April 17, 2026

Injured in an Uber or Lyft crash in Tampa? A Florida rideshare lawyer can help You ordered a ride home. Maybe you were coming from work, from a night out, or from a friend’s place. Then the crash happened, and now you’re sitting with medical bills, missed work, and a lot of unanswered questions. Rideshare crashes are confusing in a way that ordinary car accidents aren’t. You’re dealing with a driver, a massive tech company, and multiple insurance policies, all at once. Figuring out who owes you what is not straightforward. The Reyes Firm handles rideshare injury cases across Tampa, Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, Pasco County, Osceola County, and communities throughout Florida. If you were hurt in an Uber or Lyft crash anywhere in our service area, here’s what you need to know. This guide breaks down exactly how a Florida rideshare accident lawyer approaches these cases, from the three-phase insurance system to your rights under Florida law.  Quick Summary Rideshare crashes in Florida are covered by a layered insurance system that depends on what the Uber or Lyft driver was doing at the time of the crash. Florida Statute § 627.748 requires rideshare insurance coverage based on the driver’s app status, including at least $1 million in liability coverage during a prearranged ride. Most Florida negligence lawsuits must be filed within two years under § 95.11(5)(a). A rideshare accident attorney can begin preserving trip data, app status records, GPS information, and available video footage as soon as the firm is hired, even though the full claim may take longer to develop. If you were hurt in an Uber or Lyft crash in Tampa, document the scene, get medical care, and call a lawyer before you talk to any insurance company. Had a bad day? Call The Reyes Firm at 833-4-BAD-DAY — free consultation, no fee unless we win. The Reyes Firm Hurt in an Uber or Lyft Accident in Tampa? Get clear next steps after a rideshare crash. Had a bad day? Schedule a Free Consultation What Makes Rideshare Accidents Different From Regular Car Crashes? Rideshare crashes are not like typical two-car collisions. When you’re hurt in a standard car accident, you’re dealing with one driver and their insurance company. In a rideshare crash, you may be dealing with the driver’s personal auto policy, Uber or Lyft’s corporate insurance, and Florida’s no-fault PIP rules, all layered on top of each other. The company’s insurance coverage kicks in only under specific conditions. That’s why understanding what phase the driver was in at the time of your crash is the first thing any experienced Uber accident lawyer in Florida will ask. Under Florida Statute § 627.748, transportation network companies (TNCs) such as Uber and Lyft are required to maintain specific levels of liability coverage based on the driver’s status at the time of the crash. The statute is a key reason why Florida rideshare cases play out differently than crashes in states without dedicated TNC laws. 🛡️ Your Rights Under Florida Law: Florida Statute § 627.748 governs transportation network companies (TNCs) operating in Florida. It requires rideshare drivers or the rideshare company to maintain insurance while the driver is logged on to the app and while the driver is engaged in a prearranged ride. When the driver is logged on but has not yet picked up a passenger, the law requires at least $50,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $100,000 per incident, and $25,000 for property damage. When the driver is engaged in a prearranged ride, the law requires at least $1 million in primary liability coverage. Read the full statute at Florida Statute § 627.748. How Does Uber and Lyft Insurance Work in Florida? The Three Phases Explained Florida rideshare insurance operates in three distinct phases, depending on what the driver was doing at the time of the crash. Phase 1: App is off. The driver is not logged into the Uber or Lyft app at all. This means the driver is operating as a private individual. Only their personal auto insurance applies, and most personal auto policies exclude commercial activity. If that policy is inadequate, your options narrow quickly. Phase 2: App is on, waiting for a ride request. The driver is logged in but has not yet accepted a ride. Here, Uber and Lyft are required under § 627.748 to carry contingent liability coverage of at least $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per incident, and $25,000 for property damage. The required coverage may be maintained by the driver, the rideshare company, or both. If the driver’s coverage has lapsed or does not meet Florida’s requirements, the TNC’s coverage must apply from the first dollar. The TNC policy cannot require the personal insurer to deny the claim before doing so. Phase 3: Ride accepted or passenger in the vehicle. This is where the $1 million liability policy comes into play. From the moment a driver accepts a trip request until the passenger is dropped off, Uber and Lyft’s full corporate coverage is active. If you were a passenger in the vehicle or a pedestrian, cyclist, or other driver hit by an Uber or Lyft during an active trip, this is the coverage that applies to your claim. 💡 Did You Know? Florida recorded 381,210 codable traffic crashes in 2024, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. That is more than 1,000 crashes per day statewide. In a busy area like Tampa Bay, an Uber or Lyft crash can happen in seconds and leave victims facing medical bills, missed work, and a confusing insurance claim. Review the official data at FLHSMV. Watch: The Reyes Firm What Happens After a Lyft Accident in Tampa? This short video explains why Lyft accident claims can get complicated fast, including how the driver’s app status affects insurance coverage and what injured people should do next. Who Is Liable in a Rideshare Accident in Florida? Liability in a Florida rideshare crash depends on the phase, the facts,