Were you injured while riding in an Uber or a Lyft? Collisions like these are known as rideshare accidents, which is a relatively recent term. When a rideshare accident takes place, they can leave victims dealing with major physical injuries, complicated insurance claims, and many unanswered questions.
The aftermath of a rideshare-related crash can feel overwhelming, isolating, and distressing, just like any car accident can, especially if you’re not sure who is responsible or how to pursue the compensation you need to move forward. However, you don’t have to figure things out on your own.
Instead, let a rideshare accident lawyer in Ocean City advocate for you. At The Bishop Law Group, our attorneys have over 25 years of experience. As your Ocean City car accident lawyer, we have what it takes to protect your legal rights and fight for a fair outcome in your case.
How Rideshare Accidents Happen
Rideshare-related accidents can take place in a number of ways:
- A rideshare vehicle collides with another car
- A passenger is injured while riding in a rideshare vehicle
- A pedestrian or cyclist is hit by a rideshare driver
- Another driver is struck by a rideshare vehicle
These are examples of common causes that result in this type of collision:
- Distracted driving, including app usage for ride management
- Speeding or aggressive driving to maximize fares
- Fatigue from long driving shifts
- Inexperience with Ocean City’s streets, particularly during tourist season
- Poor weather or road conditions
No matter the specifics of your situation, it’s important to determine who is liable and which insurance policy applies to your case. This will be one of the main responsibilities that your Ocean City personal injury lawyer will prioritize after learning more about your circumstances.
For a free legal consultation with a car accident lawyer serving Ocean City, call (410) 390-3101
Insurance Coverage Based on Driver Status
Insurance coverage in a rideshare-related crash depends heavily on the status of the rideshare driver at the time of the incident.
In Maryland, all rideshare drivers, just like all other drivers, are required to carry their own auto insurance. Maryland state laws also generally require rideshare companies to have a commercial insurance policy to cover their rideshare drivers, but this coverage will only extend to the driver if certain conditions are met.
Period 0: App Off
If the driver is not logged into the rideshare app when the collision takes place, the driver’s personal auto insurance policy will be the only one that goes into effect. In other words, coverage from the rideshare company will not apply during this period.
Period 1: App On, No Ride Accepted
When the driver is logged into the app, but he or she has not yet accepted a ride request, rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft may provide a secondary coverage. Limited liability coverage are generally in the following amounts:
- $50,000 for bodily injury per person
- $100,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
This coverage is secondary to the driver’s personal auto insurance, so it only applies if coverage is either denied or insufficient under the primary policy.
Periods 2 and 3: Ride Accepted or Passenger in Car
If the collision occurs after the driver has accepted a ride request or started transporting a passenger, the rideshare companies must provide primary insurance coverage. Uber, for example, maintains the following coverage::
- $1 million in third-party liability
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
- Contingent comprehensive and collision, with a deductible
Ocean City Car Accident Lawyer Near Me (410) 390-3101
Determining Liability
Maryland follows a contributory negligence rule, which is one of the more stringent approaches in the country. Under this rule, if an injured party cannot be at fault in order to recover. Even if the injured party iis found to be even a mere 1% at fault for the incident, they are fully barred from recovering any damages whatsoever.
This rule affects all personal injury claims, including those involving rideshare accidents. On the topic of liability in rideshare-related crashes, these are examples of parties who may be found responsible for the incident:
- The rideshare driver
- Another driver on the road
- A bicyclist or pedestrian
- A third party, such as a vehicle manufacturer or a government entity
These forms of evidence might be used to establish liability in your case:
- Police reports
- Dashcam or surveillance footage
- Witness statements
- App data and GPS tracking
- Vehicle damage assessments
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Statute of Limitations
In the state of Maryland, you typically have three years from the date of the incident to take legal action and file a personal injury claim. This statute of limitations applies to crashes involving rideshare services, like Uber or Lyft.
If you fail to file before that deadline comes and goes, then your case will most likely be thrown out, no matter how serious your injuries are or how clear your evidence is. There might be a few exceptions for minors or people who were legally incapacitated at the time, but they are limited.
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Contact Our Ocean City Rideshare Accident Law Firm to Learn More
If you or someone you love was injured in a rideshare-related collision, you don’t have to find a way to handle the legal side of things all on your own. These cases can be rather complicated, but you shouldn’t be left to figure everything out by yourself.
Instead, reach out to The Bishop Law Group. Our Ocean City rideshare accident attorneys know how to hold these companies and their drivers accountable for the collisions they cause. We’re here to protect your rights, and you can count on us to pursue a fair outcome in your case.
Call or text (410) 390-3101 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
