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Who Pays After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Florida?
4 min read
By: Caine Law
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Quick answer
Who pays after an Uber or Lyft accident in Florida depends on what the rideshare driver was doing at the moment of the crash. Florida law requires at least $1 million in liability coverage once a driver accepts a ride request, lower limits while the app is on but no ride is accepted, and only the driver’s personal insurance when the app is off. Your own PIP coverage usually applies first to medical bills.
Key takeaways
Coverage depends on the driver’s app status: off, on and waiting, or on a ride.
From the moment a ride is accepted until the rider exits, Florida requires $1 million in coverage.
While the app is on but no ride is accepted, required limits are 50,000/100,000 for injuries and $25,000 for property damage.
Florida’s no-fault PIP system still pays a portion of medical bills first.
Screenshots of the app and trip receipt are important early evidence.
In this article
How does rideshare insurance work in Florida?
Who pays if I was a passenger?
Who pays if a rideshare driver hit my car?
Does my own PIP coverage still apply?
What should I do after a rideshare accident?
Frequently asked questions
About the author
How does rideshare insurance work in Florida?
Rideshare insurance in Florida works in three stages tied to the driver’s app status. Florida’s transportation network company law, section 627.748 of the Florida Statutes, sets minimum coverage for each stage.
Driver’s status | Minimum required liability coverage |
App off (personal driving) | The driver’s personal auto policy only |
App on, waiting for a ride request | $50,000 per person and $100,000 per incident for injury or death; $25,000 for property damage |
Ride accepted, en route, or passenger on board | $1 million for death, bodily injury and property damage |
The driver, the rideshare company, or both may provide the coverage. If the driver’s own policy lapses or does not provide the required coverage, the rideshare company’s insurer must step in.
Who pays if I was a passenger?
If you were a passenger, the $1 million coverage stage generally applies, because a ride begins when the driver accepts the request and ends when the last passenger exits the vehicle. If another driver caused the crash, that driver’s insurance may also be responsible.
Passengers are rarely at fault in a rideshare crash, but the insurers involved may still dispute who caused it and how serious your injuries are.
Who pays if a rideshare driver hit my car?
If a rideshare driver caused a crash with your vehicle, the coverage available depends on the driver’s app status at that moment. That is why the first questions in a rideshare claim are: was the app on, and had the driver accepted a ride?
Rideshare companies keep that data, and they do not always share it voluntarily. An attorney can request it and make sure it is preserved. Our guide on how to choose a Florida rideshare accident lawyer explains what to look for in representation.
Does my own PIP coverage still apply?
Yes. Florida is a no-fault state, so your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage generally pays first for a portion of medical bills and lost wages, up to $10,000, regardless of who caused the accident. Passengers without their own car insurance may be covered by PIP from a household member’s policy or the vehicle they were riding in.
Remember the 14-day rule: you must get initial medical treatment within 14 days to use PIP. Read our Florida PIP guide-guide-2026) for details.
What should I do after a rideshare accident?
Call 911 and get medical care.
Take screenshots of the trip in your app, including the driver’s name, vehicle, and trip times.
Photograph the vehicles, the scene, and your injuries.
Get the rideshare driver’s insurance information and the other driver’s, if one was involved.
Report the crash in the Uber or Lyft app, but keep it short and factual.
Talk to an attorney before giving a recorded statement to any insurer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sue Uber or Lyft directly?
Rideshare drivers are generally treated as independent contractors, which limits direct claims against the companies. The rideshare company’s insurance coverage, however, often applies when the driver was logged in or on a trip.
What if the rideshare driver was not logged into the app?
If the app was off, the driver’s personal auto policy is generally the only liability coverage, and many personal policies have much lower limits.
Does the $1 million policy mean I will receive $1 million?
No. The policy limit is the maximum the insurer may pay. What a claim is worth depends on the injuries, the losses, and the evidence.
How long do I have to file a rideshare accident claim?
Most negligence claims in Florida must be filed within two years. See how long you have to file a personal injury claim in Florida.
About the author
Daniel Caine is the founding attorney of Caine Law in Miami. He has more than 20 years of legal experience, including years defending insurance companies, and now represents people injured in car, rideshare, truck, and motorcycle accidents across Florida. He is licensed in Florida and Ohio.
Hurt in an Uber or Lyft crash? Schedule a free consultation with Caine Law.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different.
