FLORIDA RIDESHARE PASSENGER ACCIDENT

Florida Rideshare Accident Passenger Injuries

Rideshare companies such as Uber, Lyft, and taxi services have become commonplace throughout Florida. Their convenience is second to none. Now you may know what to do if you're involved in an auto accident, but what do you do if you were involved in an accident while riding with a rideshare company? 

Fortunately, rideshare companies carry a significant amount of insurance and rideshare drivers are required to be personally insured. After an accident with a rideshare company you should do the following to protect yourself and your case:

1. STAY AT THE SCENE:  You should never leave the scene of an accident until instructed. Criminal penalties may occur if you leave the scene of an accident before instructed to by the police. 
   
   
2. CALL THE POLICE:  If you were a passenger in a rideshare vehicle or a passenger hit by a rideshare car call the police. When the police arrive, follow their instructions, and ask for an accident report. Be sure to write down the name and badge number of the officers. Even in a small accident, your insurance company may try to deny your claim if you don't have a police report.
   
   Note:  Keep in mind that you could be in shock. Injuries may not be visible or felt in the moment but can develop after some time. It's important to have the accident documented and the accident report can further your claim. 
   
   
3. OBTAIN PERSONAL INFORMATION FROM THE OTHER PARTY:  It's important to take down the other party's information. This should be included in the police report, but the officers sometimes make mistakes. Take down the following: 
   • Name;
   • Address;
   • Drivers License Number;
   • Telephone Number;
   • Insurance Company;
   • Insurance Policy Number; and 
   • Write down the name and information of the owner of the vehicle. (Sometimes the driver is not the owner.) 
     
     
4. WITNESSES:  Look to see if there were any witnesses to the accident. Oftentimes, other cars may stop if they witness an accident and attempt to assist. Take down the names and phone numbers of any witnesses to the accident.  
   
   
5. PHOTOS/VIDEOS:  Take as many clear photos/videos of the scene as possible. Take photos/videos of the all parts of the vehicles,  not just where there is visible damage. Take photos/videos of the road and the conditions of the road. Photograph/video any stop signs or stop lights that are in the vicinity. Try to photograph/videos any injuries you sustained.  
   
   Note:  Depending on where the accident took place, there may be a nearby security camera that captured the accident. If so, let your attorney know immediately, so the law firm can obtain the footage before expiration.
   
   
6. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION:  If you have any injuries or discomfort go to the hospital. If in the event you do not have any injuries noticeable at the scene of the accident, that's ok too.
   
   Sometimes, injuries can develop over a day or a week. It's imperative that you document this as soon as the injury presents itself (even if it's what you consider minor).
   
   Go to your doctor, an urgent care, or an emergency room to be evaluated. If you're worried about the cost of seeing a medical professional and unsure of what your co-pay might be, give us a call. We read legal jargon all day long! We can help you make sense of it.
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7. CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY:  You should notify your insurance company within 24 hours of an accident. Your insurance policy may have a limited amount of time for you to inform them of the accident. Unsure how to contact them, we can help you through this too.
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   ​If you have a Florida auto insurance policy then you can take advantage of your personal injury protection (PIP) benefits. In order to use your PIP benefits you must be seen by a doctor within 2 weeks of the accident. ​
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8. CALL US AT (407) 308-0327:  We're here to help you through this moment in your life. 

​Rideshare Rider

As a passenger in a rideshare vehicle you won't be liable for the accident except in the most unusual circumstances. As a passenger in a rideshare accident you will likely want to file a claim against the rideshare driver, the rideshare driver's insurance, and the other vehicle. You'll likely be able to recover from the at fault party. (Both parties may be partially at fault). 

Comparative fault still applies, so if for example you were a passenger who was not wearing a seatbelt then your recovery could be reduced. 

Rideshare Passenger Injuries

After an accident, rideshare passenger's injuries most commonly include:
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1. Rideshare accident passenger whip lash injuries.
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2. Rideshare accident passenger back injuries.
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3. Rideshare accident passenger sprains or broken bones.
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4. Rideshare accident passenger head injuries (concussions, TBI's, etc.)
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5. Rideshare accident passenger spine injuries. 

Rideshare Passenger Damages

How much can I recover as a passenger in a rideshare accident?

This is the question everyone wants to know. It's impossible to answer without knowing more about the specific accident. A rideshare accident's settlement value depends on the severity of the injuries. A rideshare accident lawyer can help determine the amount of damages. For example, many riders experience soft tissue injuries (bruises). Generally, these resolve fairly quickly and don't require significant medical intervention. Other riders may suffer several disc herniations (back injuries). The rider may never fully recover from these and they may require surgical intervention to alleviate the pain. 

At a basic level, we would look at economic damages, which include medical bills, lost income, and property damage. Economic damages are calculated using bills, receipts, and your payroll records. Next, we would look at non-economic damages, which include pain and suffering and wrongful death. Non-economic damages are non-quantifiable. It's recommended to speak with a rideshare accident lawyer to assist with determining non-economic damages. 

A minor rideshare injury may be resolved for $10,000.00, whereas a rideshare accident with significant injuries may be resolved for over $1 million. 

​Should I Hire an Attorney?

While it’s not required, it’s highly recommended that you speak with an attorney about your rideshare car accident claim. A rideshare injury attorney can guide you through the stressful, complex insurance process. Rideshare accidents are complex  with multiple parties involved. An attorney can help navigate the legal complexities and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. Most rideshare personal injury attorneys offer a free consultation and only get paid if you recover.  

If you were injured in a rideshare accident, car crash, truck crash, slip and fall, motorcycle accident, or workers compensation accident, it's important to have an attorney who can navigate the complex insurance landscape. Call Attorney Andrew Graves for a free consultation or fill out our online consultation form for a call back.