Ride-Sharing Accidents

The advent of ride-sharing applications allowed people who lack the ability or desire to drive to travel with ease. While ride-sharing drivers, like all motorists, must comply with the Florida laws regarding the safe operation of vehicles, they do not always do so, and it is not uncommon for their careless driving to cause a collision. Pursuing damages following ride-sharing accidents can be complicated, however, and what compensation an injured party may be able to recover depends on numerous factors. If you were hurt in a collision with a ride-sharing driver, it is smart to meet with an attorney to assess your avenues for seeking redress for your losses. The seasoned Florida attorneys of Cardoso Law, PLLC have ample experience helping people hurt in crashes protect their interests, and if you hire us, we will zealously pursue the best legal outcome available under the facts of your case. We have an office in Pensacola, and we frequently represent parties in car accident lawsuits in cities throughout Florida.

Ride-sharing drivers, unlike taxi drivers, do not have to obtain any certification or undergo any additional training to be qualified for their jobs. Instead, they must merely meet the age and vehicle requirements and pass a criminal and driving record check. Further, ride-sharing drivers differ from most taxi drivers in that they are independent contractors rather than employees of the ride-sharing companies.

It is generally difficult, therefore, for people injured in ride-sharing accidents to prove the ride-sharing company should be held vicariously liable for its driver’s negligence. Ride-sharing companies provide liability insurance for their drivers, though, which may provide compensation for parties injured by their careless driving. The insurance benefits that are available typically vary depending on whether the driver was waiting for a ride request, in the process of picking up passengers, or in the middle of a ride.

Typically, lawsuits arising out of ride-sharing accidents are the same as other car accident cases in that the plaintiff must prove the defendant’s liability. In most cases, this means that the plaintiff has to prove the defendant was negligent.

In Florida, a plaintiff averring a defendant acted negligently must show that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty. Usually, it is the duty to act with due care in consideration of the given circumstances, but it may also be a statutory duty. The plaintiff must then show that the defendant behaved in a way that is considered a breach of the duty. For example, texting while driving or making an illegal turn may constitute a breach. Next, the plaintiff must show the accident caused actual harm and link the defendant’s breach to the losses sustained. In other words, the plaintiff has to prove that he or she would not have been injured absent the defendant’s breach.

Damages recoverable in ride-sharing accident cases include the cost of any necessary medical treatment, including hospitalization, surgery, prescriptions, and physical and occupational therapy, loss of earnings, and out-of-pocket expenses. In many cases, plaintiffs are also awarded compensation for their suffering, pain, and mental anguish.

Like all Florida motorists, ride-sharing drivers must drive safely, and if they recklessly cause collisions, they should be held accountable. If you suffered harm in a ride-sharing accident, you might be owed compensation, and it is wise to speak to a lawyer about your rights. The capable Florida car accident attorneys of Cardoso Law, PLLC fight to protect the interests of parties harmed by the negligence of others, and if you engage our services, we will advocate tirelessly on your behalf. Our office is located in Pensacola, and we regularly represent people in lawsuits arising out of ridesharing accidents in Pensacola, Ferry Pass, West Pensacola, Cantonment, Brent, Bellview, Century, Milton, Navarre, Gulf Breeze, Jay, Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, and Niceville. We also help parties in personal injury lawsuits in cities in Santa Rosa, Escambia, and Okaloosa Counties and throughout Florida. You can contact us at (850) 466-2073 or through the online form to set up a consultation.