More people are looking to rideshare services like Uber and Lyft to make transportation easier. Rideshare is a particularly effective approach for people who are traveling during the holidays. In a growing number of urban areas, residents use these services in lieu of car ownership.

Although rideshare is not quite that prevalent in most areas of Florida, it is important to know the risks of using these amateur, part-time drivers. As these apps become more popular, Florida has moved to tighten regulations – but risk remains, as most drivers aren’t as experienced as professionals.

Florida Calls Upon Amateur Drivers to Up Insurance Coverage

In 2016, Florida House Bill 509 was enacted to protect consumer safety when using rideshare and similar services, referred to as Transportation Network Companies or TNC. In March 2017, significant new requirements went live. Among other things, the law requires coverage of at least $1 million in death and primary automobile liability insurance.

In 2017, Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed House Bill 221. This bill supersedes a patchwork of state and local laws, consolidating key regulations for TNC drivers into a single location. It gave the final word on a number of issues, including whether or not rideshare drivers were considered freelancers under the law and whether they needed to register as commercial vehicles.

What to Do to Protect Yourself After an Uber or Lyft Accident

What happens if you are in an accident with Uber or Lyft?

In the aftermath of an accident, check yourself and those around you, including the driver, for signs of injury. If you have a mobile device, call 911 to summon help and inform the dispatcher of any injuries. Collect contact information from the driver and witnesses, and insurance details from the driver. If you are able, photograph the scene of the accident extensively.

As soon as you are free to do so, you should seek a complete medical evaluation. Some serious injuries, such as concussion, may have few symptoms at first. By seeing a doctor, you not only protect your health, but also get information for your lawsuit. Medical bills and ongoing care cost are among the expenses you can seek to collect from the responsible party.

Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer Within Three Days After Your Accident

Depending on the circumstances, an auto accident often occurs without the responsible party facing criminal charges. However, as an accident victim, you have the right to file a civil suit and seek damages for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. Around 400,000 car crashes happen in Florida in an average year, many involving rideshare drivers.

For a free consultation with an experienced Hollywood, FL auto accident attorney, contact 844-SFL-PAIN today.

In Florida and nationwide, many accident victims have something in common: this is the first time they’ve ever had to look for legal services. With such an important decision, finding accurate information about local attorneys is crucial.

Of course, you should never select an attorney based solely on something you see on TV or read online. Only a personalized consultation with an expert lawyer can give you the facts you need to make an informed choice – including whether or not to work with a given legal team.

Sadly, there is one way many legal consumers get steered wrong: Lawyer referral services.

Legal referral services may seem convenient, but they are not required to follow the ethical and legal guidelines of an actual lawyer. This often means that working with a referral service will give you an inaccurate impression of the best way to advance your legal claim.

Let’s look at some specific reasons referral sites can cause trouble:

Lack of Quality Assurance

In Florida, lawyer referral services are not required to offer a high level of assurance that you are receiving accurate, authentic, high-quality recommendations. They are not comparable to, for example, a site like Angie’s List that exclusively uses consumer and peer reviews.

No Meaningful Difference

Attorneys and law firms who happen to be associated with a referral service do not have any special qualities or capabilities. On the contrary, the selection process for such a service is often based on whether or not the attorneys will pay a monthly fee to the service.

Lack of Relevant Experience

As an accident victim, your top concern should be selecting a lawyer who is experienced in your specific problem area. That has to be someone with relevant skills and experienced track record, whom you feel you can trust. Attorneys on referral services often lack the necessary insights to help you.

Get a Free Consultation to Choose the Right Personal Injury Attorney

Here’s an interesting point: Most Florida lawyers are more than willing to talk for free about your case. For the best results, you should go directly to an attorney site, gather the information you need, and then move forward on a consultation based on your initial research.

Although it’s valuable to select a lawyer as soon as possible after an accident, doing your own research will help you gain the confidence to pursue your case. You are far more likely to meet the right attorney for you after reviewing local law firms with the correct specialties.

To schedule a free consultation with a Hollywood, FL, personal injury attorney, call 844-SFL-PAIN. We’ll help you go right to the source and select the best attorney to help protect your legal rights.