North Bethesda, MD Uber + Lyft Accident Lawyer

Following an accident with a rideshare car like an Uber or Lyft, you can recover compensation by suing the individual rideshare driver in North Bethesda.

Unfortunately, it is unlikely that you can sue Lyft or Uber for injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident in North Bethesda. Instead, you will have to sue the individual party whose negligence caused your injuries, like the driver of the rideshare car. When assessing your claim, our attorneys can give you a clearer idea how long it might take to complete if you were to settle or go to trial. Regardless of the length of your claim, you must file it before the deadline, which is three years in Maryland. During your case, we will aim to meet the burden of proof and show that it is more likely than not that the defendant’s negligence caused your injuries.

You can call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291 to get a free case assessment from our North Bethesda, MD Uber and Lyft accident lawyers.

Can You Sue Uber and Lyft for Car Accidents in North Bethesda, MD?

Companies like Lyft and Uber recognize the risk involved in transporting passengers, which is why they set up themselves up so that they cannot easily be sued for injury in North Bethesda.

After an accident involving an Uber or a Lyft, you might think that you can file a lawsuit against the specific rideshare company in question. In reality, that is not the case. Because rideshare drivers are independent contractors and not regular employees, vicarious liability does not apply to Uber and Lyft, shielding them from liability for a victim’s injuries.

Although you cannot sue a rideshare company for the negligence of its driver, you might be able to recover compensation through its liability insurance.

Suppose you were hurt by a rideshare driver who was waiting for a ride request but did not currently have any passengers in their vehicle at the time of your accident. In that case, the insurance benefits are $50,000 for bodily injury per person, $100,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. If the driver was in the process of picking up or dropping off a passenger at the time of the crash, coverage increases to $1,000,000 per accident.

While that might seem like a substantial settlement, it might not be enough to compensate you for all your damages, depending on the case. Our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can review your total damages to confirm if this coverage is suitable for you in North Bethesda. We will do this by collecting and organizing proof of your financial losses.

Estimating the Length of Uber and Lyft Injury Claims in North Bethesda, MD

Each accident claim has its own unique set of circumstances that might alter the amount of time it takes to complete in North Bethesda. Cases might take anywhere between a few months to years.

Many victims are concerned with pursuing litigation after rideshare accidents because of the anticipated amount of resources and time it will take on their parts. Depending on your specific case, there might be factors that shorten or lengthen the overall timeframe. For example, if there is clear evidence of negligence, such as eyewitness statements or surveillance footage, the defendant might be willing to settle at an appropriate amount quickly.

Settling can be tricky. Even though doing so can allow you to recover compensation faster than going to trial, it is important to confirm that the settlement offer is appropriate before accepting it. Furthermore, settlement negotiations might drag on for any amount of time, causing victims to go without compensation for far too long. Alternatively, going to court might take additional time, as you may have to wait for your case to reach the court docket. Then, a trial will commence, the length of which will depend on the evidence both parties can provide. That said, going to court presents the opportunity for the recovery of damages typically not available in settlements, such as compensation for a victim’s pain and suffering due to a rideshare accident in North Bethesda.

Filing a Lyft or Uber Accident Lawsuit in North Bethesda, MD

Filing your rideshare injury claim will require you to submit certain information to the court within a specific timeframe in North Bethesda.

As laid out in Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. Art., § 5-101, victims of Uber and Lyft accidents have just three years to sue for compensation in Maryland. You must initiate your case before the ultimate filing deadline, lest you risk being barred from recovery.

Before officially bringing your case, our attorneys will confirm that you have a strong basis for your claim. Then, we will submit the formal complaint to the court, which will include information like the defendant’s identity, the circumstances of the accident, and your requested economic and non-economic damages.

While negotiations might follow, so might a trial. You can back out of settlement negotiations at any time before accepting an offer.

When filing a rideshare accident lawsuit in North Bethesda, proving that the defendant owed you a duty of care and breached it will be essential. You must also establish that the breach of the defendant’s duty of care is what caused your injuries and damages. The burden of proof will be on you, the plaintiff, to establish that it is more likely than not that the defendant’s negligence caused your injuries. Because of that, initiating the investigation process and enlisting our attorneys to gather evidence of fault immediately after your Lyft or Uber accident occurs will be necessary for the success of your claim in North Bethesda.

Call Our North Bethesda, MD Lawyers About Your Rideshare Accident

Call our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers at (410) 694-7291 for a free review of your case from Rice, Murtha & Psoras.