Waldorf, MD Uber + Lyft Accident Lawyer

When victims are hurt as passengers of rideshare cars in Waldorf, they can file lawsuits against negligent drivers but not rideshare companies.

After your accident in an Uber or Lyft in Waldorf, document the incident by calling the police. You should also go directly to the hospital so that you can begin documenting your injuries and building medical evidence. Although rideshare companies avoid liability for accidents by hiring independent contractors, they do provide insurance coverage that might help compensate you for your injuries and damages. Coverage limits vary based on specific circumstances of a crash. Despite being unable to sue Lyft or Uber directly, you can sue the rideshare driver whose negligence caused your injuries. To do this, you must bring your claim within three years of the accident in Waldorf.

To discuss your case for free with Rice, Murtha & Psoras, call our Waldorf, MD Uber and Lyft accident lawyers at (410) 694-7291.

Documenting Lyft and Uber Accidents in Waldorf, MD

As an Uber or Lyft passenger, you have little to no control over whether or not you are hurt in an auto accident. If you were driving your car, perhaps you could have swerved out of the way or driven more responsibly, avoiding an accident altogether. Although you were at the mercy of the rideshare driver operating the vehicle, you can take control of your case after the fact.

A rideshare car accident is a non-traditional car accident, presenting possible hurdles for victims in Waldorf. Because several parties might be involved in the case, documenting the crash as necessary will be important. You can do this by calling the police.

The officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office will likely respond to your accident location after you call 911. They will create a crash report, which will cover all pertinent information regarding your accident, including the Uber or Lyft driver’s name and information. If other parties were involved in the crash, officers will note as much in the accident report. We can obtain this report in the days following the incident.

Victims can further document an incident by going to the hospital. In your claim, you will need to submit evidence of your injuries. Without medical evidence, you will not be able to prove that you were hurt as a result of the driver’s negligence.

Our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you continue to document your losses by keeping records of all damages incurred due to the crash in question. This will likely include any expenses related to your medical care, as well as any wages you have missed during your physical recovery in Waldorf.

Rideshare Company Liability Insurance for Accidents in Waldorf, MD

Rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber do their best to avoid civil liability for accidents and injuries by hiring drivers as independent contractors. While you will be unable to sue Uber or Lyft directly, these companies provide considerable liability insurance that might help to cover the cost of your damages in Waldorf.

Third-party benefits for certain Uber and Lyft crashes are as follows: $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $250,000 per accident for property damage. This coverage applies to accidents that occur when the rideshare app is on and the driver is waiting for a ride request but does not currently have any passengers in the car.

If an accident takes place while a driver is en route to pick up a passenger or while completing a ride, third-party benefits increase to $1,000,000 per accident.

These benefits may or may not be enough to compensate a victim for all of their damages fully. While a $1,000,000 insurance payout might seem attractive to victims, it is important to consider the significant cost of medical expenses. For example, if you require life-long care, expensive surgeries, or costly physical therapy, you might require greater compensation. This is especially true in cases involving serious injuries that leave victims permanently disabled and unable to return to work in Waldorf. Furthermore, rideshare liability insurance does not provide compensation for pain and suffering.

Suing Uber or Lyft Drivers for Accidents in Waldorf, MD

While suing the rideshare company directly may not be an option in your situation, suing the driver whose negligence caused your injuries may be. Our attorneys can explore this option so that you recover the greatest compensation available to you in Waldorf.

First, it will be important to determine whether the Uber or Lyft driver or another driver on the road was responsible for causing the accident. That is to say, just because you were hurt in an accident as a passenger of a rideshare car does not mean the rideshare driver was at fault. It could be that another driver on the road acted recklessly, striking the rideshare car and injuring you in the process.

If we confirm that the Uber or Lyft driver is liable, we will gather evidence that proves as much. Such evidence may include the victim’s medical records, eyewitness statements, photographs, and surveillance footage. You must submit sufficient evidence to meet the burden of proof in your claim, otherwise you will not be awarded compensatory damages.

The statute of limitations for rideshare accident claims in Waldorf is three years from the date of the crash, according to Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. Art., § 5-101. Claims not filed by the deadline cannot be brought. This could cause you to miss out on crucial compensation. The damages awarded in your suit will depend on your specific losses, both financial and otherwise. We will calculate your damages prior to filing so that we can request the appropriate amount in your complaint.

Call Our Waldorf, MD Lawyers About Your Auto Accident Today

Call the Uber and Lyft accident lawyers of Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291 to schedule a free evaluation of your case.