Baltimore Ridesharing Accident Lawyer
Uber and Lyft are both very popular ridesharing options in Baltimore. They have fewer restrictions than taxis in the city and for riders, they are usually a much cheaper option. Unfortunately, Uber and Lyft riders can get into an accident just like any other driver on the road. When they do, the aftermath is even more confusing, as accident victims try to determine who is liable for paying compensation for their injuries. The basics of how insurance works for ridesharing accidents is below, but you should always speak to a Baltimore ridesharing accident lawyer that can advise on the specifics of your case.
When Drivers are Not Logged Into the App
When drivers are working for Uber or Lyft, they must be logged into the app, even when they are not carrying a passenger. If they are not logged into the app and become involved in an accident that was their fault, accident victims must go through the driver’s personal insurance coverage to secure the compensation they need. In Maryland, the minimum auto insurance coverage required is:
- $30,000 for bodily injury
- $60,000 for 2 or more people
- $15,000 for property damage
This coverage can help other drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and anyone else involved in a crash that was the ridesharing driver’s fault.
When Drivers are Logged Into the App
When ridesharing drivers are logged into the app, the insurance available increases. How much it increases depends on whether the ridesharing driver was carrying a passenger at the time.
Both Uber and Lyft have insurance policies that will cover a crash involving a ridesharing driver that was at fault for an accident. If the driver was logged in but was between rides and not carrying a passenger, Uber and Lyft will provide $50,000 for bodily injury per person, $100,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. This coverage only kicks in once the limits of the driver’s personal insurance policy have been exhausted.
If a ridesharing driver was carrying a passenger and caused a crash due to negligent behavior, Uber and Lyft both offer up to $1 million for damages caused by the driver. When another driver caused the crash but did not carry proper insurance, Uber and Lyft both also offer up to $1 million for damages caused by the uninsured or underinsured driver.
When the Ridesharing Driver is Not to Blame
Ridesharing accidents are not always caused by the ridesharing driver. In these cases, accident victims will have to go through the negligent driver’s insurance policy to claim compensation, just like any other accident in Baltimore.
Hurt in an Uber or Lyft? Call Our Baltimore Ridesharing Accident Lawyers
All car crashes are confusing for accident victims, but those involving a ridesharing driver are particularly complex. At Iamele & Iamele, our Baltimore ridesharing accident lawyers can help you make sense of it all. If you have been injured by an Uber or Lyft negligent driver, call us today at (410) 779-6160 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation. It is likely that you are entitled to compensation, and we can help you get it.
