Salisbury, MD Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer
Uber, Lyft, and other similar companies have largely supplanted more old-school taxi-cab services as the go-to method of getting from one point to another without driving there yourself. Indeed, these services are extremely convenient. Unfortunately, Uber and Lyft drivers are no less prone to getting into nasty crashes than anyone else. In fact, in some ways, they may be even more prone to accidents because of all that they have to keep track of in addition to driving. Moreover, there is no guarantee that some other negligent driver will not crash into you when you are in a vehicle with a responsible rideshare driver.
If you find yourself injured in an accident involving a vehicle driving for Uber, Lyft, or any other rideshare company, we can help you out. Our attorneys have represented countless personal injury clients, and we are ready to lend that experience to your case. Let us gather evidence and work with insurance providers and opposing lawyers while you focus on recovering and getting back to living your life.
For a free case review from our Uber and Lyft accident attorneys, contact Rice Murtha & Psoras by calling (410) 694-7291.
How Does Insurance Work in Salisbury, MD Uber or Lyft Accident Claims?
Maryland uses what is sometimes called an “at-fault” insurance scheme for motor vehicle accident insurance. The insurance policy of the motorist who is responsible for the crash pays the associated costs. Naturally, insurance companies are not in the business of admitting liability for every crash they could potentially cover, so you will need to work with our Uber/Lyft accident lawyers and prove to them that they are at fault, either in court or in a different venue.
Uber/Lyft’s Coverage
Large rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft provide what is called “contingent collision coverage” in the event that one of their drivers gets into an accident. How much coverage they provide depends on the circumstances of the crash. If an Uber driver is either transporting a passenger or on their way to pick up an active ride request and gets in a crash, these companies provide $1 million in coverage. However, if an accident happens when the driver is active in their app but no one is either in the vehicle or in the queue for a ride, the coverage from these companies is $50,000. Generally, these kinds of policies are the first ones you should seek for coverage after a rideshare accident.
Commercial Driver’s Insurance and Rideshare Insurance
The next type of insurance you need to understand in an Uber or Lyft accident lawsuit is either commercial driver’s insurance (CDI) or rideshare insurance. All drivers need standard automotive insurance to comply with the law. However, that insurance will not cover incidents when the vehicle is being used for certain purposes – such as paid transportation. Accordingly, drivers who use their vehicle in this way need special insurance, either a CDI policy or a rideshare insurance policy.
Commercial driver’s insurance is the more generalized of the two. It would also cover incidents involving, say, a food truck crashing into someone on the way to its destination. Rideshare insurance is similar but specifically tailored to the needs of rideshare drivers. From a plaintiff’s perspective, CDI and rideshare insurance act more-or-less the same way, but it is important to understand that drivers need a special kind of insurance in order for providers to give coverage for an incident.
Uninsured Drivers
If the driver who injured you is not insured, you still have avenues available to you. First, you should have our attorneys look to see if your insurance policy has coverage for incidents involving uninsured motorists, and we can work with them to make sure you get that coverage. Second, you can sue the driver directly. They will also likely face penalties for driving an uninsured vehicle. Do not worry about whether the driver will personally be able to compensate you for your injuries, as there are legal mechanisms that help make sure that plaintiffs get the help they need.
What Can You Get Compensated for After an Uber/Lyft Accident in Salisbury, MD?
Whether through insurance or damages in a lawsuit, there are many different things for which you can request financial compensation after an accident. What exactly you need compensation for will depend on the particulars of your accident, so it is important to go over your claim with our Uber and Lyft accident attorneys so you know what to ask for.
Medical Expenses
Of course, you can get financial compensation for medical expenses, both in the short-term and long-term. So you can get compensation for emergency surgery and other “quick” procedures, and also for long lead items like physical therapy or medication.
Lost Income
“lost income” can mean a lot of different things. If you had to take time off work and were not earning money, taking a job that pays worse due to your injuries, and being unable to work altogether can all be considered “lost income,” for which you can request financial compensation.
Pain and Suffering
You can also request compensation for more ephemeral things like physical pain or mental distress. There is not going to be a bill for how much, say, a broken bone or bruise hurts or for the everyday experience of chronic pain. Accordingly, you can argue the worth of these things with the help of our attorneys and get compensated for those hardships in your claim.
Talk to Our Salisbury, MD Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys Today
The Uber and Lyft accident attorneys with Rice, Murtha & Psoras stand ready to analyze your case for free when you contact us at the number (410) 694-7291.