While Lyft and other rideshare services are a convenient way to get around Silver Spring, the increased presence of Lyft vehicles has led to a surge in accidents. According to one study*, every 100 rideshare trips in a given hour in a city leads to a 4.6 percent increase in crashes. What’s more, complex insurance issues involved in Lyft accidents often make it harder for injured motorists or rideshare passengers to recover fair compensation.
If you sustained injuries in a Lyft accident in Silver Spring, the Lyft accident lawyers at Marks & Harrison want to help you seek the money you need to rebuild your life. Since our founding in 1911, our personal injury law firm has recovered millions of dollars for our clients. With 31 attorneys and over 100 support staff, our Silver Spring law firm has the resources to tackle the toughest cases and protect your rights.
Your initial consultation is free, and you don’t owe us any fees unless and until we recover compensation for you. Call now or complete our contact form for a free claim review and advice from a Silver Spring Lyft accident attorney about your best legal options.
What Is Lyft?
Lyft is one of the largest rideshare services worldwide. The company’s app pairs drivers with passengers needing a ride, much like a taxi service. The relative lack of regulations surrounding rideshare services means Lyft and its competitors, like Uber, can offer cheaper rides than taxis or similar services. However, it’s also harder to hold these companies accountable when crashes occur.
What Causes Lyft Accidents in Silver Spring?
Lyft accidents in Silver Spring typically involve carelessness or negligence by the Lyft driver or another party.
Common causes of Silver Spring Lyft accidents include:
- Distracted driving – For example, Lyft drivers often check their app for ride updates, use GPS, or text while driving, taking their attention off the road.
- Speeding or aggressive driving – Drivers rushing to pick up passengers or complete rides might speed, tailgate, or weave through traffic, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Driving while overly tired – Long hours on the road without breaks can cause fatigue, reducing Lyft drivers’ reaction times and impairing their judgment, leading to severe crashes.
- Failure to yield – Lyft drivers unfamiliar with local traffic patterns might fail to yield at intersections or when merging, leading to side-impact or T-bone collisions.
- Negligence by other motorists – A collision might occur if another driver drives recklessly, even when the Lyft driver is not at fault.
- Defective vehicle parts – Faulty systems like brakes, tires, or steering systems on the Lyft driver’s vehicle can lead to accidents. For example, catastrophic brake failure could prevent the car from stopping in time to avoid a crash.
- Hazardous road conditions – Potholes, debris, or poorly designed and maintained roads in Silver Spring can cause crashes involving Lyft vehicles. Government agencies and contractors could be liable in such situations.
What Are Common Injuries in a Silver Spring Lyft Accident?
Lyft accidents in the Silver Spring area commonly lead to serious injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Neck and back injuries
- Broken bones
- Sprains, strains, and other soft-tissue injuries
- Severe burns
- Severe cuts and bruises
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions
Who Can Be Held at Fault for My Lyft Accident?
Since Lyft uses independent contractors to provide rides, suing the company directly after a collision is often challenging, as employers typically aren’t liable for the actions of contract workers. However, a skilled attorney can help you identify the liable parties (including Lyft itself in some circumstances).
Some examples of potentially liable parties in a Lyft accident include:
- Lyft drivers who speed or are otherwise negligent during or while driving to a fare.
- Other careless drivers who collide with Lyft vehicles.
- Lyft itself in cases where the company hired an unsafe driver or engaged in other practices that put customers at risk.
- Automakers or parts manufacturers in cases involving defective vehicle components.
- Government agencies that don’t properly maintain roads or signage.
What Sort of Insurance Coverage Do Lyft Drivers Have?
Lyft provides insurance coverage for its drivers, but the type and amount of coverage depend on the driver’s status at the time of the accident:
- When the app is off, the rideshare driver’s personal insurance applies, and Lyft provides no coverage.
- If the app is on but the driver does not have an active fare, Lyft offers limited liability coverage of $50,000 per person for bodily injuries, or $100,000 per accident for injuries to multiple people, and $25,000 for property damage.
- Once a driver accepts a ride or has a passenger in the vehicle, Lyft’s coverage includes $1 million in liability insurance, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and comprehensive and collision coverage if the driver also has this coverage on their policy.
Despite the available insurance coverage, car accident victims often encounter challenges when filing claims with Lyft. Lyft may dispute the driver’s status during the crash or try to minimize payouts to injury victims by blaming other parties. Additionally, the process can involve complex negotiations with multiple insurers. Having a Silver Spring Lyft attorney to protect your rights helps improve your likelihood of recovering fair compensation for your losses.
Can I Seek Compensation from Lyft for My Injuries?
If the Lyft driver caused the accident, you can file a claim with the company’s insurance coverage to seek compensation for your losses. However, you can expect Lyft to aggressively contest your claim and try to shift blame for the crash. Lyft has large legal teams to dispute any claims made against the company, but our attorneys can help you fight back and seek fair compensation for your injuries.
What If Another Driver Caused the Accident?
If another driver causes an auto accident involving a Lyft vehicle, Lyft and its driver usually aren’t liable. However, you can file a claim against the negligent driver’s insurance company or anyone else who contributed to the collision to pursue compensation for your losses.
Does Maryland Have a Time Limit for Filing a Lyft Accident Lawsuit?
In most cases, Maryland law requires you to file a Lyft accident lawsuit within three years of the crash if you wish to protect your right to seek compensation. We recommend you speak to our attorneys immediately so we can get started on your personal injury case and preserve essential evidence before anything happens to it.
Contact a Silver Spring Lyft Accident Lawyer
Marks & Harrison has extensive experience handling car accident cases and a proven record of recovering maximum compensation for our clients. Let us handle all the legal work in your rideshare accident case while you focus on your recovery.
Call now or reach out online to set up a free case review with a Silver Spring Lyft accident attorney at our firm.
