Uber and Lyft Accident
An Uber or Lyft accident can raise questions that do not usually come up in other car crash cases. Depending on what the driver was doing at the time of the collision, multiple insurance policies may be involved.
Whether the driver was logged into the app, on the way to pick up a passenger, or actively transporting someone can affect which coverage is available. Determining which policy applies is not always straightforward, and insurance companies do not always agree about who should pay.
Bowers Law helps people injured in Uber and Lyft crashes throughout Maryland identify available insurance coverage, investigate what happened, and pursue compensation for their injuries. Reach out for a free consultation today. You pay nothing unless we win.
Whose Insurance Pays After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Maryland?
Under Maryland law, the insurance that applies after a rideshare accident often depends on what the Uber or Lyft driver was doing in the app when the collision occurred.
- The driver was not using the Uber or Lyft app. If the driver was not logged into the rideshare app, the claim will often proceed through the driver’s personal auto insurance policy. However, disputes can arise if an insurer argues the driver was actually working at the time of the crash.
- The driver was logged into the app or transporting a passenger. Different insurance requirements may apply once a driver logs into the Uber or Lyft app, accepts a ride request, or is carrying a passenger. Determining which coverage applies often requires reviewing trip records and other information maintained by the rideshare company.
- Another driver caused the accident. When another motorist is responsible for the crash, that driver’s liability insurance will often be the primary source of coverage. If the available insurance is insufficient or unavailable, additional coverage may be available through other policies.
Because multiple insurance policies may be involved, rideshare accident claims are often more complicated than other car accident cases. An Uber or Lyft car accident lawyer can help you identify all available coverage.
Who Can File a Rideshare Accident Claim in Maryland?
Maryland law does not limit claims to one role in the collision. You may have a claim if you or a loved one was injured as:
- A passenger in the Uber or Lyft
- The driver or an occupant of another vehicle struck by a rideshare driver
- A pedestrian or cyclist hit during a trip
- A rideshare driver hurt by another at-fault motorist
Each role points to a different mix of policies, which is why two people hurt in the same crash can end up with very different claims.
What Should You Do After a Rideshare Accident?
Once you address your immediate medical needs, follow these steps to protect both your recovery and your claim:
- Get to safety and call 911 so officers can document the scene and parties involved.
- Screenshot the trip screen before closing the app to capture driver, vehicle, and trip details.
- Report the crash in the app, keeping it brief and factual.
- Gather names and phone numbers from witnesses and other drivers.
- Seek medical care promptly so the record connects your injuries to the crash.
- Save medical bills, the police report number, photos, and every insurer message.
Insurers may also ask for a recorded statement early. Check whether you have to give a recorded statement before agreeing to one. After these steps, consider contacting a rideshare accident law firm as soon as possible to start the evidence collection while the trip data still exists.
Why Choose Bowers Law, LLC, for Your Maryland Rideshare Accident Case
After a rideshare crash, you probably want a firm that offers straight answers about coverage, steady communication, and a team that will not undervalue the claim. At Bowers Law, we offer all of that with our client-centered approach.
When you partner with Bowers Law, you will not become just a file number. We will treat you like our neighbor, never undervaluing your case just to close a file faster.
Proven Settlement Results
Our attorneys have a record of moving cases well past the first number an insurer puts on the table. Recent case results include:
- Rear-end accident with surgery: A $70,000 offer increased to $450,000
- Commercial vehicle accident: A $1,000,000 settlement, the full policy limit, negotiated two weeks before trial
- Automobile accident: A settlement raised from $150,000 to $375,000
- Automobile accident: An initial offer of $10,000 increased to $558,000
Client Testimonials
“I was is an auto accident my case was started by a partner but then was handed to Jobeth . From start to finish i knew every action that was taken. My bills were dramatically reduced and he also got the insurance company to policy limits payout. I highly recommend his office as they were on point and gave the best service you could expect.” — Dave E.
“My spouse and I were in an accident which was not our fault. We were looking for a law firm to take our case. We checked the reviews for Bowers Law Firm and we were pleased with the results and we made a wise choice to choose them. They helped us tremendously. Thank you Bowers Law.” — Lennell C.
“They helped me with my auto accident case. Was very descriptive made sure I understood everything and ran everything through me before finalizing anything. Great attorney would definitely recommend” — Mel W.
Meet Your Maryland Rideshare Accident Lawyers
What Makes Rideshare Accident Claims More Complicated?
A typical car accident claim involves two drivers and two insurers. However, a rideshare crash adds a company and unique coverage rules.
Claim handling often runs through third-party administrators rather than a single local adjuster, so calls can take longer to return as answers shift between departments. When multiple carriers owe coverage, each has a reason to wait for the others to act first.
An Uber and Lyft accident lawyer from Bowers Law can press each carrier on its actual obligations instead of letting the file stall.
Who Is Responsible in a Maryland Uber or Lyft Accident?
Responsibility in a rideshare crash flows from fault. The responsible party may be:
- The rideshare driver
- Another motorist
- A third party, such as a vehicle owner or road contractor
How that fault is determined shapes everything that follows.
Can You Sue Uber or Lyft Directly?
Usually not. Rideshare companies generally classify their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, which can limit the companies’ direct liability for a driver’s negligence. Most claims instead proceed against the insurance coverage that applies to the trip, which is why establishing app status matters more in practice than naming the company as a defendant.
How Does Maryland’s Contributory Negligence Rule Affect Your Claim?
Under Maryland’s pure contributory negligence doctrine, a person found even partially at fault for a crash generally cannot recover damages at all.
Because Maryland follows contributory negligence rules, establishing how the crash occurred and who was responsible can be critical to a claim. Evidence that does this work may include:
- App and trip records
- Dashcam or surveillance footage
- Witness statements
- The police report
- Vehicle data
A rideshare accident lawyer can help you collect evidence to support your case.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Rideshare Accident?
Maryland law recognizes losses well beyond the emergency room. Documented financial losses may include:
- Medical bills, from emergency care through rehabilitation and future treatment
- Lost wages and reduced earning ability
- Property damage to your vehicle and belongings
- Out-of-pocket costs tied to the injury
Non-economic losses may include:
- Pain and suffering from the injuries
- Emotional distress in the weeks and months that follow
- Loss of activities, hobbies, or independence you had before the crash
Keep in mind that an early settlement offer rarely accounts for all of these non-economic damages. Reach out to a personal injury lawyer to help you calculate the full amount of your losses.
How Long Do You Have to File a Rideshare Accident Claim in Maryland?
Under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101, most personal injury claims must be filed within three years of the accident. However, app data, trip records, and witness memories often fade much faster than the statute of limitations runs.
Some circumstances involve notice deadlines that come earlier than the three-year statute of limitations. If you do not give proper notice, you may not be eligible for recovery. Contact our office immediately to determine whether this type of notice is required and for help working through these complex situations.
How to Choose a Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Maryland
The ideal rideshare accident lawyer for your case is the one whose experience matches the specific problems these claims create. A few factors are worth weighing:
- Experience with rideshare insurance issues and app-status disputes
- A local Maryland presence, including familiarity with state courts and procedures
- A results history showing how a firm handles serious injury negotiations
- Clear communication, with regular updates and returned calls
- Free consultations that let you ask questions before committing
- A transparent contingency structure
Starting the search early matters because the lawyer you choose can begin preserving app and trip records right away while they still exist.
Injured in a Rideshare Accident? Contact Bowers Law today.
If you or a loved one was hurt in an Uber or Lyft crash anywhere in Maryland, you might be facing complex coverage questions. At Bowers Law, we help you identify every policy that applies, press each carrier on its obligations, and keep you in the loop from day one.
Don’t wait until trip records are gone to find out where your claim stands. Call 410-885-6200 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation. You don’t pay unless we win.
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