You’re heading to Tampa International Airport for a business trip when your Lyft or Uber driver runs a red light on Westshore Boulevard or some other street and crashes into another car or they hit you in your car. You’re hurt, confused, and your phone may be cracked. What happens next could make or break your ability to get compensation for your injuries.
Unlike regular car accidents, Lyft accidents involve multiple insurance companies, state laws and can include complex liability issues. Knowing exactly what to do in those critical first moments can protect your health, your legal rights, and your financial future.
Step 1: Get Medical Help Right Away
Your health comes first, always. Even if you think you’re not seriously hurt, adrenaline can mask pain and injuries. Many Lyft and Uber accident injuries, like neck or back pain, shoulder, knee, ankle, elbow or concussions, may not show symptoms until hours or a day or two later, emergency rooms warn victims about how this happens.
Call 911 immediately if:
- Anyone appears seriously injured
- You’re experiencing any pain or discomfort
- You hit your head or lost consciousness
- You feel dizzy, confused, or nauseous
- The accident was severe
Don’t let the Lyft or Uber driver or other passengers talk you out of calling for help. In Florida, having a police report and medical documentation from the scene is crucial for your case later.
Step 2: Contact Law Enforcement
Florida law requires police reports for accidents involving injuries or significant property damage. Even if the Lyft or Uber driver wants to “handle this privately,” insist on calling the police.
Why a police report matters:
- Creates an official record of the accident
- Documents the scene and vehicle positions
- Includes statements from all parties involved
- May include the officer’s opinion on who caused the crash (helpful but not admissible in court)
- Required by most insurance companies
When the police arrive, stick to the facts about what happened. Don’t speculate about fault or say you’re “fine” if you’re hurt.
Step 3: Document Everything at the Scene
If you’re able to move around safely, start gathering evidence immediately. Insurance companies often try to minimize Lyft accident claims, so detailed documentation is your best protection.
Take Photos of:
- All vehicles involved from multiple angles
- The accident scene and street signs
- Any visible injuries (though they may not be noticeable for a day or two later)
- Inside the Lyft or Uber vehicle, including any safety equipment
- Road conditions, weather, and traffic signals
- License plates of all vehicles
Get Contact Information From:
- The Lyft or Uber vehicle driver (name, phone, driver’s license, insurance info)
- Other drivers involved
- Passengers in all vehicles
- Witnesses who saw the accident
Step 4: Understand Lyft’s Insurance Coverage
Lyft or Uber accident insurance is complicated because it depends on what the driver was doing when the crash happened. Understanding these phases helps you know which insurance applies.
| Driver Status | Lyft’s or Uber’s Coverage | What It Means |
| App Off | None – driver’s personal insurance only | Driver not working for Lyft or Uber |
| App On, No Ride | Liability coverage $50,000 | Driver waiting for a ride request |
| En Route to Pickup | Up to $1 million liability | Driver accepted your ride, heading to you |
| Passenger in Car | Up to $1 million liability | You’re in the car during your trip |
Step 5: Seek Follow-Up Medical Care
Don’t skip follow-up medical care, even if you feel better after the accident. Some injuries, especially soft tissue injuries common in car accidents, can take days or weeks to fully develop.
Important medical steps:
- Go to your doctor within a few days of the accident
- Follow all treatment recommendations
- Keep detailed records of all medical appointments
- Document how your injuries affect your daily life
- Don’t miss appointments or skip physical therapy
In Florida, gaps in medical treatment can hurt your case. Insurance companies will argue that if you were really hurt, you would have gotten consistent medical care.
Step 6: Be Careful What You Say to Insurance Companies
Multiple insurance companies may contact you after a Lyft or Uber accident – Lyft’s or Uber’s insurer, the other driver’s insurance, and possibly your own. Remember, none of these companies (except your own) are on your side.
When insurance adjusters call:
- Give only basic facts about the accident “I was in an accident” nothing else
- Don’t agree to recorded statements without talking to a lawyer first
- Don’t sign any documents
- Don’t accept quick settlement offers
- Refer them to your attorney if you have one
Step 7: Keep Detailed Records
Start a file with all documents related to your Lyft or Uber accident. Good record-keeping can make the difference between a successful claim and a denied one.
Important documents to save:
- Police report
- All medical records and bills
- Photos from the accident scene
- Correspondence with insurance companies
- Records of lost wages
- Receipts for out-of-pocket expenses
- Notes about how your injuries affect your life
Step 8: Know Your Deadlines
In Florida, you have two years from the date of your any accident including one with a Lyft or Uber driver to file a personal injury lawsuit.
This might seem like plenty of time, but these cases:
- take time for you to get treatment,
- You to get to your maximum medical improvement,
- see a specialist,
- collect records
- ,look for additional insurance coverage,
- do a thorough investigation
- try to settle this case without filing a lawsuit.
Why you shouldn’t wait:
- Evidence disappears over time
- Witnesses forget details
- Medical records can be hard to obtain later
- Insurance companies are less likely to negotiate fairly as time passes
Step 9: Contact an Experienced Accident Attorney who has Handled lots Cases Against Uber and Lyft
Lyft and Uber accidents involve multiple parties, complex insurance coverage, and companies with teams of lawyers protecting their interests. Trying to handle this alone puts you at a serious disadvantage.
An experienced attorney can:
- Investigate your accident thoroughly
- Deal with multiple insurance companies
- Ensure you get proper medical treatment
- Calculate the full value of your claim
- Fight for maximum compensation
- Handle all legal deadlines and paperwork
Don’t let Lyft, Uber or their insurance companies take advantage of you during an already difficult time. The sooner you get legal help, the better your chances of a full recovery.
Protect Your Rights After a Lyft or Uber Accident
Being injured in a Lyft or Uber accident is overwhelming, but taking these steps immediately can protect your health and your legal rights. Remember, you’re dealing with a billion-dollar company that has teams of lawyers and investigators working to minimize what they pay you.
Don’t face them alone. Get experienced legal help on your side from day one.
If you’ve been injured in a Lyft or Uber accident in Pinellas, Pasco, Manatee, Polk, Hernando, Hillsborough, Sarasota Counties or anywhere in the Tampa Bay area or State of Florida, don’t wait to get help. Contact Chris Ligori & Associates Now at 813-223-2929 or Visit ChrisLigoriLaw.com for a free consultation.
Our experienced rideshare accident attorneys know how to navigate these complex cases and will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Legal Disclaimer: This article does not constitute legal advice. Every motorcycle accident case is different, and the outcome depends on the specific facts and circumstances involved. For advice about your particular situation, contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can review the details of your case.
