Glen Burnie Uber Accident Attorney
Being in a car accident in Glen Burnie, Maryland, is stressful enough, but everything can become much more complicated if the accident involves a rideshare vehicle.
Whether you’re an Uber driver, a passenger, or the driver of another car, knowing your legal options for getting compensation can be very confusing. Hiring a Glen Burnie Uber accident lawyer from Leppler Injury Law is vital.
People throughout Maryland and the rest of the country depend on ridesharing services to help them get where they need to go. Uber and Lyft drivers are just as prone to getting into accidents as others, so understanding what your next steps should be if you suffer injuries makes a difference.
An experienced Uber accident attorney in Glen Burnie can guide you through the process of holding those who have caused accidents responsible for their negligent actions. Because there may be more than one party involved in these types of crashes, having representation allows you to pursue full compensation for what you’ve suffered.
John Leppler is 100% committed to assisting victims of Uber car accident injuries. Call 443.955.1989 today or fill out our contact form to schedule a free phone appointment.
Why Hire Leppler Injury Law for Your Glen Burnie Uber Accident Case?
If you’re facing injuries and other losses as a result of a rideshare accident, the most important step is to hire a knowledgeable attorney who specializes in rideshare accident injury claims. Attorney John Leppler brings years of experience and a personalized approach to each case, ensuring you feel listened to as you navigate the claims process.
After suffering injuries in a collision, you deserve more than a lawyer who will treat you like just one more case. John Leppler understands how difficult this moment in your life is and how much support you need. He provides the small firm feel while never skimping on the quality of his legal services.
Attorney John Leppler is there for his clients at all times. The people who depend on him know they can contact him with questions and concerns and that they’ll never have to play phone tag to get an answer. You should not have to be left wondering how your claim is going, so John Leppler is highly communicative and will keep you updated.
Because of his experience with rideshare accidents, John Leppler knows how to pursue appropriate compensation. Establishing liability is one of the most complex aspects of these accidents, so having someone by your side who has a clear idea of your options is essential.
With a dependable Glen Burnie Uber accident lawyer, the process of filing a claim after a rideshare accident can be much easier. You can focus on healing from your injuries while attorney John Leppler takes care of the rest.
Don’t wait to contact Leppler Injury Law if you’ve been in a collision. By scheduling a free consultation, you can get a sense of everything attorney John Leppler has to offer.
Types of Uber Accident Claims Which John Leppler Specializes In
Uber accidents can involve multiple parties, making them particularly complex. At Leppler Injury Law, John Leppler represents Uber drivers, passengers getting a ride, and drivers of other vehicles who suffer losses in rideshare accidents.
To handle these cases, your attorney will begin with a thorough investigation of the collision to understand what occurred. Because of the number of parties involved, it’s essential to establish liability as early as possible. That can often depend on whether the Uber driver was working for the company at the time of the collision.
If they were, it may be possible to hold Uber responsible for losses that surpass the driver’s insurance coverage. This can be a tough fight, however, since the company will do everything possible to avoid paying out a claim. John Leppler has successfully argued these cases before and helped clients receive fair settlements.
If another driver was responsible for the collision, John Leppler can negotiate aggressively with their insurers to help you receive the compensation you need. If it’s in your best interests to do so, filing a lawsuit may also be an option.
The Complexity of Rideshare Insurance Claims
The most complex task that experienced Glen Burnie car accident lawyer John Leppler has is understanding what party’s insurance will cover the losses. Because Maryland is an at-fault state, it’s necessary to prove that someone was responsible for the collision.
In a car accident involving two passenger vehicles, this tends to be simpler. Even in an accident involving a commercial driver, holding their employer liable can come down to whether the driver was on duty or not. It’s a bit more complex with rideshares.
Uber drivers are not technically Uber employees. They are independent contractors who use their own vehicles for work and must therefore carry appropriate insurance. The catch, however, is that the majority of insurance providers won’t provide coverage if the car is being used for commercial purposes.
When Uber first started, the company offered no coverage for its drivers, and drivers’ insurance providers would deny any claims made for crashes that occurred while the vehicle was used commercially. That led to numerous passengers and third-party drivers being unable to obtain compensation after getting into crashes with Uber drivers.
Because of the amount of negative publicity that this earned the company, Uber insurance is now available for its drivers. Just because the coverage is available, however, doesn’t mean that it always applies. To learn whether you can hold Uber responsible after a crash, it’s essential to contact an attorney specializing in Uber, Lyft, and rideshare accident injury claims.
Whose Insurance Covers Damages After a Rideshare Accident?
One of the first things a Glen Burnie Uber accident lawyer will consider is whether the rideshare driver was at fault for the collision. If they were, their own personal insurance could come into play.
Often, though, insurers refuse claims for these because they don’t cover commercial vehicles. In those instances, Uber’s liability insurance would kick in. Keep in mind that this is only the case if the Uber app is on and in driver mode at the time of the crash.
If you’re the driver and are online and available to pick up a passenger when the accident happens, Uber covers injuries and property damage of up to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for injuries. For property damage, the company covers up to $25,000 per accident.
If you’re en route to deliver a passenger to their destination, Uber covers up to $1 million in property damage and injuries to passengers and third-party drivers if you are at fault. It also provides coverage for repairing your vehicle.
In instances when the other driver is responsible for the collision, passengers and the rideshare driver can pursue a claim just as they would for any other type of crash. Your attorney can recommend whether it’s a good idea to file a lawsuit against the other driver or not.
Remember that because Uber drivers aren’t technically employees, the company has less responsibility for the losses they cause. This means that filing a lawsuit against Uber should only be a last-ditch effort to receive compensation.
What Are My Rights as a Passenger in an Uber or Lyft Accident?
As a passenger in any rideshare vehicle, you have the right to pursue compensation if you suffer injuries or property loss in a collision. This is true regardless of who is at fault. If the Uber driver was responsible for the crash, you may be able to pursue a claim against their insurance.
Of course, this can be tricky because personal insurance doesn’t always cover these kinds of accidents. It’s possible that your claim will be denied or minimized. When that happens, you can file a claim with Uber. To do so, you will need a legal representative.
If a third-party driver caused the collision, the claims process would go pretty much as it would if both vehicles were regular passenger ones. You can file against the other driver’s insurance by proving they were negligent and their conduct resulted in your losses.
Proving Liability in a Glen Burnie Uber Accident
Uber accident claims revolve around one main question: was the Uber driver on duty at the time of the collision? That is the determining factor in who you can hold liable and where you can expect compensation to come from.
If the Uber driver is going to pick up a passenger or is actively driving one to their destination when the crash happens, the company’s liability insurance is at play. If the driver is logged onto the app but is waiting for a ride request, their personal insurance applies. Uber would only offer limited coverage.
Because whether the driver was actively working or not is important, proving who is liable can come down to the app having been on or off and whether a passenger was in the vehicle at the time of the crash. If the Uber driver is off the clock, meaning they’re not using the app, Uber will typically not cover any losses.
The app status and trip records are extremely valuable pieces of evidence. Both tend to have timestamps that clearly state whether the person was on or off duty.
What Happens if the Accident Involved a Fatality?
In the most serious rideshare accidents, fatalities can occur. As the family of the loved one who died, can you receive compensation from Uber? If the rideshare driver was at fault and actively working, then yes, it is possible to receive compensation from the company.
Their insurance coverage can help pay for medical and funeral expenses the family may have sustained while your loved one was getting treatment. Surviving spouses or children can also receive lost wages. If they were dependent on the person, they could be compensated for what their loved one would have made throughout their lifetime.
It is also possible through a wrongful death claim to receive non-economic damages to compensate surviving loved ones for the loss of support and companionship, as well as for all manner of emotional distress. To have a chance at receiving fair compensation for such a tragic loss, it’s vital that you hire an experienced Glen Burnie Uber accident attorney.
When Should I File My Rideshare Accident Claim?
As with all types of personal injury cases, Maryland has strict timelines you must follow when filing a rideshare accident claim. Known as statutes of limitations, these deadlines help to ensure that cases are brought forward in a timely manner and when there is still a good amount of evidence available.
In Maryland, you typically have up to three years to file a claim in a rideshare accident. The countdown begins the moment you’re injured.
It’s never a good idea to wait more than a couple of months to get started on your claim. Delaying can mean that you may no longer have access to witness testimonies if those people have left the state or died. It could also make it so that evidence degrades or is no longer available at all.
Delays also look suspicious to insurance companies. It could give them fodder to claim that you were not as injured as you say, which may in turn impact your case significantly. Although three years can seem like a long time, if you’re battling severe injuries, you may not realize time has passed until you’ve run out of it.
If you miss the statute of limitations, you won’t be able to receive any compensation in the form of a claim or even a lawsuit. By hiring a Glen Burnie Uber accident lawyer to represent you, you can be certain the Uber accident claim will be filed correctly and within the allotted time frame.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Leppler Injury Law Today!
After suffering injuries in a rideshare accident, it’s essential that you quickly hire an attorney to represent you. At Leppler Injury Law, John Leppler provides the guidance you need as you go through the claims process.
With compassionate representation and a fierce dedication to his clients, John Leppler offers the chance to recover your losses. Contact Leppler Injury Law to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a trusted attorney.
In addition to Glen Burnie, John Leppler also serves victims of rideshare accidents in Towson, Baltimore, Timonium, Parkville, Pikesville, Owings Mills, and more.