Key West · Marathon · Islamorada · Key Largo
Uber, Lyft & Taxi Accident Lawyer
Florida Keys & Monroe County
Rideshare and taxi accidents in the Florida Keys involve layered insurance coverage, corporate legal teams, and complex liability questions. Whether you were a passenger, a driver hit by a rideshare vehicle, or a pedestrian struck by a taxi, Juan Cordero Lawyers knows how to navigate every scenario. No fee unless we win.
Florida's statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident. Trip records and GPS data can disappear quickly — call us today.
Three Rideshare Accident Scenarios — Each Handled Differently
Your legal position in a rideshare accident depends entirely on your role in the crash. We handle all three scenarios throughout the Florida Keys.
Hit by an Uber or Lyft Driver
If an Uber or Lyft driver struck your vehicle or hit you as a pedestrian or cyclist, you can file a claim against the driver's personal auto insurance or Uber/Lyft's commercial policy — depending on whether the driver was logged into the app at the time of the crash.
Injured as a Rideshare Passenger
If you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft and were injured in a crash — whether caused by your driver or another driver — you are entitled to compensation. Uber and Lyft carry $1 million in liability coverage while a passenger is in the vehicle.
Your Vehicle Was Hit While Driving for Uber/Lyft
If you were driving for Uber or Lyft when another driver hit you, your coverage depends on your app status. Uber and Lyft provide uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage while you are actively transporting a passenger or en route to pick one up.
Uber & Lyft Insurance Coverage by Driver Status
The coverage available after a rideshare accident depends on what the driver was doing at the moment of the crash. This is the single most important fact in any Uber or Lyft accident case.
| Driver Status | Uber Coverage | Lyft Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| App off (personal use) | Driver's personal auto insurance only | Driver's personal auto insurance only |
| App on, waiting for a ride request | $50K per person / $100K per accident bodily injury; $25K property damage | $50K per person / $100K per accident bodily injury; $25K property damage |
| En route to pick up a passenger | $1M liability; $1M UM/UIM; collision coverage (after $1,000 deductible) | $1M liability; $1M UM/UIM; collision coverage (after $2,500 deductible) |
| Passenger in the vehicle | $1M liability; $1M UM/UIM; collision coverage (after $1,000 deductible) | $1M liability; $1M UM/UIM; collision coverage (after $2,500 deductible) |
Deductible note: When Uber's collision coverage applies, the driver faces a $1,000 deductible. Lyft's deductible is $2,500. These deductibles apply to the driver's vehicle damage claim — not to an injured victim's compensation.
Taxi Accidents in the Florida Keys
Taxis remain common in Key West and throughout the Keys tourist corridor. Unlike rideshare drivers, taxi drivers are typically employees — which means the taxi company can be held directly liable for their negligence.
- Taxi companies operating in Monroe County are required to carry commercial auto insurance
- The taxi company may be directly liable for a driver's negligence under respondeat superior
- Taxi companies have a duty to maintain their vehicles in safe operating condition
- A defective taxi — worn brakes, bald tires, faulty equipment — can create product liability claims against the company or a maintenance contractor
- Taxi company insurers are experienced at minimizing claims — you need an experienced attorney to counter them
Compensation We Pursue
- Medical expenses — emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation
- Future medical costs for ongoing treatment or permanent injuries
- Lost wages during recovery and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering — physical pain and emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life and permanent disability
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Wrongful death damages for surviving family members
What to Do After a Rideshare or Taxi Accident
- Call 911 — get law enforcement and EMS to the scene
- Seek emergency medical care immediately, even if you feel okay
- Screenshot the Uber or Lyft app showing your trip details, driver name, and vehicle
- Photograph the scene, your injuries, all vehicles, and any road conditions
- Get contact information from all drivers and witnesses
- Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company
- Call Juan Cordero Lawyers — we preserve evidence and identify all available coverage
Why Rideshare Cases Are Complex
Uber and Lyft have dedicated claims teams whose job is to minimize payouts. They will scrutinize the driver's app status, dispute the severity of injuries, and push quick low settlements before the full extent of damages is known. An experienced attorney levels the playing field from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions — Rideshare & Taxi Accidents in the Florida Keys
Who pays if I am injured as an Uber or Lyft passenger in the Florida Keys?
When you are a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, both Uber and Lyft carry $1 million in liability coverage. This coverage applies whether the accident was caused by your rideshare driver or by another driver. If the other driver was at fault and underinsured, Uber and Lyft also carry $1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage while you are in the vehicle. As a passenger, you are in the strongest insurance position of any rideshare accident scenario.
What if the Uber or Lyft driver was at fault but their personal insurance denies the claim?
Personal auto insurance policies typically exclude coverage for commercial driving activity. If an Uber or Lyft driver's personal insurer denies the claim because the driver was working at the time, Uber or Lyft's commercial policy steps in — but only if the driver was logged into the app. The coverage tier depends on the driver's app status at the time of the crash (see the coverage table above). We identify the correct policy and pursue the maximum available coverage.
What is the difference between Uber's $1,000 deductible and Lyft's $2,500 deductible?
When Uber or Lyft's collision coverage applies (driver is en route to a pickup or has a passenger), the driver is responsible for a deductible before the coverage kicks in: $1,000 for Uber and $2,500 for Lyft. This deductible affects the driver, not the injured victim. As an injured passenger or third party, you are entitled to the full policy limits regardless of the deductible. The deductible matters most in cases where the driver is pursuing their own vehicle damage claim.
Can I sue Uber or Lyft directly for my injuries?
Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors, not employees, which limits direct employer liability in most cases. However, both companies are required by Florida law to maintain commercial insurance coverage for accidents that occur while their drivers are active on the platform. In some cases — particularly where Uber or Lyft had notice of a dangerous driver and failed to act — direct claims against the company may be viable. We evaluate every available theory of liability.
What if I was hit by an Uber or Lyft driver who was not logged into the app?
If the driver was not logged into the Uber or Lyft app at the time of the crash, only the driver's personal auto insurance applies. Uber and Lyft's commercial coverage does not apply when the driver is off the platform. In this scenario, you pursue a standard auto negligence claim against the driver and their personal insurer.
Are taxi accidents handled differently than rideshare accidents in Florida?
Yes. Taxi companies are traditional employers — their drivers are employees, not independent contractors. This means the taxi company can be held directly liable for a driver's negligence under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior. Taxi companies are also required to carry commercial auto insurance and maintain their vehicles in safe operating condition. In practice, taxi company insurers are experienced at minimizing claims, but the direct employer relationship often makes taxi accident claims more straightforward than rideshare claims.
How long do I have to file a rideshare or taxi accident lawsuit in Florida?
Florida's statute of limitations for negligence claims is two years from the date of the accident (Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3)(a), as amended effective 2023). Missing this deadline almost always bars your claim entirely. Contact an attorney as soon as possible — trip records, GPS data, and surveillance footage can disappear quickly.
Injured in an Uber, Lyft, or Taxi in the Florida Keys?
Call Juan Cordero Lawyers for a free consultation. We represent rideshare and taxi accident victims throughout Monroe County — Key West, Marathon, Islamorada, and Key Largo. No fee unless we win.