Florida handles car accident injuries differently from most states. Because Florida is a no-fault state, your first source of payment for medical bills is usually Personal Injury Protection (PIP), not the at-fault driver's insurance. That is still true when an Uber or Lyft is involved, but the rideshare policy can matter a great deal once injuries are serious.
Yes, Florida Is Still No-Fault in 2026
You may have seen claims that Florida repealed PIP. It has not. Repeal bills were filed again in 2026 (SB 522 and HB 769), but both died in committee in March 2026. PIP remains required, and the rules below still apply.
Step 1: PIP Pays First
Under Florida Statute 627.736, PIP covers up to $10,000 in benefits regardless of who caused the crash, generally paying:
- 80% of reasonable medical expenses
- 60% of lost income
Whose PIP pays depends on your situation. If you or a relative in your household own a car insured in Florida, that policy is usually the first place to look, even if you were a passenger in someone else's vehicle.
The 14-Day Rule
This is the mistake that costs people the most. To use PIP medical benefits, you must get initial treatment within 14 days of the crash. And if a qualified provider does not determine that you had an emergency medical condition, medical benefits can be capped at $2,500 instead of $10,000. Even if you feel fine, getting checked within 14 days protects your benefits.
Step 2: Stepping Outside No-Fault
PIP does not pay for pain and suffering. To pursue those damages against the at-fault driver, Florida Statute 627.737 generally requires a serious injury, such as a significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, a permanent injury, significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, or death. This is where the rideshare policy becomes important.
Step 3: The Rideshare Policy
Florida Statute 627.748 sets the coverage Uber and Lyft drivers must carry, based on what the app was doing:
- App on, waiting for a ride: at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per incident for death and bodily injury, $25,000 for property damage, plus PIP and uninsured motorist coverage as required by Florida law.
- Ride accepted until the last rider exits: at least $1,000,000 in primary liability coverage for death, bodily injury, and property damage, plus PIP and uninsured motorist coverage as required by Florida law.
The ride period begins when the driver accepts the ride, so the $1,000,000 coverage applies on the way to your pickup, not only once you are in the car. If the app was off, only the driver's personal insurance applies.
If another driver caused the crash, your injury claim usually goes against that driver. Uninsured motorist coverage on the rideshare policy may help if that driver has little or no insurance.
Deadlines and Fault
For crashes after March 24, 2023, Florida generally gives you 2 years to file a negligence lawsuit. Separately, you cannot recover if you are found more than 50% at fault, and that rule applies to any lawsuit filed after March 24, 2023, no matter when the crash happened. We cover both rules in our guide to Florida's 2023 law changes.
What to Do Right Now
- Get medical care within 14 days, and ideally right away.
- Screenshot your trip in the app to show which insurance period applied.
- Report the crash to police and to your own insurer to open your PIP claim.
- Keep every bill and pay stub. PIP pays percentages, so records matter.