Whether you are driving for Uber or Lyft, or riding along as a passenger, you expect a danger-free trip that gets you safely around Baltimore. Unfortunately, many people have been physically or sexually assaulted while using these popular rideshare apps. Drivers can be assaulted by passengers, or passengers can be attacked by their drivers – and in either scenario, the outcomes can be devastating, including serious physical injuries, lingering emotional trauma, and financial losses stemming from the attack.
If you were physically or sexually assaulted while riding in an Uber or Lyft, or while you were driving for either company, you should talk to an experienced attorney about your legal options. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your medical care, lost earnings, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and other losses you suffered due to the Uber or Lyft assault. To speak confidentially with a Baltimore Uber assault attorney in a free legal consultation, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291, or contact us online today.
Are Uber and Lyft Liable for Injuries to Passengers or Drivers?
The rapid growth of the rideshare industry has led to regulatory confusion and debate. Though accidents may be covered by Lyft and Uber insurance policies, rideshare companies frequently dispute liability when passengers or drivers are seriously injured – for instance, contending that, because drivers are categorized as “independent contractors” (rather than employees), rideshare services are not legally responsible for drivers’ negligent actions. An experienced Uber accident lawyer can anticipate the defenses that rideshare and insurance companies attempt to use against injury victims, approaching your case strategically to build a stronger claim on your behalf. Uber and Lyft may be responsible for your medical bills and other losses if your injuries resulted from negligence.
Due to the complexity surrounding personal injury lawsuits against Uber and Lyft in Maryland, it is in your best interests to speak with a lawyer before filing an accident claim. However, keep in mind that many personal injury attorneys lack the necessary familiarity with rideshare accident insurance regulations. You should seek out an attorney who has a strong track record going up against companies like Uber and Lyft on behalf of assault victims, like Randolph Rice.
Can You Sue Uber or Lyft for Assault in Maryland?
You may have a claim against Lyft or Uber depending on several factors, which must be proven using evidence such as expert medical opinions, injury photographs, surveillance footage, eyewitness statements, and Uber or Lyft company records. These factors are that:
- You were assaulted during an Uber or Lyft trip.
- You suffered some sort of harm as a result of the attack, whether physical harm (like an injury) or financial harm (like a medical expense).
- Uber or Lyft in some way failed to adequately meet safety standards.
- This failure caused or led to your assault. In other words, you would not have been injured if Uber or Lyft had taken a different course of action.
- The injuries occurred within a certain timeframe. the Maryland statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally three years from the date of injury. Keep in mind that criminal cases, which can arise from assault charges against your attacker, are subject to different statutes of limitations than personal injury lawsuits, which are civil.
Types of Rideshare Injury Claims We Handle
Physical or sexual assaults can result in a range of extremely serious bodily injuries, in addition to intense emotional anguish and potential mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, along with PTSD or insomnia. Uber assault lawyer Randolph Rice handles all types of injury claims in Baltimore, including but not limited to rideshare lawsuits involving:
- Back injuries
- Broken bones (bone fractures)
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Cuts and bruises
- Facial scarring
- Hand and wrist injuries
- Internal injuries
- Knife and stab wounds
- Gunshot wounds
- Paralysis and spinal cord injuries
- Throat and neck injuries
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
Baltimore Uber + Lyft Injury Lawsuit Attorneys
Drivers and passengers deserve high safety standards from ridesharing businesses like Uber and Lyft. When a rideshare company’s negligence leads to preventable driver or passenger injuries, the victim may have cause to file a lawsuit. However, this is a complex process that should not be approached without help from an experienced Lyft or Uber injury lawyer.
Make sure you choose an attorney who has handled cases like yours and understands rideshare industry regulations. At Rice, Murtha & Psoras, we are committed to providing Uber and Lyft injury victims with aggressive, around-the-clock legal representation, fighting for compensation and justice with tireless focus and dedication. Contact us online right away to schedule a free legal consultation, or call our law offices at (410) 694-7291 to speak with a Lyft assault lawyer in Baltimore.