Hailing a ride from your phone is often the safer choice for a night out — but rideshare crashes still happen, and they raise questions that don't come up in ordinary car-accident cases. Is the driver liable? Is the rideshare company on the hook? Are the rules different for passengers in the rideshare vehicle versus people in the other car? The answers depend on Florida's TNC statute and what the driver was doing at the moment of the crash.
Are Uber and Lyft drivers safer than other drivers?
Not necessarily. A few reasons why:
- Rideshare drivers aren't professional drivers in the cab or limo sense — no formal training, no minimum driving experience.
- Many are unfamiliar with their destinations and rely heavily on phone GPS, adding a constant visual distraction.
- Most drive part-time after a full day at another job, which contributes to fatigue.
- Unlike cab fleets, there are no in-house mechanics. Vehicle maintenance falls entirely on the individual driver, and recent reporting has found large numbers of Uber and Lyft cars with open recalls.
What does Florida law say about ridesharing?
Florida's TNC law sets baseline rules: transportation network companies must screen drivers for DUI, reckless driving, and certain criminal histories. Drivers must carry $10,000 in PIP coverage plus uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. The driver, the TNC, or some combination of the two must also carry:
- Bodily injury liability of $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident and $25,000 of property damage liability while logged into the driver app.
- An additional $1,000,000 in liability coverage while engaged in a prearranged ride.
Those limits are substantial, which means the TNCs and their insurers fight claims hard. You need a car accident lawyer with the experience and resources to go up against them.
Help after a Miami rideshare crash
After a ridesharing accident anywhere in Florida, call 305-677-2228 for a free case evaluation.