Tampa Uber Accident Lawyer

REPRESENTACIÓN AUDAZ. RESULTADOS AUDACES.

To begin with, Uber calls itself a technology platform. In plain English, it’s a smartphone app. In fact, it operates to connect drivers and passengers who pay fares to get from one place to another. Thus, Uber pays the drivers for every completed trip. But Uber denies an employer-employee relationship with the drivers. It also denies owning any vehicles associated with the company. Its position is that Uber drivers are independent contractors.

As of 2019, Uber offers UberX, UberXL, and Uber Select vehicles in Tampa. Popular destinations include Amalie Arena, Downtown Tampa, Raymond James Stadium, and Tampa International Airport (TPA).

Uber Customer Simplicity

Becoming an Uber customer is simple. First, you merely create an account with some personal and payment information. Then, you install the app on your smartphone. Next, when you need a ride somewhere, you can input your location and destination on the app. Finally, a nearby driver who is an Uber associate can agree to give you a ride to where you’re going. Additionally, you can even watch the Uber vehicle on your phone to see where it is while it’s coming to pick you up. Thus, you can make payments with either a valid credit card that’s on file with Uber or a PayPal account.

Uber Accident Liability Complexity

Many people in and around Tampa use Uber from time to time. But if they’re in an accident involving an Uber vehicle as a passenger, the insurance issues surrounding the crash become complex. As well as for another driver, bicyclist, or pedestrian involved in the accident. An investigator or adjuster from an insurance company will be conducting an investigation. And, written or recorded statements taken from all parties and any independent witnesses become critical to their investigation.

Florida law doesn’t require an injured victim or a witness to give any type of statement to an opposing attorney. Especially without an attorney being present on their behalf. In fact, that opposing insurer only intends to use any statements against those people who gave them by using their own words against them. Rather than giving a statement and unknowingly hurting your case, contact us instead. And, you can arrange for a free case evaluation with a Tampa Uber accident attorney from our offices.

Insurance Coverage in a Florida Uber or Rideshare Accident

Insurance coverage in a rideshare crash can depend heavily on what the rideshare driver was doing at the time of the accident.

Florida Statute §627.748 sets different minimum insurance requirements depending on whether the driver was merely logged into the transportation network company’s digital network or was actively engaged in a prearranged ride.

Driver Logged In but No Prearranged Ride

When a participating rideshare driver is logged into the digital network but has not accepted a prearranged ride, Florida law requires primary automobile insurance providing at least:

• $50,000 for death and bodily injury per person;
• $100,000 for death and bodily injury per incident;
• $25,000 for property damage;
• the PIP benefits required by Florida law; and
• uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage as required by §627.727.

The required coverage may be maintained by the driver, vehicle owner, transportation network company, or a combination of them.

Driver Engaged in a Prearranged Ride

Once the driver accepts a ride request, the statutory prearranged-ride period begins and continues while the passenger is being transported until the last rider exits and is no longer occupying the vehicle.

During this period, Florida law requires:

• at least $1 million in primary automobile liability coverage for death, bodily injury, and property damage;
• PIP benefits meeting the statutory requirements; and
• uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage as required by Florida law.

PIP Benefits Are Not Simply $10,000 of Medical Bills

Florida PIP generally provides up to $10,000 in combined medical and disability benefits. Qualifying medical expenses are generally reimbursed at 80%, and qualifying lost-income benefits are generally paid at 60%.

Initial medical services and care generally must be received within 14 days. Medical reimbursement can be limited to $2,500 when the injured person is determined not to have an emergency medical condition.

The exact coverage available after an Uber or other rideshare crash depends on the driver’s app status, whether a ride had been accepted, the applicable policies, the injured person’s own coverage, and the facts of the accident.

Claims That Are Denied

Always keep the fact in mind that insurance companies are in business for the purpose of making money and not giving it away. If you have a claim against an Uber driver or Uber itself, expect its insurer to either try to devalue your claim or deny it in its entirety. The fact that Uber doesn’t consider its drivers to be employees complicates matters even further.

The Statement

Uber’s insurer will likely phone you and try to lull you into giving it a recorded statement from you. Florida law doesn’t require you to give any type of statement to an opposing insurer. That insurer is only going to try to use your own words against you in the future. Rather than giving a statement and prejudicing your case, protect your rights and politely refuse to give any type of statement. After that, contact our offices, and we’ll arrange for that free consultation and case evaluation.

Contact a Tampa Uber Accident Lawyer

RHINO Lawyers is a powerful, results-driven law firm that takes Insurance Companies and Bullies “head-on!”

Whether you were injured as a passenger, the driver of another motor vehicle, a bicyclist, or a pedestrian, you’ll likely be in a complicated uphill battle when trying to obtain full and fair compensation for your injuries. Evidence can disappear, recollections of events can get fuzzy, and witnesses can vanish. Those are just some of the reasons why you need to Contáctenos as soon as possible after being injured in an Uber accident.

We’ll answer your questions and advise you of your full range of legal alternatives. It doesn’t cost a penny for you to retain us either. That’s because no legal fees are due unless we obtain a settlement or verdict for you. Contact RHINO Lawyers as soon as possible after being injured in an Uber accident.