Ilchester, MD Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer

Uber and Lyft have emerged as popular options for getting around Ilchester. But when an accident occurs, recovering compensation can be incredibly difficult.

The main problem is knowing which insurance policies you should file with. Uber and Lyft, along with their drivers, are required to carry insurance to cover accidents in which their rideshare drivers are involved. These policies are tiered, meaning they only come into effect under certain conditions. If you are on an active ride, you will usually have several options to cover your damages. If the rideshare driver is off-duty, you could still file a claim against them personally. We will also help determine if a lawsuit is necessary to get additional compensation you are owed and if you have the grounds to file it.

For a free case review with our Uber and Lyft accident attorneys, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras today at (410) 694-7291.

Can I File a Lawsuit Against Uber or Lyft in Ilchester, MD?

Many victims have found filing a lawsuit against Uber or Lyft after an accident in Ilchester challenging. One of the most significant barriers is the classification of Uber and Lyft drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. The classification of these drivers is important to your claim because it affects liability and protects these companies from direct responsibility. As a result, suing companies like Uber and Lyft for your injuries can be incredibly difficult, if not impossible.

In most cases, you can only sue Uber or Lyft if the companies themselves acted negligently. For instance, if Uber or Lyft hired or kept a driver they knew to be dangerous, they could be held responsible for not ensuring the safety of their customers by eliminating risky drivers if we can find evidence that Uber or Lyft failed to do a background check on the driver that injured you or allowed them to keep their application privileges after proving themselves harmful, Uber or Lyft should be named in your lawsuit.

You might also be able to sue these companies if their business practices contributed to the accident. It is possible the app was not working properly at the time of the accident, or their safety protocols were insufficient.

While the reality might seem bleak, you are not without alternatives. These cases tend to be complex because of the potentially available insurance options. Our Uber and Lyft accident attorneys can explore which insurance plans will apply to your case and help you file your claim. In some cases, you might be able to pursue multiple paths of compensation at the same time.

Other Options to Recover Compensation in an Ilchester, MD Uber or Lyft Accident

Several parties are usually involved in Uber and Lyft accidents, each potentially with their own insurance. Filing a claim against an Uber or Lyft driver is usually the best way to start, but the money available will depend on the driver’s status at the time. Uber and Lyft’s own insurance also might help cover your damages, even in serious cases. Aside from these parties, we will review your case to determine if anyone else should be held accountable.

Uber and Lyft Drivers

Uber and Lyft drivers are required to have certain types of insurance. However, the extent of coverage varies depending on the driver’s status at the time of an accident.

For instance, if a driver is not using the app or has turned it off, their own personal insurance policy will provide the primary coverage for your injuries.

If the driver is waiting for a ride request with the app on when they hit you, both companies offer limited liability coverage. However, this coverage is only applicable if the driver’s personal insurance does not cover the accident.

The best-case scenario is if the driver has accepted a ride request and is transporting a passenger. In these cases, Uber or Lyft’s $1,000,000 liability policy takes effect.

The last resort is filing a lawsuit against the rideshare driver. This will be necessary if the options above are less than the damages you incurred or if they deny your claim. While these lawsuits are challenging, we will guide you through every important phase of your case.

Other Parties

Of course, you might be injured by someone besides the rideshare driver. If a third party with no affiliation with Uber or Lyft is responsible for your accident, you should consider filing a claim with that driver’s insurance.

However, if the other driver is not insured or does not have enough insurance to cover the damages or injuries, we can help you file a claim with Uber or Lyft’s uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. This coverage is specifically designed to provide you compensation when the other party is unable to pay for your losses.

We can also file a lawsuit in these cases if insurance is insufficient. In most cases, we will pursue compensation for any party that arguably played a part in your accident. This way, you do not leave any options on the table.

What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Ilchester, MD

The first thing you should do is report your accident to the police. In fact, any accident involving injuries, death, or significant property damage must be reported to law enforcement. This report is usually a critical piece of evidence, regardless of whether you are filing an insurance claim or lawsuit.

While waiting for law enforcement to arrive, gather as much information as possible about the accident if you can. This includes the names and information of all parties involved. Also, be sure to save any information related to your rideshare trip, such as the ride receipt and driver logs available through the app.

The next step is to get medical care. Medical staff will assess your injuries and document their severity, as well as the immediate treatments provided and what to do next. Thus, we highly encourage you to keep copies of all your medical records, invoices, and receipts related to your treatment.

When you are ready, we can help you use Uber and Lyft’s app to report your accident and file a claim. We can also ensure that the company’s instructions are followed to the letter so that your compensation is not delayed or denied.

Our team will use our knowledge of these cases to determine liability and can deal with multiple insurance companies if necessary. By working with our attorneys, you will send a clear message to Uber or Lyft that you are serious about recovering the compensation you are rightfully owed. Insurance companies tend to pay more attention to claims coming from an attorney’s office.