Florida is a no-fault state. Florida Statute section 627.736 requires drivers to buy a minimum of $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which you must turn to in order to recover compensation for medical bills and lost wages after minor accidents.
You can pursue a claim against an at-fault driver only when your injuries meet a certain threshold of seriousness as defined by Florida Statute section 627.737. In most cases, this means taking legal action against the driver who caused your accident.
But who is liable when a third party causes or contributes to causing a car accident in Florida?
Diaco Law can help you to understand the rules for third-party liability and can work with you to identify all defendants who should be held legally responsible for your losses. To find out more about how our firm can help you, give us a call or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation with one of our Tampa car accident lawyers.
Understanding Third-Party Liability after a Florida Accident
Under Florida law, a third party is a person or company that played a role in causing an accident, or who can be held legally responsible for a crash, despite not directly being involved in the accident.
Some of the most common examples of third parties that could potentially be held liable include:
- The employer of a negligent driver: If someone is working at the time of the accident, their employer could be held liable for their negligent on-the-job behavior. This can happen under vicarious liability laws. It’s a common issue in truck accident claims when trucking companies can be held liable for negligent drivers.
- Rideshare companies: Rideshare companies are not liable under vicarious liability laws because rideshare drivers are not employees. However, both Uber and Lyft carry third-party insurance coverage that can be used when a driver causes a crash. This coverage is active while the driver is waiting for a passenger with the app on, while en route to pick up a passenger, or while transporting a passenger.
- Bars and other establishments: Florida’s dram shop laws impose third-party liability on establishments that willfully sell alcohol to someone under 21 or that willfully sell alcohol to someone who is habitually addicted to the use of alcoholic beverages.
- Repair shops: If faulty maintenance or defective repairs cause a crash to occur because of the vehicle’s failure, this could result in the repair shop potentially being responsible for the resulting damage.
- Vehicle manufacturers: Product liability laws make companies strictly liable when a defect in their product causes harm when used as intended. If there’s an issue like faulty brakes or an air bag that doesn’t deploy and those problems cause or contribute to your injuries, the car maker could be held responsible.
These are just some of the many examples of circumstances where third parties could face legal liability for car crashes. Diaco Law helps you identify all potential defendants so you can maximize your compensation.
Contact a Florida Accident Lawyer Today
Florida laws can be complicated, and you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to find the right legal advocate to fight for you in an accident’s aftermath.
Call Diaco Law to schedule your free consultation and find out how our firm can help you hold the right parties liable for your auto accident losses.