Motorcycle Accidents Involving Rideshare Vehicles in Florida

If you are reading this, chances are you or someone you love has been in a motorcycle accident that involved a rideshare vehicle. We understand how overwhelming and scary this time may feel. You might be dealing with pain, confusion, and many questions about what to do next. Please know that you are not alone. Many people in Florida are going through this exact situation, and we are here to help you understand what steps to take. Our law firm is committed to helping those hurt in crashes like this one get the justice and support they need.

What Happens When a Motorcycle and a Rideshare Car Collide

Motorcycle accidents involving rideshare cars are happening more often in Florida. As more people use services like Uber and Lyft to get around, the number of rideshare cars on the road has gone up. At the same time, motorcyclists continue to face the risk of serious injury when drivers are not paying attention. When a rideshare driver turns suddenly, stops without warning, or fails to check their blind spot, it can lead to a crash with a motorcycle. These accidents can be severe, and the injuries can be life-changing.

Motorcycles do not offer the same protection that cars and trucks do. This means that riders can be thrown from their bikes or hit hard by another vehicle. When the other vehicle is a rideshare car, things can get even more confusing because more than one person or company might be responsible. In some cases, the rideshare company’s insurance might come into play. Other times, the driver’s own insurance might apply. Understanding who is responsible and which insurance covers your injuries is something we help our clients figure out every day.

Michael Serrano

Founding Attorney

Candace “Cea” Hartley

Associate Attorney

How Rideshare Insurance Works in These Cases

Rideshare drivers in Florida must carry insurance. But it’s not always clear when their insurance applies and when it does not. If the driver is waiting for a ride request, one level of insurance applies. If they are on the way to pick someone up or are driving someone, another, higher level of insurance applies. If they are not using the app at the time of the crash, only their personal insurance may be in effect. These details matter a lot when it comes to your case.

Motorcycle crashes with rideshare drivers can quickly become complicated because of this. It can be hard to tell which policy should pay for your injuries and damage. Some insurance companies try to avoid paying or offer far less than you deserve. That is why it is so important to have someone on your side who understands how rideshare rules work in Florida.

Common Injuries After a Motorcycle Crash

Motorcycle crashes can leave victims with serious and painful injuries. Many people who come to us after these accidents have broken bones, head injuries, road rash, or even spinal cord injuries. Some may face surgeries, time in the hospital, or long periods where they cannot work. Others may be left with scars or ongoing pain that affects them for the rest of their lives.

These injuries do not just cause physical pain. They also cause stress over medical bills, lost wages, and how to take care of your family while you recover. Some victims even deal with emotional trauma like fear of riding again or sleepless nights. All of this matters in your case. You deserve to be fully compensated not just for your medical bills, but also for your suffering, lost time, and how the accident has changed your life.

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Mike Serrano’s law office was everything I needed after a very traumatic accident. He was always super up front and honest with me. I never got the feeling he was trying to sell me on something or to do something that I wasn’t comfortable with. He listened to my concerns and when it tough moments came that I needed to stand my ground. He backed me and made me feel 100% secure. He got me exactly what I needed in a settlement and I would never consider using anyone else. His office staff is also phenomenal.”

- Mary

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Mike Serrano was a great attorney for my case!! He was very flexible with phone calls/ Zoom meetings. His staff are always friendly, whether it be on the phone or emails. They keep you updated during your entire case! They don’t leave you silent for months. if you call, they always call back with updates! Highly recommend!"

- Kylie Collier Border

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I’ve never had to deal with a lawyer before but Mike has set the bar HIGH. He was always available to communicate my concerns and explain each step of the way. I know no other lawyer would have been able to achieve the same results because he jumped on an opportunity that was a little out of the ordinary and it paid off. He really fought for my case and over delivered. I really hope I never have another accident but if I do I’m running to Mike for help."

- Sandy Carter

Who Can Be Held Responsible for the Accident

In motorcycle accidents with rideshare vehicles, more than one person might be at fault. The rideshare driver could be responsible if they were distracted, careless, or broke the law. In some cases, the rideshare company might be part of the case too, especially if they failed to check the driver’s background or did not follow safety policies.

Sometimes other drivers, road conditions, or even vehicle defects play a role. We look at all the facts carefully to figure out what happened and who should be held responsible. Florida law allows you to bring a claim against the person or company that caused your injury. But it is important to act quickly because there are deadlines for filing these cases.

Steps You Should Take After the Crash

After a motorcycle crash, your safety and health come first. Get medical help right away, even if you feel okay at first. Some injuries do not show up right away, and it is important to have a doctor check you out. If you can, gather evidence at the scene. Take photos of the damage, your injuries, and the vehicles involved. Get the names of any witnesses, and make sure a police report is filed.

Do not speak to insurance companies without understanding your rights. Sometimes they may try to get you to settle quickly, for less than you deserve. It is a good idea to talk to an attorney before accepting any offer. Having someone to guide you through the process can make a big difference in how your case turns out.

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What You Might Be Able to Recover in a Case Like This

When someone else is at fault for your crash, Florida law allows you to ask for money to cover your losses. This includes medical bills, the cost of fixing or replacing your motorcycle, lost wages if you could not work, and pain and suffering. In some cases, you might also be able to get help with future medical needs or long-term care.

Each case is different. The amount you might be able to recover depends on the details of your crash, how badly you were hurt, and how the injuries affect your daily life. That is why we take time to understand your story, your needs, and your goals before we move forward with your claim.

How We Help You Build a Strong Case

We work hard to build strong cases for motorcycle accident victims. That starts with listening carefully to what happened and gathering all the facts. We collect police reports, talk to witnesses, look at traffic camera footage, and bring in professionals to help us understand how the crash happened. We also review medical records and speak to your doctors so we can fully understand your injuries.

We deal with the insurance companies so you do not have to. We stand up for your rights and fight to make sure you are treated fairly. Our goal is to make the process easier for you so you can focus on healing and getting back to your life.

Case Results

Car Accident

This client was injured in an auto accident with a driver who improperly merged into her lane. Her vehicle was totaled. She sustained an aggravation of her pre-existing disc herniations in her neck and new disc herniations in her lower back. We obtained the full limits of both the at-fault driver’s bodily injury coverage and our client’s underinsured motorist coverage, which were significant. The settlement was achieved without a law suit and within four months after the client finished treating.

Rear End Collision

This particular client was injured in an accident in late 2015 when she was rear-ended. She sustained an aggravation of pre-existing disc herniations in her neck and a new disc herniation which ultimately required a surgical fusion. By the time of trial, her medical bills exceeded $180,000.00. The Defendants’ offer pre-suit was $20,000.00. We were able to obtain a jury verdict of $441,000.00, plus attorneys’ fees.

Car Accident

A client was injured in a rear-end collision where he sustained an aggravation of a pre-existing disc bulge that developed into a herniation in his lower back. We obtained a jury verdict which was over 6 times what had been offered prior to trial.

Car Accident

In this case, our client injured her shoulder after being struck by a vehicle while she was performing volunteer services. The driver was traveling at such a high rate of speed entering a parking lot that he clipped another vehicle, hit a parking barrier and was launched into a tree. After the client attempted to negotiate with the insurance company prior to hiring us, we were able to obtain an amount that was over double the prior offer.

Intentional Torts

Our client was injured from an assault by a patron of a party while working security. His shoulder required multiple surgeries. He hired our office to pursue a claim to recoup his medical bills, which exceeded $130,000.00. After his assailant offered him $10,000.00 to resolve his case, we took the case to a jury to decide. The jury awarded our client all of his medical bills and tripled his award for pain and suffering.

Car Accident

This client came to us about a car wreck that occurred in 2014 where she sustained injuries. She approached our firm just one week before the statute of limitations was set to expire after being turned away by several other law firms. We filed a lawsuit and were able to obtain the limits of the at-fault driver’s bodily injury coverage and an additional settlement from the client’s insurance carrier.

Truck Crash

This couple was injured in an automobile accident after they were rear-ended in a seven-car pileup caused by a semi-trailer. Of the 15 people who made claims on the same insurance policy, our clients each received the second and third highest offers, which covered all of their past and future medical bills and their attorney’s fees.

Truck Crash

In this case, our client was injured from a rear-end collision with an eighteen-wheeler. Her original lawyer procured a settlement offer of $7,000.00 to settle her case. Because the offer did not approach the amount of bills she incurred from accident related treatment, she came to our firm for a consultation. She decided to hire us. We promptly filed suit and obtained a settlement for her.

Florida Laws That Affect Motorcycle and Rideshare Crashes

Florida follows a legal rule called comparative fault. This means more than one person can share blame for a crash. If the rideshare driver was mostly at fault, but you were partly at fault too, your recovery could be reduced by your share of the blame. For example, if you were found to be 10% at fault, your award would be 10% lower.

There are also helmet laws in Florida that can affect your case. If you were not wearing a helmet and suffered a head injury, the insurance company might argue that you are to blame for your own injuries. But that does not mean you cannot recover money. Each case is unique, and we help explain the law and how it applies to your situation.

Why Time Matters After an Accident

Florida has deadlines called statutes of limitations that limit how long you have to bring a claim. For most personal injury cases, the time limit is two years from the date of the crash. That may sound like a lot of time, but gathering evidence and building a case takes time. The sooner you start, the better chance you have of getting a strong outcome.

It is also important to act quickly because memories fade, witnesses move, and key evidence can be lost. Getting help right away makes it easier to protect your rights and keep your case moving in the right direction.

We Are Ready to Help You Move Forward

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a motorcycle accident involving a rideshare vehicle in Florida, now is the time to take the next step. You may be feeling uncertain, but you do not have to go through this alone. At Serrano Law, we are ready to listen, answer your questions, and guide you toward the justice you deserve.

Let us help you recover from this crash and move toward a brighter future. You deserve peace of mind and a fair result. Call us today to talk about your case. We are here for you every step of the way.

To learn more about this subject click here: Differences Between Motorcycle And Car Accident Cases