Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have transformed transportation across Florida. From Miami to Tampa to Orlando, thousands of Floridians rely on these convenient apps every day. But when a rideshare driver causes an accident, the question of who pays for your injuries becomes surprisingly complex.
At Sahil Vijay Law, PLLC, we help victims of rideshare accidents understand their rights and recover the compensation they deserve. In this guide, we’ll break down how Florida law handles these cases, what insurance policies apply, and what steps you should take after being hit by a rideshare driver.
Florida is a no-fault insurance state, meaning each driver’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays for their own medical expenses and lost wages — regardless of who caused the crash.
However, no-fault coverage only goes so far. PIP typically pays up to $10,000 in medical bills and lost wages, and only covers 80% of medical expenses and 60% of lost income.
So, what happens if your injuries exceed that amount — or if the rideshare driver was clearly at fault? That’s where rideshare insurance coverage comes into play.
Uber and Lyft both carry tiered insurance coverage that depends on the rideshare driver’s status at the time of the accident. Here’s how it works:
If the driver is not logged into the rideshare app, they are considered to be driving their personal vehicle.
Insurance Coverage: Only the driver’s personal auto insurance applies.
What This Means for You: You would make a claim against their regular car insurance policy, just like in a standard auto accident.
When the driver is logged into the app but hasn’t accepted a ride request, Uber and Lyft provide contingent liability coverage.
Coverage Limits:
$50,000 per person for bodily injury
$100,000 per accident for bodily injury total
$25,000 for property damage
This coverage applies only if the driver’s personal insurance doesn’t cover the damages.
Once the driver accepts a trip — whether en route to pick up the passenger or during the ride — the rideshare company provides commercial liability coverage.
Coverage Limits:
$1 million in third-party liability coverage
Uninsured/Underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage (in some cases)
Comprehensive and collision coverage for the driver’s vehicle (if they have it personally)
This is the strongest protection and generally ensures that injured parties — including pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers — can recover fair compensation.
Depending on the situation, several parties’ insurance policies may come into play. Here’s a breakdown:
If you own a car registered in Florida, your PIP insurance will be your first line of coverage.
Even if you were a pedestrian or cyclist, your own PIP may cover up to $10,000 of your medical expenses and lost income.
If the driver was off duty (app off) at the time of the crash, you would pursue a claim against their personal insurance policy — just like in any other car accident.
If the driver was logged into the app or actively transporting a passenger, Uber or Lyft’s commercial policy applies.
These policies can provide up to $1 million in liability coverage, giving you a much stronger avenue for recovery than the driver’s personal policy.
If neither the driver nor the rideshare company has sufficient coverage, you may turn to your own UM/UIM policy.
This optional insurance helps cover damages caused by drivers who have little or no insurance — a common problem in Florida.
If you were injured while riding as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, you are covered by the company’s $1 million liability policy during the ride.
You can file a claim against this policy for:
Medical bills
Lost wages
Pain and suffering
Long-term or permanent disability
If another driver caused the crash, Uber and Lyft’s insurance can still step in — especially if that driver lacks sufficient insurance coverage.
When the rideshare driver is clearly responsible for the collision, the process generally follows this order:
Your PIP insurance covers your initial medical expenses.
If your injuries are serious (exceeding Florida’s no-fault threshold), you can file a claim against the rideshare driver’s insurance.
Depending on the driver’s status in the app, the rideshare company’s $1 million liability policy may apply.
If damages exceed those limits, additional claims (such as UM/UIM) may be available.
Under Florida law, serious injuries — such as permanent disability, disfigurement, or significant loss of bodily function — allow you to step outside the no-fault system and pursue a personal injury claim.
Being struck by an Uber or Lyft driver can be overwhelming. Taking the right steps early on can protect your rights and strengthen your claim.
Always file an official accident report. Make sure to note whether the driver was working for Uber or Lyft — this detail is crucial for determining insurance coverage.
Even if your injuries seem minor, get examined right away. Florida law requires you to seek medical treatment within 14 days to qualify for PIP benefits.
Collect contact information, take photos of the accident scene, and note whether the driver was logged into a rideshare app.
Both companies have in-app systems for reporting crashes. This step ensures the incident is documented and helps trigger their insurance coverage.
Insurance companies — especially large ones like Uber and Lyft’s carriers — often try to minimize payouts. An experienced attorney can investigate the driver’s status, identify all available policies, and pursue the maximum compensation you deserve.
At Sahil Vijay Law, PLLC, we represent individuals throughout Florida who have been injured in Uber and Lyft accidents. Our firm understands the complexities of Florida’s rideshare insurance laws and how to navigate claims against these powerful companies.
We handle:
Rideshare pedestrian and cyclist accidents
Passenger injury claims
Wrongful death claims involving rideshare vehicles
Disputes with insurance companies over coverage or fault
Our team works tirelessly to ensure that you recover compensation for:
Medical expenses
Lost income
Future medical care
Pain and suffering
Permanent or catastrophic injuries
We take an aggressive yet compassionate approach, handling all communications with the insurance companies so you can focus on healing.
If a rideshare driver hit you or someone you love in Florida, you shouldn’t have to face the insurance battle alone. The experienced attorneys at Sahil Vijay Law, PLLC are here to help you understand your rights and pursue full compensation for your injuries.
Call us today for a free consultation
or
Contact us online to schedule your case review.
Let us help you get the justice and recovery you deserve after a rideshare accident.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information and should not be construed as legal advice. You should consult with an attorney for guidance on their specific circumstances.
If you would like to speak to an attorney at Sahil Vijay Law, PLLC, please click here.
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have transformed transportation across Florida. From Miami to Tampa to Orlando, thousands of Floridians rely on these convenient apps every day. But when a rideshare driver causes an accident, the question of who pays for your injuries becomes surprisingly complex.
At Sahil Vijay Law, PLLC, we help victims of rideshare accidents understand their rights and recover the compensation they deserve. In this guide, we’ll break down how Florida law handles these cases, what insurance policies apply, and what steps you should take after being hit by a rideshare driver.
Florida is a no-fault insurance state, meaning each driver’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays for their own medical expenses and lost wages — regardless of who caused the crash.
However, no-fault coverage only goes so far. PIP typically pays up to $10,000 in medical bills and lost wages, and only covers 80% of medical expenses and 60% of lost income.
So, what happens if your injuries exceed that amount — or if the rideshare driver was clearly at fault? That’s where rideshare insurance coverage comes into play.
Uber and Lyft both carry tiered insurance coverage that depends on the rideshare driver’s status at the time of the accident. Here’s how it works:
If the driver is not logged into the rideshare app, they are considered to be driving their personal vehicle.
Insurance Coverage: Only the driver’s personal auto insurance applies.
What This Means for You: You would make a claim against their regular car insurance policy, just like in a standard auto accident.
When the driver is logged into the app but hasn’t accepted a ride request, Uber and Lyft provide contingent liability coverage.
Coverage Limits:
$50,000 per person for bodily injury
$100,000 per accident for bodily injury total
$25,000 for property damage
This coverage applies only if the driver’s personal insurance doesn’t cover the damages.
Once the driver accepts a trip — whether en route to pick up the passenger or during the ride — the rideshare company provides commercial liability coverage.
Coverage Limits:
$1 million in third-party liability coverage
Uninsured/Underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage (in some cases)
Comprehensive and collision coverage for the driver’s vehicle (if they have it personally)
This is the strongest protection and generally ensures that injured parties — including pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers — can recover fair compensation.
Depending on the situation, several parties’ insurance policies may come into play. Here’s a breakdown:
If you own a car registered in Florida, your PIP insurance will be your first line of coverage.
Even if you were a pedestrian or cyclist, your own PIP may cover up to $10,000 of your medical expenses and lost income.
If the driver was off duty (app off) at the time of the crash, you would pursue a claim against their personal insurance policy — just like in any other car accident.
If the driver was logged into the app or actively transporting a passenger, Uber or Lyft’s commercial policy applies.
These policies can provide up to $1 million in liability coverage, giving you a much stronger avenue for recovery than the driver’s personal policy.
If neither the driver nor the rideshare company has sufficient coverage, you may turn to your own UM/UIM policy.
This optional insurance helps cover damages caused by drivers who have little or no insurance — a common problem in Florida.
If you were injured while riding as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, you are covered by the company’s $1 million liability policy during the ride.
You can file a claim against this policy for:
Medical bills
Lost wages
Pain and suffering
Long-term or permanent disability
If another driver caused the crash, Uber and Lyft’s insurance can still step in — especially if that driver lacks sufficient insurance coverage.
When the rideshare driver is clearly responsible for the collision, the process generally follows this order:
Your PIP insurance covers your initial medical expenses.
If your injuries are serious (exceeding Florida’s no-fault threshold), you can file a claim against the rideshare driver’s insurance.
Depending on the driver’s status in the app, the rideshare company’s $1 million liability policy may apply.
If damages exceed those limits, additional claims (such as UM/UIM) may be available.
Under Florida law, serious injuries — such as permanent disability, disfigurement, or significant loss of bodily function — allow you to step outside the no-fault system and pursue a personal injury claim.
Being struck by an Uber or Lyft driver can be overwhelming. Taking the right steps early on can protect your rights and strengthen your claim.
Always file an official accident report. Make sure to note whether the driver was working for Uber or Lyft — this detail is crucial for determining insurance coverage.
Even if your injuries seem minor, get examined right away. Florida law requires you to seek medical treatment within 14 days to qualify for PIP benefits.
Collect contact information, take photos of the accident scene, and note whether the driver was logged into a rideshare app.
Both companies have in-app systems for reporting crashes. This step ensures the incident is documented and helps trigger their insurance coverage.
Insurance companies — especially large ones like Uber and Lyft’s carriers — often try to minimize payouts. An experienced attorney can investigate the driver’s status, identify all available policies, and pursue the maximum compensation you deserve.
At Sahil Vijay Law, PLLC, we represent individuals throughout Florida who have been injured in Uber and Lyft accidents. Our firm understands the complexities of Florida’s rideshare insurance laws and how to navigate claims against these powerful companies.
We handle:
Rideshare pedestrian and cyclist accidents
Passenger injury claims
Wrongful death claims involving rideshare vehicles
Disputes with insurance companies over coverage or fault
Our team works tirelessly to ensure that you recover compensation for:
Medical expenses
Lost income
Future medical care
Pain and suffering
Permanent or catastrophic injuries
We take an aggressive yet compassionate approach, handling all communications with the insurance companies so you can focus on healing.
If a rideshare driver hit you or someone you love in Florida, you shouldn’t have to face the insurance battle alone. The experienced attorneys at Sahil Vijay Law, PLLC are here to help you understand your rights and pursue full compensation for your injuries.
Call us today for a free consultation
or
Contact us online to schedule your case review.
Let us help you get the justice and recovery you deserve after a rideshare accident.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information and should not be construed as legal advice. You should consult with an attorney for guidance on their specific circumstances.
If you would like to speak to an attorney at Sahil Vijay Law, PLLC, please click here.
424 E Central Blvd
Unit 651
Orlando, FL 32801
A transactional law firm headquartered in Orlando, Florida.
