Silver Spring Uber + Lyft Accident Lawyer

Uber and Lyft are large rideshare companies that operate in the United States and many other countries. While these companies are highly successful and widespread, this does not diminish the dangers posed by employing untrained drivers to transport people around the city. the lack of training for some Uber and Lyft drivers can result in a severe car accident. If you or a family member was injured in a car accident with an Uber or Lyft driver, contact an experienced Silver Spring Uber and Lyft accident lawyer.

Rice, Murtha & Psoras believe that victims of an Uber or Lyft accident should be compensated for serious injuries sustained due to the negligence of a rideshare driver. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your claim, contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291. You can also contact the firm using our online submission form.

Common Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents in Silver Spring, MD

There is a multitude of reasons why an Uber or Lyft accident may occur. However, there are some causes that are more prevalent than others. the following is a list of common causes of an Uber or Lyft accident.

Fatigued Driving

An Uber driver can work for as many as 12 hours a day, provided they rest for at least 6 hours after their shift. While many drivers do not regularly utilize these hours, there are others that may operate as full-time rideshare drivers. Rideshare applications do not indicate how long a driver has been working. As a result, a passenger or another motorist could be seriously injured because a driver decided to drive while fatigued.

Drunk or Drugged Driving

Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs can dramatically increase the likelihood of causing an accident. As a result, a driver’s reaction times can be reduced, and they may fail to notice changes in traffic. This is especially dangerous for a rideshare passenger as they will be unaware that their driver is intoxicated.

Speeding

Some rideshare drivers may sacrifice the safety of a passenger or other motorists by attempting to complete as many fares as possible in a limited amount of time. To accomplish this goal, a rideshare driver may speed and ignore other traffic signals in order to pick up or drop off a passenger quickly. This behavior could lead to a high-speed accident, which could lead to severe injuries for a passenger or others involved in the accident.

Distracted Driving

In order to pick up fares, a rideshare driver is constantly required to use their cellphone to accept or end a ride. This can easily cause a driver to become distracted when trying to pick up a passenger or when using the navigation to transport a passenger.

There are many other causes of Uber and Lyft accidents that are not listed above. If you believe that your rideshare driver is acting erratically, you should request to end the ride as soon as possible. To learn more about liability for an Uber or Lyft accident, contact an experienced Silver Spring personal injury lawyer.

Liability for an Uber or Lyft Accident in Silver Spring, MD

If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Silver Spring, you are undoubtedly concerned about who can be held liable for the accident. the negligent driver that caused the accident would naturally be responsible for the accident. However, there are circumstances where Uber or Lyft will compensate a passenger or motorist injured by one of their drivers.

It is important to note that Uber and Lyft drivers are hired as independent contractors. Independent contractors are often hired and given the freedom to perform their work in the manner they desire. Uber and Lyft use this as a way to avoid accepting responsibility for the actions of a negligent driver. For example, if a driver exceeds the speed limit when transporting a passenger, the rideshare company that employs can escape vicarious liability for their actions.

While rideshare drivers are employed as independent contractors, Uber and Lyft’s insurance policy will compensate a victim of an accident provided that certain requirements are met.

If a rideshare driver causes a car accident while they are logged into the Uber or Lyft application, but before they have picked up a passenger, both Uber and Lyft will provide limited coverage. Specifically, each company will provide a victim with up to $50,000 per injured person and $100,000 total for injuries per accident.

Additionally, if a rideshare driver causes an accident while they are en route to pick up a passenger or while they are transporting a passenger, this could trigger the maximum amount of compensation provided by Uber or Lyft’s insurance policies. If an accident happens under these circumstances, Uber and Lyft will provide up to $1,000,000 for injuries and damage to a vehicle.

Note, however, if a car accident occurs when a rideshare driver does not have their application turned on, the driver will be personally responsible for the accident. This means that a victim will have to pursue compensation from the driver directly. This can be difficult as the driver may not be able to provide the victim with adequate compensation if the victim’s injuries require extensive medical treatment.

Contact Our Experienced Silver Springs Uber + Lyft Accident Attorney Today

If you or a family member was a victim of an Uber or Lyft accident, consult with an experienced Silver Spring Uber and Lyft accident attorney. Car accident attorney Randolph Rice has diligently represented residents of Silver Springs, Maryland, for over a decade, and he would be proud to represent you. To schedule a free case evaluation to discuss your claim, contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.