Uber & Lyft Accident Claims in Florida: Understanding Rideshare Insurance

Rideshare services are everywhere in South Florida, and crashes involving Uber and Lyft vehicles raise insurance questions that ordinary car accidents do not. The amount of coverage available often depends on what the driver was doing at the moment of the crash. This article explains the basics. It is general information, not legal advice — every case is different, so consult an attorney about your specific circumstances.

Rideshare Insurance Works in "Periods"

Florida Statute § 627.748 governs transportation network companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft. The coverage that applies generally depends on the driver's status:

• App off (Period 0): The driver is using the car personally. Only the driver's personal auto insurance applies.
• App on, waiting for a ride request (Period 1): Lower contingent coverage applies — Florida law requires at least $50,000 per person / $100,000 per crash for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage.
• Ride accepted or passenger on board (Periods 2 & 3): The TNC must maintain at least $1,000,000 in coverage for death, bodily injury, and property damage.

Determining which period applied at the time of the crash can significantly affect the coverage available, and it is often a point of dispute.

Who Can Be Held Responsible?

Depending on the facts, a claim may involve the rideshare driver, another at-fault motorist, or the coverage maintained through the rideshare company. Passengers injured in a rideshare crash are generally not at fault and may have claims regardless of which driver caused the collision. Pedestrians and other drivers hit by a rideshare vehicle may also have claims.

How Florida No-Fault Interacts

Florida's no-fault (PIP) system still plays a role. An injured passenger may first look to available PIP coverage for initial medical expenses, while serious injuries can open the door to a liability claim. Remember that Florida's PIP rules generally require seeking medical treatment within 14 days of the crash to preserve those benefits. How these layers of coverage fit together is fact-specific.

Serving Rideshare Accident Victims Across South Florida

RNC Legal represents injury victims throughout the tri-county South Florida region. Our attorneys handle claims for clients in:

• Broward County: Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Coral Springs, Davie, Plantation, Sunrise, and Pompano Beach
• Miami-Dade County: Miami, Hialeah, Coral Gables, Aventura, Miami Gardens, Doral, North Miami, and Homestead
• Palm Beach County: Boca Raton, Delray Beach, West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth, and Wellington

Because every case turns on its own facts, the discussion above is general information rather than legal advice. An experienced South Florida attorney can review the specific circumstances of your case and explain the options available to you.