Orlando Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Rideshare passengers, drivers, and other road users throughout Orlando face serious injury risks when Uber and Lyft drivers cause crashes through distraction, fatigue, or traffic violations. When rideshare accidents occur, determining which insurance policy applies, depends on the driver's app status at the moment of impact, creating confusion that insurers may exploit to deny or minimize valid claims.

An Orlando rideshare accident lawyer at Spetsas Buist investigates driver app status, preserves electronic evidence before it disappears, identifies all applicable insurance coverage, and pursues compensation for injuries caused by negligent rideshare drivers or third-party motorists who strike rideshare vehicles.

Contact us now for your free, confidential case evaluation. Whether you were injured as a passenger, struck by a rideshare vehicle, or hurt while driving for Uber or Lyft, we investigate what happened, determine which policies apply, and hold negligent parties accountable while you focus on recovery.

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Why Orlando Chooses Spetsas Buist for Rideshare Accident Claims

Rideshare crash cases require attorneys who understand how Uber and Lyft insurance coverage changes based on driver app status, which creates complexity that standard car accident cases do not involve. Spetsas Buist represents injured passengers, drivers, pedestrians, and other motorists throughout Orlando and Orange County when rideshare accidents cause preventable harm.

We Investigate Driver App Status and Insurance Coverage

Rideshare insurance operates in three distinct periods based on whether the driver's app was off, logged in but awaiting ride requests, or actively transporting passengers. We obtain trip data directly from Uber and Lyft, subpoena driver phone records showing app activity, and analyze timestamps to determine which insurance policies were active at the time of collision.

We Preserve Critical Evidence Before It Disappears

Rideshare companies retain trip data, GPS routes, driver ratings, and complaint histories, but this information may be deleted or become inaccessible without immediate legal action. Our rideshare accident attorneys send preservation letters to Uber and Lyft immediately, subpoena electronic data before companies can claim it's unavailable, and obtain dashcam footage, traffic camera recordings, and witness statements while evidence remains fresh.

We Handle Claims Against Multiple Insurance Policies

Rideshare accidents often involve multiple liable parties and insurance policies, including the rideshare driver's negligence, third-party drivers who cause collisions, Uber or Lyft's commercial coverage, and uninsured or underinsured motorist policies when at-fault drivers lack adequate insurance. We identify available coverage sources, file claims against applicable policies, and pursue compensation from defendants with sufficient insurance to better compensate serious injuries.

We Know How Rideshare Companies Minimize Liability

Uber and Lyft structure their business models to classify drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, attempting to shift liability away from the companies. We investigate whether drivers were following company policies, whether the companies negligently screened or retained dangerous drivers, and whether corporate negligence contributed to crashes. Our Uber accident lawyers challenge attempts to blame victims or deny coverage based on technical app status disputes.

Contact us now for a free case evaluation. We handle rideshare accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation.

How Does Rideshare Insurance Coverage Work in Florida?

Rideshare insurance operates differently than standard auto insurance, creating a tiered system where coverage amounts and responsible insurers change based on the driver's activity at the moment of collision.

Period 1: App On, Waiting for Ride Requests

When rideshare drivers log into the Uber or Lyft app but have not yet accepted ride requests, limited coverage applies. Uber and Lyft provide contingent liability coverage of $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. This coverage is contingent, meaning it applies only if the driver's personal insurance denies the claim.

Many personal auto insurance policies exclude coverage when vehicles are used for commercial purposes like ridesharing. When drivers are logged into apps waiting for requests, and their personal policies deny coverage, the rideshare company's Period 1 coverage becomes the primary source of compensation.

Period 2: Driver En Route to Pick Up Passenger

Once drivers accept ride requests and are traveling to pick up passengers, Uber and Lyft provide $1 million in liability coverage, as well as uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. This significantly higher coverage applies from the moment drivers accept requests until passengers exit vehicles.

Period 2 coverage protects passengers, other drivers, pedestrians, and anyone injured by the rideshare driver's negligence during pickup. Claims proceed directly against Uber or Lyft's commercial insurers rather than the driver's personal policy.

Period 3: Passenger in Vehicle

From the time passengers enter rideshare vehicles until they exit and the trip ends in the app, $1 million liability coverage remains active. Additionally, Uber and Lyft provide $1 million in uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protecting passengers when third-party drivers cause crashes but lack adequate insurance.

Period 3 offers the strongest protection for passengers, who may pursue claims against rideshare companies' commercial policies regardless of whether the rideshare driver or another motorist caused the collision.

App Off: Personal Insurance Only

When rideshare drivers are not logged into apps, their personal auto insurance provides the only coverage. If drivers use their vehicles for ridesharing but fail to disclose this to personal insurers, policies may deny coverage for any accidents. Victims injured by off-duty rideshare drivers may face claims against uninsured motorists if personal policies exclude rideshare-related incidents.

Common Causes of Orlando Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare drivers face unique pressures and distractions that contribute to preventable crashes throughout Orlando.

• Distracted Driving from App Interaction: Drivers constantly check phones for ride requests, adjust GPS directions, and read passenger messages, diverting attention from traffic and eliminating reaction time.
• Fatigue from Extended Driving Shifts: Drivers working long hours to meet income goals face impaired judgment and delayed reaction times, with no mandatory rest periods like commercial truck drivers have.
• Unfamiliarity with Routes and Destinations: Drivers navigating unfamiliar areas make sudden maneuvers to follow GPS directions, cutting off other vehicles or turning from wrong lanes.
• Pressure to Accept Rides and Maintain Ratings: Rating systems that threaten driver deactivation incentivize accepting requests quickly and driving in unsafe conditions rather than declining trips.
• Inadequate Vehicle Maintenance: Drivers operating personal vehicles with minimal oversight may defer maintenance, operating with worn brakes, bald tires, or mechanical defects.
• Impaired or Inexperienced Drivers: Background checks may miss recent violations, suspended licenses, or allow minimally experienced drivers to transport passengers, creating serious safety risks.

Types of Injuries in Orlando Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare accidents cause injuries ranging from minor impacts to catastrophic trauma requiring long-term care.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Head impacts from collisions, even at moderate speeds, cause concussions, contusions, and traumatic brain injuries. Passengers in rear seats often lack adequate head restraints, increasing risk of brain injury during rear-end collisions. Serious brain trauma requires extensive rehabilitation and may cause permanent cognitive impairment.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

Impact forces cause vertebral fractures, herniated discs, and spinal cord damage that may result in partial or complete paralysis. Passengers who are not positioned to brace for impact face increased spinal injury risks.

Broken Bones and Fractures

Rideshare collisions commonly cause fractures to arms, legs, ribs, and facial bones. Compound fractures requiring surgical repair with hardware lead to lengthy recovery periods and permanent limitations.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Whiplash, muscle strains, ligament tears, and other soft tissue injuries may seem minor initially but cause chronic pain, reduced mobility, and ongoing treatment needs. Insurance companies routinely undervalue soft tissue injuries despite their significant impact on daily life.

Internal Injuries

Blunt force trauma ruptures organs, causes internal bleeding, and damages structures not immediately apparent. Delayed symptoms of internal injuries make prompt medical evaluation critical even when passengers initially feel uninjured.

Psychological Trauma

Crash survivors develop anxiety about riding in vehicles, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression affecting their ability to work and maintain normal activities. Psychological injuries warrant compensation even when physical injuries heal.

Wrongful Death

Fatal rideshare accidents devastate families who lose loved ones to preventable driver negligence. Florida's wrongful death statute allows surviving family members to pursue compensation for loss of support, services, companionship, and funeral expenses.

Who Can Be Held Liable in Orlando Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare accident liability may extend to multiple parties depending on the circumstances of the car accident.

Negligent Rideshare Drivers

Drivers who cause crashes through distraction, speeding, failure to yield, or other traffic violations face personal liability. Even when Uber or Lyft's insurance provides primary coverage, drivers remain legally responsible for their negligence.

Uber and Lyft

While rideshare companies classify drivers as independent contractors to limit liability, their commercial insurance policies provide coverage during active trips. Additionally, companies may face direct liability for negligent hiring if they failed to conduct adequate background checks, negligent retention if they kept dangerous drivers active despite complaints, or violations of their own safety policies.

Third-Party Drivers

When other motorists cause crashes by running red lights, changing lanes unsafely, or driving impaired, they face liability for injuries to rideshare passengers, drivers, and vehicles. Rideshare passengers benefit from Uber and Lyft's uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage when at-fault drivers lack adequate insurance.

Vehicle Manufacturers

Defective vehicle components, including faulty brakes, defective airbags, or tire failures, may contribute to crash severity. When product defects cause or worsen injuries, manufacturers and distributors face product liability claims separate from driver negligence.

Government Entities

Dangerous road conditions, including potholes, inadequate signage, broken traffic signals, or poorly designed intersections, may contribute to crashes. Government entities responsible for road maintenance face liability under limited circumstances when roadway defects cause accidents.

What to Do After an Orlando, Florida Rideshare Accident

Immediate steps protect your health and strengthen potential claims.

• Seek medical attention if you haven’t yet. Some injuries, including brain trauma and internal damage, may not cause immediate symptoms. Medical evaluation creates documentation linking injuries to the accident and establishes treatment timelines.
• Report the accident through the rideshare app. Both Uber and Lyft provide in-app accident reporting features. File reports immediately to create official records with the companies. However, limit details provided until consulting an Orlando injury attorney, as statements may be used against you.
• Preserve trip records. Save confirmation emails, app receipts, and trip histories showing pickup times, routes, and drop-off locations. This information helps establish driver status and which insurance policies apply.
• Avoid recorded statements to insurance adjusters. Uber and Lyft's insurers, as well as other drivers' insurers, may request recorded statements within hours of accidents. Politely decline until you speak with an Orlando rideshare accident attorney. Early statements often contain inaccuracies that insurers use to deny claims.
• Do not accept quick settlement offers. Initial offers rarely account for future medical needs, long-term impairment, or full damage scope. Once you accept settlements and sign releases, you cannot pursue additional compensation even if injuries worsen.
• Contact an attorney immediately. Rideshare companies begin building defenses within hours. A lawyer sends preservation letters to companies, requiring them to retain trip data, app records, and driver information that would otherwise be deleted.

Compensation Available in Orlando Rideshare Accident Cases

Florida law allows rideshare accident victims to pursue multiple damage categories.

Economic Damages:

• Medical expenses, including emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, medications, and future care
• Lost wages from missed work during recovery
• Loss of earning capacity if injuries prevent returning to prior employment
• Property damage to personal belongings damaged in the crash
• Transportation costs for medical appointments and alternative travel during recovery

Non-Economic Damages:

• Physical pain and suffering from injuries
• Emotional distress, anxiety, and trauma from the crash
• Loss of enjoyment of life when injuries prevent activities victims previously enjoyed
• Scarring and disfigurement from permanent injuries

Punitive Damages:

Florida Statutes § 768.72 allows punitive damages in rare cases when defendants act with intentional misconduct or gross negligence showing reckless disregard for safety. Courts may award punitive damages up to three times compensatory damages or $500,000, whichever is greater.

Wrongful Death Damages: 

When rideshare accidents cause death, surviving family members may pursue wrongful death claims under Florida Statutes § 768.21 for loss of support and services, loss of companionship and guidance, mental pain and suffering, and funeral and burial expenses.

FAQ for Orlando Rideshare Accident Claims

From Passenger to Plaintiff—We Handle the Insurance Fight

You called a ride to get somewhere safely, and instead you're dealing with injuries, medical bills, and insurance companies pointing fingers at each other while your bills pile up. Rideshare accidents involve complex insurance coverage that changes based on app status, trip timing, and driver activity. These are highly technical facts that insurers may use to avoid paying valid claims.

Call (321) LAWSUIT or (321) 529-7848 for your free, confidential case evaluation. Our Orlando rideshare accident lawyers investigate driver app status, preserve electronic evidence before it disappears, and pursue compensation from all applicable insurance policies while you focus on recovery.

We handle rideshare accident cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation.

Schedule Your Free Consultation