Uber Driver in a Maryland Accident

If you are an Uber driver in a Maryland accident, you are likely facing additional obstacles that you would not face in a typical car accident. As Maryland Uber accident lawyers, we stand ready to guide you through this difficult process. People in Maryland rely on Uber drivers and other rideshare apps as an integral part of transportation. Ubers are excellent for people visiting Maryland, drinking alcohol, or wishing to avoid parking in a busy section of a city. But like anyone else, Uber drivers are subject to negligent behavior on the road. As an Uber driver, you are responsible for all types of passengers. From friend groups in their 20s to older adults to very young children, you serve anyone with an Uber app. As you know, there is a legal and moral responsibility you carry as an Uber driver. However, some accidents are unavoidable.

You may have options if you find yourself as an Uber driver in a Maryland accident. Uber accidents can present unique legal challenges, such as determining liability, navigating insurance claims, and addressing Uber’s specific policies regarding accident coverage. Below, our Maryland car accident lawyers discuss what to do after an accident, the types of compensation you may recover with legal assistance, and the complexities of Uber insurance policies. As an Uber driver in an accident, you have responsibilities beyond the normal things that may come to mind. For one, you have to report the accident within the app. This is true even if it is not your fault.

Whether you are rear-ended or have questions about duties owed to your passengers, call our office today for a free consultation.

What to Do After an Accident as an Uber Driver in Maryland

1. Ensure safety and call for help
2. If possible, move to a safe location
3. Gather information
4. Notify law enforcement
5. Report the accident to Uber
6. Seek medical attention
7. Consult with a Maryland Uber accident lawyer

If you are an Uber driver in a Maryland accident, it is important to note that the order or list of steps can vary depending on various factors. Thus, this general guide should be considered but not necessarily strictly adhered to. Your best bet to preserve your claim is to speak with an attorney.

Your first steps should always be to protect your health, safety, and that of any passengers in your vehicle. Thus, check in with everyone and see how they are doing. Even if they say they are ok, the adrenaline may be masking a serious injury. Call an ambulance if it seems appropriate. Also, pull over to the side of the road and out of harm’s way if your vehicle is drivable. Not only will this allow traffic to proceed, allowing an ambulance to reach you, but it will also reduce the chances of your car being struck again. Then, just as importantly, gather information.

Take note of the full name, home address, license plate state and number, and insurance information of all other drivers. Be sure to share this information with your passengers. They may be entitled to make a claim, too. Then, report the accident on the Uber app and call an Uber accident lawyer for further advice.

Types of Compensation You May Be Entitled To

• Medical Expenses: As an Uber driver in a Maryland accident, you may be entitled to compensation to cover your medical expenses. To do so, you should speak to an Uber accident attorney. Our Maryland lawyers review the medical records of each provider you visit due to the accident. So long as they write into the record that your injury is related to the Uber accident, those medical expenses should be compensable.
• Lost Income: You may be entitled to reimbursement for earnings lost due to time off work and inability to drive for Uber during recovery. However, you do have a duty to mitigate damages. Thus, you cannot simply take off work for however long you choose. Instead, you must make certain efforts to work. This is a complex portion of your damages claim and is best worked through with an attorney. Our attorneys have experience calculating how much lost income you are entitled to.
• Property Damage: Compensation for repairs to your vehicle or the cost of replacing it if totaled. As an Uber driver in a Maryland accident, you may have a few sources of recovery to choose from. However, only one is obligated to pay your claim. Determining which insurer will cover your claim can be complex.
• Pain and Suffering: This form of damages includes non-economic damages to address the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident.
• Future Damages: Compensation for long-term impacts, such as a diminished ability to work or ongoing medical care needs. Not every case includes future damages. Consult with a personal injury lawyer to determine whether you have a viable claim for future damages related to your accident.

How Uber’s Insurance Works in Maryland for Drivers

For simplicity, suppose no insurance is available on the car that hit you. Maybe the other driver stole the vehicle, fled the scene, or stopped paying their premiums. Whatever the case is, you are left only to make an uninsured motorist claim. But under what policy do you make this claim? If you are an Uber driver in a Maryland accident, hopefully, you also insure your vehicle independently of Uber. When you own a vehicle in Maryland, you are legally obligated to do so. If you are driving for Uber at the time of the accident, Farmers Insurance is probably your insurer, though this is not always true.

Your Farmers policy applies so long as you are on the app. So, if you are waiting for a passenger to hire you, on your way to pick up a passenger, or have a passenger in your car at the time of the accident, your Farmers policy should apply. Meanwhile, your personal policy will take over if you are not on the app. In this instance, even if you are an Uber driver, you cannot make a claim under Farmers’ policy in most instances. However, policies can change. Thus, speaking with a Maryland Uber injury lawyer to discuss your options is in your best interest.

Challenges in Uber Accident Claims

• Determining Liability: Establishing whether you, as the Uber driver in a Maryland accident, another motorist, or Uber itself, bears responsibility can be complex.
• Navigating Multiple Insurance Policies: Claims often involve personal auto insurance, Uber’s insurance, and possibly other parties’ insurers. In fact, a passenger may use their own policy in select instances.
• Proving Damages: Demonstrating the full extent of injuries and losses may require documentation and expert opinions, which can be costly. Speak with an attorney to minimize your costs.
• Uber’s Role: As an independent contractor, you may face resistance from Uber in acknowledging liability, which can complicate claims.
• Legal Deadlines: Maryland’s statute of limitations for filing personal injury claims can be a hurdle if delayed. Moreover, while the personal injury statute of limitations is three years, other deadlines are much shorter, which may apply in your case.

Call Gelb & Gelb Today

If you are an Uber driver in a Maryland accident, call our office today for a free consultation at (202) 331-7227.