​Gainesville Rideshare Accident Lawyers

Home | ​Gainesville Rideshare Accident Lawyers

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have become a staple in Gainesville, providing easy and convenient transportation for both residents and visitors alike. Whether it’s a trip to Archer Road to meet up with friends, a ride to Depot Park for a relaxing afternoon, or a drop-off near the bustling University of Florida campus, rideshares are everywhere. Yet, as their popularity grows, so does the number of accidents involving these vehicles.

Rideshare accidents can be life-altering. From minor fender-benders to severe collisions, these incidents may leave you injured, overwhelmed, and unsure of your options. If you’ve been in a rideshare accident, you deserve an advocate who will stand by your side and fight for your rights. At Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A., our Gainesville rideshare accident lawyer understands the challenges you face and is here to make the process easier for you.

With over 40 years of experience, a 99% success rate, and hundreds of millions of dollars recovered for our clients, our team of attorneys knows how to achieve results. Contact us today to help secure the compensation you deserve. Your consultation is free, and you owe us no attorney’s fees until we recover compensation in your case.

Why Choose Us for Your Gainesville, Florida Rideshare Accident Claim?

After a rideshare accident, you deserve a law firm that not only has the experience to handle your claim but also the compassion to truly listen to your story. At Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A., we treat every case with the personal attention it deserves, ensuring no detail is overlooked.

Here’s what sets us apart when it comes to protecting rideshare accident victims in Gainesville and throughout North Central Florida:

• Decades of Experience: With four decades of personal injury law experience, we’ve seen it all. We know how to handle the unique complexities of rideshare accident cases. Whether it’s negotiating with insurance adjusters or pursuing litigation, we’re prepared for every step.
• Proven Success: Our team has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injured clients, with a 99% success rate. You can trust that we will fight tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome for your case.
• Super Lawyers Recognition: Less than 5% of attorneys receive this prestigious designation, and we’re proud to have been recognized for our excellence in personal injury law.
• Compassion and Advocacy: We understand the pain and stress you’re going through. From your first consultation to the resolution of your case, we’ll be here to guide and support you every step of the way.

If you’ve been hurt in a rideshare accident, you don’t have to face this alone. Contact Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A. today for help.

How Common Are Uber and Lyft Accidents: Rideshare Accident Statistics

While rideshare services have many benefits, such as decreased drunk driving accidents, convenience, the environment, and even potential money savings, they also cause their fair share of problems. Statistics show how concerning these services might be.

Ten years ago, the number of fatalities on U.S. roadways totaled 32,885 for the year—the lowest since 1949. Experts attribute this decrease to many public initiatives focused on using seat belts, avoiding drunk driving, increasing safety features, and other factors.

However, only a few years later, that figure had swelled back to 37,461. One substantial reason for this, researchers believe, is rideshare services. Consider that the onset of ridesharing services caused an approximate three percent annual increase in traffic fatalities, just under 1,000 people annually. These accidents alone cost society between $5.33 and $13.24 billion.

Other rideshare statistics of note include:

• Ridesharing is a $61 billion industry.
• Experts expect the rideshare market value to reach an estimated $220 billion by 2025.
• About 25 percent of the entire U.S. population uses rideshare services at least monthly.
• Uber has more than 3.8 million drivers globally.

Rideshare accidents are not uncommon. If you’ve been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident, you deserve skilled legal representation to ensure your rights are protected. 

Who May Be Eligible to Make a Rideshare Accident Claim?

One of the biggest questions after a rideshare accident is, “Do I have a case?” Our personal injury lawyers can help you understand your rights and options. Any person injured in a crash involving a rideshare vehicle could potentially make a claim, including the following individuals:

• Rideshare Passengers: If you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft and were injured in an accident, you are almost always entitled to compensation. Rideshare companies provide significant insurance coverage for passengers during rides, which is meant to address medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
• Pedestrians or Cyclists: If you were hit by a rideshare vehicle while walking or cycling in Gainesville, you might also be eligible to seek compensation.
• Drivers and Occupants of Other Vehicles: If a rideshare driver’s negligence caused your accident, you may have a claim against the company’s insurance policy.
• Rideshare Drivers: If you’re a rideshare driver injured in a crash, you may be entitled to compensation too, depending on the circumstances of the accident and the status of the rideshare app at the time.

We’ll take the time to hear your story and assess the details of your case. Every situation is unique, and eligibility depends on your specific circumstances. 

How Does Insurance Work After a Gainesville, FL Uber or Lyft Accident?

One of the most complex parts of a rideshare accident claim is understanding how insurance coverage applies. Unlike standard car accidents, incidents involving rideshare vehicles often involve multiple layers of insurance coverage, and figuring out who pays can be overwhelming for victims.

Here’s an overview of how rideshare insurance works in Gainesville when it comes to Uber or Lyft accidents, based on the driver’s app status at the time of the crash.

Offline or the App is Off

If a rideshare driver is not logged into the app, it’s essentially like any other car accident. The driver’s personal auto insurance policy is the primary coverage. Florida law requires minimum insurance, but these limits may not be enough to cover serious injuries or expensive damages.

Available or Waiting for a Ride Request

When a driver is logged into the rideshare app and waiting for a ride request, a different level of insurance coverage applies. During this phase, Uber and Lyft typically provide contingent liability coverage, which supplements the driver’s own policy if needed. The current limits include up to $50,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.

While this coverage is better than Florida’s basic requirements, it may still not be enough for serious injuries or extensive damages. Working with an experienced Gainesville rideshare accident lawyer is crucial to ensure you’re compensated fairly.

En Route to Pick Up a Passenger or During a Ride

Once the driver has accepted a ride and is on the way to pick up a passenger or actively driving them to their destination, Uber and Lyft provide their highest tier of insurance coverage. This includes up to $1 million in liability coverage per accident and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in many cases.

This stage offers better protection for accident victims, but it also means dealing with a large company like Uber or Lyft, which is known for aggressively defending claims to minimize payouts. Our team has the experience and determination to stand up to big insurance companies and fight for the compensation you need and deserve.

Should I Accept the First Offer from the Insurance Company?

It may be tempting to accept the first settlement offer you receive from the insurance company, especially if you’re feeling the financial pressure of medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. However, it’s rarely in your best interest to do so without consulting an experienced attorney.

Insurance companies are businesses, and their primary goal is to boost profits—not to provide full, fair compensation. They often use several tactics to minimize payouts, including:

• Offering a Lowball Settlement: Insurance adjusters frequently make early offers that barely cover the basics, hoping you’ll accept before fully understanding the value of your claim.
• Questioning Your Injuries: Insurance companies may downplay the severity of your injuries or attribute them to a pre-existing condition instead of the crash.
• Blaming You for the Accident: Adjusters might argue that you were partly (or entirely) at fault in order to reduce or deny your claim.
• Stalling Tactics: They may delay your claim in the hopes that you’ll grow desperate and settle for less than you deserve.

Consulting a Gainesville rideshare accident attorney before accepting any offer can protect you from these tactics. An attorney can evaluate your case, calculate the full value of your damages, and negotiate aggressively on your behalf. 

Compensation Available to Rideshare Accident Victims in Gainesville

If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, you may be entitled to compensation to help you move forward. The damages in rideshare cases can vary widely depending on the severity of the accident, the extent of your injuries, and other factors. Compensation may include the following:

• Medical Expenses: This covers both current and future medical costs, including hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, medications, and other treatments.
• Lost Income: If your injuries prevent you from working temporarily or long-term, you can seek compensation for lost income and diminished earning capacity.
• Pain and Suffering: Compensation may include payment for physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life caused by the accident.
• Property Damage: If your vehicle, bike, or other property was damaged in the accident, you may be entitled to repairs or replacements.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme negligence or intentional harm, you may also be eligible for punitive damages meant to punish the at-fault party and deter similar behavior.

Rideshare accident claims can get complex, especially when negotiating with large corporations like Uber or Lyft. To ensure your compensation reflects what you truly deserve, consult with an experienced attorney who knows how to maximize recovery in these cases.

What if I’m Partly to Blame for My Rideshare Accident Injuries?

One key concern for accident victims is whether being partially at fault will prevent them from recovering compensation. Thankfully, Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means you can still recover damages even if you were partly to blame—as long as your percentage of fault is 50% or less.

Here’s how it works. Any compensation you’re awarded would be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if the court finds you 20% responsible for the accident and awards you $100,000 in damages, you would receive $80,000 after the reduction.

However, if your fault exceeds 50%, Florida law bars you from recovering compensation. Because this legal standard can be subjective and heavily debated, insurance companies might try to unfairly inflate your share of the blame to reduce their liability.

This is where having a skilled Uber and Lyft accident lawyer becomes crucial. Our lawyers will fight to ensure fault is allocated fairly and work tirelessly to protect your right to compensation.

Contact the Gainesville Rideshare Accident Lawyers at Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A.

A rideshare accident can turn your life upside down. The experienced team at Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A., is ready to fight for you. Here’s how we can help you move forward after your accident:

• Evaluate the full value of your claim and prevent lowball settlement offers.
• Handle insurance company communications so you can focus on healing.
• Negotiate aggressively to secure maximum compensation for your injuries.
• Take your case to trial if necessary to get the justice you deserve.

Your first step toward recovery starts with a simple phone call. We offer free consultations and are available 24/7 to answer your questions. And remember, you don’t pay us a cent in attorney’s fees unless we win your case.

Don’t wait. Contact the compassionate and skilled legal team at Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A., today at  (800) 800-2575 or through our online form to discuss your case and legal options for free. Your recovery begins here.

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