For many people in Maryland, rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft provide a quick, convenient solution to their everyday transportation needs. Their ease of use and simplicity has made these two companies extremely popular with millions of users. However, during their years on the rideshare market, Uber and Lyft have seen their fair share of accidents, injuries, and deaths. Many times, these accidents have been caused by their drivers’ negligence.
Our US 1 Uber and Lyft car accident lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras understand the difficulties you and your loved ones may be going through after a car accident involving one of these rideshare services. We can help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. Call our law offices today for a free, confidential consultation at (410) 694-7291.
Liability after an Uber or Lyft Car Accident on U.S. Route 1
After an Uber or Lyft accident, you may wonder who will be responsible for your injuries and losses. it is natural to think the ride-hailing service companies will answer to you for their drivers’ negligence. However, establishing liability after your accident may not be as easy as you think.
Many people believe Uber and Lyft drivers are direct employees of these companies. However, rideshare drivers are independent contractors. Generally, independent contractors work for a business entity but are not considered direct employees. For this reason, Uber and Lyft often avoid liability for the negligence of their drivers.
While you may not be able to sue Uber or Lyft after your accident, you may still get compensation from their insurance. Both ride-hailing companies carry insurance policies. These insurance policies can help you get compensation to cover the expenses related to your crash. However, the insurance coverage provided by both of these companies kicks in depending on specific circumstances, such as whether the driver was on duty or had a rider at the time of the crash.
Uber and Lyft Insurance Coverage after an Accident on US 1 in Maryland
Both Uber and Lyft provide similar insurance coverage in the event of an accident. Both companies have a three-tiered policy, each one kicking in under different circumstances.
Uber and Lyft provide their drivers with their official mobile app. Their app plays a significant role in their insurance policy. Uber and Lyft will analyze whether their driver had their application turned on at the moment of the crash. If the driver was not using their app during an accident, Uber and Lyft can claim they were not working for them at the time of the crash. Under this specific circumstance, the driver’s personal car insurance should provide coverage.
The second tier of coverage kicks in when the driver had their app turned on but did not yet accept a passenger through it. Under these circumstances, Uber and Lyft can provide up to $50,000 coverage per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident total for bodily injury, and up to $25,000 per accident to cover property damage. This coverage supplements the driver’s own insurance if it is not enough to cover the accident.
Uber and Lyft’s last tier of insurance coverage kicks in when their driver had their application on and had already accepted a passenger. Whether they were on the way to the destination or already picked up a rider, Uber and Lyft’s $1 million-dollar insurance policy covers the accident.
As you can see, both companies can provide coverage for accidents involving their services. However, dealing with these ridesharing service’s insurance company can be challenging.
Filing an Injury Claim against Uber or Lyft After Your US 1 Car Accident
Filing a claim against Uber or Lyft is no different than filing a claim with any other auto insurance company. This generally means you will need to go through multiple channels and advocate for yourself if you wish to get the coverage you need. Many times, insurance companies may try to minimize their expenses and justify providing coverage that might not be enough to cover your losses. Our U.S. 1 Uber and Lyft car accident lawyers can represent you to help you deal with this matter and guide you through your claim. If an insurance claim is not sufficient to get you the coverage you need, your lawyer can file a lawsuit instead.
There are many different things you should consider when filing your claim against Uber or Lyft. After your accident, you should try to seek medical attention and take care of any existing or underlying injuries. When you call for medical attention, you can also call the police and report your accident. An investigating officer will show up to the crash site and perform an investigation. All of the information the officer gathers during their research can be useful in your claim. it would be in your best interest to request a copy of the police officer’s final report, as it can support your insurance claim or lawsuit. Gathering information such as the involved parties’ names, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail address, and insurance information can also help support your claim.
It is also essential to avoid saying anything that could sound like an admission of fault after your accident. You may feel rattled and disoriented by the experience, which can cause you to say things like “I’m sorry.” However, it would be best if you did not give anyone reason to believe you were at-fault for the accident. Insurance investigators or jurors should be the ones determining who is ultimately responsible for the accident. Finally, make sure you retain the services of an experienced US 1 Uber and Lyft car accident attorney who can assist you in every step of your claim.
US 1 Uber + Lyft Car Accident Lawyers Offering Free Consultations
If the negligent actions of an Uber or Lyft driver hurt you or a loved one, we may be able to help. Our U.S. 1 Uber and Lyft car accident lawyers understand how these companies work and can help you get the compensation you deserve. We can fight aggressively and strategically to hold negligent drivers accountable and get you compensation for your injuries. We understand how frustrating, overwhelming, and challenging dealing with an injury claim can be. However, we can be with you every step of the way. Call Rice, Murtha & Psoras today for a free, confidential consultation on your case. Our phone number is (410) 694-7291.