Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer in Brandon
Rideshare Crash Claims in Hillsborough County Since 1988
Rideshare crashes aren’t ordinary car accidents. When a collision involves an Uber or Lyft driver, the insurance coverage available to you depends on what the driver was doing in the app at the exact moment of the crash. That single variable can mean the difference between a $25,000 limit and a $1 million policy. Our firm has handled car accidents, truck accidents, and other traffic injury claims in Brandon, FL, and across Hillsborough County since 1988, and we bring that same claims-investigation approach to the layered insurance questions rideshare crashes create.
Founding attorney Thomas P. Gill Jr. trained at one of the nation’s largest law firms before opening his own practice and brings more than 30 years of trial experience to every case. When you call, an attorney returns your message, often the same day.
Barnett Gill is here to help you understand your options after a rideshare crash in Brandon, Florida. Call (813) 305-0353 to speak with our team.
How Florida Law Governs Rideshare Insurance Coverage
Florida Statute 627.748 creates a three-phase insurance framework for transportation network companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft. The phase that applies depends on the driver’s app status at the time of the crash.
- App off: The driver’s personal auto insurance applies, with no TNC coverage involved.
- App on, no matched ride: Florida law requires minimum coverage of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury or death, plus $25,000 for property damage. This may be satisfied by the driver’s personal policy, the TNC’s policy, or a combination of both.
- Ride accepted through trip end: Florida law requires a minimum of $1 million in coverage for death, bodily injury, and property damage.
Because that app status determines which coverage applies, documenting it immediately after a crash matters. We investigate this as part of every rideshare claim we handle.
Liability in Uber & Lyft Accidents
Florida classifies TNC drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, which generally limits holding Uber or Lyft directly responsible for a driver’s negligence. In limited circumstances, a rideshare company may face direct liability, such as negligent hiring or keeping a driver with a known history of unsafe conduct on its platform. Most claims focus on the at-fault driver and whichever insurance policy responds based on their app status.
Passengers, other motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists can all pursue compensation from the applicable policy. We review crash reports, photographs, witness statements, and medical records to identify who is legally responsible and which coverage applies to your claim.
Why Brandon Families Turn to Barnett Gill After a Rideshare Crash
A rideshare injury claim means dealing with multiple insurers, app records, and a legal framework that didn’t exist a decade ago. Here’s what our clients experience when they work with us.
- Direct attorney access: Attorneys personally return calls and messages, often within hours, even before you’ve decided to hire us. You won’t be passed off to a receptionist when you have a real question.
- Clear plan from day one: We lay out the legal strategy and documentation we’ll need from the outset so you understand what’s happening at every stage.
- Local court knowledge: We’ve worked in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in Hillsborough County since 1988. We know the forms, filing requirements, and courtroom practices used there.
- Meticulous preparation: Legal arguments and supporting documentation are built carefully, and that preparation shows in how claims are presented to insurers and, when necessary, in court.
- A long-term relationship: Many clients return to us for other legal needs and refer family members and friends because of the confidence they found in our guidance.
What to Do After a Rideshare Accident in Brandon, FL
The steps you take in the hours after a crash can affect your ability to recover compensation. Follow these in order.
- Get medical care first: Seek treatment immediately, even if injuries seem minor. Delays in care can be used against you later.
- Report through the app: Filing a report through the Uber or Lyft app creates an official record of the incident with the company.
- Screenshot trip details: Capture the driver’s name, vehicle information, and the trip route before closing the app. This can help document the driver’s app status at the time of the crash.
- Get a police report: A law enforcement report documenting the crash is important evidence for any insurance claim or lawsuit.
- Contact an attorney before talking to insurers: Insurance adjusters move quickly. We help clients understand what information to share and what to hold back before making any recorded statements.
Compensation Available to Rideshare Accident Victims
Florida’s no-fault system means your own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage is typically the first source of payment for medical bills, regardless of who caused the crash. When injuries exceed PIP limits or meet the serious injury threshold, a claim against the at-fault driver’s or TNC’s policy may cover additional losses.
We work to identify the full range of losses in your claim: current and future medical treatment, lost income, property damage, and how your injuries affect daily life and activities. Florida also follows modified comparative negligence, meaning your compensation may be reduced if you are found partially at fault, but you can still recover as long as your share of fault doesn’t exceed 50 percent.
Florida’s Filing Deadline for Rideshare Injury Claims
For crashes occurring on or after March 24, 2023, Florida’s statute of limitations for negligence-based injury claims, including rideshare accidents, is two years from the date of the crash. Missing that deadline generally bars you from pursuing a lawsuit for damages entirely. If your crash happened before that date, a different deadline may apply. Don’t wait to find out which one governs your claim.
Talk to a Rideshare Accident Lawyer About Your Claim
If you were hurt in an Uber or Lyft crash in Brandon, Florida, or the surrounding Hillsborough County area, the insurance questions move fast, and so do the deadlines. Our attorneys personally return calls and messages, explain your options in plain language, and can walk you through the coverage issues specific to your situation before you make any decisions.
Call (813) 305-0353 or use our contact form to reach Barnett Gill and speak with an attorney about your rideshare accident claim.
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Serving Florida Families Since 1988
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Schedule a personalized consultation by emailing us using the form below or calling (813) 305-0353.
