Simply put, Uber is a ride-sharing service that connects those looking for a ride with drivers who will transport them. Uber, along with other ride-sharing services, have become an extremely popular option for passengers in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Hollywood, Weston and other areas, who are looking for alternatives to taxicabs and public transportation. Because of its popularity, it is estimated that there are well over 10,000 Uber vehicles transporting passengers between Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
Needless to say, as the number of Uber vehicles on the road continues to increase in South Florida, accidents involving Uber vehicles have also increased as a result. As an Uber passenger injured in an accident, the potential insurance benefits available to you may vary and, without the knowledge of an experienced Florida Uber accident attorney, these benefits may be difficult to identify and secure.
For instance, if an Uber passenger has their own auto insurance policy, that policy may provide Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits to help pay for medical treatment and lost wages related to the Uber accident. However, in most cases, it is very unlikely that an Uber driver’s personal auto insurance policy will extend PIP coverage to an injured Uber passenger. Furthermore, Uber’s own insurance policy generally does not provide medical payments coverage, which means that if an Uber passenger does not have PIP benefits or health insurance available, they may have to pay for such treatment out of their own pocket…initially.
While seeking necessary medical care is a critical first step that an injured Uber passenger must take, naturally, for their own well-being, there are additional options for the injured passenger to seek compensation from these insurance policies after the fact. More specifically, if the passenger’s Uber driver was not at fault in the accident, the injured passenger can make a claim against the at-fault driver’s bodily injury policy for compensation related to past medical costs, future medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages they may have sustained. Additionally, if the at-fault driver does not have bodily injury insurance, or their insurance is not adequate to fully compensate the passenger, a claim may be made to Uber for their afforded uninsured/underinsured motorist policy benefits. Under these circumstances, Uber related claims are afforded $1 million in uninsured motorist benefits for injured passengers.
On the other hand, if your Uber driver was at fault for causing the car accident, an injured Uber passenger could make a claim against the Uber driver’s bodily injury policy (up to $50,000 per claimant/$100,000 per claim overall), and can also make a claim against their insurer for damages that exceed the Florida Uber driver’s coverage.
Clearly, trying to determine applicable insurance coverage should be left up to an experienced attorney. First and foremost, if you have been injured as a passenger travelling in a South Florida Uber vehicle, it is imperative that you seek medical treatment immediately to treat your injuries. The next step is to contact an experienced, skilled Fort Lauderdale Uber accident attorney, to make sure that all available insurance coverage is identified and that your rights are protected. This will put you in the best position to obtain the most possible compensation in a future injury claim, whether or not your claims reaches a jury’s verdict or is settled beforehand.
For more information, please contact the Schulman Law Group at (954) 349-3300, or at info@schulaw.com.
