Who Is Responsible After a Ride-Share Accident in West Palm Beach

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are part of everyday life in West Palm Beach. Whether you’re heading to the beach, downtown, or the airport, getting a ride with just a few taps on your phone has never been easier. But when a crash involves one of these drivers, questions about liability quickly surface. Who pays for the damage? Who covers the injuries? And how do you move forward if you’re hurt?

Determining who is responsible in a rideshare-related car accident can be more complex than in a standard crash. The involvement of a third-party platform like Uber or Lyft changes the legal landscape. If you’re injured in one of these accidents—whether you’re a passenger, another driver, or a pedestrian—it’s important to understand how fault and insurance coverage work under Florida law.

Understanding the rideshare driver’s role

At the heart of these cases is the status of the rideshare driver. They aren’t employees of Uber or Lyft in the traditional sense. Instead, they’re classified as independent contractors. This distinction affects who can be held legally responsible after a crash.

Liability often depends on what the driver was doing at the time of the accident. Florida law breaks this down into three key periods:

The driver is offline and not using the app.
In this case, the accident is treated like any other private vehicle crash. The driver’s personal auto insurance applies. Uber or Lyft have no responsibility because the driver wasn’t working for them at the time.
The driver is logged into the app and waiting for a ride request.
When a driver is available but hasn’t accepted a trip, Uber or Lyft provide limited coverage. In Florida, this typically includes $50,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage—if the driver’s personal insurance does not cover the crash.
The driver has accepted a ride or has a passenger.
Once a trip is accepted or a passenger is on board, the rideshare company’s full commercial insurance coverage kicks in. This often includes up to $1 million in liability coverage, plus uninsured or underinsured motorist protection.

What this means for injured victims in West Palm Beach

If you’re hurt in a rideshare crash, your legal options will depend on how the accident happened and what stage the driver was in at the time. Common scenarios include:

You are a rideshare passenger.
If you’re riding in an Uber or Lyft and there’s a crash, the rideshare company’s full insurance policy usually applies. This gives you access to more coverage than most private drivers carry.
You are hit by a rideshare driver while walking or driving.
Here, liability depends on what the rideshare driver was doing. If they were on the clock, you may be covered under Uber or Lyft’s policy. If not, you’d pursue compensation through the driver’s personal insurance.
You are the rideshare driver and someone else is at fault.
If another driver caused the crash, you can file a claim against their insurance. Uber and Lyft also provide uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage in some cases, which may help if the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough insurance.

Challenges in proving fault

Florida is a no-fault state, which means drivers generally start by filing a claim under their own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, regardless of who caused the crash. But if your injuries are serious enough—such as broken bones, significant disfigurement, or long-term impairment—you can step outside the no-fault system and file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.

When a rideshare driver is involved, proving fault may require more investigation. This could include:

Reviewing app records to confirm the driver’s status
Requesting driving history and ride logs
Accessing dash cam or surveillance footage
Interviewing witnesses and reconstructing the accident

The presence of a third-party company like Uber or Lyft doesn’t automatically make them liable. But their insurance may still come into play, depending on the situation.

Why legal help is important

Rideshare companies have strong legal teams and insurance providers that work hard to limit payouts. Victims who go into these situations alone often find it difficult to get the compensation they deserve. Claims may be delayed, denied, or settled for far less than they’re worth.

A personal injury attorney in West Palm Beach who understands how rideshare liability works can make a difference. They can identify which insurance policies apply, gather the right evidence, and deal with insurers on your behalf. They also understand how to push back when the rideshare company tries to distance itself from the crash.

What compensation may be available

If you’re able to pursue a claim beyond your PIP coverage, you may be eligible for damages such as:

Medical bills, both current and future
Lost income due to time off work
Reduced earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Property damage

In fatal cases, surviving family members may have grounds for a wrongful death claim.

Steps to take after a rideshare accident in West Palm Beach

If you’re involved in an accident with a rideshare vehicle, take the following steps:

Call 911. Ensure that emergency services are on their way and get a police report.
Seek medical attention. Even if you don’t feel injured right away, some symptoms may appear later.
Document the scene. Take photos of the vehicles, injuries, traffic conditions, and anything else that might be relevant.
Exchange information. Get the contact and insurance details of all parties, including the rideshare driver.
Note the driver’s app status. Was the trip in progress? Were they waiting for a ride? This can affect which insurance applies.
Talk to a lawyer. A personal injury attorney can help you make sense of the legal process and protect your rights.

Conclusion

Car accidents involving Uber or Lyft in West Palm Beach are not always straightforward. Because more than one party may be responsible, and insurance policies vary depending on what the driver was doing, it’s important to get accurate legal advice.

Knowing how to handle these situations gives you a better chance at receiving the compensation you need to recover. Whether you were a passenger, a pedestrian, or another driver, your injuries deserve to be taken seriously—and the people or companies responsible should be held accountable.