Carrollwood Uber & Lyft Accident Attorney
No one at Uber, Lyft, or other ridesharing companies could have predicted the phenomenal growth these companies have experienced since 2010. As is often the case, growing pains accompany such expansion. To meet rising demand, these companies often cut corners when it comes to employee hiring. Other than a valid drivers’ license and a clean driving record, these companies usually have few driver qualifications. Furthermore, additional supervision is limited, at best.
In contrast, the experienced Carrollwood Uber & Lyft accident attorneys at Moore Law never take shortcuts. Instead, we use proven methods that have produced results in the past. We’re confident that these methods will also produce results that exceed your expectations. We are not only focused on the result. We keep you informed about the progress of your case as it winds through the justice system, so you are never in the dark.
Car Accident Liability
If you were hurt in a ridesharing wreck, either as a passenger in a ridesharing vehicle or as an occupant of the other vehicle, you may be entitled to substantial compensation, even if an emergency responder or insurance adjuster said the ridesharing operator wasn’t at fault.
Fault is a preliminary determination based solely on the facts available at the scene. Liability is a final determination based on all the available facts, as well as applicable legal principles.
The duty of care is one such principle. Commercial operators, like ridesharing drivers, have a duty of utmost care in Florida. They must take affirmative steps to avoid crashes.
Proceeding through a green light is a good example. Noncommercial drivers have a duty of reasonable care. They must drive defensively. As a result, if their lights are green they may proceed through intersections. Arguably, however, Uber & Lyft drivers have a duty to stop, or at least pause, before they go through an intersection on green.
As for the proof in a negligence case, additional evidence often includes surveillance video footage. Most cameras digitally record high-definition footage. Such pictures are often very convincing in court, especially to tech-savvy Hillsborough County jurors. Additionally, such proof is almost impossible for the other side to exclude.
Frequently, the ride sharing company is financially responsible for damages, under the respondeat superior rule. These damages usually include compensation for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering.
Passenger Safety Issues
The duty of care is not limited to collision hazards in these situations. Ridesharing operators also have responsibilities in the area of passenger safety.
Pickup and drop off are two of the biggest areas. Riders have a duty to pick up and drop off passengers in safe locations. Dark alleys or busy street corners might be convenient locations. But in most cases, they aren’t safe.
Usually, if victims fall, are hit by cars, or are otherwise injured in these situations, the ridesharing company is financially responsible for damages. The aforementioned respondeat superior (let the master answer) doctrine usually applies.
The duty of safety also includes things like rider-on-passenger assaults. Such incidents are rare, but they do happen.
Third-party liability theories in such cases include negligent hiring and negligent supervision. Negligent hiring is hiring an incompetent worker to do a certain job. Negligent supervision is a failure to properly watch employees and take corrective action when appropriate.
Contact an Experienced Hillsborough County Lawyer
Injury victims are usually entitled to significant compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced Uber & Lyft accident lawyer in Carrollwood, contact Moore Law by going online or calling 813-510-5400. Virtual, home, and hospital visits are available.
