Hurt in an Uber Crash and Still in the Hospital: How to Hire a Lawyer From Bed

Yes. A family member can call Wolfson & Leon on your behalf any time of day, and an attorney can come to your hospital room or your home for a free consultation. You do not need to travel to an office. The entire process, from the first call through case updates, can be handled in Spanish.

Can a family member make the call if I can’t do it myself?

Yes. A spouse, adult child, relative, or trusted friend can call Wolfson & Leon on your behalf right now. Our phone is answered by a live person 24 hours a day, every day, and the conversation can happen entirely in Spanish from the first word. No paperwork or legal documents are needed to make that initial call. Just describe what happened, where you are being treated, and who was involved.

If your loved one cannot speak for themselves due to sedation, surgery, or serious injury, call us anyway. Florida law may allow a family member or legal representative to act in certain circumstances when someone is temporarily unable to make decisions. We will explain your options during the free consultation, no pressure, no obligation.

Will the lawyer actually come to the hospital or my house?

Yes. Wolfson & Leon can meet clients in the hospital, whether at Hialeah Hospital, Palmetto General Hospital, or, for severe injuries, a trauma center such as Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial. After discharge, we can meet clients at home. The consultation is always free, and there is no fee unless we recover money for you.

We work on contingency, which means you pay nothing upfront. Before you sign anything, the attorney will give you a written explanation of two things: the percentage taken as a fee if we win, and how case expenses like court fees or medical records are handled. Everything can be explained in Spanish. Attorney Alfie Leon regularly visits Hialeah clients and speaks Spanish fluently. Most of our staff do too.

What does PIP cover while you’re still in the hospital, and why does ‘emergency medical condition’ matter so much?

Florida’s no-fault PIP system pays 80 percent of reasonable medical bills and 60 percent of lost wages, up to $10,000, but only if a doctor documents that you have an emergency medical condition [Fla. Stat. § 627.736(1)]. Without that finding, PIP covers only up to $2,500. Florida law defines an emergency medical condition as one that could lead to serious jeopardy or impairment if not treated immediately [Fla. Stat. § 395.002(8)].

Because you are already hospitalized, you have met the 14-day treatment deadline required to qualify for any PIP benefits. But the hospital must clearly link your injuries to the Uber crash in the medical records, otherwise, your own insurer may deny coverage. Your own auto insurance pays first; if you don’t have a policy, a household relative’s policy applies. Uber’s $1 million liability coverage [Fla. Stat. § 627.748] is separate and becomes critical if the driver was at fault during an active trip.

Do not speak to Uber’s insurance or the other driver’s insurer from your hospital bed

Do not give a recorded statement, answer detailed questions, or accept any settlement offer from any insurance company while you are hospitalized. This includes Uber’s insurer, the other driver’s insurer, and even your own insurer, beyond providing basic details needed to start a PIP claim.

An adjuster who calls the hospital is working for the insurance company, not you. Whose insurance should you deal with? None of them, not yet. Every empty day between the collision and your first visit is a day an adjuster can point to and argue the injury came from something else. Once you hire us, all insurer communication goes through our office. You focus on healing.

What will you be asked to sign, and what must the attorney explain before you sign it?

Before you sign anything, the attorney will give you a clear written explanation, in Spanish if you prefer, of two key items. First, the contingency fee percentage: what share of any recovery goes to the law firm. Second, how case expenses are handled. These include costs like filing fees, expert reviews, and medical record copies. If the case does not result in recovery, you owe no attorney fee, and your written agreement will spell out how case expenses are handled in that situation.

The consultation itself is free. Nothing is rushed. You will understand exactly what you are agreeing to before you sign. There is no upfront payment. Attorney Alfie Leon ensures Hialeah clients fully understand the agreement before moving forward.

What happens to the case while you’re still recovering?

While you rest and heal, your attorney gets to work. We send an evidence-preservation letter to Uber right away to protect critical data: trip logs, app status, GPS history, and any dashcam footage. We confirm whether the driver had accepted a trip, because that determines if Uber’s $1 million liability policy applies under Fla. Stat. § 627.748.

We collect your medical records, track your treatment, and handle all communication with insurers. You do not speak to adjusters. For crashes on or after March 24, 2023, the two-year deadline to file a lawsuit [Fla. Stat. § 95.11] starts on the day of the crash and does not stop for hospitalization. The police crash report is confidential for 60 days [Fla. Stat. § 316.066], but your lawyer can access it immediately. All updates and documents are provided in Spanish if needed.

Frequently asked questions

My family member is sedated after an Uber crash, can someone else hire a lawyer for them?
Yes. A spouse, adult child, or trusted family member can call and arrange a consultation. During that meeting, the attorney can explain whether Florida law allows them to act on the injured person’s behalf during temporary incapacity.

I’m already in the hospital, does the 14-day PIP treatment deadline still apply to me?
Yes, but you have already met it. Because you received treatment within 14 days by being admitted to the hospital, the deadline is satisfied. But ensure the medical records state your injuries are from the Uber crash, otherwise, your PIP claim may be denied.

Uber’s insurance company called my family at the hospital. Should we answer their questions?
Do not give a recorded statement or detailed answers. Say only that you are represented or will be shortly, and refer them to the law firm. Anything said now can be used later to dispute your claim.

How does PIP work if I don’t have my own car insurance and was riding as an Uber passenger?
First, we check if a relative in your household has auto insurance, their PIP policy would apply. Only if neither you nor a household member has coverage would we look to the vehicle’s policy. But as a passenger, your primary path beyond PIP is often Uber’s $1 million liability coverage if the trip was active and the Uber driver was at fault.

Does an emergency medical condition diagnosis really change how much PIP pays?
Yes. With that diagnosis, PIP pays up to $10,000: 80 percent of reasonable medical bills and 60 percent of lost income. Without it, the cap drops to $2,500. The hospital’s documentation at admission is usually what triggers the higher limit.

Related reading: I was in an Uber or Lyft accident in Hialeah. Whose insurance pays? · The 14-day PIP rule in Florida: what happens if you wait to see a doctor after a Hialeah car accident · How long do I have to file an injury lawsuit in Florida? The two-year rule after HB 837 · The driver who hit me in Hialeah has no insurance. What now?

Hurt in an accident in Hialeah? Call Wolfson & Leon at (305) 285-7071 for a free consultation. We speak Spanish, and there is no fee unless we win.