Articles Posted in Car Accidents

A recent accident in Manatee County, FL where an Uber driver and a passenger were killed, and two other passengers in the rideshare vehicle were seriously injured, brings up the question of what to do if you are injured in an Uber or Lyft accident.

Our hearts go out to the victims and their families involved in this tragedy.

Just like regular car accidents, if an Uber or Lyft accident is caused by another driver, then they are typically legally on the hook for any accident-related damages. You can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance, just as you could if you were involved in a similar accident while driving your own vehicle.

The situation can be further complicated if the responsible driver is under insured or uninsured, or if the accident is a hit and run. Uber and Lyft may provide coverage in these instances, but coverage limits can vary from state to state.

What Should You Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Florida?

If you have ever been in a car accident, you are aware of how frightening and unsettling the seconds that follow the collision can be. However, there are a few things that everyone should make sure to do right away after a collision. This is particularly crucial if you are in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft car because there are unique factors to consider when working with ridesharing services.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jason M Melton (@jasonmeltonesquire)

When possible, these are the steps you should take after an Uber or Lyft accident:

• Get immediate medical care for your injuries.
• Report the accident to the police.
• Obtain the contact details of the other drivers involved in the incident, as well as your driver.
• Get the ridesharing insurance information for your driver as well as the details of their individual policy.
• Stay at the scene until the police come, and make sure the accident report specifies that you were a passenger in the rideshare vehicle at the time of the collision. Request a copy of the report for your own records.
• Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage done to all vehicles involved.
• Write down or recount your version of events to someone else who can record them right away. Our memories can fail us after car accidents, so you need to make note of what you remember to strengthen your claim.
• To prove that you were a rideshare passenger, take pictures of the area and screenshots of your app.
• Obtain any witnesses’ contact details.
• Speak with a lawyer familiar with rideshare accident cases. We can help – call us for a free consultation at 866-608-5529.

Do You Need a Lawyer for Your Uber or Lyft Car Accident Injury Case?

Compared to ordinary auto accident claims, rideshare insurance claims and personal injury and/or wrongful death lawsuits are more involved. Our Florida Rideshare Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help you understand who should be held accountable for your injuries or the death of a loved one. We can address your inquiries concerning responsibility and insurance coverage.

Rideshare companies, like Uber and Lyft, will have a team of lawyers in their corner. Having legal representation for your case will help you achieve the best result possible, especially if a death or serious injuries resulted from the accident.

Speaking with a personal injury lawyer with experience in Uber accidents is highly advised. They can support you through the court system, defend your rights, and make sure you get just compensation for your losses and injuries. Our Florida Rideshare Accident Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can assist you in developing a compelling case as we are familiar with the intricacies of injuries and wrongful deaths that arise from rideshare accidents.

Keep in mind that every automobile accident is different, so the best approach to make sure you take the right steps after a collision is to speak with a legal expert.

Speak with our Florida Rideshare Accident Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton today if you have been harmed in an Uber or Lyft accident. We can protect your right to financial compensation for all your losses, including personal injury and wrongful death claims. Car accident claims may seem straightforward, but you might be surprised to learn how insurance providers frequently offer low payment amounts or reject valid claims entirely. Having an attorney experienced in these types of issues by your side is beneficial in such situations. Continue reading

Following a car accident in Miami early on Saturday morning, rapper 2 Chainz was taken to the hospital.

The hip-hop musician, 46, whose true name is Tauheed K. Epps, was reportedly struck from behind while driving off Interstate 95, resulting in neck injuries.

After the collision, 2 Chainz posted a video to social media that showed him being taken to a hospital on a stretcher and placed into the back of an ambulance. A wrecked Tesla belonging to another motorist involved in the incident can be seen in the footage.

2 Chainz has been released from the hospital with minor injuries. The full details of the crash remain unclear.

The rapper, who was born in Georgia and has six Grammy nominations under his belt with singles including “It’s a Vibe” and “I’m Different,” was in the Miami region for the Art Basel weekend.

Social Media Turned Against You

This article speaks about 2 Chainz sharing details of his accident on social media. Did you know that posting on social media about your car crash or injuries can harm your case for financial compensation?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jason M Melton (@jasonmeltonesquire)

Social media posts have the potential to be used against you in court, even if they have nothing to do with your accident. Insurance companies and their defense attorneys frequently search social networking sites for information that could be used to weaken or even reject personal injury claims. Investigators and insurance adjusters are out to refute your version of events. They will do everything in their power to get the insurance company to refuse to pay you, including searching social media platforms for content that contradicts your insurance claim.

For example, you might have suffered from multiple broken bones because of car crash. Nevertheless, a picture of you attending a performance online appears to be uninjured and in good health. The crutches that are lying on the floor next to you might not be depicted in the post’s pictures. Even if the post came from a friend’s page that you are tagged in, this can still harm your case because investigators can still access it and use it against you.

The defense may use this image and any related photos to refute your claims of injuries. As a result, the jury or judge may decide that your injuries are not as severe as you allege. Regretfully, this implies that you may forfeit a substantial amount, if not the all, of the money you had hoped to get for medical care and related damages.

Do not share anything on social media regarding your case. All content on the internet is irreversible, including removed postings, as posts can be screenshotted while they are still live. Above all, posts are easily misrepresented by the defense to appear entirely different from what they are.

Avoid being tagged online. Make sure that none of your friends or family members tag you in any pictures or posts, and make sure that your social media accounts are private. You never know who they follow or who their friends are, or if their profiles are public or private. Images and posts discovered on someone else’s account may still be used against you in court.

Stay away from checking yourself into restaurants and other places online. This is like getting tagged in pictures and postings, which can have unfavorable effects. Check-ins could be used by the defense to fabricate evidence that your ailments are minimal and are not preventing you from going out. Continue reading

In Citrus County, a long-awaited road project is currently under way.

Inverness’s heavily trafficked US 41 is currently being widened by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

Additionally, the project will facilitate traffic entering and leaving Inverness Middle School.

According to an FDOT assessment, traffic on US 41 in that area averaged 18,000 cars per day in 2021.

There are only two lanes on US 41 even with all that traffic. It also really backs up during school hours because there are no turn lanes.

The project, which will see State Road 44 to the south of the Withlacoochee Trail Bridge, expanded to four lanes, has begun work recently.

This also provides the much-needed left turn lane for traffic entering Inverness Middle School from the south.

Traffic flow through the remainder of Inverness should be facilitated by those additional lanes.

Included in the $21.6 million project are new walkways and bike lanes.

It is anticipated to be completed by 2025 summer.

US 41 Known as One of Florida’s Most Dangerous Roads

US Highway 41, popularly known as the Tamiami Trail, connects Tampa and Miami via South Florida and the Everglades. This road, which connects the Gulf Coast cities to the coastal islands and beaches, is heavily congested during the day, especially on weekends when both residents and visitors use it. It also serves as a major business route.

US 41 narrows to two lanes beyond Naples and travels ruler-straight past Florida’s southernmost point. This area is well known for its wildlife encounters, since deer, turtles, and alligators utilize the road to reach their destinations. This road requires drivers to use additional caution because of its heavy traffic, frequent accidents, and areas where vision is restricted.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an automobile accident on US 41, you may face months or perhaps years of difficulties with bills and insurance companies. Accident victims require legal assistance when liability is disputed, insurance companies deny benefits, or a costly litigation that awaits. Our Citrus County Auto Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton take care of essential correspondence and phone calls, submit claims, communicate with medical professionals as needed, and negotiate intricate settlements, including multimillion dollar deaths on highways like US 41. Continue reading