Tired Drivers May Pose Problems for Uber and Danger for Passengers

Navigating the streets and highways of Fort Lauderdale and Miami can be treacherous enough as it is. Now recent studies have shown that many taxi and Uber drivers may be logging in excess of fifteen (15) hours per day behind the wheel. Also, others drive to earn supplemental income, meaning that they will often drive for hours after already putting in a full day of work at their primary job. Either way, the result is that many drivers hired to provide safe transport to passengers could be dangerously tired behind the wheel.

In the state of Florida, there are currently no laws or other requirements limiting the number of hours that a taxi or ride-sharing (i.e., Uber or Lyft) driver can log in a day. This allows drivers, many of whom are eager to earn as much income as possible, to drive as many hours as they can at a time. Needless to say, this leaves great potential for increased car accidents involving taxis and Uber vehicles throughout the areas of Fort Lauderdale, Weston, Hollywood, Miami and more. Inevitably, with increased car accidents comes increased driver and passenger injuries.

Car accidents involving Fort Lauderdale Ubers and taxis are not uncommon. Fortunately, if you are in an accident with an Uber vehicle or taxi, or if you are a passenger in an Uber vehicle or taxi that gets in an accident, there are certain insurance coverages that may be available to help cover your injuries and medical treatment you may need as a result. We touched upon the often-confusing process of Uber accidents, passenger injuries and finding insurance coverage in a recent post found here.

The bottom line is that when you are a passenger riding in a taxi or Uber vehicle, there is a possibility that the driver may have been behind the wheel for a dangerous amount of hours, causing potential sensory deficits, slower reaction times, and other hazardous effects of lack of sleep. If you are injured in a car accident with a taxi or Uber vehicle (either as a driver or passenger), it is critical that you contact a skilled Fort Lauderdale attorney, especially one with experience in dealing with Uber, Lyft and the many taxi companies of Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Attorneys with experience in this area will seek out crucial information to determine if an Uber or taxi driver is liable for your injuries, and will work to find all available insurance coverages that may compensate you for your injuries and cover certain medical treatment.

For more discussion on this topic, or any other, please contact the skilled attorneys of the Schulman Law Group at (954) 349-3300, or at info@schulaw.com.