Rideshare Accidents and Wrongful Death Claims: Seeking Justice for Grieving Families

The advent of ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft has transformed transportation over the past two decades. These on-demand rides offer convenience and affordability to millions of people in Florida and across the United States. However, the rise in rideshare popularity has also led to an increase in accidents and injuries. When a rideshare accident turns fatal, grieving families are left to pick up the pieces and seek accountability. This article will examine rideshare wrongful death claims and how a Florida attorney can help families obtain justice after tragic loss of life.

The Risks of Ridesharing

While rideshares provide ample benefits, they also come with risks. Rideshare drivers undergo minimal vetting and training compared to taxi or limo drivers. Vehicles may not receive rigorous inspections. Drivers can get easily distracted while using rideshare apps and following GPS directions. These factors, along with high mileage and driver fatigue, can lead to negligent driving and accidents.

According to statistics, accidents with injuries have risen in major cities correlating with increased rideshare use. With millions using rideshares, accidents are inevitable even though companies aim for safety.

Causes of Rideshare Accidents

When rideshare accidents occur, there are a number of typical causes to consider:

• Driver Negligence – Reckless or inattentive driving, speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, and intoxication.
• Vehicle Defects – Faulty auto parts leading to crashes. Lack of maintenance.
• Company Negligence – Inadequate driver vetting and training. Poorly designed apps and GPS guidance.
• External Factors – Adverse weather, poor road conditions, other negligent drivers.
• Passenger Misconduct – Rowdy behavior distracting the driver.

The most common factor is driver negligence, as many rideshare drivers take safety shortcuts to maximize earnings from more rides. But other issues like defective vehicles and inadequate company safety policies can also bear responsibility when accidents happen.

Fatal Rideshare Accidents

While fender benders occur often, tragic rideshare crashes leading to passenger death also happen at alarming rates. According to a recent NSC study, the fatality rates for ride hailing trips were 10 times higher than for traditional taxi rides.

Some contributing factors in fatal rideshare crashes include:

• Aggressive Driving – Speeding, running red lights and stop signs, aggressive lane changes.
• Distracted Driving – Talking or texting on a cell phone, programming the GPS, eating.
• Drowsy Driving – Driving long shifts without adequate rest leading to falling asleep at the wheel.
• Driving Under Influence – Drunk or drugged driving impairs response time and judgment.
• Not Yielding Right of Way – Improper turning, failure to yield.
• Overcrowded Vehicles – Trying to accommodate too many passengers unsafely.

When such negligent driving occurs, the consequences can be heartbreaking. Head-on collisions, T-bone crashes, rollovers, sideswipes against fixed objects, and pedestrians struck and killed all occur with alarming frequency in rideshares compared to traditional taxicabs.

Wrongful Death Claims After Fatal Rideshare Crashes

When a family loses a loved one in an accident due to another’s negligence, one way to seek justice is by pursuing a wrongful death claim through a personal injury or accident attorney. Damages can be recovered to compensate families for their tremendous loss.

Florida Statute 768.21 allows certain relatives of the deceased to sue for wrongful death damages. The possible plaintiffs include:

• Spouse
• Children
• Parents
• Blood relatives or adoptive siblings who relied on the decedent

To recover damages, the relative bringing the suit must have suffered monetary losses and mental pain and suffering due to their loved one’s death. The at-fault rideshare driver and company can be held liable for damages.

What Damages Can Be Recovered?

In a successful wrongful death suit, there are certain damages the deceased’s family members may recover:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical and ambulance costs
• Loss of support and services
• Loss of companionship
• Pain and suffering
• Lost prospective earnings and benefits
• Loss of inheritance

An attorney can help calculate all past and future monetary losses. Damages can also be recovered for emotional anguish like depression, anxiety, stress, and counseling costs. Money cannot erase the grief of losing a loved one, but it can help survivors rebuild their lives after a tragedy.

Why Hire a Wrongful Death Attorney?

An experienced attorney is vital after a fatal rideshare crash. Proving liability and negligence requires in-depth crash analysis and accident recreation. Evidence must be preserved. Insurance companies must be dealt with for fair compensation. This is a complex legal process.

An attorney can:

• Investigate the crash and pinpoint liability
• Deal with insurance companies and negotiate optimum settlements
• Determine all eligible damages
• File paperwork and handle court proceedings
• Get families the justice they deserve

Without an attorney, families may not recover fair compensation and the liable parties may not be held fully accountable. Always consult an attorney to explore your legal options.

Seeking Closure and Justice

Losing a loved one is devastating no matter the circumstances. But when the death occurs due to preventable negligence, the pain is mixed with anger and the need for justice. Rideshare companies promote convenience and safety in their marketing. Yet the reality can be hazardous drivers, defective vehicles, and a blatant disregard for passenger safety.

Families have legal options to pursue wrongful death claims and financial damages from rideshare companies. Money can help with grief recovery, but it also brings some accountability and hopefully prompts companies to improve safety. Although the lost life can never be replaced, families can gain a sense of justice and closure. This won’t erase the trauma and sadness, but it can facilitate the healing process.

If you lost a loved one in a rideshare accident, contact our firm for a free consultation. Our experienced attorneys are here to help guide you through this difficult process. We will stand by your side and be your advocate for justice. You and your family deserve accountability and compensation. Let us help you take the first step toward seeking closure after a tragic loss.

Visit one of our offices at:

• Orlando – 1615 Edgewater Dr., Suite 250|Orlando, FL 32804
• Tampa – 11700 N. 58th St., Ste. A, Temple Terrace, FL 33617
• Kissimmee – 1052 E. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee, FL 34744
• Poinciana – 4663 Old Pleasant Hill Road, Poinciana, FL 34759
• Davenport – 40230 US Highway 27, Suite 140, Davenport, FL 33837
• Bradenton – 409 6th Avenue East, Bradenton, FL 34208

Or call now for a free consultation on (888) 522-0222.