If you are a Lyft passenger involved in a car accident, it is important that you understand the steps that you need to take to protect your right to recover compensation for your injuries. Our Pinder Plotkin legal team discusses Lyft accidents in this article and the various claims that may be available for a Lyft passenger injured in a crash. We offer free case reviews so you can get the information you need to file an injury claim as a Lyft passenger.

For a free consultation with a Maryland Lyft accident attorney, call 410-525-5337 to speak with a member of our legal team.

Does Insurance Pay for My Injuries as a Lyft Passenger?

If you are injured in a Lyft accident in Maryland, the first step in filing an accident claim is to determine who is responsible for your damages. Under Maryland’s fault insurance laws, the driver who caused the car crash is typically responsible for any damages arising from the crash. The same would be true if a Lyft driver caused a car crash that injured a passenger, pedestrian, or another driver. The Lyft driver would be responsible for any damages sustained by the accident victims.

Unfortunately, insurance claims involving Lyft drivers are not always as straightforward as insurance claims involving other drivers.

Lyft Insurance Coverage vs. Personal Insurance Coverage

Each driver in Maryland must carry liability insurance. The liability insurance is intended to cover damages caused by the insured driver. However, unless the Lyft driver purchased a commercial insurance policy, the driver’s personal insurance coverage will probably not apply if the driver was engaged in a paid fare (rideshare passenger). When rideshare companies first began to operate, they often denied coverage for accidents involving their drivers claiming the drivers were independent contractors. After some litigation and some states enacting laws related to rideshare services, the major rideshare companies changed their policies.

Lyft now covers its drivers with a $1,000,000 liability insurance policy when they have a passenger in the vehicle. If a Lyft driver causes a car accident, a Lyft passenger can file an injury claim against the company’s insurance coverage to recover compensation for damages. If the driver had a commercial policy, the claim would be against the driver’s policy first. If the driver’s insurance policy was insufficient to pay all damages, the remaining claim would be filed against Lyft’s insurance policy.

A Lyft passenger is also protected by uninsured and underinsured insurance coverage if another driver causes a Lyft accident. The coverage limits vary by state. The Lyft passenger would file an insurance claim against the other driver, but would also be able to file a claim against the Lyft insurance policy if the other driver’s insurance was insufficient to pay the entire claim.

Steps to Take after a Maryland Lyft Accident

If you are a Lyft passenger involved in an accident, you need to ensure that the crash is reported to the police. It is not a good idea to allow the drivers to exchange information without reporting the crash because you need an official record of the crash for your injury claim. If you can do so safely, try to take a few pictures of the accident scene, or make a video of the accident scene for your records, including the damage to each of the vehicles.

It is usually best to see a doctor as soon as possible after a car accident. As with any accident injury, the insurance company may use a delay in medical treatment to argue that you were not injured in the crash. Documenting your injuries is crucial if you want to recover compensation for your injuries and damages.

Because a Lyft accident claim can be complicated, we suggest that you consult a Lyft accident attorney for a free case review as soon as possible. Depending on the facts of the case, you could have multiple drivers and insurance companies arguing about who is at fault for the accident and who is liable for damages. As a Lyft passenger, you could be caught in the middle of this fight even though you were an innocent victim in the accident.

An experienced Maryland Lyft accident attorney with the Pinder Plotkin legal team conducts an independent accident investigation to determine fault and liability. We protect your right to receive full compensation from the party or parties who are responsible for causing your injuries. Our job is to protect your legal rights while the insurance companies fight with each other over payment of a claim.

Call a Maryland Lyft Accident Attorney Now for Your Free Case Review

If you are a Lyft passenger injured in a crash, don’t accept a settlement from any party until you talk to a Parkville Lyft accident attorney.

Call 410-525-5337 for your free consultation with a Lyft accident lawyer with Pinder Plotkin.

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