Were you seriously hurt in an Uber accident in Tampa, FL? Uber and Lyft are convenient alternatives to driving or using public transportation. However, they come with the same risks of an accident. You may be entitled to compensation for your lost wages, medical bills, and more from the at-fault driver.
Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers has represented accident victims and their families in Tampa Bay for more than 28 years. Contact our Tampa law office to schedule a free no-obligation consultation with a Tampa Uber accident lawyer. You pay nothing out of pocket for the legal representation you deserve, so give us a call now at (813) 222-8656 to get started with your case.
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How Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers Can Help After Your Uber Accident in Tampa
Rideshare and taxi accidents are notoriously complicated, thanks to confusing insurance coverage rules. At Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers, you shouldn’t have to fight with any insurance company for compensation after an accident, let alone multiple insurers. Our Tampa personal injury attorneys put decades of legal experience and insight to work on your behalf.
Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers is an award-winning law firm that has recovered over $500 million in settlements and jury awards. We have earned the highest peer rating from Martindale-Hubbell and the 2020 Silver Client Champion award. Our small law firm always gives your case the attention it deserves; our elite experience gives you the resources it needs to win.
Choose Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers to represent you in Tampa, Florida, and we will:
- Offer sound legal advice, guidance, and support at every step of your case
- Handle all negotiations, communications, and paperwork
- Perform an independent investigation into your accident to gather evidence and identify potentially liable parties
- Negotiate a fair settlement offer based on an accurate valuation of your damages
- Present a compelling case to a jury if a fair settlement is not reached
Contact Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers today to set up a free consultation with a Tampa injury lawyer ready to fight for you.
How Common Are Uber Accidents in Florida?
While millions rely on ridesharing services like Uber every day, statistics on Uber accidents are hard to come by. Uber offers limited information on the number of accidents involving its rideshare drivers. Uber’s recent U.S. Safety Report found that its driver’s accident rate was half of the national average.
In 2017, they reported 49 Uber-related fatalities. However, Uber defines an “Uber-related” fatal accident as one in which the driver had a rider or was picking up a passenger. Crashes while waiting or cruising were not included.
A study using data from the NHTSA found that a city’s fatal accidents increased two to four percent per year once rideshare services began. This study cautioned that the increase in fatalities may cancel out the benefit of lowering drunk driving accidents.
What Is My Tampa Uber Accident Case Worth?
The value of your injury case depends on many unique factors. To value your case, your Tampa Uber accident lawyer will first consider your economic losses.
Some of these losses, such as future medical care and diminished earning capacity, may require help from financial and medical experts. We will use these values to estimate the cost of your non-economic losses.
Many other factors also affect your case’s worth, including:
- Whether you contributed to the crash
- the amount of insurance coverage available
- how your injuries will affect your future health, wellbeing, and ability to work.
The best way to estimate your case’s value is to schedule a free case review with the experienced Tampa Uber accident lawyers at Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers.
What Damages Are Available to Uber Accident Victims?
Accident victims have the right to recover compensation for their losses from the at-fault party. You may be entitled to economic damages for your financial losses and non-economic damages for personal losses without a financial value.
Economic damages can include:
- Property damage
- Current medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity if you cannot return to your job
Non-economic losses may be difficult to value, but they offer compensation for these important losses:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement and scarring
Rare cases may be eligible for punitive damages. These damages do not compensate for any losses but instead punish a defendant for egregious misconduct or wanton disregard for human life.
We Will Fight for the Compensation You Deserve for Your Uber Accident Injuries
At Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers, we understand just how quickly an accident can change your life forever. You may be faced with a painful recovery, permanent injuries, disability, and chronic pain. Your accident may also take a psychological and emotional toll on your life.
We will fight for the fair compensation you need for all the injuries you sustained.
We represent Uber crash victims who have suffered injuries such as:
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Catastrophic injuries
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Fractures
- Soft tissue injuries
- Seat belt injuries
- Internal injuries
Do not allow an insurance company to minimize the severity of your injuries or the effect they will have on your future. Call Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers today to discuss your case with a Tampa personal injury lawyer who cares about you.
We’re here to help, 24/7
What Causes Most Uber Accidents in Tampa, Florida?
Using a rideshare service can be convenient. These services do reduce the rate of drunk driving. However, accidents involving a rideshare vehicle are just as likely as any other car accident. Uber drivers do not receive special training and undergo only a basic background check before they begin driving.
Common causes of Uber accidents include:
- Fatigued driving, an issue that may be more common among Uber drivers who rely on Uber for secondary income
- Drunk driving
- Running a stop sign or red light
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Risky left-hand turns
Your Tampa Uber accident lawyer will carefully investigate your accident to gather evidence and determine how your accident happened.
How Does Liability and Insurance Work in an Uber Accident in Florida?
Rideshare accidents are often complicated due to unique rules regarding insurance coverage. When Uber and Lyft drivers are at fault for an accident, coverage can be even more complex.
Florida law requires rideshare drivers to maintain minimum liability insurance of $100,000/accident, $50,000/death and bodily injury per person, and $25,000/property damage. Uber must also carry a commercial insurance policy for drivers.
The Uber insurance policy offers injury victims up to $1 million in coverage. However, this coverage is secondary to the driver’s policy, and it is only in effect in certain scenarios.
If the rideshare driver caused the crash, you must first make a claim against the driver’s insurance policy. If there is insufficient coverage, Uber’s insurance policy will take effect. However, Uber’s policy only applies when the Uber driver is en route to pick up a passenger or has a passenger in the vehicle. If the driver is merely online on the Uber app but waiting for a ride, a much lower liability limit is in effect. If the app is off, the Uber policy is not active.
When an accident occurs with an Uber vehicle, it can be complicated to understand which insurance company is responsible for the damages. You may be left dealing with two or even more insurance companies. Each will likely attempt to shift liability to the other. This is why it is crucial to consult with experienced Uber injury attorneys as soon as possible.
How Long Do I Have to File an Injury Lawsuit After an Uber Accident in Florida?
You have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit after an Uber accident. The Florida statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of your crash to initiate your personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you will be barred from recovering any compensation.
Delays can allow valuable evidence to be lost, which may weaken your case and make it difficult to prove causation and liability. Investigating your accident, reaching maximum medical improvement, and negotiating can also take time.
Contact Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation to discuss your case. We will begin work on gathering evidence and pursuing compensation on your behalf immediately.
Contact a Tampa Uber Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Have you been injured in an accident as an Uber passenger? Were you hurt by an Uber driver as a pedestrian or the occupant of another vehicle? You deserve experienced legal representation to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Call Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers at (813) 222-8656 today to schedule a free consultation with a Tampa Uber accident lawyer ready to help. We will fight the insurance company for you and handle all negotiations so you can focus on your recovery.
