Florida’s Laws And Insurance Requirements For Ride Share Companies And Drivers.

Florida regulates rideshare services like Uber and Lyft through a transportation network company, (TNC) law found in Florida Statute § 627.748. This statute sets statewide rules for how rideshare companies operate and, most importantly, what insurance must be in place when a driver is using the app. Because rideshare crashes often involve multiple policies and “app status” disputes, our Lyft and Uber accident attorneys in Jacksonville routinely review the statute’s requirements to confirm which coverage applies and when.

Under § 627.748(7), insurance requirements change depending on whether the driver is simply logged into the app or actively transporting a rider. When the driver is logged on and available, (but not yet providing a prearranged ride), Florida requires primary liability coverage of at least $50,000 per person, $100,000 per incident, and $25,000 for property damage, along with PIP meeting Florida’s minimum requirements and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage as required by law.

Once a driver is engaged in a prearranged ride, (generally from accepting the trip through drop-off), the statute requires at least $1 million in primary liability coverage for bodily injury, death, and property damage, plus PIP at the minimum levels required of a limousine and UM/UIM coverage as required by statute.

Florida law also addresses gaps and delays that can happen when insurers argue about who should pay. If the driver’s coverage “has lapsed or does not provide the required coverage,” the TNC’s insurance must step in from the first dollar and must defend the claim. Just as important, the statute says the TNC policy cannot be conditioned on the personal auto insurer denying coverage first. The rideshare carrier shouldn’t be able to stall your claim by waiting for another insurer to say no. Because of these provisions, our Lyft and Uber accident attorneys in Jacksonville investigate digital network logs and policy language quickly after accepting a ride share crash case.

Many people are surprised to learn that a driver’s personal auto policy may not protect anyone during ride share activity. Section § 627.748(8) requires rideshare companies to disclose that a driver’s personal insurance might not provide coverage while logged on or during a prearranged ride. The law also allows insurers to exclude coverage under a personal policy for losses occurring while the driver is logged into the digital network or providing a prearranged ride, including liability, UM/UIM, med pay, comprehensive/collision, and PIP. This is why the provisions of Florida law that requires the TNC’s insurance to step in from the first dollar is so important to victims in ride share accidents.

Finally, Florida sets driver screening standards. Before a driver can accept ride requests, the TNC must run a local and national criminal background check, (including a national sex offender search) and review a driving history report, repeating the background check every three years. The statute also bars authorization for certain recent convictions and driving history red flags, including more than three moving violations in three years and specified offenses within set lookback periods.

If you’ve been hurt in a rideshare related crash, Our Lyft and Uber accident attorneys in Jacksonville at McGRATH GIBSON LAW can evaluate the driver’s app status, coverage triggers, and liability under § 627.748 to pursue the full compensation you deserve.

How Our Lyft And Uber Accident Attorneys Get You The Compensation You Deserve After An Accident.

After a rideshare crash, the compensation available to an injured victim depends on how the accident happened, who was involved, and which insurance policies apply at the time of the collision. Our Lyft and Uber accident attorneys in Jacksonville carefully analyze these details from the start. At McGRATH GIBSON LAW, we conduct thorough investigations to uncover every possible source of coverage and aggressively pursue the full compensation our clients are entitled to recover.

In many cases, the process begins with your own auto insurance. Florida requires Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which may cover a portion of your medical bills, lost wages, and certain household services after a rideshare accident. Our Lyft and Uber accident attorneys in Jacksonville also evaluate whether uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage applies, particularly if another at-fault driver lacks adequate insurance to fully cover your losses.

When injuries are serious or damages exceed PIP limits, additional compensation may be available through rideshare related insurance policies. Depending on the driver’s app status at the time of the crash, Uber or Lyft may provide substantial liability coverage. Our Lyft and Uber accident attorneys in Jacksonville know how to identify which policy coverage is triggered and how to counter insurer attempts to delay, deny, or minimize valid claims.

Some rideshare crashes involve more than just the driver. If a third party such as a business, vehicle owner, contractor, or government entity contributed to the accident, our attorneys pursue claims against those parties as well. Our Lyft and Uber accident attorneys in Jacksonville leave no avenue unexplored when multiple sources of negligence may be responsible for causing or worsening your injuries.

In certain situations, additional benefits may apply. If the accident occurred while you were working, workers’ compensation coverage may help pay medical expenses and a portion of lost wages. Health insurance may also cover some treatment costs, depending on your policy. Our firm coordinates these benefits strategically while protecting your right to pursue full compensation from responsible insurers.

Insurance companies often push early settlement offers before the true scope of injuries is known. Our Lyft and Uber accident attorneys in Jacksonville strongly advise against accepting quick payouts or giving recorded statements without legal guidance. Even seemingly minor rideshare accidents can lead to long term medical issues and financial hardship. Our experienced attorneys protect you from insurer tactics and fight relentlessly to secure compensation that reflects the full impact of your injuries, now and into the future.