Baltimore Lyft Accident Attorney

When you book a ride with Lyft in Baltimore, Maryland, you expect your trip to be uneventful. You expect a multi-billion dollar business like Lyft to put in the due diligence necessary to hire only the best and most responsible drivers. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Instead of having an uneventful trip, you may find yourself searching for a Baltimore Lyft accident lawyer.

Your Lyft accident could happen at any time during your travels in and around Baltimore, and it may not necessarily be your driver’s fault. Your Lyft could be sideswiped by an aggressive driver merging onto I-95 while you are heading to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. The accident could also occur while traveling home from Connie’s Chicken and Waffles downtown, as your Lyft ride is rear-ended on N. Charles Street.

Taking appropriate measures after a Lyft accident is crucial to safeguard your rights. As you delve deeper into this article, guided by the expertise of Baltimore’s Lyft accident attorney John Leppler’s law firm, you’ll learn how to navigate these situations without jeopardizing your right to compensation.

What is Causing So Many Lyft Accidents in Baltimore, MD?

It should come as no surprise that Lyft accidents are relatively common in a city like Baltimore, given how crowded the roads are at any given time. However, typical big city traffic is not the only reason  Lyft accidents have become common occurrences. Various city programs have also increased Baltimore residents’ dependence on the ridesharing app.

“Let’s Ride to Work” is an initiative from the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development that is helping newly employed Baltimore residents make it to work. The program gives each participant 40 free Lyft rides to and from work. All Baltimore residents who work at least 32 hours per week within the city are eligible for the program.

The University of Maryland Baltimore also has a Lyft program. The university’s program is designed to help schools and departments with their transportation needs. Trips can be used for regular commutes, events, and healthcare-related reasons. Departments can also use the Lyft program to enhance student campus mobility programs.

While those programs are certainly doing plenty of good for Baltimore residents, they are also contributing to the number of Lyft rides in the city. Those additional Lyft rides lead to more congested roads and accidents.

Despite how common they are, we cannot lose sight of how dangerous Lyft accidents can be. Lyft tallied 49 reports of motor vehicle fatalities in 2019. To put that number into context, they received 22 reports in 2017 and 34 in 2018.

Do not take your safety for granted while using Lyft. Always be mindful of your surroundings and report any unusual developments. Remember to contact a Baltimore Lyft accident attorney if you need legal assistance.

I Was a Passenger in a Lyft Accident. Can I Sue the Driver?

After enjoying a fun night on the town with your friends, you book a ride home with Lyft. The trip starts smoothly, but disaster suddenly strikes, and you are now sitting in the backseat of a damaged car. You are hurting all over and have visible scratches. The extent of your injuries is unclear, but it is obvious you need medical attention.

As bad as the accident was, not knowing if you can cover your medical bills may arguably be worse. That uncertainty can stress you out and add to the discomfort of your current situation. Thankfully, you have options to consider after your Lyft accident.

Lyft passengers can recover damages by filing a lawsuit. The ridesharing giant maintains $1,000,000 in third-party auto liability for covered accidents. Since the accident in question took place during your Lyft ride, it qualifies as a covered incident.

Suing Lyft is an option, but filing that lawsuit is easier said than done. That is especially true if you sustained significant injuries from the car crash. You must reach out to a Baltimore Lyft accident lawyer to get your lawsuit in motion.

We at Leppler Injury Law can help accident victims recoup compensation from Lyft. Let us know about your accident, and we will open a PIP and bodily injury claim on your behalf. Remember that the at-fault party is not a relevant factor in PIP claims. You could recover damages from Lyft using that claim whether your driver or another motorist was responsible for the crash.

Do not miss the compensation you deserve by contacting us after your Lyft accident.

What if I am Hit by a Lyft Driver in Baltimore, Maryland?

Recouping compensation if you are a passenger in a Lyft accident is not an undertaking we would describe as easy. Still, it is fairly straightforward. Lyft will have difficulty denying your claim since you were only a passenger along for the ride. They cannot blame the accident on you.

Things are different if you are a pedestrian or motorist struck by a Lyft driver. This is where things become more complicated. Enlisting the aid of a Lyft accident attorney in Baltimore is an absolute must in that scenario.

Why are Lyft accidents more complicated for pedestrians and motorists than rideshare passengers? The answer has something to do with Lyft’s responsibilities and policies. Let’s go over those topics in greater detail below.

Lyft’s Responsibilities in Accidents Caused by its Drivers

To determine if you have a case to make following your Lyft accident, you must evaluate what happened based on the legal principle of negligence. More specifically, you must examine whether the Lyft driver neglected their responsibilities.

Negligence occurs when the following elements are present in a particular case:

• The defendant owed you a duty of care
• The defendant breached that duty of care
• The breach of duty of care led to the accident
• The accident directly caused property damage and/or injuries

If all those elements are present in your case, you have the legal right to sue for damages. Of course, you or your Baltimore Lyft accident lawyer still need to figure out who actually owes you compensation.

Lyft’s Policies When Covering Accidents Caused by its Drivers in Baltimore

As we said earlier, suing for damages is fairly simple if you are a Lyft passenger involved in an accident in Baltimore, Maryland. Lyft’s insurance will come into play, and you can file a claim with them to receive the compensation you need.

It is different if you were a motorist or pedestrian struck by a Lyft driver. You can no longer assume that Lyft will cover your losses even if one of their drivers caused the accident. The timing of the accident will have a huge impact on how things unfold.

Lyft’s insurance could pay for your losses if the accident occurred while one of their drivers was in the middle of a trip or picking up a passenger. The company maintains $1,000,000 in third-party auto liability for those accidents.

Coverage differs if the Lyft app is active, but the driver is waiting for a booking. In that case, Lyft’s insurance allots $50,000 in bodily injury coverage per person and $100,000 per accident, along with $25,000 in property damage coverage per accident.

Lyft is not involved if the driver’s app was inactive when the accident occurred. In that situation, you must sue the driver’s auto insurance provider.

You can see how complicated things can get based on Lyft’s policies. They also highlight the importance of working with a  Lyft accident attorney in Baltimore, Maryland.

How Baltimore Lyft Accident Lawyer John Leppler Can Help

Why is hiring a lawyer so important after your Lyft accident? It is a fair question to ask and one we are eager to address. Allow us to elaborate on the different ways we can help.

Gather Critical Evidence To Strengthen Your Claim

Lyft and its insurer will not hand over a payout without a fight. If you want them to pay up, you must offer definitive proof the accident was not your fault. An experienced Baltimore Lyft accident lawyer can help you produce that proof.

Count on John to gather evidence from the accident site and nearby establishments. John can also speak to witnesses and police officers to put the pieces of the accident together. With John’s help, you can present an airtight case that Lyft and its legal representatives cannot deny.

File Your Claim ASAP

Time is of the essence when it comes to personal injury lawsuits. Three years is the statute of limitations for those cases, and that same time limit applies to your Lyft accident case. Avoid brushing up against that deadline by asking your lawyer to file the claim as soon as possible.

Taking immediate legal action can also bolster your case. It shows that you took the accident seriously from the start. Displaying that sense of urgency will counter any inaccurate claims by the other side.

Speak to Insurers and Legal Representatives

Once it becomes clear that you cannot be held at fault for the accident involving the Lyft driver, you should expect some calls to come your way. These calls will likely come from either the driver’s insurer or Lyft’s insurance provider. You have nothing to gain and potentially a lot to lose from engaging in those conversations. The initial settlement offers will likely be lackluster, and they are likely calling hoping you will say something that can weaken your case.

Do not give the opposing party any legal ammo. Direct their calls to John, and he will supervise those conversations.

Negotiate a Settlement With the Insurer

Opting for a settlement makes sense as long as you are getting a fair offer from the insurer. John knows what that offer looks like. He can engage the insurer in negotiations and work to land an offer commensurate with the losses you suffered. Expect him to continue those negotiations until he gets the best offer possible.

Represent You in Court

You hope the insurer liable for your compensation will negotiate in good faith, but that is not always the case. They may stubbornly believe that the evidence in your case is not compelling enough. They may decide that taking your claim to court can yield a favorable outcome for them.

Do not lose confidence even if the insurer takes that course of action. John is ready to represent you in court and will ensure that your case’s facts shine through.

What Compensation Can I Expect After a Lyft Accident in Baltimore, Maryland?

The claim you filed against Lyft is regarded as a personal injury lawsuit. That means you will be eligible to recover economic and non-economic damages if your claim is successful.

The economic damages awarded in personal injury cases cover your quantifiable losses. Examples of those losses include your medical and repair bills, lost wages, and your lost earning potential.

Meanwhile, the non-economic damages account for your losses that do not have conventional dollar values. Those losses include pain and suffering, lower quality of life, and loss of companionship. Since non-economic damages do not come with dollar values attached, special calculations must be performed to determine an appropriate number. You can also let your Baltimore Lyft accident lawyer oversee those calculations.

Baltimore, Maryland

Lyft accidents in Baltimore, MD, can cause significant injuries and property damage. You should do what you can to address those issues while your Baltimore Lyft accident lawyer works on the lawsuit. The good news is numerous reputable businesses in Baltimore can help you out.

Are you struggling with the lingering effects of your car accident injuries? If so, you can work with the healthcare professionals at MHC Healthcare and their various locations or other healthcare providers specializing in physical therapy. Come in for regular appointments and receive the ongoing care your injuries need.

Ed and Jim’s Body Shop is the place to go if your car needs repairs following the accident. They can diagnose the issues with your vehicle and administer the necessary fixes. Your vehicle should be ready to go again after the good people at Ed and Jim’s Body Shop are done working on it.

Experienced Baltimore Rideshare Attorney

Baltimore Lyft accident attorney John Leppler is the legal expert you must turn to if you were injured in a Lyft accident. John has been working on those cases for a long time, and you can lean on his experience and expertise to win your case. Unlike the mega-firms in Baltimore, John always reserves time for his clients. Give him a call at any time if you have questions about your lawsuit.

Secure the legal services you need to win your Lyft accident claim by contacting us at Leppler Injury Law today! In addition to Baltimore, some of the locations our law firm serves include Towson, Lutherville-Timonium, Parkville, Owings Mills, Pikesville, Glen-Burnie, and more.