Any time you get into a car accident, the aftermath can be overwhelming. If you were in a rideshare vehicle when the car accident occurred, things can be especially complicated. Rideshare accident attorneys in Baltimore understand that victims face not only a lengthy physical recovery but also complex legal challenges. Whether you’re a passenger injured in an Uber accident or involved in a collision with a Lyft driver, knowing your rights and options is crucial for protecting your interests. Contact Zirkin & Schmerling for a free case consultation: 410-753-4611.
The rise of rideshare companies has transformed transportation in Baltimore. People can easily call an Uber driver to get home after a night out, or they can get an Uber or Lyft driver to take them to and from work. No one expects to be in an Uber or Lyft crash when they push that “request a ride” button, but unfortunately, numerous people in Baltimore are injured every year because of negligent Lyft or Uber drivers.
These accidents have also introduced new complexities into personal injury law. When a car accident involves rideshare services, multiple insurance policies and competing interests can make it difficult to recover compensation without professional legal guidance. All parties involved have to figure out what to do next.
An accident lawyer can help you get the compensation that you are owed after an accident with a negligent party. A Lyft or Uber accident lawyer knows how to navigate the complexities of car accidents involving rideshare companies.
How a Rideshare Accident Attorney in Baltimore Can Assist Your Case
After experiencing a rideshare accident, having skilled legal representation can make a huge difference in your case’s outcome. An Uber or Lyft accident claim will be strengthened by hiring a confident and knowledgeable Lyft or Uber accident lawyer.
Here’s how an accident lawyer can help:
Navigate Insurance Complexities: Understanding insurance coverage in rideshare accidents can be challenging, especially if you have only worked with your own insurance policy in the past. Your attorney will work with multiple insurance companies, including the Lyft or Uber driver’s personal insurance coverage and the rideshare company’s coverage. This is a big part of ensuring that you receive maximum compensation.
Document Evidence: Your lawyer will gather and preserve critical evidence for your personal injury case, including:
- Rideshare app data showing the status of the other driver
- Accident scene photographs
- Witness statements from people who saw the driver’s negligence
- Medical records
- Employment records for lost wages claims
Handle Communications: Your attorney will manage all communications with insurance adjusters, protecting you from potentially damaging statements that could harm your personal injury claim.
Calculate Full Damages: An experienced accident lawyer will ensure all damages are properly valued, including:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Long-term care needs
Insurance for Rideshare Drivers as Independent Contractors
The status of Uber and Lyft drivers as independent contractors creates unique insurance challenges. When an accident occurs, the available insurance coverage, including bodily injury coverage, depends on what the rideshare driver was doing at the time of the incident.
An accident can occur:
- When the driver is using the car they use for Lyft or Uber, but they are not actively using the app
- When the driver is available for rides and the app is on, but there are no passengers at the time of the accident
- During the active ride assignment from the app, but the Uber or Lyft passenger is not yet driving the car
- While transporting passengers and using the Lyft or Uber app
Ridesharing services provide coverage to their drivers, but this coverage is supplemental. That means that the driver’s personal insurance policy must be used anytime they are not using the app.
A driver’s personal liability insurance gives drivers protection when driving on their own time, not using the Lyft or Uber app.
Typically, rideshare companies (including Uber and Lyft) provide coverage that includes:
- Liability coverage
- Bodily injury coverage
- Property damage coverage
- Protection against underinsured or uninsured motorists
- Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage
This layered approach to insurance coverage can make determining liability and filing an insurance claim particularly complex after a rideshare crash. That’s why, when it comes to pursuing compensation, many accident victims choose to work with experienced accident lawyers who understand these nuances.
Most drivers for Lyft and Uber understand these rules, but you may encounter a driver who fails to follow the rules. If a negligent Uber driver or Lyft turned off the app while transporting you, or if they loaned their car and account to a friend, rideshare companies may not cover your injuries, and it can become more challenging to recover compensation.
The Four Elements of Proving Negligence in Rideshare Accidents
Proving negligence in rideshare crashes requires establishing four key elements. Understanding each component is crucial for building a strong case:
1. Duty of Care
- Rideshare drivers owe passengers a duty of safe transport
- They must follow traffic laws and company policies
- Drivers must maintain their vehicles properly
2. Breach of Duty
- There is evidence of reckless or negligent behavior
- Examples include:
- Distracted driving while managing the app
- Speeding to complete more rides
- Failing to maintain proper vehicle maintenance
- Drowsy driving due to extended hours
3. Causation
- There is a a direct link between the breach and the accident
- Must prove the driver’s actions caused the crash
- May require accident reconstruction experts
4. Damages
- Documentation of all losses, including:
- Bodily injury that leads to medical bills and ongoing treatment costs
- Lost income and future earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Types of Traumatic Brain Injury Compensation After a Lyft Accident
Traumatic brain injuries from a Lyft accident can have devastating long-term impacts. It is important to seek medical treatment immediately after the accident, even if you are not sure if you have a TBI.
Compensation may cover:
Immediate Medical Care
- Emergency medical treatment
- Diagnostic testing and imaging
- Initial stabilization procedures
- Surgical interventions
Ongoing Medical Expenses
- Rehabilitation services
- Physical therapy
- Cognitive therapy
- Psychological counseling
- Medication management
Long-Term Care and Support
- In-home care services
- Medical equipment
- Home modifications
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Life care planning
Financial Impact
- Current and future lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Benefits and pension losses
- Career retraining costs
When you start seeing medical costs pile up because of a Lyft or Uber accident, a personal injury attorney who is familiar with both Uber and Lyft crashes can protect your rights when you seek medical treatment.
FAQs
What are some exceptions to Maryland’s statute of limitations for rideshare accidents?
Under Maryland law, several exceptions may extend the standard three-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases:
- Discovery Rule: When injuries aren’t immediately apparent until after the accident
- Minor Status: For victims under 18 years old at the time of the accident
- Mental Incapacity: If the victim lacks legal capacity
- Defendant Absence: If the responsible party leaves the state
Baltimore residents should speak to their attorney to understand if any of these exceptions apply to their case.
How does improper driver vetting lead to Uber accidents?
Inadequate driver screening by rideshare companies can result in dangerous situations. Maryland law allows for all parties involved to be investigated for responsibility for an accident, so that includes the rideshare companies themselves.
When rideshare services like Uber and Lyft fail to properly screen their drivers, they may be held responsible for a passenger’s bodily injury after an accident.
Baltimore Uber accident lawyers can ask these important questions about the Uber or Lyft driver who caused your accident:
- Did the driver have a criminal history that should have precluded them from driving for Uber/Lyft?
- Was the Uber/Lyft driver’s driving record properly investigated?
- Did Uber/Lyft fail to verify proper licensing?
- Were there inadequate vehicle inspections to confirm the safety of the car?
- Did the rideshare platform fail to monitor the ongoing poor behavior of the driver?
What insurance companies in Maryland offer rideshare insurance?
Several major insurers provide specialized rideshare coverage in Maryland like:
- State Farm
- GEICO
- Progressive
- Allstate
- Liberty Mutual
Why is speeding a common problem in rideshare driving?
Several factors contribute to speeding among rideshare drivers. There is pressure to complete more rides, thus increasing earnings. This means drivers may rush from one pickup to the next.
Additionally, drivers don’t want to have their star rating damaged by being late, so they will try to do everything as fast as possible to maintain their high ratings.
If someone else’s negligence caused you to suffer a personal injury, you may be able to pursue fair compensation. This includes filing a personal injury claim against a driver after an Uber/Lyft accident.
Call a Rideshare Accident Attorney in Baltimore Today
If you are an Uber or Lyft passenger who has been injured in an accident, time is critical for protecting your rights. Our Baltimore Uber and Lyft accident attorneys offer a free consultation to evaluate your case and explain your options. We understand the complexities of rideshare accident claims and will fight to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Don’t let the insurance companies minimize your claim. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you pursue the financial compensation you deserve. Our experienced team will guide you through the settlement process and fight for your rights every step of the way.
Remember, Maryland law limits the time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. The sooner you seek legal assistance, the better positioned you’ll be to recover the compensation you deserve. Let our competent legal representation help you focus on healing while we handle the legal complexities of your case
Contact Zirkin & Schmerling for a free consultation about your case: 410-753-4611.