Reisterstown, MD Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer

After being involved in an accident with a Lyft or Uber ride, it can be an uphill task to recover compensation for your injuries. While several options could be available to you, knowing which ones apply and how to maximize what you get is its own challenge in these cases.

If you are finding it challenging to recover damages from a Lyft or Uber accident, our team in Reisterstown can help. We understand the intricacies involved in these claims process, and we are here to guide you through the process. Our team will help you determine if filing a lawsuit is the right step for your case and which insurance options could help cover your expenses. To cover additional losses, our team can also sue the driver who caused the accident to recover damages that Uber and Lyft’s insurance might not compensate you for.

Contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291 to get your free case assessment with our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers.

How to Recover Compensation from the Uber or Lyft Driver After an Accident in Reisterstown, MD

Both Uber and Lyft offer insurance coverage for their drivers and riders, which can be utilized in case of an accident. Our Uber and Lyft accident attorneys can thoroughly review your case to determine what compensation you can expect to recover and how to claim it. However, the extent of the insurance coverage provided varies according to the driver’s status at the time of the accident.

When the driver is offline or has turned off the app, their personal insurance policy serves as the primary coverage in case of an accident. When the app is on, but the driver is waiting for a ride request, both companies offer limited liability coverage, but only if the driver’s personal insurance policy does not apply.

In contrast, when the driver has accepted a ride request and is transporting a passenger, a $1 million liability policy becomes active, along with contingent comprehensive and collision insurance. This coverage is intended to protect the driver, passenger, and any third party who might be affected by the accident.

These insurance policies operate on a tiered system that reflects the driver’s status at the time of an accident. For instance, liability coverage is designed to cover damages to another person’s property or compensation for injuries that others sustain in an accident where the rideshare driver is at fault. Uber and Lyft offer substantial liability coverage that far exceeds most personal auto insurance policies.

Second, contingent comprehensive and collision coverage applies to the rideshare vehicle itself in case of an accident, regardless of fault. However, this coverage only applies if the driver carries personal comprehensive and collision coverage, and there might be a deductible that the driver has to pay out of pocket.

Finally, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is particularly important in hit-and-run incidents or accidents where the other party lacks sufficient insurance. This coverage can help to cover injuries sustained by the rideshare driver and passengers.

How to Recover Compensation Directly from Uber or Lyft in Reisterstown, MD

Uber and Lyft’s tiered insurance coverage structure is designed to ensure that there is some form of insurance coverage available, whether the rideshare app is off, the driver is waiting for a ride request, or during trips. However, while it is rare, you might be able to file a lawsuit directly against Uber or Lyft if there is evidence they acted negligently in some way.

Filing for Insurance

If you are involved in a car accident while using a ridesharing service like Uber or Lyft, you can file a claim and receive compensation for any damages or injuries sustained.

First, contact the appropriate claims department of the ridesharing company involved. Both Uber and Lyft have dedicated claims departments, and you can usually initiate your claim through the app or via their customer support lines. When you do so, be prepared to provide comprehensive details about the accident, including any police reports, medical reports (if you or any passengers were injured), and photographic evidence of the scene and damages.

It is also crucial to ensure that all communication regarding the claim is done through official channels. This might involve email exchanges with the insurance adjuster assigned to your case, so make sure you keep track of all correspondence and documentation related to your claim.

One of the primary challenges in filing a claim involves establishing liability, particularly in multi-vehicle accidents. In such cases, it might be necessary to work with legal professionals in order to determine which party or parties are responsible for the damages.

Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you might need to work with the driver’s personal insurance policy or the additional coverage provided by Uber or Lyft. This can be a daunting task, but by providing detailed information and communicating through official channels, you can increase your chances of receiving full compensation for any losses or injuries incurred.

In some cases, though, Uber or Lyft’s own negligence might have played a role in causing your injuries. If so, you might have a valid claim to file a lawsuit in addition to your insurance claims.

Filing a Lawsuit Against Uber or Lyft

As ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft have become more popular, concerns over passengers’ safety have been raised. To address these concerns, both companies have a legal obligation to ensure the safety of their passengers by taking certain measures. If they do not, they can be sued.

One of the most important steps that Uber and Lyft must take is conducting thorough background checks on their drivers before they are allowed to offer rides. This is to ensure that the drivers have no history of criminal activity that could pose a threat to passengers. If a ridesharing company fails to properly vet a driver who then causes an accident or commits a crime that leads to passenger injury, the company can be sued for negligent hiring.

In addition to conducting background checks, companies are expected to implement and uphold safety protocols. This includes ensuring that vehicles are safe and up to regulatory standards. Failure in this regard provides grounds for a lawsuit. For example, if a ridesharing company does not maintain their vehicles or allows drivers to operate vehicles that do not meet safety standards, they can be held liable for any accidents or injuries that result.

Lastly, while criminal actions by drivers are primarily the responsibility of the individual committing the offense, there are circumstances where the ridesharing company could be held liable. This would typically involve situations where the company’s failure to take reasonable safety precautions contributed to the occurrence of the assault.