. We know how to work within the law to get you the compensation you need and deserve right now.
How a Fort Lauderdale Rideshare Accident Lawyer Can Help
A rideshare accident lawyer takes the pressure off you and handles all the moving pieces while you and your family focus on healing.
Our team helps by:
- Listening to your story & answering your questions
- Identifying all available insurance coverage
- Requesting important evidence
- Gathering crash reports, medical records, photos, video & witness statements
- Communicating with Uber, Lyft, insurers & defense lawyers
- Calculating the full impact of your injuries
- Negotiating for a fair settlement
- Preparing your case for court if the insurer won’t do the right thing
We don’t just file paperwork. We build a case around what this crash has actually cost you: physically, emotionally, financially, and personally.
– you are in good hands!
Bernheim Kelley: Real Advocacy, Real Experience, Real Justice
At Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, Keeping It Real means showing up for people when life gets tough, answering questions when you’re confused, and pushing for Real Justice when you’ve been wronged. We’ll tell you what we can do, explain what comes next, and prioritize your needs.
Our team has recovered over $1 billion for clients. We’re trial-ready, client-centered, and serious about holding negligent drivers and insurance companies accountable.
We also understand that injured people often need more than legal updates. If you need help finding medical treatment, arranging transportation, or meeting outside the office because of your injuries, we’ll do what we can to help.
And you won’t pay anything upfront. We handle rideshare accident cases on a no win, no fee basis. If we don’t win for you, you don’t pay us a fee.
Contact Our Fort Lauderdale Rideshare Accident Lawyers Today for a FREE Case Review
A rideshare crash can leave you hurt, scared, and unsure of what to do next. You don’t have to sort through this by yourself. The Real Advocates at Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers are here to listen, talk over your options, and support you through the process.
Call 954-866-1111 or reach out to our team online today to schedule a FREE case review. We champion the rights of injured clients across Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, and South Florida, helping Real People fight for Real Justice after serious rideshare crashes.