When you open your rideshare app and request a trip, the last thing on your mind is the possibility of an accident. Yet as Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare platforms have become more integrated into daily life in Sarasota and Bradenton, so have the legal complexities surrounding injuries sustained in these accidents. If you’ve been hurt while riding in or driving for a rideshare vehicle, or if you were struck by one, understanding who is responsible for covering your medical expenses and lost wages can quickly become overwhelming.

As a top-rated car accident attorney in Southwest Florida, I’m Bernard Walsh, and I’ve spent decades fighting for injured clients. At Justice Pays – Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh, we specialize in cutting through the legal red tape and helping victims of rideshare accidents pursue full and fair compensation. In this article, I’ll walk you through the critical factors that affect liability and outline the steps you should take to protect your rights after a rideshare crash.

Who’s Responsible After a Rideshare Crash? It’s More Complicated Than You Think

Active Ride or Not? How the Driver’s Status Impacts Your Claim

In a traditional auto accident, determining liability often revolves around clear insurance policies and traffic law violations. In a rideshare accident, however, the driver’s status at the exact moment of the crash plays a pivotal role. Here’s how it breaks down:

• Driver Offline: If the rideshare driver was not logged into the app, only their personal insurance applies.
• Driver Waiting for a Ride Request: Uber and Lyft provide limited liability coverage ($50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident) during this time.
• Driver En Route or With a Passenger: Once a ride has been accepted or a passenger is in the vehicle, $1 million in liability coverage from the rideshare company usually applies.

However, that doesn’t mean the rideshare company will make it easy to access that coverage. That’s where skilled legal representation becomes essential.

Is the Rideshare Company Liable—or Just the Driver?

Uber and Lyft are notorious for classifying drivers as independent contractors, not employees. This shields them from many types of direct liability. However, under certain circumstances, vicarious liability or negligent hiring/supervision claims may apply. Florida courts are increasingly scrutinizing these companies’ responsibilities, particularly if it can be shown that the company failed to screen or train drivers properly.

In my practice here in Sarasota and Bradenton, I’ve seen these claims succeed when backed by a strong legal strategy and documented evidence. That’s why it’s so important to begin an investigation as soon as possible.

Who’s to Blame After a Rideshare Crash—The Driver, Another Car, or the Company?

Multiple Drivers, Multiple Insurers—We Help You Make Sense of It All

Liability in a rideshare accident doesn’t always rest with the rideshare driver. Other potentially liable parties can include:

• Another negligent driver
• A vehicle manufacturer (in defective equipment claims)
• The rideshare company itself
• Even third-party contractors responsible for road maintenance

Florida’s comparative negligence system further complicates things by allowing fault to be shared. That means even if you were partially responsible, you may still recover damages—just reduced in proportion to your share of the fault.

Who’s at Fault? Lets Look At This Example

Here are common situations and who may be held responsible:

Want to Win Your Rideshare Injury Case? It Starts with Strong Evidence

Situations Where We Look for Negligence in Rideshare Accidents Include:

• Distracted driving (often by rideshare drivers checking their phones)
• Fatigue due to long shifts
• Speeding to complete more rides
• Unsafe passenger drop-off locations
• Poor vehicle maintenance

To prove these elements, we collect dashcam footage, driver logs, phone records, GPS data, witness statements, and accident reconstruction reports. Without this, insurance companies may shift the blame or deny your claim altogether.

How to Report a Rideshare Crash—And What Else You Need to Do

Reporting the Rideshare Accident

Uber and Lyft have specific reporting portals for incidents, but these are internal tools—not official legal reports. If you’re involved in a crash:

1. Call 911 and get a police report.
2. Seek immediate medical attention, even for minor symptoms.
3. Take screenshots of your ride status and trip confirmation.
4. Report the incident via the app, but be cautious of what you say.
5. Contact a rideshare accident attorney before speaking to insurance adjusters.

Dealing With Insurance Adjusters

Both the rideshare company’s insurance and any involved drivers’ policies will try to minimize their liability. That means they may:

• Delay claim processing
• Blame other parties
• Offer lowball settlements
• Ask for recorded statements to use against you

Having an experienced Sarasota car accident attorney—like those of us at Justice Pays—level the playing field. We negotiate on your behalf and, if needed, prepare to litigate.

Steps That Can Help You Maximize Your Rideshare Injury Payout

• Document everything—medical bills, lost wages, therapy sessions, and your pain and suffering.
• Avoid quick settlements. Initial offers rarely reflect your total damages.
• Reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) before settling to ensure future costs are considered.
• Hire legal counsel immediately. Time limits apply, and evidence can disappear.

Understanding the Full Scope of Compensation

In Florida, compensation may include:

• Emergency and long-term medical expenses
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Emotional trauma
• Property damage

We work closely with medical professionals and financial experts to assess the true value of your claim. At Justice Pays, we don’t accept less than what you truly need to move forward.

Here’s Why People in Sarasota and Bradenton Turn to Us After a Rideshare Crash

With decades of experience handling auto accident and personal injury claims across Sarasota and Bradenton, I’ve built a reputation for fighting insurance giants and winning maximum compensation for my clients. As a board-certified civil trial lawyer, I’ve secured multimillion-dollar verdicts in injury and wrongful death cases, and my team and I are relentless in our pursuit of justice.

We understand the evolving legal landscape of rideshare liability and have the investigative resources, expert network, and trial experience to pursue even the most complex cases.

You Deserve Protection—Here’s How We Help After a Rideshare Accident

Rideshare accidents involve a maze of liability questions, insurance challenges, and legal nuances. You deserve a dedicated team that knows how to navigate these issues and put your needs first. At Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh, our local team in Sarasota and Bradenton is ready to help you recover physically, emotionally, and financially.

Don’t wait. Contact Attorney Bernard Walsh and the Justice Pays team today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

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