Ellicott City Uber + Lyft Accident Lawyer

Uber and Lyft provide services that help millions of Marylanders get around the state. Whether riders are commuting from work or getting a ride for the evening, Uber and Lyft transport a large number of people on the roads and highways of the state, including in the Ellicott City area. However, when Uber and Lyft drivers cause accidents, the victims might not be able to get compensation from these rideshare companies like they would expect.

The Ellicott City Uber and Lyft accident lawyer at Rice, Murtha & Psoras represents victims of Uber and Lyft crashes and fights to help them get compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. These claims can be complex in some cases, and it is best to work with a lawyer to fight for the compensation you need instead of relying on what representatives from these rideshare companies tell you about your accident. For a free case consultation, call us today at (410) 694-7291.

How to Sue for Uber or Lyft for Accidents in Ellicott City, MD

When you are involved in an auto accident in Maryland, the law typically allows you to sue the at-fault driver for injuries whether you were a passenger in their car or riding in another vehicle that they hit. Some states use “no-fault” insurance laws that prevent injured drivers from suing in certain situations, but Maryland works on an “at-fault” basis, where each driver is responsible for the damage and injuries they cause. This means that if you get hurt in a car crash, you can choose to sue or file an insurance claim. If you do sue, the driver’s insurance company will usually defend them and pay damages even though you did not file an insurance claim.

In car accidents caused by Uber and Lyft drivers in Ellicott City and across the country, Uber and Lyft are usually not applicable targets for a lawsuit. In cases where a taxi driver, bus driver, truck driver, or other commercial driver causes a crash, you can usually sue their employer since the crash occurred during the course of their job duties. With Uber and Lyft, the driver is not actually an employee of the rideshare company, which allows the company to avoid liability for their drivers’ errors.

In many cases, however, Uber and Lyft’s insurance policies will cover the crash. Both companies have complex rules that dictate when their insurance policy covers a crash based on whether the driver has picked up or dropped off a rider. If their insurance policy does cover the crash, this can often help you get compensation that the individual driver might not have been able to afford. However, drivers must also carry their own insurance, so there is usually some sort of insurance policy covering the crash if you do sue the driver.

Damages You Can Get for Uber and Lyft Car Accidents in Ellicott City

Car accident injury victims can face a wide variety of injuries and damages. Anything from property damage to medical bills to pain and suffering can be compensated in a lawsuit. When you file an insurance claim instead of a lawsuit, damages are often limited by the driver’s insurance policy – or, in the case of an Uber or Lyft accident, the rideshare company’s insurance policy. These limits often exclude damages for pain and suffering and may pay only a portion of other damages. Talk to a lawyer about claiming full damages in a lawsuit against the Uber or Lyft driver that caused your crash.

When you sue for property damages, this can include the cost of any vehicle repairs or other damages. Injury victims who were riding in an Uber or Lyft when the crash occurred might not have vehicle damage, but if they had personal items like cell phones that were damaged in the crash, they can sue for that property damage as well.

Medical bills can be paid as long as the medical care you received was related to the car accident. If you had preexisting conditions or disabilities that made your injuries worse – such as a back injury that was inflamed by the crash – you can still claim damages for these worsened conditions. Any damage the accident caused you is the driver’s responsibility.

If your injuries prevented you from working during your recovery – or if they caused ongoing medical conditions and disabilities that keep you from working – then you can sue the at-fault driver for lost wages. These wages could even be projected going forward if your injury is long-term.

“Pain and suffering” damages include a wide range of non-economic effects that you can claim compensation for. the pain you feel from an injury and the mental suffering it causes you cannot be proven in court with financial records, but your lawyer can help you claim damages for these harms nonetheless.

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

After a crash, it is important to get yourself the medical attention you need. Call 9-1-1 and get an ambulance if you were seriously injured. If you can stay at the scene, it is important to collect information about who was involved, where the crash was, and other information you might need. After a crash involving an Uber or Lyft driver, the company will usually send someone to talk to you or call you about the accident. it is important to understand that these representatives do not work for you, and you should not speak to them about the details of the accident without consulting a lawyer.

Call Our Ellicott City, MD Uber and Lyft Car Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one was hit by an Uber or Lyft driver or you were riding as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft when a crash took place, you should call Rice, Murtha & Psoras right away. Our Ellicott City Uber and Lyft accident lawyer represents injury victims and their families and works to get them fair compensation for injuries, medical bills, and other damages. Call our Maryland personal injury lawyers today at (410) 694-7291 to set up a free case consultation.