Can You Sue Uber or Lyft Directly After an Accident in Florida?
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are now a central part of daily transportation in Florida. Whether for commuting, travel, or convenience, more people are relying on rideshare platforms than ever before. But with that convenience comes risk—and when an accident occurs involving a rideshare vehicle, the question often arises: Can you sue Uber or Lyft directly?
The answer is nuanced. While Uber and Lyft provide the platform and the brand, the drivers are independent contractors, not employees. This distinction has serious legal implications, particularly in personal injury cases. At Aronberg & Aronberg, Injury Law Firm, we help victims understand their legal options when rideshare accidents occur under Florida law.
Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors, not employees. This classification allows the companies to avoid many legal responsibilities that would typically apply to an employer, including liability for negligent acts committed by an employee during the course of work.
Because of this structure, Uber and Lyft often argue that they are not directly liable for accidents caused by their drivers. Instead, claims are typically pursued against:
This does not mean you are without recourse—it just means the path to compensation is different from that of a traditional employer-employee situation.
Florida law does not currently provide a straightforward legal pathway for suing Uber or Lyft directly for most accident-related injuries. However, there may be circumstances in which the companies could be brought into a lawsuit, such as:
If it can be shown that Uber or Lyft failed to perform adequate background checks or knowingly allowed a dangerous driver to stay on the platform, there may be grounds for a claim. However, Florida law does not currently impose an affirmative duty on rideshare companies to vet drivers beyond certain regulatory minimums.
In rare instances, if the design of the app itself contributes to a crash (for example, by encouraging distracted driving), a broader claim might be possible. These cases are highly technical and depend on clear evidence.
If Uber or Lyft misrepresent the availability or scope of insurance coverage to riders or drivers, that could potentially open the door to legal exposure. These claims are typically limited in scope and must be evaluated case by case.
In most cases, your claim will be made against one of several insurance policies that may apply during a rideshare accident. The coverage depends on what the driver was doing at the time of the crash:
This tiered structure is important. In many rideshare cases, the best path to recovery is not through a lawsuit against the company itself, but through pursuing the maximum coverage available under the applicable policy.
Navigating a rideshare accident claim requires close attention to Florida law, including recent changes to tort reform and insurance procedures. Each case involves a complex interaction between multiple parties: the driver, the rideshare company, insurance providers, and potentially third-party drivers.
At Aronberg & Aronberg, Injury Law Firm, we work exclusively on personal injury cases—including rideshare accidents—and can determine the appropriate path forward based on the specific facts of your case. While direct lawsuits against Uber or Lyft are uncommon, meaningful compensation is still possible through the right legal strategy.
If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, do not assume you are without options.
Contact our office today for a free consultation. We will review your case, explain your rights, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve under Florida law.
