When you need a ride, nothing compares to those rideshare companies out there. With the tap of your finger, you can be on your way – without the hassle of dealing with traffic, navigation, parking, or anything else. When rideshare accidents happen, however, it is a different situation altogether.
If you are wondering to yourself where to find experienced rideshare accident attorneys near me, you’re on the right track, and – upon your request – 388CEDA can recommend such an attorney to you. At 388CEDA, we pride ourselves on offering comprehensive medical care for accident victims like you – and for recommending dedicated rideshare accident attorneys when asked to do so.
388CEDA Offers Medical Treatment and Care
Each state will have its own requirement for the minimum amount of insurance that ride-share drivers must maintain. In Florida, there are four different stages of coverage for Uber drivers:
- When the app is off, drivers are covered by their personal insurance policy.
- Drivers must have personal ride-share insurance coverage for the period in which the app is on, but the driver is waiting to be paired with a passenger.
- When the driver is on the way to pick up a passenger, Uber or Lyft’s auto insurance policy will cover the driver. However, the company will not pay out for claims that are above the policy limit. Drivers may also have additional coverage.
- The commercial policy covers accidents when a passenger is in the car. Uber and Lyft drivers are insured for up to $1 million for any accident while driving passengers. Anything above this amount and Uber and Lyft will not pay you.
As you can see, there are different possibilities for the level of coverage when you have been injured in a ride-share accident. In any event, you are dealing with an insurance company when you make a claim for accident compensation. Doing so will require the ability to successfully negotiate with the insurance company.
The Rideshare Company
You may be surprised to learn that the rideshare companies out there don’t actually employ their drivers. Instead, all those Uber and Lyft drivers swarming our roads are contract workers who are self-employed. This helps the rideshare companies themselves avoid a good deal of liability when it comes to rideshare accidents. These companies are required, however, to provide insurance coverage for their drivers on the app, and this coverage breaks down as follows:
- If the at-fault rideshare driver is on the app and is on the way to pick up a passenger – or has one in his or her vehicle – the rideshare company’s robust insurance coverage will field the claim.
- If, on the other hand, the at-fault rideshare driver is on the app but has no passenger in his or her vehicle and has no passenger waiting for pickup, the driver’s own insurance coverage is in play. The rideshare company’s coverage, however, plays backup (in case the driver’s personal coverage runs out).
- If the at-fault rideshare driver is off the app – even if it is momentarily – when the accident happens, the claim will proceed in exactly the same way that any other traffic-accident claim would.
In other words, when it comes to rideshare accidents, there is an additional layer of insurance complexity.
The Rideshare Effect
Driving is an immense responsibility to begin with, but rideshare drivers accept an even greater amount that includes overcoming all of the following additional safety concerns:
- Frequently stopping and starting
- Regularly pulling in and out of traffic
- Searching for passengers
- Interacting with the rideshare app
- Driving in unfamiliar areas
In other words, rideshare drivers must overcome their fair share of obstacles when it comes to driving safely, and failure to do so can lead to deadly traffic accidents.
Driver Negligence
When rideshare drivers engage in negligent practices behind the wheel, the risk of accidents occurring goes up precipitously. When it comes to driver negligence, there are plenty of varieties, including:
- Distraction – As mentioned, rideshare drivers have plenty on their plates, and when they choose to engage in outside distractions, it can prove deadly.
- Impairment – No one should get behind the wheel when impaired by alcohol and/or drugs, and this goes double for motorists who are responsible for transporting others.
- Exhaustion – It is a fact of the gig economy that everyone involved tends to push themself a bit harder than may be ideal, and rideshare drivers are no exception. Drowsy drivers, however, are dangerous drivers.
- Excess Speed – When drivers exceed a safe speed (in relation to the speed limit and the condition of the road), they make accidents more likely, and they help ensure that those accidents will be exceptionally dangerous.
Reach out to 388CEDA Today
We all rely upon rideshare drivers to get us where we need to be when driving ourselves isn’t a great option, and rideshare accidents happen. If a negligent rideshare driver leaves you injured and you’re asking yourself where to find experienced rideshare accident attorneys near me, 388CEDA may be able to help.
We not only offer comprehensive medical treatment and care, including effective pain management services, but can also recommend a dedicated rideshare accident attorney if you ask that we do so. Obtaining your fullest recovery is important, so please do not hesitate to call us at 1-800-388-CEDA to learn more about how we may be able to help you today.
*388CEDA is not a law firm or an attorney referral service. 388CEDA does not provide legal advice, services, or legal representation to anyone including but not limited to visitors to this site or individuals/persons responding to our advertisements. In Florida, 388CEDA provides the following types of physician services: M.D., Orthopedic Surgeons, Anesthesiologists, General Practitioners, Nurse Practitioners, & D.C., Chiropractic Physicians that document and treat individuals that have suffered injuries. Results may vary and are not guaranteed. If you have any questions or need assistance, please call one of our agents at 388CEDA. We work with experienced attorneys.
