Florida Injury Attorney Blawg
Much has been written about the insurance coverage available to Uber passengers and other third parties for accidents caused by Uber drivers. Less has been written about the coverage available to Uber drivers and their passengers for injuries caused by third parties such as other drivers.
Currently, we are handling a case for an Uber driver who was hurt through the negligence of another driver. Our client’s passenger was also hurt.
Florida motor vehicle insurance policies offer a variety of coverages. For individuals, only Property Damage Liability and PIP are mandatory. The other available coverages are Uninsured Motorist/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM), Comprehensive, Collision, and Medical Payments. A premium is charged for each type of coverage.
Uber maintains insurance coverage in Florida with Progressive. We received a copy of the policy applicable to our accident. The available coverages are:
- Liability to Others – Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability – $1,000,000 combined single limit
- Comprehensive – $2,500
- Collision – $2,500
- Medical Payments – $5,000 each person
Uber rejected UM/UIM. PIP was not an option.
Because Uber’s driver, our client, did not cause the crash, the Bodily Injury Liability coverage in Uber’s Progressive policy does not come into play for our client or his passenger. The only applicable bodily injury coverage for our crash in Uber’s policy is the Medical Payments coverage. This coverage does not compensate for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. Thankfully, the at-fault driver has enough bodily injury liability insurance to compensate for non-economic damages. Had our client’s injuries been more serious, that would not be the case. We do not know the full extent of the passenger’s injuries or what other insurance coverage he may have to know whether he will be fully compensated.
Uninsured Motorist is coverage for when the at-fault party does not maintain Bodily Injury Liability coverage. Underinsured Motorist applies when the Bodily Injury Liability coverage limits are insufficient to fully compensate for the damage suffered. Both individuals and companies can reject the coverage. Uber rejected both.
Our client maintained insurance on his car, the one he used for Uber. Unless an insured pays extra for coverage while providing ride-share services with a personal vehicle, insurance companies will deny coverage under the personal policy. Our client maintained the additional coverage. The premium for the coverage, which was based on the insurance company’s increased exposure, was significant. However, he rejected UM/UIM. Again, had his injuries been worse, he would have been left short without the coverage. He did have PIP coverage, which he will use to pay for a portion of his medical expenses.
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Contact us at 305-758-4900 or by email (kgale@jeffgalelaw.com and jgale@jeffgalelaw.com) to learn your legal rights.
Jeffrey P. Gale, P.A. is a South Florida based law firm committed to the judicial system and to representing and obtaining justice for individuals – the poor, the injured, the forgotten, the voiceless, the defenseless and the damned, and to protecting the rights of such people from corporate and government oppression. We do not represent government, corporations or large business interests.
While prompt resolution of your legal matter is our goal, our approach is fundamentally different. Our clients are “people” and not “cases” or “files.” We take the time to build a relationship with our clients, realizing that only through meaningful interaction can we best serve their needs. In this manner, we have been able to best help those requiring legal representation.
DISCLAIMER: This information provided by Jeffrey P. Gale, P.A. is for informational purposes only and is intended to be used as a non-legal guide prior to consultation with an attorney familiar with your specific legal situation. It should not be considered legal advice or counseling. No such legal advice or counseling is either expressly or impliedly intended. This information is not a substitute for the advice or counsel of an attorney. If you require legal advice, you should seek the services of an attorney.