An Uber or Lyft crash leaves you with a question no ordinary accident does: whose insurance even pays? You were just the passenger, or the driver in the other car, and now three different insurers are pointing at each other. Our West Palm Beach Uber and Lyft accident attorneys at Felice Trial Attorneys cut through that, pin down the right coverage, and fight for what your injuries are worth.
We handle rideshare crashes across Palm Beach County, from Clematis Street and Rosemary Square to airport pickups and I-95. Call (561) 444-8822 anytime for a free case review.
Do You Need an Uber or Lyft Accident Lawyer in West Palm Beach?
Yes, in most injury cases, because rideshare claims are more tangled than regular car accidents. Uber and Lyft are covered by large insurance policies, but those insurers work hard to pay as little as possible, and the coverage that applies depends on details most people cannot sort out alone.
You especially need a lawyer if you were hurt as a passenger, another driver, a cyclist, or a pedestrian, or if the insurers are already disputing who pays. A free consultation tells you exactly where you stand.
Who Pays After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Florida?
It depends on what the driver was doing on the app at the exact moment of the crash. Florida's rideshare law, Fla. Stat. 627.748, sets different coverage depending on the driver's app status. Uber and Lyft are transportation network companies, or TNCs, and the law splits their coverage into phases often called periods.
Here is how the coverage layers work:
| Driver's app status | Whose insurance applies | Minimum coverage required |
| App off (Period 0) | Driver's personal auto policy only | Personal policy limits (may exclude rideshare) |
| App on, waiting for a request (Period 1) | Uber or Lyft contingent coverage | $50,000 per person / $100,000 per crash / $25,000 property |
| Ride accepted, driving to rider (Period 2) | Uber or Lyft primary coverage | $1 million in liability |
| Passenger in the vehicle (Period 3) | Uber or Lyft primary coverage | $1 million in liability |
The difference between periods is the difference between a $50,000 policy and a $1 million policy. That is why the app status is the first thing we investigate.
What If the Driver's App Was On but Empty?
That is Period 1, and it is where coverage gets thin and disputes get ugly. When a driver has the app on but has not yet accepted a ride, Uber and Lyft only provide contingent coverage of $50,000 per person, and only if the driver's personal insurance does not apply.
Here is the trap. Many personal auto policies contain a rideshare exclusion, meaning they refuse to cover a crash that happens while the driver was logged into the app. That can leave a real gap, and closing it takes a close read of every policy involved.
Does It Matter If You Were the Passenger, Another Driver, or a Pedestrian?
It affects the details, but injured people in all of these positions can recover. Whether you were riding in the Uber, driving the car it hit, biking, or walking, you may have a claim against the at-fault driver and the applicable rideshare coverage.
- Passengers are almost never at fault, which usually makes their claims the most straightforward.
- Other drivers hit by a rideshare vehicle claim against whichever coverage period was active.
- Pedestrians and cyclists struck by a rideshare driver can pursue the same TNC coverage layers.
No matter your role, your own Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, may also apply first under Florida's no-fault system. We line up every available source of coverage.
What Damages Can You Recover in an Uber or Lyft Accident?
You can recover far more than your initial medical bills. In a serious rideshare injury claim, recoverable damages typically include current and future medical care, lost wages and lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
PIP covers only 80% of your medical bills and 60% of lost wages up to $10,000, and it never pays for pain and suffering. When your injury is serious, you can step beyond those limits and pursue full damages against the at-fault party. Documenting future care is what separates a fair recovery from a lowball offer.
Not sure which coverage applies to your crash? Call (561) 444-8822 for a free review. We sort out the insurance so you do not have to.
How Is Fault Divided in a Florida Rideshare Crash?
Florida uses modified comparative negligence, so your recovery is reduced by your share of fault, and you are barred only if you are found more than 50% responsible. Under Fla. Stat. 768.81, if you are 20% at fault, your recovery is reduced by 20%.
This matters because rideshare insurers routinely try to shift blame onto the injured person to cut what they pay. As passengers, riders almost never carry fault, but other drivers and pedestrians often face this tactic, and pushing back takes evidence.
Steps to Take After an Uber or Lyft Accident
The most important steps are getting medical care and preserving proof of the driver's app status. See a doctor right away, even if you feel okay, because injuries like concussions can surface days later.
Then protect your claim:
- Screenshot the ride details in the Uber or Lyft app
- Get the crash report and the rideshare driver's information
- Photograph the scene, vehicles, and your injuries
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to any insurer before you talk to a lawyer
For deeper detail on single-brand claims, see our standalone Uber accident attorney and Lyft accident attorney pages.
Why West Palm Beach Riders Choose Felice Trial Attorneys
Most rideshare cases are decided by which policy applies, and that fight happens long before anyone discusses settlement. We came out of insurance defense, so we know how these carriers decide which coverage period to admit to and how quickly they document it. We press for that answer in writing early, while the app records still exist.
About Timothy C. Felice, Founder and Lead Trial Attorney
Tim Felice built this firm around trying cases, which is why other lawyers send him the files they do not want to try themselves. Admitted to the Florida Bar in 2005 with a law degree from Nova Southeastern University's Shepard Broad Law Center, he has spent his career on vehicle collision, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury claims. Rideshare cases fit that work closely: layered corporate insurance, a defendant with real resources, and a carrier that tends to move only when trial looks likely.
Our Rideshare and Car Accident Results
We have recovered more than $85 million for injured clients across our practice areas, including serious car accident and catastrophic injury claims. Every case turns on its own facts, so prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. What that history shows is a firm that documents the full cost of an injury and is prepared to prove it to a jury rather than accept a carrier's first number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lawyer after an Uber or Lyft accident?
For a serious injury, yes. Rideshare claims involve overlapping policies and insurers who benefit from confusion over which one pays. A lawyer identifies the right coverage period, handles the carriers, and pursues full value, which is usually far more than an early offer.
How long do I have to file a rideshare accident claim in Florida?
Generally two years from the date of the crash. Florida shortened this deadline from four years to two through tort reform in 2023. Missing it can permanently end your claim, so it is best to speak with a lawyer early while evidence like app data still exists.
What if the driver's app was off when the crash happened?
Then the rideshare company's coverage usually does not apply, and only the driver's personal auto policy is in play. That policy may still cover you, but it may also carry lower limits, so identifying every possible source of coverage becomes especially important.
How much does an Uber or Lyft accident lawyer cost?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fee unless we recover for you, and your first consultation is free. There is no cost to find out what your case is worth.
What if the rideshare driver was uninsured or their coverage is not enough?
You may still have options. Florida rideshare policies include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, known as UM and UIM, which can apply when an at-fault driver has no insurance or too little to cover your injuries. Your own UM coverage may stack on top, so it is worth having every policy reviewed.
Can I sue Uber or Lyft after an accident in Florida?
Often you pursue the rideshare company's insurance rather than the company directly, and Florida law requires up to $1 million in coverage while a driver is en route to or carrying a passenger. Whether you can reach beyond that depends on the facts, which is why an early case review matters.
Does Uber or Lyft insurance cover passengers?
Yes. When you are a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, the driver is in the prearranged-ride period, so the company's $1 million liability coverage applies to your injuries. Passengers are almost never at fault, which usually makes these among the most straightforward rideshare claims.
What is the $1 million rideshare insurance coverage?
It is the minimum liability coverage Florida requires Uber and Lyft to carry once a driver has accepted a ride or has a passenger aboard. It applies to death, bodily injury, and property damage, and it is far larger than the coverage available when the app is merely on and waiting.
Should I use my own insurance after a rideshare accident?
Your own PIP usually pays your first medical bills under Florida's no-fault system regardless of who caused the crash. That does not replace a claim against the at-fault party, though. Talk to a lawyer before giving statements, so you do not accidentally limit your own recovery.
Find Out Which Policy Owes You
The fastest way to know where you stand is to have someone read the coverage before you talk to an adjuster. We will tell you which period likely applies, what it is worth, and whether you need a lawyer at all.
Call (561) 444-8822, available 24/7, or visit us at 3 Harvard Circle, West Palm Beach, FL 33409. You can also learn more on our West Palm Beach car accident page.
This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this page or contacting Felice Trial Attorneys does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique, and prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case. Case result figures reflect gross recoveries across multiple matters and do not reflect the net amount received by any individual client after fees and costs. Florida statutes, deadlines, insurance requirements, and procedures referenced here are subject to change, and you should consult a licensed Florida attorney about the specific facts of your situation. Florida's statute of limitations is strict, and missing it may bar your recovery.