The first thing Uber does after a crash is not send help. It sends a claims team.
That team is trained to gather information, document the incident on Uber's terms, and position the company to minimize its exposure. By the time most accident victims understand what's happening, they've already made statements that affect their claim.
Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa represents passengers, drivers, and bystanders injured in Uber accidents in West Palm Beach. We know how Uber handles these claims, and we know how to counter it. More than $500 million recovered for Florida injury clients over 40 years of practice.
Call (561) 478-2500 today. Free case review, 24/7. No fee unless we win.
Do You Need a Lawyer After an Uber Accident in West Palm Beach?
Yes, and timing matters more in Uber cases than in standard car accidents. Uber's internal systems log trip data, GPS records, and driver information from the moment the incident is reported. That data is accessible to Uber's claims team before you have a chance to review it.
An attorney requests Uber's trip records immediately, preserves the evidence that supports your case, and handles all contact with Uber's insurer. Without representation, you are negotiating against a system that has handled thousands of claims and knows exactly what to say to limit yours.
To obtain a copy of the official police report visit Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Call (561) 478-2500 for a free case review with no obligation.
How Does Uber Handle Accident Claims in Florida?
Uber has a dedicated claims management process that begins the moment an accident is reported through the app. Understanding how that process works is the first step toward protecting your rights.
Reporting the Accident Through the Uber App
After an accident, both the driver and passenger can report the incident through the Help section of the Uber app. Uber's safety team contacts the parties involved, often within hours. This initial contact is not neutral. The information collected during it shapes Uber's internal assessment of the claim.
Do not provide a detailed account of the accident, your injuries, or who you believe was at fault during this initial contact without speaking to an attorney first.
How Uber's Insurance Carrier Evaluates Your Claim
Uber's insurance for active trips in Florida provides up to $1 million in liability coverage when a ride is in progress. The insurer evaluates the claim using Uber's trip data, the driver's account, and whatever the injured party says in early communications.
Insurance adjusters are trained to identify statements that can reduce the claim's value, including admissions about pre-existing conditions, delayed symptom reporting, or not seeking same-day medical care. An attorney manages all communication so your words cannot be used against you.
Once a driver accepts a ride request (Period 2) and throughout the trip until the passenger is dropped off (Period 3), Uber and Lyft are required to maintain at least $1 million in liability coverage per occurrence. This is the full commercial policy.
For passengers injured during their trip, this $1 million policy is the primary source of compensation.
What Happens When Uber Deactivates the Driver After Your Accident?
Uber routinely deactivates drivers following serious accidents while the incident is under investigation. Driver deactivation does not eliminate Uber's insurance obligation for the trip in which you were injured. The active policy at the time of the crash governs your claim.
However, deactivation creates an opportunity to investigate whether the driver had prior complaints, prior accidents, or prior deactivations that Uber failed to act on. An attorney requests the driver's full history from Uber as part of the evidence process.
What Makes Uber Accident Claims Different From Other Car Crashes?
Uber's Trip Data Works as Evidence in Both Directions
The Arbitration Clause in Uber's Terms of Service
When you created your Uber account, you agreed to Uber's Terms of Service, which include a binding arbitration clause. This clause limits your ability to sue Uber directly in court and requires disputes to go through private arbitration rather than a jury trial.
Florida courts have generally upheld Uber's arbitration agreements. However, the arbitration clause does not bar claims against the at-fault driver personally. An attorney evaluates how the clause applies to your specific case and advises on the best path forward.
Uber's Driver Background Check Requirements in Florida
Uber is required to conduct background checks on all Florida drivers that include criminal history screening through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, driving record checks covering the prior seven years, and identity verification. Uber is also required to run annual background rescreening.
When Uber approves a driver with a disqualifying history, or fails to remove a driver who develops one, the company may bear responsibility beyond the standard insurance coverage. This negligent hiring or negligent retention theory is specific to Uber's corporate conduct and is separate from the driver's individual negligence.
Who Are Uber Accident Victims in West Palm Beach?
Not every Uber accident victim was a passenger. Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa represents all of them.
Passengers injured during a trip have access to Uber's full $1 million commercial liability policy. Drivers of other vehicles hit by an Uber driver can file against Uber's applicable coverage tier, with Florida's Personal Injury Protection, known as PIP, applying first for vehicle owners within 14 days of the crash. Pedestrians and cyclists struck by an Uber driver can pursue a direct claim against the applicable policy without going through PIP first. Rideshare drivers injured by third-party motorists while the app is on may have access to Uber's uninsured motorist coverage.
Each category involves a different claim structure. An attorney identifies the correct path for your specific situation on the first call.
Does an Uber Eats Driver Causing an Accident Work the Same Way?
Not exactly. Uber Eats drivers operate under the same Uber platform but as a delivery service rather than a passenger transportation service. The insurance framework for Uber Eats deliveries follows a similar tiered structure, but the applicable Florida statute and the specific policy terms differ from standard UberX trips.
If an Uber Eats driver caused your accident, the coverage analysis depends on whether the driver was actively on a delivery, between deliveries, or had the app off at the time. An attorney requests the driver's delivery status records from Uber's platform to determine which coverage applies.
Where Do Uber Accidents Happen Most in West Palm Beach?
West Palm Beach generates significant Uber demand around Palm Beach International Airport on Southern Boulevard and Belvedere Road, where pickup zone congestion and unfamiliar drivers combine to create regular collision risks. The Clematis Street and Rosemary Square entertainment corridors produce late-night Uber traffic with high demand pressure on drivers. These areas have been the site of deadly crashes in West Palm Beach involving distracted or fatigued rideshare drivers.
Hotels and convention venues along Flagler Drive and around the Palm Beach Convention Center are common pickup and drop-off accident sites. The US-1 and I-95 corridors connecting West Palm Beach to Port St. Lucie see commercial Uber activity throughout the day, with accidents falling within Palm Beach County's 15th Judicial Circuit jurisdiction.
Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa has handled injury cases throughout this corridor for more than 40 years.
Ask Rosenthal Levy
Q: Uber's safety team called me right after the accident. What should I tell them?
A: Confirm only that the accident occurred, that you were involved, and that you need time to speak with an attorney before providing a formal statement. Do not describe your injuries, speculate about fault, or say you feel okay. Uber's safety team documents everything you say, and statements made in the hours after a crash are frequently used to limit later claims. Call (561) 478-2500 before your next contact with Uber.
Q: I got into the wrong Uber car and was hurt in the accident. Does insurance still cover me?
A: It depends on whether the driver had an active trip on the Uber platform at the time. If they did, Uber's $1 million commercial policy covers passengers in the vehicle regardless of whether the trip booking was correctly matched. If the driver was not logged into an active trip, only their personal auto insurance applies. An attorney obtains the driver's app status records to determine which coverage applies to your specific situation.
Q: Can I still sue Uber if I agreed to their arbitration clause when I signed up?
A: The arbitration clause limits but does not eliminate your legal options. You can still pursue claims against the Uber driver personally without going through arbitration. Claims involving Uber's direct negligence, such as a failure to conduct proper background checks, may be subject to arbitration, but the procedural requirements and available remedies within arbitration can still produce meaningful recovery. An attorney evaluates how the clause applies to your case before advising on strategy.
Q: The Uber driver says the accident was caused by another car, not by him. Does that affect my claim as a passenger?
A: No. As a passenger, you were not at fault for the accident regardless of which driver caused it. If the Uber driver caused it, Uber's $1 million commercial policy applies. If another driver caused it, the claim runs against that driver's liability insurance, and Uber's underinsured motorist coverage may be available if that driver's limits are insufficient. An attorney pursues all available coverage sources simultaneously.
Serving West Palm Beach and Port St. Lucie Uber Accident Victims
Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa has offices in West Palm Beach and Port St. Lucie. We represent Uber accident victims across Palm Beach County, including the communities of Westlake, Wellington, Lake Worth, Royal Palm Beach, and Boynton Beach. Our Port St. Lucie office handles cases throughout St. Lucie County and the 19th Judicial Circuit.
Our attorneys and staff are bilingual. We represent English and Spanish-speaking clients with the same level of commitment.
$500 million recovered. 40 years in South Florida. No fee unless we win.
Call (561) 478-2500 or (866) 640-7117. Available 24/7. Se habla español.
West Palm Beach Rideshare Accident Lawyers | Port St. Lucie Uber Accident Lawyers | West Palm Beach Car Accident Lawyers
Frequently Asked Questions About West Palm Beach Uber Accident Claims
How long do I have to file an Uber accident claim in West Palm Beach?
Two years from the date of the accident under Florida Statute 95.11(3)(a). However, the practical deadline for preserving Uber's digital records is far shorter. Uber retains trip data, GPS records, and driver history on its own internal retention schedule. An attorney sends a legal preservation demand within days of being retained. Do not wait for insurance negotiations to stall before taking action.
What if the Uber driver was distracted by the app when the accident happened?
Uber's platform requires drivers to interact with the app during trips, including accepting rides, navigating, and confirming drop-offs. When a driver causes an accident while actively using the Uber app in a way required by the platform, that behavior may support a claim against Uber's own design decisions in addition to the driver's individual negligence. An attorney investigates how the driver was using the app at the moment of impact.
Can Uber refuse to pay my claim by saying the driver was at fault, not Uber?
Uber can, and frequently does, argue that the driver's individual negligence, not any corporate conduct, caused your injuries. This is the basis of the independent contractor defense. However, Uber's obligation to provide insurance coverage under Florida law exists regardless of that argument. The insurance coverage is separate from Uber's corporate liability. An attorney pursues the available insurance coverage while also evaluating whether Uber's own conduct supports additional claims.
Does Rosenthal Levy handle Uber accident cases in communities outside West Palm Beach?
Yes. The firm serves clients throughout Palm Beach County, including Westlake, Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, and Lake Worth Beach, as well as St. Lucie County through our Port St. Lucie office. Most case management is handled remotely after an initial consultation, and in-person meetings can be arranged when needed.
Talk to an Uber Accident Lawyer in West Palm Beach
Uber's claims process starts working the moment you report the accident. Your legal representation should start at the same time.
Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa offers free case reviews with no obligation. Call us, tell us what happened, and we will tell you clearly how to protect your claim from this point forward.
Free case review. No fee unless we win. Available 24/7.
Call (561) 478-2500 or (866) 640-7117. Se habla español.
Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa 1401 Forum Way Suite 730, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 | (561) 478-2500