Uber Accident Lawyer Baltimore, MD
Rideshare services haven’t been around for very long, but they have exploded in popularity in just a few years. The two best-known companies, Uber and Lyft, have drivers in major cities throughout the United State and beyond.
If you’ve ever solicited a rideshare service, you may have been pleased with the price and convenience. Certainly, these services tend to be much cheaper than traditional taxis. But there may be a tradeoff that most people never think about until it is too late: Who will be financially responsible if and when a car or pedestrian accident occurs?
Whether you are an injured passenger or just someone unlucky enough to be struck by an Uber or Lyft driver, your legal and financial future could prove to be complicated. It is therefore important to speak with a car accident lawyer Baltimore, MD residents trust as soon as possible after you’ve suffered a collision. Meeting with an experienced Baltimore, Maryland Uber accident lawyer at Greenberg Law Offices will allow you to understand your legal options and will enable you to better protect your legal rights during a challenging and vulnerable time.
Questions About Insurance Coverage
In most cases, rideshare accidents involve numerous insurance policies, but that can actually reduce the likelihood that any one insurer will agree to cover a claim.
First, rideshare drivers are required to carry a personal insurance policy. But many personal policies prohibit driving for money. In such cases, they may refuse to cover a ridesharing accident.
Lyft and Uber both offer liability insurance coverage as a back-up to these individual policies. However, the coverage under these plans can literally change from moment to moment. There are different rates of coverage depending on what the driver is doing. For instance, the rate of coverage is different when the driver is logged into the app but hasn’t accepted a rider request than when the driver is on the way to pick up a passenger. The rate changes again when the passenger is in the car. If any timing details of the accident are in dispute, insurers might deny or underpay the claim. This is one of the most pressing reasons you should consider speaking with a Baltimore, MD Uber accident lawyer right away. Even if you don’t plan on filing a lawsuit against those responsible for the accident, you may not be able to get the insurance settlement you’re entitled to without a lawyer’s help.
Company Liability is Unclear
Is it an option to sue Uber and Lyft directly? Technically, the answer is yes. But both companies have taken great pains to limit their own liability, in part, by classifying their drivers as independent contractors. Moreover, the regulation of ridesharing services has not kept pace with the growth of this industry, and that has resulted in a lot of unanswered legal questions.
Bottom Line: Hire An Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
Liability and insurance matters are far from settled when it comes to ridesharing accidents. But that doesn’t mean accident victims are powerless. You can hire an attorney with rideshare accident litigation experience and one who stays up to date on the latest case law and regulatory changes to place yourself in the best possible position to protect your rights and obtain the compensation to which you are entitled.
If you were seriously injured in a rideshare accident or in a crash with a rideshare driver, contact our firm to discuss your rights and legal options in a free initial consultation. We can help you determine who may have been at fault for the accident and how insurance coverage is likely to factor into your specific case. Call us today to meet with a Baltimore, MD Uber accident lawyer you can trust.