Navigating Legal Challenges After an Uber Accident
Getting around Miami is always full of challenges, but one way that many locals and visitors do this is by using rideshare services. Over recent years, rideshare companies have made it much more convenient to get around South Florida.
Unfortunately, car accidents can still occur even when you’re using rideshare services through Uber or Lyft. If you or a loved one has been involved in an Uber accident, the situation can quickly become more complicated than a typical car accident. It is best to discuss your situation with a Miami Uber accident lawyer to find out what you can do.
Nunez Law specializes in representing Uber accident victims, working to help them find resolution in this complex legal process and recover compensation. Contact our Uber accident lawyers to discuss your personal injury claim and find out what to do next through a free consultation.
The Role of a Miami Uber Accident Lawyer in a Car Accident with an Uber Driver
In an Uber or Lyft accident, there are typically more parties involved than in a regular type of car accident. A Miami Uber accident case will affect the Uber driver, the insurance company, and the accident victims.
If you are involved in an Uber accident, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit to seek compensation for your injuries. Since Uber accidents involve so many parties, it is in your best interest to contact a Miami personal injury attorney who has experience with Uber accident cases.
A proficient personal injury lawyer will possess a thorough understanding of the nuances specific to Uber accidents compared to other vehicular incidents, guaranteeing tailored legal representation to secure the compensation you deserve. They will know more about the insurance coverage and how it relates to you in your legal claim.
Uber and Lyft personal injury claims are much more challenging to navigate without a complete understanding of the laws involved. If you sustained bodily injury in this type of car accident, you should not proceed without speaking to a personal injury lawyer. The car accident attorneys at Nunez Law are ready to help you determine if you have a case with your Miami Uber car accident.
What to Know About Choosing a Ride with an Uber or Lyft Driver
One of the most significant differences to understand when you call rideshare drivers to get around Miami is that these drivers are independent contractors. Unlike other forms of mass transit, an Uber driver uses their vehicle to drive passengers around the city.
The distinction is essential for an Uber driver or any rideshare driver, as independent contractors are not considered employees. This means that their insurance coverage will be different than if they were a direct employee of the company.
Uber drivers and the coverage they have can be incredibly confusing to understand, especially in the aftermath of Uber accidents. If you use Uber and Lyft and wind up in an accident, having a conversation with our personal injury lawyers about your unique situation can help you determine if you will be able to file a case.
In the event that this rideshare accident has caused you serious injuries, our South Florida Uber and Lyft accident attorneys can provide the aggressive legal representation you deserve to help you recover from medical expenses, lost wages, damages, and more.
What Causes Uber and Lyft Accidents in Miami?
Accidents happen every day in Miami and throughout South Florida. Uber accidents occur in the same way that any auto accident occurs, which is most often due to driver error. These common causes behind Uber accidents may apply in your case.
- Distraction:
Whether you have an Uber driver or a Lyft driver, both will have an app that allows them to accept a ride request. On the Uber app, the driver may be trying to find your destination, especially if they need to be more familiar with the location. All it takes is a few seconds of not watching the road by way of distraction for Uber drivers to get into an accident.
- Weather
Uber drivers can’t control the weather, and in South Florida, the weather can become challenging in an instant. Heavy rains, flooding roads, and strong winds can make the task of driving more difficult. It is up to Uber drivers to adjust their driving for the weather conditions to get you to your destination safely.
- Speeding and Other Violations of Traffic Laws
The more rides that Uber drivers pick up, the more they will earn. When Uber drivers are reckless in their actions by speeding, running red lights, or driving aggressively, it can lead to Uber accidents.
- Lack of Proper Vehicle Maintenance
Any driver that participates in a rideshare program service should maintain their vehicle for the road. An Uber vehicle should meet the requirements set by the company for upkeep, and failing to do so may result in an auto accident.
No matter what caused the crash, it is imperative that you discuss your situation with the personal injury lawyers at Nunez Law before filing an insurance claim, especially if you have serious injury claims. An accident lawyer can assess your circumstances through a free case review.
What Should You Do If You’re in a Miami Uber Accident?
You may know what to do if you’re in an accident with your vehicle, but what do you do when you’re in an accident while riding in an Uber? Accident victims should remember that they will need to get medical attention right away and, if the driver hasn’t done so already, call the police.
The police report will provide details about the accident’s cause and any citations issued to the involved drivers.
You will most certainly want to talk to an accident attorney after you are treated for your injuries. The rideshare company will usually blame the driver since they aren’t a direct employee. Still, the insurance company should cover your bodily injury through liability coverage. Injury victims are often unaware of these differences, so it’s essential to call our law offices for a free consultation to learn more about your legal rights.
How to Know If You Have an Uber Accident Claim?
After an Uber accident, injury victims will need to determine how they can recover fair compensation for suffering lost wages, incurring major medical bills, and other damages. It will all depend on the unique factors of your case when finding out who will be responsible for paying.
Your first course of action should be to contact Uber’s insurance company. Uber’s insurance company has a $1 million policy that becomes effective from the moment a request for a ride is accepted by the driver until the moment passengers are dropped off at their destination.
If an accident occurs within this timeframe, our personal injury law firm can hold Uber accountable.
What if the driver is logged into the app and waiting for a ride request?
If the driver is driving while this is happening and an accident occurs, the insurance policy for Uber should apply. Uber’s policy does not cover drivers who are off duty and not logged into the app. This means that the driver would be more liable than Uber.
As complex as these types of accidents can be, they are even more challenging to determine when a case of wrongful death arises. If your loved one did not survive their injuries in this accident, you should speak with an accident attorney from our legal team about your options for filing a wrongful death case.
What Kind of Compensation Can You Get If You’re Hurt in an Uber Accident in Miami?
If you have a valid case after an Uber accident, you can recover your financial losses from this event. Depending on your circumstances, you could seek economic damages and non-economic damages.
- Proving economic damages is straightforward, with receipts and bills showcasing the expenses directly resulting from the crash. Medical costs, including hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and physical therapy, are among many examples.
- Non-economic damages are the intangible losses that your accident attorney will help prove by using their resources. Expert witnesses can provide valuable testimony to demonstrate your pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Since every case is different, it is essential to speak with a Miami Uber accident lawyer to find out what you may be able to receive in compensation.
How to Prove Liability After a Miami Uber Accident?
When you’re in an Uber accident, remember that Uber and its litigation team will be working to protect its $1 million policy. The evidence you gather at the scene of this crash can be vital, though if your injuries were severe enough that you woke up in the hospital, you may not have photos, videos, or other items to prove what happened.
Our Personal injury lawyers have been through this before and know how to fight a large entity like Uber for what is fair. Contact Nunez Law today for a free consultation to discuss your Miami Uber accident.
