Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer in Port Orange

Real Experience with Rideshare Accident Claims

If you were hit by an Uber or Lyft while driving through Port Orange, Florida, you know that you can explore legal options to pursue compensation—but you might not know where to begin. Come to Politis & Matovina, P.A. and let us guide you through every legal step and process, so you can stay focused on taking care of yourself. We know the intricacies that often follow a rideshare accident, such as figuring out if Uber or Lyft will even offer a dollar of coverage to the injured parties.

Why should you depend on us for your Uber or Lyft accident claim?

• We first opened our doors to the people of Port Orange in 1993.
• We have secured hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients.
• We have 24/7 availability for client convenience and emergencies.
• We start many of our cases through referrals—other law offices trust us, too!

See if you can start an Uber or Lyft accident claim after a crash in Port Orange. Call (386) 333-6613 and 
request a free consultation.

What to Do After a Rideshare Accident in Port Orange

After being in a rideshare accident in Port Orange, you should stay safe and try to:

• Gather information: Get as much information as you can about the other involved parties (rideshare driver, other rideshare passengers, other motorists, eyewitnesses, etc.), including insurance information.
• Collect evidence: Take photographs and video footage of the scene of the crash. You can never take too many photos in this way.
• Report the accident: If you were riding in the rideshare vehicle, use the rideshare app to notify the company (most likely Uber or Lyft) about the crash as soon as possible.
• Seek medical attention: Even if you feel fine, you should go to a trusted medical professional for a diagnosis within a few hours at most after a rideshare accident.
• Talk to Politis & Matovina, P.A.: Once you have gotten the medical care you need to be safe, reach out to our law firm to see if you have the grounds to start an injury claim.

Uber & Lyft’s Liability After a Rideshare Accident

Understandably, you might want to file a claim or lawsuit against Uber or Lyft right away after being in a rideshare accident. However, trying to hold the rideshare company liable for your harm and losses might be the wrong step. Based on the details of the crash, the rideshare company’s liability could vary significantly; in some cases, Uber or Lyft can sidestep virtually all liability.

Uber and Lyft have fought in court to keep their drivers as independent contractors, not employees. Due to this specific definition, it is difficult for liability for a crash to be passed upward from the driver to the rideshare company.

When trying to see if Uber or Lyft should be liable for your damages, our attorneys will ask:

• Was the rideshare driver logged into the app when the accident occurred?
• Was the rideshare driver at fault for the accident or did another party cause it?
• Does Uber or Lyft offer any insurance coverage for the type of accident you were in?

Uber & Lyft Insurance Coverage Limits

If the rideshare driver was not using the app at the time of the crash, then it is highly unlikely that Uber or Lyft will be liable at all. On the other hand, if the rideshare driver was using the app in some way, Uber or Lyft would likely offer some sort of insurance coverage. Importantly, this insurance coverage should not be mistaken for liability or an admission of guilt because it might still be challenging to file a claim for more compensation from the rideshare company if the coverage is not enough.

Uber and Lyft insurance policies consider these situations to determine if insurance coverage should be provided:

• Offline: If the rideshare app is off or the driver is not logged into the app at the time of the crash, the rideshare company does not offer any insurance coverage to any party.
• Online but no fare: If the rideshare driver is using the app but has not accepted a fare at the time of the crash, a 50/100/25 policy may apply for certain damages.
• Online and en route: If the rideshare driver has accepted a fare and is en route to pick up the paying passenger at the time of the crash, the rideshare company may offer up to $1 million in liability coverage per accident.
• Online and during a ride: If the rideshare driver has a paying passenger in the vehicle at the time of the crash, the rideshare company may offer up to $1 million in liability coverage and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident.

Again, the insurance policies held by Uber and Lyft are not guaranteed to apply after a rideshare accident. Also, in most cases, the Uber/Lyft insurance policy won’t even be considered until all other auto insurance policies held by all other parties are exhausted first. For these reasons, you should always consult with a Port Orange rideshare accident lawyer from our firm to understand what help might be available to you. 

Filing a Claim Against the Rideshare Driver’s Insurance

As mentioned, you will likely need to pursue  a claim against the rideshare driver’s auto insurance policy before involving Uber or Lyft. This process can feel even more complicated due to Florida’s personal injury protection (PIP) auto insurance rules. See what steps you should take next by working with us.

We can help you throughout your rideshare accident claim by:

• Investigating the circumstances of the accident
• Determining what insurance policies you can file against
• Using evidence to prove liability for the accident
• Demonstrating the severity of your injuries with medical evidence
• Attempting to negotiate a fair settlement amount
• Litigating in court on your behalf if no settlement is available

Learn More – Call for a Free Consultation

You deserve to rest and do your best to recover after being in a devastating rideshare accident in Port Orange. Give yourself that chance by allowing our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers to take care of your entire case from start to finish, just as we have been doing for injured clients for more than 30 years. Even if we have to go head-to-head with a rideshare company giant like Uber, we’ll be ready to stand up and fight for you.

Call (386) 333-6613 and schedule a no-cost rideshare accident claim evaluation now.