Were you involved in an accident with an Uber or Lyft vehicle in Sarasota, Florida? Contact Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers for a free consultation at (941) 401-0141. Our experienced Sarasota Uber and Lyft accident attorneys can help you evaluate your legal options and pursue maximum compensation from there.
With 120 years of combined experience and over $500 million won for our clients, we’ll bring the full force of our dedication and resources to work for you from the moment you choose us for your case.
Why Choose Catania & Catania After a Rideshare Accident in Sarasota, FL?
Uber and Lyft crashes are not handled the same way as a typical car accident case. If you aren’t careful, you run the risk of resolving your claim for a lot less than what it’s really worth under the law because of the legal nuance involved in these situations.
Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers will make it our primary objective to help you maximize the compensation you ultimately recover.
A few reasons to consider hiring our Sarasota personal injury lawyers include:
- Case results that include countless recoveries in the seven figures for our clients
- Well over a century of combined legal experience on our legal team
- A thorough understanding of Florida law and how it affects rideshare insurance claims
- Access to leading expert witnesses who can strengthen your case
- A willingness to file a lawsuit and take your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to negotiate fairly
- Awards and accolades from organizations like Martindale-Hubbell, the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, and more
Get in touch with our Sarasota car accident lawyers today for a free consultation. We can answer any questions you might have when we meet to review your case.
How Rideshare Insurance Works in Florida
One of the biggest challenges in any Uber or Lyft accident case is determining which insurance policy covers the crash. Per Florida law, the level of coverage available depends at least in part on what phase of activity the rideshare driver was in when the accident occurred. Uber and Lyft are required to carry insurance that you may be able to file a claim against in some cases.
Florida law breaks this down into three phases:
- App off: When the driver is not logged into the Uber or Lyft app, they are considered to be using their vehicle for personal purposes. Only their personal auto insurance applies during this time, and neither Uber nor Lyft provides any coverage.
- App on, waiting for a ride request: Once the driver logs into the app and is available to accept trips but has not yet been matched with a passenger, a limited liability policy kicks in.
- Ride accepted through drop-off: From the moment the driver accepts a ride request until the last passenger exits the vehicle, Uber and Lyft are required to carry at least $1 million in liability coverage.
Another layer of complexity here is that Florida is a “no-fault” state for auto insurance. This means that by default, your first course of action is to file a claim with your PIP coverage. However, in some cases, you can step outside the no-fault rules and file a claim against the opposing party. We’ll be able to help you figure out how these laws apply to your case during your free case review.
How Much Is My Sarasota Rideshare Accident Case Worth?
There is no simple formula for determining what a rideshare accident case is worth. The value of your case will hinge entirely on the specific facts and circumstances involved in your situation.
Some of the factors that will influence your case’s value include:
- The severity of your injuries and whether they are permanent
- How much you have spent on medical care and how much treatment you will need going forward
- Whether you have lost income and have lost earning capacity going forward
- What the rideshare driver was doing at the time of the accident in terms of driving a passenger
- The amount of pain and disruption the injury has caused in your daily life
- Whether you share any percentage of fault for what happened
Rideshare cases can carry higher values than standard car accident claims because of the $1 million insurance policy that applies during active trips. Our Uber and Lyft accident attorneys in Sarasota will evaluate every aspect of your case and pursue the maximum recovery available under the applicable policies.
Common Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents in Sarasota
Rideshare drivers face many of the same hazards as any other driver on the road, but certain factors unique to the job can make accidents more likely. Drivers are often navigating unfamiliar neighborhoods and are feeling pressure to complete as many trips as possible in a short window of time.
Some of the most frequent causes of rideshare accidents in Sarasota include:
- Distracted driving
- Sudden stops and lane changes
- Speeding to reach a pickup location quickly
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Fatigued driving after long hours behind the wheel
- Making illegal U-turns
- Pulling over in unsafe locations
- Failure to yield the right of way
Regardless of how your accident happened, you may have grounds to pursue a claim so long as the rideshare driver’s negligence played a role. Our legal team will investigate the circumstances and identify every source of liability we can.
What if I Am Being Blamed for My Sarasota Rideshare Accident?
Florida follows a modified comparative negligence standard under Florida Statutes Section 768.81. Under this law, your compensation can be reduced based on your share of the fault. If you are found to be 51% or more responsible for the accident, you are barred from recovering any damages at all.
Note that this law applies to claims against the defendant only, not to claims against your own PIP insurance. You can file a PIP claim regardless of whose fault the accident was.
What Damages Can I Recover After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Sarasota?
If you’re eligible to take action against the opposing party, you can recover full economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages for your financial losses, such as:
- Medical bills
- Future medical care
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
Non-economic damages for the personal toll the accident has taken, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
Punitive damages may also be available in rare cases where the at-fault party’s conduct was particularly egregious. However, your case must usually go all the way to trial to be eligible for punitive damages and they also require more compelling evidence.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Sarasota?
Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers handles rideshare accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You’ll pay nothing up front to hire us, and you will not owe any attorney’s fees at all unless we recover compensation for you.
This payment structure allows you to hire any lawyer you’d like for your case without regard to your financial circumstances. It also means that we’ll be incentivized to secure as much money damages as we can, as our interests are tied with yours.
How Long Do I Have to File a Rideshare Accident Lawsuit in Florida?
Florida’s statute of limitations typically gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you do not file within this window, you will almost certainly lose the right to pursue compensation from the responsible party
However, note that there are a few exceptions that can adjust this time limit. For example, the deadline may be extended if the at-fault party has fled the state. It’s best to contact our personal injury attorneys as soon as you can to ensure you take timely legal action.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Sarasota Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys
Were you injured in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle in Sarasota, FL? You may be entitled to substantial compensation, and Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers is here to help you make sure you secure it.
Our Sarasota Uber and Lyft accident lawyers have recovered more than $500 million for our clients across 120 years of combined experience and are just as confident that we can help you with your case as well. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more.
