As you consider your legal options following a rideshare accident in Miami, you may be wondering if you can hold the company accountable. The answer is yes, you can sue a rideshare company if you can prove they were negligent or their driver breached their duty of care.
To build a strong case, we will need to understand Florida’s unique insurance policies, liability laws, and statute of limitations. At Anidjar & Levine, our Miami car accident lawyer can help you understand how to sue a rideshare company for a car accident in Miami.
Determining Liability When Suing a Rideshare Company For a Miami Car Accident
You’ve gathered valuable insights into rideshare insurance policies in Florida, which will help you through the claims process. Now, it’s important to determine liability in the rideshare accident. This involves a thorough investigation to identify the responsible party or parties.
As a passenger, your safety concerns are important, and the investigation will focus on the driver’s actions, vehicle maintenance, and any potential negligence. The rideshare company’s policies and procedures will also be scrutinized to determine if they contributed to the accident.
Gathering evidence, such as witness statements, police reports, and vehicle data, is important for building a strong case. By determining liability, you can establish a clear path for seeking compensation for your injuries and damages.
Types of Damages You Can Claim in a Miami Rideshare Accident
If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, you may be entitled to compensation for various damages. You can sue a rideshare company for a car accident in Miami and recover the following:
Medical Expense
Medical expenses can quickly add up after a rideshare accident, and understanding what’s covered is important for seeking fair compensation. As a passenger, you’re entitled to medical expense coverage, which includes payment for medical bills, hospital stays, and rehabilitation costs.
The coverage limits vary depending on the rideshare company and the specific policy in place. For instance, Uber’s insurance policy provides up to $1 million in coverage for medical expenses.
When filing a claim, it’s important to keep track of all medical bills and expenses, as you’ll need to provide documentation to support your claim.
Lost Wages Compensation
After a rideshare accident, the financial implications can extend beyond medical expenses to impact your income as well. If you’re unable to work due to injuries, you may be eligible for lost wages compensation.
This type of compensation is designed to reimburse you for the income you’ve lost as a result of the accident. You can recover the following damages in your compensation claim:
- Past lost wages: Compensation for income you’ve already lost due to the accident
- Future lost wages: Compensation for income you’ll lose in the future due to ongoing injuries or treatment
- Reduced earning capacity: Compensation for any reduction in your ability to earn a living due to permanent injuries
The Role of Negligence in Miami Rideshare Accident Claims
When you’re involved in a rideshare accident, you may wonder if the driver or the company is responsible.
Driver’s Duty of Care
As you consider suing a rideshare company for a car accident in Miami, it’s important to understand the role of negligence in these cases, particularly the driver’s duty of care. As a rideshare driver, they have a responsibility to guarantee your safety while you’re in their vehicle.
This means they must operate their vehicle with reasonable care to prevent accidents and injuries. Some significant aspects of a driver’s duty of care include:
- Following traffic laws and regulations
- Maintaining a safe and roadworthy vehicle
- Avoiding distractions while driving, such as using their phone
If a driver fails to meet these responsibilities and you’re injured as a result, you may be able to hold them liable for your damages.
Rideshare Company Liability
Rideshare companies, like Uber and Lyft, can also be held liable for accidents caused by their drivers. As a passenger, you may be wondering how this liability works. Rideshare companies have a duty to guarantee their drivers are properly vetted, trained, and insured.
If they fail to meet these obligations, they can be held responsible for any resulting accidents. Under rideshare regulations, companies like Uber and Lyft are considered “common carriers,” which means they have a higher duty of care to their passengers.
However, there are liability exceptions, such as when a driver is not logged into the app or is not transporting a passenger at the time of the accident. Understanding these rules is important for determining whether you have a valid claim against the rideshare company.
Proving Negligent Actions
If you’re contemplating suing a rideshare company, you’ll need to prove that their negligent actions led to your accident. To do this, you’ll need to demonstrate that the company failed to meet the applicable negligence standards. This can be a complicated process, but it’s important to establish fault.
Some important factors to reflect on when proving negligence include:
- The company’s hiring and screening processes for drivers
- Their maintenance and inspection procedures for vehicles
- The adequacy of their safety protocols and emergency response plans
Statute of Limitations for Filing a Rideshare Accident Lawsuit
How long do you have to take legal action after a rideshare accident? In Florida, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit, including those involving rideshare companies, is two years from the date of the accident.
This means you have two years to file a lawsuit against the responsible parties, including the rideshare company, the driver, or other liable entities. It’s important to understand these filing deadlines, as missing the statute of limitations can bar you from pursuing legal action.
Don’t delay in seeking legal advice and initiating legal procedures to guarantee your rights are protected. Remember, timely action is significant in preserving your right to compensation for your injuries and damages.
Learn More About Suing a Rideshare Company for a Miami Car Crash
You’ve been involved in a rideshare accident in Miami, so now what? To increase your chances of a successful claim, you should gather evidence, understand Florida’s legal framework, and consult with an experienced attorney, such as Anidjar & Levine, who focuses on rideshare accident cases.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
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