Whenever you ride in a vehicle driven by another person, you are putting your safety in their control. Whether you are riding with a friend, in a traditional taxi, or on a rideshare like Uber, the driver has full control and you are at his mercy. In many cases, the driver will use risky maneuvers and make choices you might not agree with, which puts your safety at risk and can result in an Uber accident.
If you are involved in any kind of accident, it’s always best to consult a professional. Contact us for a free consultation about your accident and your rights. We represent passengers and drivers involved in all kinds of accidents all over the state of Florida, especially in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and surrounding areas. 
Lyft and Uber are both ridesharing companies that offer lower fares than a traditional taxi, with no running meter. The advantage is that your driver cannot increase your bill by taking a longer route, but there is a downside to consider. According to our sources, the total pay an Uber driver can earn in a day is dependent on the number of drives they can complete in the shortest amount of time. This results in a quick method of transportation for you, but it may come at a higher risk as drivers have an incentive to increase their speed.
Because Uber hires independent contractors, the company does not always go through the proper steps to screen the drivers and make sure they carry appropriate insurance coverage for themselves and their passengers. We’ve found that the company provides alternative bodily injury coverage for drivers, but it has strict limitations on how it compensates passengers if an auto accident occurs with injuries and an insurance claim is necessary. As a result, many passengers injured in an Uber or another rideshare vehicle have needed to hire expert accident attorneys to seek proper compensation on their behalf and make sure their rights are protected.
As personal injury attorneys with many years of experience in Broward and Palm Beach counties, we can easily determine who is at fault in a car accident. However, the increasing popularity of ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft has raised some new questions about who will be responsible for what during an accident involving a rideshare.
Is the driver liable for damages?
How much responsibility does the ride-sharing company take on?
How are the riders protected?
The insurance companies that provide coverage for common carriers never want to pay huge amounts for damage claims. That’s why many Uber accident cases often involve a complex payout system where the driver’s personal insurance pays a small part of the claim, and Uber’s team will negotiate the pay for any remaining damage. Even after that, the insurance coverage is usually very limited. That’s why the only way to obtain adequate compensation for the injuries and damages endured by the victim is through legal representation from a South Florida Injury Attorney.
If you are in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft, you will need an experienced accident attorney to establish liability and prove damages. In most cases, the scenario will be similar to the accident cases we have been handling successfully for many years, with an added layer of complexity, because the cases involves a common carrier, which is Uber.
We expect that accidents involving Uber and Lyft will become increasingly common in the months and years to come as rideshares become more popular. If you have been involved in an accident as a passenger in an Uber, or if you were in a vehicle that was hit by an Uber, we can help. In these relatively new and complex scenarios, it’s more critical than ever to have an experienced professional working for your rights.
If you find yourself in an accident involving an Uber driver and you are unsure of how to proceed, call Abramowitz, Pomerantz and Morehead, P.A. Our experience as top accident attorneys in South Florida is invaluable. Accidents can be scary, and getting into one with an Uber driver can leave you with many unanswered questions in terms of liability and compensation. Make sure you have the best professionals on your side to get you the compensation and coverage you deserve.