Catonsville Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer

Calling an Uber or Lyft is nearly as common as hailing a taxi nowadays. Unfortunately, accidents with Uber and Lyft drivers have become increasingly common as more and more drivers are on the road. After a crash, a lawyer can assist you in bringing legal action for damages.

The sooner you speak to our legal team after your accident, the better. Getting started sooner helps us collect evidence before it is lost. We also need to file your case before the deadline expires. One of our earliest steps is to determine how your accident happened. Ordinary traffic code violations, exhausted Uber or Lyft drivers, and distractions in the vehicle are just a few common reasons. While drivers and even passengers might be held liable for your injuries, the ridesharing companies themselves are often protected from legal liability. Even so, you can talk to your lawyer about suing Uber or Lyft. Your damages might be more than you think, with medical bills, property damage, and even lost income from missing work factoring into your claims.

For a confidential initial case evaluation with our Uber and Lyft accident attorneys at Rice, Murtha & Psoras, please call (410) 694-7291.

The Right Time to Talk to a Lawyer About an Uber or Lyft Collision in Catonsville

A legal claim for damages after an accident usually takes time to prepare. Immediately after a crash with an Uber or Lyft vehicle, you might be badly hurt, and initiating legal action might be the furthest thing from your mind. By all means, take the time you need to recover from your injuries, but you should make a point of talking to a lawyer about your case as soon as you can.

One big reason why you should call a lawyer soon is because there is a tight deadline on when you must file your case. According to the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Maryland, found under Md. Code Cts. and Jud. Proc. Art. § 5-101, you must file your case within 3 years of the accident. If you do not file anything by the deadline, you might lose your right to bring the cause of action.

You should also talk to an attorney sooner rather than later so you can begin finding evidence to back up your claims. Some evidence can be hard to find, and we need as much time as possible to track everything down. For example, our Lyft and Uber accident lawyers might know of a witness who can testify about the accident, but we need time to find them.

How Crashes with Uber and Lyft Cars Tend to Happen in Catonsville

A crash with an Uber or Lyft car might happen under any number of circumstances. Whether you are driving in broad daylight or the dark of night, an accident might come seemingly out of nowhere. The reality of the situation is that accidents rarely come out of nowhere, and they are often preventable.

Common traffic violations like speeding, failing to stop at stop signs, failing to signal, or just general reckless driving are common reasons for car accidents. If you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft that crashed, talk to your lawyer about how you observed the driver. Were they doing anything that seemed unsafe? Maybe you noticed they blew a red light or were driving too aggressively.

Tired drivers are another big problem, especially regarding Ubers and Lyfts. These drivers are somewhat known for being the go-to choice of transportation for late-night partygoers. It is not unusual to see rideshare drivers on the road in the wee hours. If they are overly tired, it might be too dangerous for them to be behind the wheel.

Being distracted is another frequently cited reason for accidents. Drivers of Lyft and Uber vehicles rely on their phones and rideshare apps. They need their phone to pick up new passengers and directions to drop off riders. Unfortunately, many drivers become too distracted with their phones, and accidents happen.

Determining Who is Responsible for a Lyft or Uber Accident in Catonsville

Car accidents can be chaotic, and it is not always immediately clear who caused the crash. Often, drivers blame each other, and it can be hard to know who is at fault without a proper investigation. Our team will help you review the details of the crash to determine who should be named in our lawsuit.

Drivers

We can help you examine the Uber or Lyft driver’s behavior to determine if they are responsible for the crash. If you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle when an accident occurred, the driver likely owed you a duty of safety. If they did anything to breach their duty, they might be responsible for paying your damages.

We should also look into any other drivers involved in the accident. Perhaps you were a passenger, but both drivers did something negligent to cause the accident. In that case, you can sue both drivers for your injuries, and they may be equally liable for your damages.

Passengers

Sometimes, drivers are not the only ones who play a role in an accident. Passengers sometimes do things that create serious risks on the road. As mentioned before, many Lyft and Uber drivers pick up people from bars, clubs, and parties late at night. Many of these people have had more than a few drinks and might be feeling boisterous or rowdy. Passengers might become too rowdy, distract the driver or even interfere with the steering wheel and cause a crash. Some drivers have cameras inside their cars because they pick up so many riders, and there might be footage of the poorly behaved passengers.

Lyft or Uber

Going after big companies like Uber and Lyft can be tempting when their employees cause accidents. Under the legal theory of respondeat superior, an employer may be held vicariously liable if an employee negligent causes injuries while in the course of their normal job duties. This rule often does not apply in Uber and Lyft accidents.

These companies are typically shielded from liability because drivers are not considered employees. Instead, they are independent contractors. Even so, talk to your lawyer about the possibility of a lawsuit against these companies. The legal field is constantly changing, and many believe Lyft and Uber need to be held responsible for accidents and injuries to customers.

Contact Our Catonsville Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys for Legal Help

For a confidential initial case evaluation with our Uber and Lyft accident attorneys at Rice, Murtha & Psoras, please call (410) 694-7291.