Rideshare Accident Lawyer
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are everywhere in South Florida — carrying passengers through Coral Springs, Parkland, Pompano Beach, and across Broward County every day. When one of those rides ends in a crash, the injured passenger faces a problem a typical car accident claim does not present: multiple insurance policies, a billion-dollar corporation’s legal team, and a coverage system designed to minimize your recovery.
Eric A. Hernandez of HLM Injury Lawyers brings more than 25 years of trial experience to every rideshare injury case. As a former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Eric spent years pursuing large institutional defendants — the same discipline it takes to hold Uber or Lyft accountable. Whether you were a passenger, a pedestrian struck by a rideshare vehicle, or another driver, our firm is ready to fight for what you are owed.
Call HLM Injury Lawyers for a free consultation: (305) 842-2100. No fee unless we win.
How Rideshare Insurance Coverage Works
The insurance picture in a rideshare crash is more complicated than a standard collision, and the layers determine what your claim is worth.
App off: When the driver’s app is completely off, only the driver’s personal auto insurance applies. The rideshare company’s coverage does not activate.
App on, waiting for a ride: Once the driver is logged in and waiting for a match, the rideshare company provides limited liability coverage — but only if the driver’s personal policy does not cover the gap. This phase carries far less coverage than an active trip.
Active trip — accepted ride through drop-off: From the moment a driver accepts a trip request through drop-off, Uber and Lyft each carry a $1,000,000 liability policy. This is the phase most injured passengers are in — and where the company’s insurer works hardest to limit your claim.
Determining which phase was active at the time of your crash is one of the first things our firm investigates. Uber and Lyft keep detailed trip logs, and we know how to obtain and use that data to build your case.
Florida’s No-Fault Rules and Rideshare Passengers
Florida operates under a no-fault auto insurance system. As an injured rideshare passenger, your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) policy — which covers a minimum of $10,000 — is the first source of payment for your medical bills and lost wages, no matter who caused the crash. You must begin treatment within 14 days of the accident to preserve your PIP benefits.
To pursue a claim directly against an at-fault driver or the rideshare company for damages beyond PIP, you must meet Florida’s serious injury threshold: a significant or permanent injury, significant scarring or disfigurement, or death. Many rideshare crashes — especially those at highway speeds — produce exactly these kinds of severe injuries.
Common Injuries in Rideshare Crashes
Traumatic brain injuries: Even moderate-speed impacts can cause concussions or more severe trauma with lasting cognitive effects.
Spinal and back injuries: Rear-end collisions — a frequent rideshare crash pattern — place enormous force on the cervical and lumbar spine.
Broken bones: Passengers caught off guard often suffer fractures to the wrists, arms, ribs, and hips.
Soft tissue injuries: Whiplash and muscle tears are common and can become chronic without prompt treatment.
Psychological trauma: Anxiety and post-traumatic stress following a violent crash are real injuries that deserve compensation.
Liability can extend to the driver personally, the rideshare corporation, another negligent driver, or a vehicle manufacturer if a defect contributed to the crash. Our firm investigates every potential defendant so none is left behind.
Florida Law — Deadlines and Comparative Negligence
Statute of limitations: Under HB 837, Florida’s 2023 tort reform law, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a negligence claim. Missing that deadline almost certainly means losing your right to any recovery.
Modified comparative negligence: If you share some responsibility for the crash, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover at all; at exactly 50% fault, you still can. Insurance adjusters will try to pin fault on you — an experienced trial lawyer is essential to push back.
Dealing with the rideshare insurer: Uber and Lyft’s adjusters are professionals whose job is to settle claims for as little as possible. Do not give a recorded statement and do not accept any offer before speaking with an attorney.
Why Hire Eric Hernandez for Your Rideshare Accident Case
A Prosecutor’s Perspective: Eric served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Florida, where he dismantled the defenses of large institutional defendants. That experience translates directly to rideshare litigation.
Direct Attorney Access: Eric personally handles your case. You speak with the attorney — not a rotating cast of paralegals. When you call, you get answers from the person managing your file.
Trial-Ready Representation: Many personal injury firms settle every case because they are not prepared for trial. Eric has 25+ years of courtroom experience and is admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court Bar. When Uber or Lyft’s insurer knows your lawyer tries cases, settlement offers reflect that.
Bilingual Service / No Fee Unless We Win: HLM Injury Lawyers serves clients in English and Spanish. No upfront cost — no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue Uber or Lyft directly after a rideshare crash?
Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors, which limits direct corporate liability. However, their insurance policies cover injuries during active trips, and our firm evaluates every available legal theory in your case.
What if the rideshare driver had no personal insurance?
If the crash happened during an active trip, Uber or Lyft’s $1,000,000 commercial policy is the primary coverage — the driver’s personal insurance is generally not relevant during that phase.
What if I was another driver — not a passenger?
You have the same right to pursue a claim. If a rideshare driver caused your crash during an active trip, their corporate coverage applies and you can recover for your injuries and losses.
How long does a rideshare case take?
Cases that settle with the insurer can resolve in months. Cases that go to trial take longer. Building the strongest possible case from day one drives the best outcome regardless of timing.
What evidence should I collect at the scene?
Photograph all vehicles and the scene, get witness names and contact information, note the driver’s name and license plate, and screenshot your ride details in the app before they disappear. Seek medical attention immediately.
Does Florida’s 14-day PIP rule affect me if I delayed treatment?
Yes. If you do not begin treatment within 14 days of the accident, you lose your PIP benefits. Even if you feel fine, prompt evaluation protects both your health and your legal rights.
Contact HLM Injury Lawyers — Free Consultation
If you were hurt in an Uber or Lyft crash, call HLM Injury Lawyers at (305) 842-2100 — your free consultation is waiting, and there is no fee unless we win. We represent injury victims in Coral Springs, Parkland, Coconut Creek, Margate, Tamarac, Pompano Beach, and throughout Broward County and South Florida.