After an accident involving a rideshare vehicle, it can be challenging to figure out who is liable for your damages. The laws surrounding rideshare accidents continue to evolve as this relatively new phenomenon continues to grow. Fortunately, an experienced rideshare accident lawyer in Davie can help you determine who is at fault after a crash.
At The Schiller Kessler Group, we keep ourselves apprised of all of the changes regarding rideshare laws and have a proven track record of handling these types of cases. Reach out to us today by phone or by completing our online contact form to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced Davie car accident lawyer today.
Be sure to Submit Your Rideshare Accident Lawsuit Before the Filing Deadline
When considering filing a lawsuit after being injured in an accident, it is critical that you familiarize yourself with the personal injury statute of limitations for the state in which you are filing. In Florida, this statute was altered in 2023, reducing the amount of time that accident victims have to file from four to two years after the accident.
If you fail to submit the required paperwork within this two-year period, you may be out of options for pursuing compensatory damages.
The best action you can take to ensure that you do not lose your right to recover damages because of an unexpected deadline is to contact an experienced Davie personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your accident. Your lawyer can identify whether any special conditions apply to your case and ensure that all your paperwork is filed well in advance of the cutoff date.
More people choose The Schiller Kessler Group because they know that we’re a cut above other personal injury law firms.
Determining Who Is Liable for Your Damages in a Rideshare Accident Case
Establishing liability following a rideshare accident can be quite challenging. Since rideshare companies typically classify their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, they are granted a variety of protections in the event that one of their vehicles is involved in a crash.
Because of this classification, the rideshare driver may be responsible for covering damages caused by a collision while the rideshare company is protected. However, depending on the circumstances surrounding your crash, you could still potentially recover compensation from the rideshare company. Additionally, a variety of other parties could hold a level of fault.
Some of the parties most often to blame in rideshare accident cases include:
- The driver of the rideshare vehicle
- The rideshare company
- The driver of another car involved in the accident
- A third-party driver whose actions led to the crash but who was not directly involved
If the rideshare driver is found to be liable for your damages, you will likely have to submit a claim to their insurance provider. If the cost of your damages exceeds their insurance coverage, you may have the option of filing a lawsuit to collect the additional compensation you need directly from the driver or the rideshare company.
No matter what time of day it is, you can contact The Schiller Kessler Group to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
How Does Rideshare Insurance Coverage Work?
When attempting to recover damages after a crash, it is critical that you understand how the insurance policies of the big rideshare companies work. These companies operate with similar insurance cover that helps to limit their liability. Part of how these companies protect themselves is by requiring their drivers to carry their own personal car insurance coverage.
The driver’s insurance policy will serve as the first line of recovery for accident victims seeking damages after a crash. However, it is critical to understand that these companies must also carry their own insurance coverage. Depending on the circumstance of your case, you may be able to seek additional damages from the insurance policy of the rideshare company.
The biggest factor in determining the coverage provided by the rideshare company is the status of the rideshare driver at the time of the accident.
If the Driver Is Not Logged in to the Application
If the rideshare driver caused your accident and was not logged in to the rideshare app at the time, the rideshare company will not be liable for any damages you sustained. To recover compensation, your first option will be the driver’s insurance policy, while any damages exceeding this will only be recoverable through a personal injury lawsuit against the driver.
If the Driver Is Logged in to the Application but Has Not Yet Accepted a Ride
If the driver who caused the accident is logged in to the rideshare app but has not accepted a ride yet, the rideshare company’s insurance policy will kick in with limited coverage. While your first option for recovering damages will still be to file a claim with the driver’s insurance, you can also seek compensation from the company’s insurer for damages exceeding the coverage limit.
However, it is essential to note that this coverage will be very limited under these circumstances, and filing a lawsuit against the driver may still be necessary to recover the full extent of your damages.
If the Driver Is Logged In to the Application and Has Accepted a Ride
If the at-fault driver is logged in to the rideshare app and has accepted a ride, the insurance policy of the rideshare company will be in full effect. This applies whether the driver has picked up the passenger yet or not.
When the insurance policy of these large rideshare companies is fully active, accident victims will be able to collect damages from the insurer for up to $1,000,000.
Get Help From an Experienced Davie Rideshare Accident Lawyer Today
At SKG, our team of experienced rideshare accident lawyers in Davie can help you recover the compensation you need after a crash. Our case results speak for themselves. Contact us today by giving us a call or completing our contact form to schedule a free case review with a member of our legal team.
Injured? Call The Aggressive Attorneys Today
