A Maryland Lyft Accident Lawyer Protecting the Rights of the Injured
Lyft is one of the most popular ridesharing services for a reason—their app makes it easy to get a ride almost wherever and whenever you need one. While Lyft offers several advantages over traditional taxi services, Lyft is a relative newcomer to the transportation industry, and some of the issues are still being sorted out. For passengers and other drivers, this can mean that you face unexpected challenges in the event that you are injured in an accident caused by a Lyft driver. An experienced Maryland Lyft accident lawyer can help you untangle the issues you face to get the compensation you need to pay your bills and take care of your family.
A Maryland Lyft Accident Lawyer Explains Lyft Insurance Coverage
Lyft accidents are unique because Lyft drivers are independent contractors rather than Lyft employees. As a result, they are required to carry their own insurance. Initially, Lyft provided no insurance coverage at all, and the driver’s insurance would deny claims because the driver did not have a commercial policy. As a result, injured parties were pursuing claims against drivers who had little ability to pay any compensation.
In response to public outcry and subsequent legislative efforts, Lyft now provides insurance coverage for their drivers in certain situations. Understanding how this coverage applies is critical to the success of your claim. In the event of an accident, Lyft should provide insurance coverage in the following situations:
- Transporting a passenger or en route to pick up a passenger: Lyft will provide insurance coverage of up to $1,000,000 in both bodily injury and property damage.
- Logged into the app and waiting for a passenger: Lyft will provide insurance coverage for bodily injuries up to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident. They will provide insurance coverage for property damage up to $25,000.
Lyft does not provide any coverage if the driver is not logged into the app. In that situation, the driver’s personal insurance policy should provide coverage, assuming that they are not driving for some commercial purpose.
While Lyft should provide coverage as outlined above, they may be inclined to deny your claim or pay as little as possible, just like with any other insurance claim. If you have been seriously injured in a Lyft accident, you may, therefore, need to hire a Lyft accident lawyer to get the compensation you deserve.
A Maryland Lyft Accident Lawyer Helping Injured Lyft Passengers
If you were injured in a Lyft accident as a passenger, there are two potential sources of compensation:
- If the other driver was at fault, you would likely be able to pursue a claim against the other driver under their insurance policy.
- If the Lyft driver was at fault, you should be able to make a claim under Uber’s $1,000,000 policy, as discussed above.
Unfortunately, the fact that there is coverage is just the beginning. If you have been injured as a passenger in a Lyft accident, it is easy to feel like the situation is out of your control. A Maryland Lyft accident lawyer can help you regain control and get you the compensation you are entitled to.
Lyft Accidents When You Are The Other Driver
For drivers injured in a car accident with a Lyft driver, you need to know two things:
- Whether or not the Lyft driver was logged into the app. If they were not logged into the app, there would be no coverage provided by Lyft. The only coverage available would be under the driver’s personal policy.
- If the driver was logged in, whether or not they had accepted a fare. If the driver had accepted a fare, there would have been $1,000,000 in coverage for bodily injuries and property damage. If they were logged in but had not yet accepted a fare, there would be a coverage limit of $50,000 for bodily injuries to one person and an aggregate limit of $100,000 per accident. In addition, there would be only $25,000 in property damage coverage available.
Finding out whether or not the driver was logged in or had accepted a fare may not be easy. And, of course, the Lyft driver may deny any liability for the accident. To ensure that you get fair compensation for your injuries, we recommend that you contact a Maryland Lyft accident lawyer to discuss your case and your options.
How Lyft Accidents Happen in Maryland
Because they spend more time behind the wheel, often driving in heavy traffic or late at night, Lyft drivers arguably face a higher risk of getting into an accident. This may not be apparent until you consider the following factors that are often involved in Lyft accidents:
- Driving while fatigued or drowsy. Many people work as Lyft drivers as a second income, meaning that they often drive late at night after working at their primary job. They are, therefore, more likely to drive while tired and less alert, with slower reaction times.
- Distracted driving. Lyft drivers can be distracted just like any other driver on the road. However, they can also become distracted by interacting with the Lyft app or talking with their passengers while driving.
- Difficult passengers. Lyft is a popular option for people who will be drinking and do not wish to drive. Unfortunately, some of these people become drunk and unruly passengers, distracting the driver, and that can lead to an accident.
- Overdue vehicle maintenance. Driving for Lyft means additional wear and tear on the driver’s vehicle. Drivers may lack the time and money to keep up with necessary maintenance, leading to bald tires, worn brakes, and other issues that can lead to a mechanical failure that results in an accident.
Unsafe driving. Many Lyft accidents are the result of unsafe or even aggressive driving behaviors, such as tailgating, speeding, or unsafe lane changes.
Lyft accidents can happen for almost any reason, but identifying the accident’s cause is critical to your case’s success. A Lyft accident lawyer will be able to identify the cause, determine whether the Lyft driver is at fault, and then help you get fair compensation for your injuries and other losses.
Talk to a Maryland Lyft Accident Lawyer Today if You Have Been Injured in a Lyft Accident
If you have been seriously injured in a Lyft accident, you may be unable to work or take care of your family. You could require extensive medical treatment. Finding the time and energy to pursue a legal claim can be nearly impossible. At Timothy A. Dachille & Associates, we have been helping accident victims in the Baltimore area get the compensation they need to rebuild their lives for over 20 years. If you have been injured in a Lyft accident, contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Maryland Lyft accident lawyer from our firm.