Have you been involved in an accident with an Uber or other rideshare vehicle in Tampa, Florida? You may have the ability to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact our Tampa uber accident attorneys from Winters and Yonker, P.A. at (813) 223-6200 to schedule a free consultation.
Our legal team has more than 119 years of combined experience practicing law and handling all types of accidents such as lyft accidents in Tampa, truck accidents, Tampa, FL bus accidents, taxi accidents, and many more.
Since our personal injury law firm was established in 2001, we have already collected tens of millions of dollars on behalf of our clients.
How Winters and Yonker, P.A., Can Help After an Uber Accident in Tampa
It’s relatively easy to become an Uber driver or a driver for another rideshare company; these entities do not require their drivers to possess extensive driving experience or skill, nor must they go through extensive training. That means that accidents with Uber vehicles should not come as a surprise. Uber drivers are essentially no more qualified than any other driver on the road, and car accidents are incredibly common throughout Tampa, Florida, and the rest of the Tampa Bay area.
When you’ve been hurt in a crash with an Uber vehicle, you deserve compensation from the at-fault party. You also deserve to focus on your rest and recovery instead of worrying about how you’ll be made whole again. That’s what Winters and Yonker, P.A., is here to do. Our Tampa personal injury attorneys will take care of everything possible related to the pursuit of your compensation claim. To that end, we’ll assist in the following ways:
- Conducting a complete investigation into the extent of your damages and collecting evidence to help prove your claim
- Handling all of the paperwork, communication, and negotiation with the defendant on your behalf
- Protecting you if you are accused of causing the accident
- Apprising you of your legal rights and options at all times
- Bringing your case in front of a Hillsborough County jury if that’s your best option for compensation
These are just a few of the ways our personal injury law firm can help. Reach out to us today for more information and to set up your free consultation.
How Common Are Uber Accidents?
There is only limited data available on Uber accidents in the United States. The best source at the moment is Uber’s own Safety Report, which has statistics cited from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). The latest report reflects data from 2019-2020.
Uber states that there were 101 motor vehicle fatalities and 91 fatal Uber-related accidents in 2019-2020. This reflects a 7% increase from the last Safety Report, which contains data from 2017-2018. Uber claims that the fatality rate of its vehicles is 50% of the national average.
Of course, these numbers only reflect fatal accidents. When injury and non-injury crashes are also considered, the numbers are almost certainly much higher.
What’s My Tampa Uber Accident Case Worth?
Uber accident cases can be especially tough to evaluate without having all of the facts in hand. Every car accident case is unique and so will have a unique value. But Uber accidents add another layer of complexity to that equation because the insurance coverage that applies to the Uber driver changes depending on the driver’s status at the time of the wreck:
Driver Accepted the Ride Request
If the driver has already accepted a ride request at the time of the accident, Uber’s $1 million insurance policy will kick in. This insurance includes third-party liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist, and collision coverage. Cases that fall under this category could be worth more because the policy is so large. Note that this coverage can still apply even if the driver has yet to actually pick up the passenger.
Driver Can Accept a Ride Request but Hasn’t Done So Yet
If the driver is logged in to the Uber application but hasn’t yet accepted a ride request, Uber provides more limited coverage:
- $50,000 per person in bodily injury
- $100,000 per accident in bodily injury
- $25,000 per accident in property damage
This coverage is secondary to the driver’s coverage, however.
Driver Cannot Accept a Ride Request
If the driver isn’t logged in to the application at the time of the accident, only the driver’s personal insurance will apply to the crash.
Florida’s no-fault insurance rules also complicate evaluating the worth of an Uber accident case in Tampa. In the Sunshine State, drivers must purchase personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. This coverage provides some compensation in the event of an accident, regardless of who was at fault. However, this system also entails that you cannot sue the at-fault driver unless the accident is especially serious, as defined by Florida law.
With all of this in mind, the cases that tend to be worth the most are those that cause the most serious injuries. The best way to find out how much your case might be worth is to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Tampa car accident lawyers.
What Damages Can Uber Accident Victims Obtain in Florida?
Victims of Uber accidents in Tampa, Florida, can pursue economic, non-economic, and sometimes punitive damages.
Economic damages make up for the financial losses you’ve incurred due to the Uber crash, such as:
Non-economic damages make up for the other types of losses you’ve suffered, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Emotional distress
Punitive damages are only available in rare cases where the defendant acted recklessly or maliciously. Instead of compensating you (though they do, in effect), these damages are meant to “punish” the at-fault party for their conduct.
Can I Still Receive Damages if I’m Partially To Blame for the Accident?
Fortunately, you can – Florida has adopted a modified comparative negligence framework. Under this framework, you’ll first be assigned a percentage of fault. From there, your compensation award could be reduced in proportion to that percentage. However, if you are more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover compensation.
Let’s illustrate this with an example. You’re awarded $500,000 by the jury, and you’ve been assigned 20% of the blame for the accident. In that situation, your financial award could be reduced to $400,000 under Florida’s comparative fault rules. This represents the full amount minus your percentage of fault as converted to a dollar figure.
Comparative fault can be a core issue when it comes to Uber accident cases in Tampa. You’ll want a strong advocate in your corner to ensure you aren’t assigned more of the blame than is fair. Our auto accident lawyers can help; call today for legal advice.
We’ll Fight To Collect Compensation for Each of Your Tampa Uber Accident Injuries
Uber accidents can significantly harm those involved. Some of the injuries that commonly appear include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Leg injuries
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Burn injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Neck injuries
- Nerve injuries
- Back injuries
- Wrongful death
- Paralysis
- Amputations
Our lawyers aim to maximize the value of every case they take on. We’ll be sure to pursue compensation for all of your Uber accident injuries when you hire us to represent you.
What Causes Most of the Uber Accidents in Tampa, Florida?
Uber’s Safety Report indicates that some of the more common causes of Uber accidents are:
Overall, car accidents often are caused by:
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued driving
- Insufficient driver skill
- Tailgating
- Improper turning
- Running a red light
- Improper braking
Regardless of how your Uber accident was caused, you deserve compensation from those responsible. Set up a free case evaluation with our experienced injury lawyers in Tampa today.
How Do I Assert Negligence After an Uber Accident in Tampa, FL?
Most Uber accident cases require the injured victim to establish that the at-fault party was negligent. Negligence means something like “carelessness,” and it occurs when four legal elements are met.
Essentially, you’ll have to demonstrate that the other party owed you a duty of care given the circumstances, that the other person’s actions constituted a violation of that duty, and that those actions caused you to suffer harm as a consequence.
The personal injury victim has the burden of proof to support each element, and the standard of proof is “by a preponderance of the evidence.” This means you must show – with evidence – that each element is more likely true than not. Fortunately, this is an easier standard to meet than the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard that the prosecution must meet in criminal cases.
How Much Time Is There To File a Lawsuit After an Uber Accident in Tampa?
After most Uber accidents in Florida, you will have two years to file a lawsuit. This is the statute of limitations deadline established by Florida law. If you file your lawsuit too late, you won’t be able to pursue compensation, as a court of law will refuse to hear your case.
Note that there are exceptions to this two-year deadline; in certain cases, you might have more or less time to file your lawsuit. We recommend contacting us immediately if you are not sure if you still have time to file, as we can let you know during your free case review.
Schedule a Free Case Review With an Experienced Tampa Uber Accident Lawyer
An Uber accident can take a heavy toll on you and your family. If you hire Winters and Yonker, P.A., you can take the time you need to heal from the harm you’ve suffered. In the meantime, our Tampa uber accident lawyers will advocate for your rights and interests, aggressively pursuing compensation on your behalf.
Our law firm also works on contingency, so we only win when you win. Call today at (888) 373-7770 to get started.
Our personal injury law firm in Tampa, FL, also provides:
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Visit Our Law Office in Tampa, FL
Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyer – Tampa
601 W Swann Ave
Tampa, FL 33606, USA
Phone: (813) 223-6200
Hours: Open 24 Hours Daily
