Whether Uber or Lyft, more and more rideshare vehicles are occupying our Florida roadways these days. The ability to set your own hours and work for yourself is appealing to many in today’s new gig economy. For the last half decade, many people have changed lanes and turned to a career as ridesharing drivers. This also means more ridesharing vehicles involved in car crashes.
This created an explosion of independent contractors driving for Uber technologies or for Lyft, Inc.. It has done wonders for consumers.
While many people had grown tired of run down taxi cabs and enjoyed having a new option. Others, like in Tampa, simply lacked access to taxi services. But it has also created some interesting unintended consequences.
This is not the space to discuss the taxi cab lobby. I am hardly the commentator to address that issue. But Uber and Lyft have shaken the taxi industry to its core.
More Ridesharing Vehicles means More Ridesharing Car Crashes
More vehicles on Florida roadways driving for Uber or Lyft means more accidents involving Uber or Lyft vehicles. Additionally, Uber and Lyft are at the forefront of self-driving technology. Therefore, we are sure to see more cases like Elaine Herzberg’s. Ms. Herzberg was tragically struck and killed by a self-driving Uber test vehicle.
This has been most illustrated to me in my own practice. When I first started working as a Plaintiff’s personal injury and accident attorney, the number of ridesharing vehicles involved in car crashes were minimal. But now in my current practice, I evaluate an Uber crash or a Lyft crash once per week.
This has created an interesting dynamic. Every car accident is a little bit different. There are many different aspects to consider when evaluating any personal injury case. However, to be an Uber accident lawyer or a Lyft accident lawyer, you must understand a few key differences about the insurance coverage that these companies carry.
The amount of insurance carried by any particular Uber or Lyft depends on what current status that vehicle is. An Uber vehicle that gets in an accident with a passenger in it has a certain amount of coverage. While an Uber on the way to pick up a fare has an entirely different amount of coverage.
While this is the sort of thing that a personal injury attorney without much experience can learn along the way, often cases need strong strategies early on. An attorney that doesn’t know the ins and outs of Uber and Lyft liability coverages might fail to properly guide his or her client at the beginning of their case.
What to do when involved in a Ridesharing Crash
Many of the things that are necessary to do following a typical car crash are the same as when involved in an ridesharing vehicle crash.
First, you’ll want to call the police in order to obtain a police report. Not only will this report provide you with vital information about the other vehicle’s insurance information, but it will get an accurate (hopefully) description of the accident down on paper for use later in negotiations with the insurance company.
Next, you’ll want to photograph the damage to both the vehicle you were in as well as the vehicle that struck you. Photographs are worth their weight in gold in personal injury cases. Without proof of the damage to the vehicles, defense lawyers can imply (or outright state) that the accident cannot be that bad because the property damage was not extensive, even if it was.
Then, you’ll want to be evaluated by a medical professional in order to evaluate any potential injuries you might have suffered as a result of the crash. When in serious pain, it is obvious that you should go to a doctor or a hospital. But many of my clients avoided initial treatment because they “only” felt sore. It is vital, both to your health and to your case that you are seen as soon as possible following the crash in order to evaluate your potential injuries and determine a course of treatment.
Last, you’ll need to call an experienced Uber or Lyft accident attorney for a free consultation regarding your potential claim. While many law firms will advertise for personal injury cases along with many other practices of law, not all lawyers are equally qualified to handle your ridesharing crash case.
Hire an Experienced Ridesharing Vehicle Crash Attorney
Alexander Knapp has extensive experience pursuing Uber and Lyft in personal injury claims. If you’ve been involved in a crash involved in a ridesharing vehicle, call Knapp Accident & Injury Law. We will work tirelessly to win you fair compensation for your injuries and your pain and suffering. Call us at (813) 568-3724.
