Cumberland, MD Uber + Lyft Accident Lawyer
Many people hop in rideshare cars daily without a second thought, only to get into an accident because of a negligent Uber or Lyft driver. Should this happen to you in Cumberland, our lawyers can explain your best route to compensation and help you get there.
Since victims of Uber and Lyft accidents are often hurt as passengers of rideshare cars, they might be at a higher risk of sustaining specific injuries. For example, not all cars have airbags in the back, meaning there is less protection for backseat passengers. When injured, victims can pursue claims against any at-fault parties, including the rideshare driver or another negligent passenger car driver on the road. When investigating the case, our lawyers will assess the liability of all involved parties to maximize your recovery. We will also focus on tracking all damages from the accident so that we can request a fair amount when we file your auto accident complaint in Cumberland.
Call (410) 694-7291 to discuss your case for free with the Uber and Lyft accident lawyers of Rice, Murtha & Psoras.
Injuries Associated with Uber and Lyft Accidents in Cumberland, MD
Often, victims in Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare accidents are hurt as backseat passengers. Because of their positions in vehicles, victims might be more likely to sustain certain injuries during collisions in Cumberland.
Though seat belts are mandatory for all passengers in Maryland under Md. Code, Transp. Art., § 22-412.3(c), backseat passengers might be less likely to buckle up, especially for short rides. Failure to wear a seat belt when sitting in the back of an Uber or Lyft could lead to serious injuries in a crash. Fortunately, not wearing a seat belt does not constitute contributory negligence in Cumberland. So, if you were hurt as a rideshare car passenger and did not have your seat belt on, you can still file a claim to recover damages.
When sitting in the backseat of an Uber or Lyft, you might not pay attention to what is happening on the road. Passengers who do not have the chance to brace themselves for impact, so to speak, could be more likely to sustain certain injuries, like facial injuries.
Furthermore, not all cars have backseat airbag systems, which poses additional dangers for Uber and Lyft passengers. Without airbags, there is little protection or cushioning for victims from colliding with fixed objects within the car, like the front seat or the side of the vehicle. This could increase the risk of victims sustaining fractures or other serious injuries in Cumberland.
Your Path to Compensation After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Cumberland, MD
Uber and Lyft accidents typically include several parties. For example, there might be the rideshare driver, the rideshare passenger, and another passenger car driver. In these situations, our lawyers will review the evidence and seek help from accident reconstruction experts, if necessary, to determine who is liable for your damages in Cumberland.
Claims Against Rideshare Drivers
When rideshare drivers are negligent and cause accidents, victims can file claims against them. You can do this if you were hurt as a passenger or while driving your car. For example, if an Uber driver hits your car while dropping off a passenger, you could file a claim against them. The passenger in the situation could also file a claim against the rideshare driver if they were negligent.
Claims Against Other Drivers
Just because you were a passenger of a rideshare car during an accident does not mean the rideshare driver was necessarily at fault. When hurt as passengers, victims may not know exactly how an accident happened. To confirm the cause, our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can source physical and photographic evidence from the scene and review it alongside accident reconstruction experts. Such experts can determine which of the involved vehicles initiated the accident, informing who your claim is against.
How to Track Economic and Non-Economic Losses from Cumberland, MD Lyft and Uber Accidents
Victims’ damages are broken into two categories: economic and non-economic. Our lawyers can help victims track and document all recoverable damages to prove their losses from a rideshare crash.
Starting with losses from medical treatment, our team can collect your bills and records from all hospitals or providers. Keeping a running tally of medical damages as you incur them is important, especially if you need complex care. These records will not only inform your recovery of incurred damages but may also help you get compensation for future medical damages. This is often necessary when victims sustain permanent or long-lasting injuries in motor vehicle collisions.
While recuperating, victims might be unable to return to work, resulting in detrimental lost wages. We can access employment records to verify your missed income from the accident and prepare a case for future lost wages if your earning capacity is affected in the long term.
When victims bring cases against negligent drivers for rideshare accidents, they may seek compensation for intangible losses. These include damages for emotional distress and mental anguish, which are commonly associated with serious injuries like broken bones or traumatic head injuries. We can quantify victims’ non-economic damages before filing their claims using the necessary calculation methods so that they can anticipate their recoveries.
Our lawyers will cite our request for compensation in the complaint we file with the court to start your lawsuit. This must happen within three years of the accident, or victims will be barred from recovery under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. Art., § 5-101. Settlement negotiations typically follow case filings, and our lawyers can argue for a fair settlement on your behalf or take your case to court, if necessary, in Cumberland.
Call Our Lawyers to Talk About Your Rideshare Accident Case in Cumberland, MD
Call the Uber and Lyft accident lawyers of Rice, Murtha & Psoras for a free case review at (410) 694-7291.