Hagerstown Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer

When in need of a ride, more and more people are turning to apps like Lyft and Uber. While this can be a quick and easy way to get around, accidents might happen, and you should talk to a lawyer about your options.

You might have a legal claim for damages if you were a passenger in the rideshare vehicle or if you were struck by a rideshare vehicle. Accidents often stem from reckless Lyft and Uber drivers trying to complete as many rides as possible to earn more money. Damages in car accidents can be big, with medical costs, property damage, and other losses and painful experiences leading to significant compensation. It is also smart to ask your attorney about whom to name in your case, as one or more people might be responsible. Your Uber or Lyft driver might be to blame, but so might additional drivers in the collision. Generally, the rideshare companies Lyft and Uber are protected from liability. Even so, you may still recover significant compensation.

Call (410) 694-7291 to talk to our Lyft and Uber accident lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras to get a free, confidential case evaluation to get started.

How You Might Be in an Accident with an Uber or Lyft in Hagerstown

In many ways, accidents with Lyft and Uber vehicles are not much different than typical car accidents. However, Ubers and Lyfts tend to make many trips per day, and certain safety risks should be investigated in the event of an accident.

Reckless driving is a factor in many crashes, but it can be a bit more common when it comes to Uber and Lyft collisions. Rideshare drivers make more money if they complete more trips. As such, drivers tend to drive faster and are a bit hastier to finish each ride. When rideshare drivers are in a hurry, they might cause an accident.

Another problem in many rideshare crashes is rowdy passengers in the Uber or Lyft. Many drivers pick up late-night passengers from bars, clubs, and parties. These passengers often have had too much to drink and might be a bit too rowdy in the car. Boisterous passengers can distract drivers and cause a serious collision.

You might have a legal claim for damages if you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle during a crash, but you do not necessarily have to be. You might be the driver or passenger in another car struck by a rideshare car. Our Uber and Lyft accident attorneys can determine how you were injured and who is to blame.

Damages Available in Many Lyft and Uber Accident Cases in Hagerstown

Your damages represent all your expenses, injuries, and losses from the accident. While many damages are based on how much they cost, others are more subjective and unique to the plaintiff.

After a crash, you should have gotten to a hospital for emergency medical attention. There is a good chance you racked up some big hospital bills. While health insurance can be helpful, it might not cover everything, and you might still pay big deductibles out of pocket. The more treatment you need, the higher your bills, and the greater your damages.

Car accidents are known for extensive property damage. If you were driving your own car when an Uber or Lyft hit you, you can claim auto repair costs or the cost of a replacement vehicle. Not only that, but you may also claim the value of personal belongings that were lost or destroyed in the accident.

One major financial loss that plaintiffs sometimes overlook is lost income. People often take time away from work after a car accident to recover. Some people are so badly injured that they cannot work for quite some time. Our team can help you assess how much money you lost due to missed work and add it to your damages.

Figuring Out Who is Responsible for a Lyft or Uber Collision in Hagerstown

Car accidents are messy. Numerous vehicles, drivers, and passengers might be involved, and determining who actually caused the collision might be harder than you first think. An experienced attorney can review the details of the crash with you and help you figure out who should be held responsible.

The Rideshare Driver

In a lot of accidents involving Uber and Lyft, the rideshare driver is primarily at fault. As mentioned before, drivers are often in a hurry to make as many trips as possible to maximize their earning potential. Unfortunately, these drivers often cause serious accidents in their haste.

Even if the driver was not speeding or in a hurry, they might still cause an accident by committing any number of common traffic violations. Maybe they blew a red light or stop sign. Perhaps they did not signal a turn and caused a crash. Almost anything is possible, and you should talk to a lawyer right away.

Another Driver

The Uber or Lyft driver in your accident might not be the only person responsible. Sometimes, multiple drivers share responsibility for a crash. For example, suppose you were the passenger in an Uber that was speeding when the driver crashed into another car. Next, suppose the other driver was driving without working brake lights. Your Uber driver likely crashed into the other car because they could not see they were braking, and they were speeding and unable to stop in time. Both drivers were negligent in that case and might be liable for your damages.

Uber and Lyft

In many accident cases, if the person who caused your injuries was actively working for their job, you might be able to sue their employer for damages. While one might assume this means that you can sue the companies Uber or Lyft after an accident involving one of their drivers, this is usually not the case.

Uber and Lyft are often shielded from this kind of liability because their drivers are technically not employees. Instead, their drivers are considered independent contractors. If an independent contractor causes an accident, the person who hired them is not responsible.

Even so, this does not mean that you cannot get compensation for your damages. Call our team for help getting the compensation you rightly deserve.

Contact Our Hagerstown Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers for Assistance

Call our Lyft and Uber accident lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291 for a free, confidential case evaluation to get started.