Is Ridesharing Causing More Traffic Accidents in South Florida
Have you recently been injured in an auto accident? You should be aware that traffic accidents in South Florida are on the rise. If you were not the cause of the accident, there is no reason you should have to foot the bill for it. If it came as the result of ridesharing with Uber or Lyft, you can file a claim today.
Traffic Accidents in South Florida Are Increasing
Were you aware of the fact that the total of accidents in South Florida is on a precipitous rise? This is all the more alarming in view of the fact that, up until very recently, they were actually on the decline. In fact, the year 2010 saw the lowest number of traffic accident deaths in the USA since 1949.
There were a number of factors that could explain why this trend seemed to be on a permanent downward spiral. But there are also a few that seem to explain why, since 2010, the total number of fatalities seems to be rising once again. Many experts believe that rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are partly to blame.
A recent joint study seems to confirm that this is the case. The study, which was conducted by the University of Chicago in tandem with Rice University, made a study of 1,185 ride-sharing hot spots. These are the places where ride-sharing apps became available and began to be widely used by people native to the area.
The study, which focused on non-alcohol-related traffic deaths, showed that the total number of fatalities had risen from 2 to 4 percent in these areas. This is data that is certainly consistent with the fact that traffic accidents in South Florida are on the rise. The data shows that South Florida cities are affected.
In some areas, Uber and Lyft rideshare drivers are using bus and bicycle lanes to pick up or release their passengers. This means not only that they are using areas reserved for others but are also causing accidents in these areas. Taking up space where they are unauthorized to be has led to inconvenience and tragedy.
What Can You Do After an Accident?
If you are involved in an accident with a rideshare vehicle, you have several options. Your best bet will be to file a claim with a traffic accident attorney in South Florida. This is the legal expert who can help you file your claim in the correct manner and within the limit of time that you have available to you.
The first thing you should do is seek medical assistance. Do it even if you don’t think that you have been seriously injured. You want to be sure that any injuries you may have sustained are fully documented by medical experts. This will help you make a stronger case when it comes time for you to file a claim.
Gather up as much evidence of the accident as you can. Take pictures of the scene, including both vehicles and any damage that may have been done. Get pictures of any injuries you may have. Try to get eyewitness reports from anyone who is on the scene. This may include bystanders, police, and EMT personnel.
The more evidence you have, the stronger your case will be. This is evidence that you will give to your insurance company when you file your claim. You can also give it to your ridesharing accident attorney in South Florida to present to the court. You need this evidence to prove that you deserve compensation.
You Can Sue Uber or Lyft After an Accident
You should be aware that ride-sharing companies like Uber, Lyft, and others have tried to minimize their own liability when it comes to accidents. Traffic accidents in South Florida have gotten so bad that these companies have adopted a defensive stance. It may be immoral but, for the moment, it’s totally legal.
What companies such as Lyft and Uber try to do is to designate their drivers as purely independent contractors. This is a move that tries to minimize the liability that the company itself has for an accident that their drivers may be involved in. Essentially, they put the onus on the driver and wash their hands.
But this does not mean that you can’t sue a ride-sharing company for the full amount of compensation that you are due. What you will need to do in order to get your full measure of justice is to hire the services of a traffic accident attorney in South Florida. Once you have done so, you can then file your claim.
What Kind of Coverage Can You Receive?
For companies such as Uber and Lyft, the compensation is highest when the driver has the app on and is moving somewhere with a rider in tow. If this is the case, any accident that occurs will be covered under the terms of a special $1 million dollar policy of liability. This is the policy that these rideshare companies have set up to help victims with medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.
However, there is a catch to this arrangement. If the driver only has the app running but is not with a passenger at the time, the coverage will be much less. If the app is totally off, the only insurance you can turn to is the personal policy that covers the ride-share driver. This web of legal runaround is why you need a ridesharing accident attorney in South Florida to help you file a claim.
The average person is only a few paychecks away from bankruptcy. The time is now to contact a traffic accident attorney in South Florida to get the full payout you are due for your injuries, lost wages, pain, and suffering. Your claim may be subject to a strict statute of limitations, meaning you need to file it soon.
You can get in touch with a ridesharing accident attorney at the Bodden and Bennett Law Group to begin the process of filing your claim. Once you do so, your lawyer will stand with you through each step of the process. The goal will be to make sure that you win your case and get the justice you need to maintain your quality of life.
