Attorney David I. Fuchs
Driving in Fort Lauderdale rush hour traffic is enough to give anyone a migraine, so it’s no surprise that rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have become enormously popular in this region. Passengers reach their destinations without the annoyance of driving in traffic and without the need for parking.
But ridesharing does have a downside. The increasing competition in the field leaves drivers fatigued, trying to beat the clock on their current trip, and driving unsafely. If you or someone you love has been injured in an Uber accident or Lyft accident, let us help. Call David I. Fuchs Injury & Accident Lawyer, P.A. at (954) 568-3636.
When you’re involved in an accident, whether as a passenger or because a Lyft driver hit your car, you absolutely need dependable legal representation.
There are myriad factors at play in a ridesharing accident case, and without legal assistance, you could end up with nothing. For example, the driver may have multiple insurance policies in effect—their personal insurance policy and their Uber policy. When this happens, there is often a dispute between the insurance providers about who really needs to pay and who gets off scot-free. This leaves you, the victim, without recourse as multimillion-dollar companies fight over an injury claim.
David Fuchs cuts through all of that to get to the heart of what matters: your compensation. As your Fort Lauderdale Uber accident lawyer, he conducts a thorough investigation of the accident to establish liability and understand your damages.
With a solid understanding of the accident and substantial evidence, he goes to the negotiating table to get what you deserve. With over 30 years of experience in the practice of law, David Fuchs has honed his negotiation skills to the point that he can fight aggressively for each and every client. They fight for their own profit margin; David Fuchs fights for you.
Mercedes Gomez
David I. Fuchs Client
Rideshare accidents have creeped up in number as Lyft and Uber have become more popular across the country. While drivers face the same risks and challenges as personal drivers, the fact that they are paid drivers adds a number of other factors to the mix. Some common causes of rideshare crashes include:
Determining liability is fairly complicated in an Uber accident claim. Much depends on the status of the driver at the time of the crash and whether or not the driver met Uber’s standards.
If the driver does not have the app on, their insurance company is responsible for any damage they may cause. If the driver is on the app but does not yet have a passenger, some coverage is available to those who have an Uber driver hit their car. Coverage is accessible to those injured while a driver is on the way to pick up a passenger or is transporting a passenger.
However, this only determines who pays up if the driver is liable. In many circumstances, the driver is liable for the damage caused in an accident. Liability may shift to Uber or Lyft if they did not properly screen the driver and therefore missed disqualifying facts.
If the driver has a felony, DUI, hit-and-run misdemeanor, violent crime conviction, lewdness conviction, or convictions for driving with a suspended license, the driver should not be approved by the company. If the company permits them to begin driving anyway, they could be liable.
One of the biggest questions that arose in the early days of Lyft accident claims was the question of insurance. Luckily, state law now addresses that, and rideshare drivers are provided insurance by their company that meets state limits. Per state law, Uber and Lyft must provide drivers with the following amount of coverage:
Case Type: Traumatic Brain Injury
What does this mean for you when you are involved in an Uber car accident as a passenger? It means that your attorney has a lot of avenues to explore as they investigate the accident and try to establish liability. It may come out that the company did not properly vet the driver and failed to uncover a history of DUIs, which would put liability on the shoulders of the company. It may come down to an error on the part of the driver, leading to damages that must be paid out by Lyft or Uber.
Regardless, it is important to track the financial and non-financial losses you suffer. When someone comes to us and asks, “A Lyft driver hit my car, what do I do?” we ask for documentation of their losses. This may include repair estimates from mechanics, medical reports indicating the extent of your injuries, and a receipt for your car insurance deductible. Other losses that drivers or passengers may be compensated for include:
We can help you fight for the compensation you are owed. When you choose ridesharing, you should be able to feel confident that you are being driven by a competent and vetted driver. When their negligence causes you harm, it isn’t fair that you get left with the repercussions. David Fuchs has negotiated a number of Uber accident settlements and Lyft accident settlements, and he knows how to navigate the complexities of Florida ridesharing laws.
Our goal is to help you get the compensation you deserve. Too many people get little to no compensation because of an insurance company’s legal team. Insurance companies have spent a lot of money and time figuring out how to reduce payouts and deny payouts entirely, and when you file a claim, all of that knowledge is working against you.
You deserve an Uber or Lyft car accident attorney who can bring the company to the table in good faith. Instead of spending your time dodging insurance company calls or trying to gather evidence, you can entrust your Lyft accident claim to your attorney and focus on recovering.
The team at David I. Fuchs Injury & Accident Lawyer, P.A. is here to help you get through this challenging time. Whether you were hit by an Uber driver while driving your own car or you were injured as a Lyft car accident passenger, David I. Fuchs will fight aggressively for your rights.
To schedule a consultation, give us a call at (954) 568-3636 or reach out to us online.