When you experience a rideshare accident in Palm Coast, you may find yourself facing physical pain, mounting medical costs, and uncertainty about who should pay for your damages. These situations can quickly become complicated, as multiple insurance companies may dispute your coverage.
Cut through the red tape with one of our Palm Coast rideshare accident lawyers. At The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we focus on helping injury victims like you recover the compensation needed for medical care, lost income, and other accident-related expenses.
Take back control of your life. Contact our Palm Coast personal injury lawyersfor a free consultation.
Understanding Rideshare Insurance Coverage in Florida
Rideshare accident claims often involve multiple layers of insurance coverage that apply at different times, depending on the driver’s status at the time of the crash. This tiered approach can make these cases more challenging than typical car accident claims.
When a rideshare driver is offline or not using the app, their personal auto insurance policy applies if they cause an accident. However, once the driver logs into the app and becomes available for ride requests, the situation changes.
Coverage Periods
During the period when a driver is logged in but hasn’t accepted a ride, rideshare companies typically provide limited liability coverage. This coverage increases substantially once a driver accepts a trip and is en route to pick up a passenger or has a passenger in the vehicle.
For example, major rideshare companies typically provide up to $1 million in liability coverage when a passenger is in the vehicle. Additionally, these companies often maintain uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to protect passengers if another driver causes an accident and lacks adequate insurance.
Our Palm Coast car accident lawyershave extensive knowledge of these coverage details and can identify all potential sources of compensation after your Palm Coast rideshare accident.
Steps to Take Following a Palm Coast Rideshare Accident
The actions you take immediately after a rideshare accident can significantly impact your ability to recover fair compensation. Following these steps helps protect both your health and your legal options.
- Seek medical care immediately, even if you believe your injuries are minor. Some serious conditions may not exhibit symptoms immediately.
- Report the accident through the rideshare app if you were a passenger. This creates an official record with the company.
- Document the scene by taking photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, and visible injuries if you’re able.
- Collect contact and insurance information from all drivers involved, including the rideshare driver’s personal and rideshare information.
- Obtain contact details from witnesses who saw what happened.
- File a police report to create an official record of the incident.
After addressing these immediate concerns, consulting a Palm Coast rideshare accident attorney is a crucial next step. Early legal representation allows us to begin preserving evidence, such as the rideshare driver’s app data, before it becomes difficult to obtain.
Our legal team can also advise you on communications with insurance adjusters. What you say to these companies can affect your claim, so having guidance from the beginning helps avoid potential missteps.
Challenges in Establishing Liability in Rideshare Cases
Determining who bears responsibility for a rideshare accident requires a thorough investigation. These cases often involve multiple potentially liable parties, making them more complicated than conventional auto accident claims.
The rideshare driver may be liable if their actions caused the crash. This could involve distracted driving, speeding, fatigue, or other forms of negligence. In some situations, the rideshare company might share responsibility, particularly if it negligently hired a driver with a poor driving history.
Other motorists who contributed to the accident can also be held accountable. Additionally, government entities responsible for road maintenance may be liable if dangerous road conditions contributed to the collision.
How We Establish Liability
Our approach to establishing liability includes:
- Examining the rideshare driver’s history and adherence to safety regulations
- Reviewing data from the rideshare app regarding the driver’s activities
- Analyzing police reports and witness statements
- Working with accident reconstruction experts when necessary
- Investigating the maintenance history of all vehicles involved
We carefully assess all potential factors that contributed to your accident to identify every party who may be responsible. This thorough approach helps maximize your compensation.
Damages Available to Palm Coast Rideshare Accident Victims
After a rideshare accident in Palm Coast, you may qualify for various types of compensation depending on your specific situation. Understanding the full range of potential damages helps ensure you don’t settle for less than you need.
The economic damages you may recover include:
- All medical expenses related to your injury, including future care needs
- Lost income during your recovery period
- Reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work
- Property damage, including repairs or replacement of personal items
- Modifications to your home or vehicle to accommodate your injuries
- Costs of household services you can’t perform due to your injuries
Beyond these financial losses, you may also recover non-economic damages such as:
- Physical pain and discomfort resulting from your injuries
- Mental and emotional suffering connected to the accident and recovery
- Loss of enjoyment of activities you previously valued
- Loss of consortium, which addresses the impact on your relationships
- Scarring or permanent disfigurement
The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine evaluates all aspects of how the accident has affected your life to determine the appropriate value of your claim. We recognize that each client’s situation is unique and requires an individualized assessment.
Contact Our Palm Coast Rideshare Accident Lawyers Today
If you’ve been hurt in a rideshare accident in Palm Coast, getting proper legal representation matters. The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine provides personalized attention to each client while fighting for the full compensation you need.
Our track record speaks for itself. Since our founding in 2005, we’ve recovered over $450 million for injury victims throughout Florida. We’ve helped thousands of clients rebuild their lives after accidents, and we’re ready to put that experience to work for you.
Contact us today for a free consultation with our Palm Coast rideshare accident lawyers. We’ll review your situation, answer your questions, and explain how we can help.