Maryland Lyft & Uber Accident Lawyers You Can Count On
If you were injured in a rideshare accident, our attorneys can help
Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have become increasingly popular in Maryland, where many people hire drivers from these companies to get around Silver Spring, College Park and other nearby communities in Montgomery County and Prince George’s County.
Unfortunately, Uber accidents and collisions caused by drivers working for other rideshare companies like Lyft often occur. And when they do, knowing what to do next can be confusing. That’s because Lyft and Uber accidents are not like other car accidents.
This is why it’s critical that you have an experienced Maryland rideshare accident attorney on your side who knows how to handle such complex legal cases. Our legal team at Goldberg Finnegan in Silver Spring can help.
We know the laws that apply to such crashes. We understand how the legal system works. That’s why we consistently get sizable case results for rideshare accident victims in Maryland.
What makes Uber and Lyft accidents complicated?
Unlike other car accidents, collisions involving Uber or Lyft drivers are often much more complicated because you’re not just dealing with the driver who caused your crash and their insurance company.
In addition, you may also often have to deal with the rideshare company they work for, which might be Uber or Lyft, which are both large, multi-national corporations based in San Francisco.
Another reason why rideshare accidents are often so complicated has to do with whether or not the driver was on duty at the time of the crash. This matters because if the rideshare driver was on duty at the time of your crash, you may be able to take legal action against the rideshare company directly.
When is a Lyft or Uber driver on duty?
Many people are surprised to learn exactly when an Uber or Lyft driver is considered on duty and working for either company. Such situations can cover a wide range, including:
- Lyft or Uber driver transporting a passenger.
- Uber or Lyft driver on their way to pick up a passenger.
- Driver has the rideshare app on at any time.
- The driver was looking up directions for a rideshare trip.
If any of these situations apply – and the rideshare driver caused your accident – they were on duty at the time of your crash. That is very important because that can influence the outcome of your injury claim or legal case.
In particular, if the rideshare driver was on duty at the time of your accident, Uber and Lyft have a $1 million insurance policy that may apply.
Who’s responsible for paying for my Lyft or Uber accident?
First, it’s important to understand how car accident compensation works in Maryland. The at-fault part is responsible for paying for your accident expenses. This is due to Maryland’s at-fault car insurance system.
What’s different about Lyft or Uber accidents is you may be able to obtain financial compensation from more than one source. Depending on the circumstances of your crash, this may include:
- Rideshare driver who caused the accident.
- Insurance company for the rideshare driver.
- Uber or Lyft directly.
- The insurance company for Uber or Lyft.
What if I’m a passenger injured in a rideshare accident?
If you were injured as a passenger in a Lyft or Uber vehicle, you may also be able to seek financial compensation for your crash from several sources depending on the circumstances of your accident, including:
- The driver who caused your accident, whether it’s another driver or an Uber or Lyft driver.
- The at-fault driver’s insurance company.
- The rideshare company the at-fault Uber or Lyft driver works for, in certain situations.
How much is my rideshare accident claim worth?
There’s no set dollar amount when it comes to Uber or Lyft accidents in Maryland. What matters is you should be paid for all your accident-related expenses. What you might not realize is such expenses go beyond just short-term expenses like emergency medical care and replacement income if you need time off from work due to your Uber accident injury.
All future expenses related to your accident should be considered when determining how much money you receive. Even if these expenses involve future medical care – such as follow-up surgery – years later, you should not have to pay for such expenses.
How much time do I have to take legal action?
If you decide to file an Uber accident lawsuit or Lyft accident lawsuit (depending on which rideshare company the driver works for), you often only have three years from the date of your accident to take legal action in Maryland. This is due to the state’s statute of limitations laws. If you miss this deadline, you could miss out on your opportunity to obtain the money you deserve.
Three years might seem like a long time. But the reality is you need to act fast after your accident. Because the longer you wait, the harder it often becomes to find the evidence you need to build a strong legal case. And without evidence, you will likely have an extremely difficult time getting the financial compensation you deserve.
Accidents involving rideshare companies can be complicated. We can help
Many complicated legal issues can come up when Uber or Lyft drivers are involved in accidents. This is why it’s important that rideshare accident victims fully understand all the legal options available to them.
Our Maryland rideshare accident lawyers at Goldberg Finnegan can help you identify all potential sources of compensation and deal with any legal challenge you might encounter along the way. We have years of experience dealing with insurance companies, their attorneys, and the legal system in Maryland. That’s why we have such a strong track record of success.
Get the law firm focused on rebuilding your life. Contact us and schedule your free case evaluation. Our Silver Spring law firm handles rideshare accident claims and lawsuits throughout the state.