Involved in or injured in a Lyft car crash, either as a passenger or driver? Read the information below, provided by the Lyft accident lawyer, Jonathan Perazzo, to learn how a Miami Gardens Lyft accident lawyer can secure compensation under Florida’s 51% fault rule, as well as help Lyft accident victims navigate the rideshare insurance highway, and meet the two-year deadline.

Why Lyft Accidents Are Common in Miami Gardens

Miami Gardens is a city that never stands still, a fast-moving mix of commuters, sports fans, families, and rideshare drivers all trying to make their next move in a hurry. With roughly 117,355 residents, an average age of 38.1, and dense clusters of apartment communities, the city’s major corridors feel like highways disguised as neighborhood streets.

Busy North-Central Suburb

Traffic in Miami Gardens flows like a river after a storm, fast, unpredictable, and unforgiving. With a majority-Black population and thousands of residents navigating tight roadways daily, congestion builds quickly along NW 27th Avenue, Miami Gardens Drive, and residential connectors.

Major Event & Commuter Hub

Hard Rock Stadium is the heartbeat of the city. When NFL games, concerts, and Formula 1 events flood in tens of thousands of visitors, Lyft and Uber vehicles swarm the area like bees to a hive. NW 27th Avenue, NW 199th Street, and SR-826 become hotbeds for fender-benders, T-bones, and sudden lane-change collisions.

High-Risk Intersections & Roads

Some areas in Miami Gardens are statistically more dangerous than others:

• NW 27th Ave (179th–183rd St): One of Miami-Dade’s deadliest corridors, speeding, poor lighting, and missing crosswalks make it a minefield for pedestrians and cyclists.
• NW 27th Ave & NW 183rd St: Frequent multi-vehicle crashes from drivers changing lanes without signaling.
• NW 17th Ave & 127th St: Flagged by Vision Zero for repeated fatal and serious injury collisions.
• Hard Rock Stadium pick-up zones: Congestion and impatient rideshare drivers create constant accident risks.

In a city built around events, traffic, and constant movement, Lyft car crashes are far from rare; they’re expected. Following a Lyft car accident, victims can initiate an insurance claim for compensation. How to file an insurance claim can be complex, and that’s when the experience of a dedicated lawyer is your best ally.

Florida Rideshare Laws & Lyft Insurance Coverage

Understanding the insurance layers behind a Lyft crash is like peeling an onion, three layers deep, and each one matters. Florida Statute § 627.748 sets strict rules for rideshare coverage depending on the driver’s app status.

Coverage Periods: Who Pays What?

Period 1 – App On, No Passenger

What These Insurance Limits Really Cover in Florida

$50,000 per person – In Florida, $50,000 in bodily injury coverage may sound like a lot, but in reality, it typically covers only the initial phase of medical care after a serious crash. Here’s what $50,000 usually pays for:

• 1–2 days in a Florida hospital ICU (often $20,000–$40,000 per day)
• Emergency room visit + CT scans + bloodwork ($8,000–$15,000)
• Ambulance transport ($1,200–$1,800)
• Initial orthopedic treatment for fractures ($10,000–$25,000)
• Basic physical therapy sessions (4–6 weeks) ($3,000–$6,000)

One moderate injury, like a broken leg requiring surgery, can exceed $50,000 in the first week. That means victims often need to pursue additional claims or lawsuits to recover fully.

$100,000 per crash – This limit is divided among everyone injured in the crash.
So if three passengers are injured:

• Total available: $100,000
• If injuries vary, one person may get $60k, another $30k, another $10k
• But if all three suffer serious injuries, each may only receive a fraction of their actual losses.

In Florida, $100,000 typically covers:

• Multiple ER visits
• Two moderately injured victims
• One severely injured victim, with the remaining amount spread thinly across others

When several victims are hurt, $100,000 is quickly exhausted, and victims must pursue the at-fault driver, rideshare insurer, or third parties for the rest.

$25,000 property damage – Florida vehicle repair costs vary, but:

• Typical crash repairs for modern cars (sensors, cameras, bumper replacements): $7,000–$15,000
• Total loss value for many vehicles: $12,000–$40,000+
• Luxury vehicles can exceed $50,000+ in repairs or replacement value
• Damage to property like guardrails, fences, or storefronts also comes from this pool

One moderate crash can wipe out the $25,000 PD limit entirely, especially if more than one vehicle is damaged. Florida medical care and vehicle repair costs skyrocket quickly, which is why:

Periods 2 & 3 – En Route & With Passenger

Lyft provides a powerful $1 million liability policy that activates the moment a driver accepts a ride and remains in effect until the passenger is safely dropped off. This isn’t just a large number on paper, this level of coverage can be life-changing for victims with serious injuries.

A million-dollar policy may cover the kinds of losses that quickly overwhelm ordinary insurance limits, such as multiple surgeries, long-term physical therapy, emergency transport, hospitalization, and months of lost wages. It can also compensate for severe pain and suffering, permanent disability, reduced earning capacity, or in tragic cases, wrongful death.

When injuries are catastrophic like spinal damage, traumatic brain injuries, or fractures requiring surgical implants, the costs can easily climb into hundreds of thousands of dollars. The $1 million policy exists precisely because rideshare crashes often produce damages far greater than any standard auto policy could handle.

PIP (No-Fault Insurance)

Drivers must also carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which is Florida’s no-fault insurance designed to cover up to $10,000 in medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who caused the crash. PIP provides quick, initial relief after an accident, but it does not cover long-term care, serious injuries, or full wage losses, which is why Lyft accident victims almost always need to pursue additional compensation.

While PIP helps, it’s only the starting point in serious Lyft accident claims, not the finish line. When injuries surpass PIP limits, and they often do as an experienced Lyft accident lawyer becomes essential for uncovering all available insurance coverage and demanding full compensation.

Comparative Fault (51% Bar)

Florida’s updated comparative negligence rule is a make-or-break factor in every Lyft accident case. Under the 51% fault bar, if you’re found more than 50% responsible for the crash, even by a hair, you are legally barred from recovering any compensation. Not a dollar for medical bills. Not a dollar for lost wages. Nothing for pain and suffering.

This means insurance companies will often scramble to shift blame onto the victim, even when the facts tell a different story. They may argue you weren’t paying attention, you stepped into traffic too quickly, or you “should have anticipated” the Lyft driver’s mistake. The higher your percentage of fault, the less they have to pay, and crossing the 51% line wipes out your entire claim like it never existed.

That’s why having a dedicated Lyft accident lawyer is more than helpful, it’s absolutely essential. A skilled attorney knows how to counter insurance tactics, gather evidence that proves the rideshare driver’s negligence, and keep you on the right side of the 51% threshold. Strong legal representation doesn’t just help, it can be the difference between a full recovery and walking away empty-handed.

Two-Year Filing Deadline

Florida’s statute of limitations for rideshare and car accident cases is now two years, unlike the commonly mistaken four years. That means victims have a tight legal window to take action. If a lawsuit isn’t filed within that two-year period, your right to compensation disappears like smoke in the wind, no matter how serious your injuries or how clear the other driver’s negligence may be.

This deadline applies to Lyft passengers, rideshare drivers, and victims hit by Lyft vehicles. With medical bills piling up and insurers often slow to cooperate, two years can pass faster than most people realize. Missing this window slams the courthouse doors shut, preventing you from recovering damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, or long-term disability.

That’s why speaking with an experienced Lyft accident lawyer early is crucial, they make sure evidence is preserved, deadlines are met, and your case never slips through the cracks.

Injured in a crash in Miami Gardens or anywhere in Florida?

When basic insurance isn’t enough (and it rarely is), you may be entitled to compensation beyond the at-fault driver’s policy limits. The Perazzo Law Firm fights to recover damages from all available sources, including rideshare insurers, commercial policies, UM/UIM coverage, and more. Schedule a free consultation with a Miami Lyft accident attorney

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