Uber Injury Claim

I Was Injured While Taking Uber In Florida

Were you a passenger in an Uber and got hurt in a car accident? You may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries. At the Law Offices of Jason Turchin, our Ride Sharing Injury attorneys in Florida can work with you and get you the help you deserve. Call us today at (800) 337-7755 for more information.

Ride sharing services like Uber have all but taken over the taxi cab industry. Rarely do people tell you that they called a cab to take them to their destination. Instead it’s, “I took an Uber.” It’s easy to get a ride with Uber. Pull the app up on your phone, choose your destination, and request your driver. It’s that simple.

It is also pretty easy to become a driver with Uber, which may sadly come at the expense of unsuspecting passengers. Luckily, Florida recently began tightening background checks for Uber and Lyft drivers and requires a screening every two years.

In order to become an Uber driver, you must:

• Be free of felony, violent crimes, or sexual related convictions for the past 7 years
• Have a valid US driver’s license for 1 year, or if under 23, 3 years.
• No more than 3 motor vehicle incidents in the past 3 years
• No DUI‘s or reckless driving records
• No speeding violations above 20 miles per hour for the past 3 years
• Have no record with the National Sex Offender Registry

Why Do People Get Hurt in Ubers?

Even in spite of tougher background checks, there has been an increase in injuries from crashes and sexual assaults as people increasingly apply to drive for Uber. The following often leave people hurt from Uber rides:

• Poorly conducted background checks
• Unregulated work hours that cause drivers to become drowsy and less alert
• Failure to properly maintain vehicles
• Driving while intoxicated
• Reckless and negligent driving

Can I Sue Uber for Injuries their Driver Caused?

You’ll most likely want to sue Uber for your injuries if you were sexually assaulted or if your driver caused a car accident in Florida while you were riding as a passenger in your Uber.

Uber has a clever way of trying to claim they are not responsible for harm caused by their drivers. Uber’s stance is that it simply provides an easy to use app that connects drivers and passengers with one another. According to Uber, their drivers are independent contractors, not employees. This means that even though Uber is taking a share of the money drivers earn for their services, they want to be exempt from Florida’s vicarious liability laws.

Making a Claim Against your Uber Driver

Because Florida’s vicarious liability rules do not always extend to businesses like Uber whose drivers are independent contractors, you may still make a claim against your Uber driver’s personal insurance company, or insurance provided by Uber.

Uber requires their drivers to carry their own personal insurance, which will be used to recover damages in the event of an accident or incident. Fortunately, Uber does offer third party insurance coverage, which is available only when the app is turned on or when the ride has been accepted. After a ride has been accepted and until the passenger has been dropped off at her destination, Uber’s insurance policy can cover up to $1 million per accident or personal injury.

Even if you were a pedestrian or in another vehicle, Uber may cover $1 million if you are hit so long as a passenger has accepted a ride and is in transit.

Injured In Florida While Driving For Uber

Uber drivers are also covered generally by Uber’s insurance. Our Uber lawyers in Florida have represented Uber drivers injured by other cars while driving for Uber. Even if the other driver has no insurance or not enough insurance, Uber’s insurance policy may protect the Uber driver with uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage in Florida to help compensate the driver for pain and suffering and other expenses.

Florida Uber Accident and Injury Attorneys

After a car accident or sexual assault, you’ll want to hire the best attorney who can fight for your rights and get you the compensation you deserve. Uber has a tricky business model, which is why you should look for an attorney who has experience navigating their insurance policies. At the Law Offices of Jason Turchin, our team of Ride Sharing Attorneys have helped many victims in Florida recover damages for their injuries caused by Uber drivers.

To find out how we can help you, call us today at (800) 337-7755 or reach out to us online. It’s always a free consultation!