Rules for Rideshare Passenger Claims Against At-Fault Drivers

Because of Florida’s no-fault laws, drivers know that the first place they need to turn for injury compensation is their PIP insurance policy. If their injuries exceed that coverage, then they may file a claim against the other driver or their insurance. However, that changes dramatically when the victim is a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle. According to a Pew Research survey, 36% of Americans said that they have used some type of rideshare service like Uber or Lyft. Drivers for these services must also carry a specific amount of insurance.

The Orlando Legal Examiner explains to readers how accidents involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle differ from other kinds of accidents where injury occurs in one’s own vehicle.

For passengers who are involved in an accident while using a rideshare service, liability will come down to who is at fault for the accident. The injured party must prove fault by showing that one of the drivers acted negligently.

However, before the passenger can seek compensation through either driver’s insurance or against the driver personally, they still must first file a claim with their personal injury protection policy.

If the rideshare driver was at fault and your damages exceed your PIP policy, there is good news. Florida laws require that rideshare drivers carry a minimum of $1 million in insurance to cover serious injuries. This amount is enough to cover both the driver and the passenger if they are injured in an accident.