Tampa Uber Accident Lawyer

Lady driver suffering head injuries from an uber car accident.

Uber accidents in Tampa frequently leave passengers or other drivers with severe injuries, expensive medical bills, and significant mental health challenges. If you sustained injuries in a crash with an Uber driver or while riding in an Uber, the team at Zervos & Calta, PLLC can help you seek fair compensation. Our Tampa Uber accident attorneys have over 50 years of combined experience, and our results include millions of dollars recovered for our clients – including $3 million for a motor vehicle accident. Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation.

What Is Uber?

Founded in 2009 in California, Uber is a ridesharing service that connects passengers with drivers through a smartphone app. Users request a ride by entering their location and destination, and the app matches them with a nearby driver. Passengers pay for rides through the app, eliminating the need for cash.

The platform is undoubtedly convenient and more affordable than many other transportation options. However, the lack of regulations for Uber and its drivers means it’s often difficult for injured drivers or passengers to recover fair compensation for their losses after a collision.

What Are Common Causes of Uber Accidents in Tampa?

Many Uber accidents in Tampa happen because the Uber driver or someone else wasn’t careful behind the wheel or engaged in dangerous driving behaviors. Common causes of rideshare accidents in Tampa include:

  • Uber drivers speeding or weaving through traffic to pick up or drop passengers
  • Uber drivers looking at the app or other distractions instead of paying attention to the road
  • Tired Uber drivers losing focus or nodding off behind the wheel
  • Catastrophic component failures due to heavy wear and tear on Uber vehicles
  • Uber drivers colliding with cyclists or pedestrians in crowded urban areas
  • Uber drivers using drugs or alcohol, making it harder for them to recognize potential hazards

What Types of Injuries Happen in Tampa Uber Accidents?

Like all car crashes, Tampa Uber accidents frequently cause severe injuries, such as:

What Are Florida’s Insurance Requirements for Uber?

In Florida, Uber provides insurance coverage for rideshare drivers based on the driver’s activity at the time of an accident:

  • If the driver’s app is off, only the driver’s personal insurance applies.
  • When the app is on but the driver hasn’t accepted a ride request, Uber provides liability coverage of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for injuries and $25,000 for property damage. Uber may also provide $5,000 in medical payments (MedPay) coverage.
  • Once an Uber driver accepts a ride, Uber’s $1 million liability policy applies. This coverage lasts until the Uber driver drops off their passenger.

Despite these policies, Uber often disputes claims, making it challenging for injured passengers, drivers, or others involved to secure fair compensation. A Tampa Uber accident lawyer can help you seek the compensation you need to rebuild your life after a crash.

What Damages May Be Available in a Tampa Uber Accident Claim?

If you have a Florida auto insurance policy, you can use your no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) coverage to cover some of your losses immediately after an Uber accident. However, your PIP benefits are limited and may not cover the full extent of your losses. If you can demonstrate that your injuries meet the legal requirements to step outside the no-fault system, you can seek additional compensation, including money for your:

Can I Be Compensated If a Tampa Uber Driver Hit My Vehicle?

You can pursue compensation if a Tampa Uber driver hit your car. Your first option for recovering compensation is your no-fault PIP benefits. If you sustained severe injuries in a collision, such as significant scarring or the permanent loss of a bodily function, you can step outside the no-fault system to file a claim against the Uber driver or whoever caused the collision.

How much coverage Uber provides depends on whether the Uber driver was logged into the app or had an active fare, but the company provides up to $1 million in liability insurance coverage in certain circumstances. However, you can expect Uber to contest your claim to avoid paying you compensation. You’ll want help from a Tampa Uber accident lawyer to maximize your potential compensation.

How Do You Prove Who Caused the Tampa Uber Accident That Caused My Injury?

To recover compensation for your losses in a Tampa Uber accident outside of PIP, you must provide evidence showing how the Uber driver or someone else involved caused the collision and your resulting injuries. Some common types of evidence our personal injury lawyers use to prove liability for an Uber accident include:

  • Police reports – Official accident reports document key details about the collision, including whether the responding officer issued any citations to the Uber driver or someone else involved in the crash.
  • Witness statements – Testimonies from passengers, pedestrians, or other drivers who saw the collision can provide valuable accounts of how it occurred. For instance, an eyewitness may have seen the Uber driver looking at their phone or weaving through traffic when the accident happened.
  • Traffic camera footage – Video recordings from nearby traffic cameras or security systems can show the moments leading up to the collision, including the Uber driver’s actions and whether they were acting carelessly.
  • Expert testimony – Accident reconstruction specialists or medical professionals can provide insights into how the crash happened and its effects on the accident victims.

Does Florida Have a Time Limit for Filing an Uber Accident Lawsuit?

Florida law says you must file an Uber accident lawsuit within two years of the collision. We urge you to speak to a car accident lawyer as soon as possible so they can preserve essential evidence and get the legal process started long before the two-year deadline nears.

Contact a Tampa Uber Accident Lawyer

You have the right to fair compensation if an Uber driver injured you in a crash. Zervos & Calta, PLLC can make this process as painless as possible. One happy client of ours said:

“I used Ms. Zervos for my auto accident when I was being pushed around by the insurance company for the person that hit me. Once I signed up, they took care of EVERYTHING so I only had to worry about getting treatment and getting better. My case ultimately settled for well beyond anything I expected to receive and I would absolutely recommend their services to anyone injured in an auto accident through no fault of their own.” — Nicole

Call now or reach out online for a free case review.

Visit Our Tampa Uber Accident Law Offices