Parkville, MD Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer

Many Americans turn to rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft for their transportation needs when they do not want to drive someplace themselves. Whether the reason is to skip the hassle of parking, remove the need for a designated driver, or avoid driving through hectic traffic, countless people use these services to get where they are going every day. Sadly, Uber drivers are just as likely to be involved in a car crash as any other driver. Victims of car crashes can get very badly injured and rack up enormous medical bills. That is to say nothing of the long-term toll of severe injuries.

If you want justice after your rideshare accident, look no further than our offices. Our lawyers have the know-how and drive to get the results you want after a serious accident. We can gather evidence, talk to insurance companies and opposing counsel, and fight hard for you in court to get you the financial compensation you are entitled to.

To have our dedicated Uber & Lyft accident lawyers give you a free case analysis, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.

Insurance Coverage in Parkville, MD Uber & Lyft Accidents

A very important part of any legal action following a rideshare accident is understanding how insurance works in these claims. The first step in getting financial compensation after a car accident is actually not immediately taking someone to court. Instead, parties generally attempt to get the relevant insurance provider to cover their injuries through mostly amicable negotiations. When those negotiations break down, plaintiffs choose to file civil suits. That being the case, it is important to have some understanding of how insurance works in Maryland generally and how it applies to accidents involving vehicles involved with Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare companies.

Maryland Insurance Generally

Maryland uses an “at-fault” system for car insurance. This means that the insurance of the driver responsible for the accident taking place is responsible for compensating the victims by providing coverage. Of course, this also means that you have to prove that a party was responsible for the accident. Otherwise, no insurance company is going to freely admit that their policyholder was at fault.

When insurance companies do not want to admit fault, you can sue them in court with the help of our Uber & Lyft accident lawyers to compel them to pay up.

Auto Insurance Vs. Rideshare Insurance and Commercial Driver’s Insurance

By law, all motorists are required to have car insurance. However, ordinary automotive insurance does not provide coverage when a rideshare driver gets into an accident. In those cases, a specialized insurance policy is needed. You can seek coverage from either a commercial driver’s insurance policy or a rideshare insurance policy. Functionally, these policies are similar in that they provide coverage specifically to drivers who use the insured vehicle for work. Commercial driver’s insurance simply covers a wider range of jobs than rideshare insurance. For example, food delivery drivers might have commercial auto insurance, but only Uber/Lyft drivers will have rideshare insurance, as it is specific to their needs.

Contingent Collision Coverage

Uber/Lyft also have their own insurance policies that apply in the event of an accident involving one of their vehicles. The companies provide $1 million in coverage for accidents that happen when a driver either is picking a passenger up or the passenger is in the vehicle already, and $50,000 for accidents that happen when a ride is not queued up, but the driver is still active in the relevant app.

What Should You Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Parkville, MD?

There are steps you can take right after a rideshare accident that can both keep you safe and improve your chances in any Uber/Lyft accident claim. Our attorneys understand that every collision is different, and circumstances may have prevented you from doing some or all of these things. That is okay, and our lawyers can effectively represent you either way.

Get Medical Treatment

The most important thing to do after any car crash is to get the medical attention you need. Let first responders do whatever they need to do to ensure your safety. If that means going immediately to the hospital, you should not worry about doing anything else.

However, even if you are cleared by emergency responders, it is still a good idea to get a follow-up examination. Some injuries may not be apparent right away, either because of adrenaline or because they take a couple of days to manifest. For example, whiplash from a strong impact may not be apparent until days or even weeks after a car crash.

Finally, if you do not seek medical treatment, opposing counsel may be able to use it against you in court to hurt your claim.

Collect Information

If you are able to stay near the accident, obtain as much information as you possibly can. Most important is the name, insurance information, license plate, and rideshare company of any drivers involved. You should also look to take photos and videos of the crash and surrounding area, speak to any witnesses who were present, and record their statements. They may be able to testify in court later down the line.

Call Our Lawyers

Finally, talk to a lawyer as soon as you can. You only have a limited amount of time to sue, and life circumstances can easily get in the way of filing a claim. The sooner you contact legal counsel, the better.

Chat with Our Parkville, MD Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers About Your Claim

Rice, Murtha & Psoras’s Uber & Lyft Accident attorneys are ready to give free case reviews when you call our office at (410) 694-7291.