Personal Injury Lawyer Towson, MD

The considerable growth of ride-sharing services, including Lyft® and Uber®, are quickly replacing taxi services in many parts of the country. Now, these ride-sharing services are involved in more and more car accidents. That leads to an increase in transportation problems not previously considered. 

Before the rise of ride-sharing, things were more concrete. But the emergence of companies such as Lyft® and Uber® has blurred the lines considerably. Lawmakers are looking more closely at who is liable when rideshares crash.

If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, you are well-advised to contact an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your circumstances. You may be able to receive financial reimbursement or compensation for your medical bills, last wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Rideshare Drivers Are Independent Contractors

A number of court battles are ongoing regarding the employment status of rideshare drivers. The question is whether they should be considered employees or independent contractors. Determining this status holds many implications for rideshare drivers. It will affect passengers injured in their cars as well.

Rideshare Drivers Use Their Own Insurance

Rideshare services typically cover their drivers with a limited insurance plan. However, this just pays secondary damages for losses that aren’t covered by the driver’s personal insurance plan. As such, it creates a legal “gray area” since most insurance companies only cover the personal use of a car.

Consequently, numerous victims have suffered considerable harm, yet have had challenges recovering the compensation they need and deserve. The rideshare driver’s personal or commercial car insurance will cover passenger injuries only if the driver’s policy has a special provision providing insurance coverage while working as a rideshare driver. 

Most rideshare drivers likely won’t have a commercial or personal car insurance policy that covers passenger injuries. And their personal policy probably won’t have a “business use exception” that covers injuries and damages that happen while the insured is acting as a for-profit driver.

You Can Pursue Fair Compensation

So if you get hurt as a passenger in a rideshare-affiliated vehicle that’s involved in a car accident, how will you get compensated for your injuries and damages? A personal injury attorney can review your rideshare injury situation and counsel you on the right next steps. 

While these issues get more attention in the courts, more regulations will likely be put into place for the rideshare industry. In the meantime, however, victims of rideshare accidents will want to be sure to name all the potentially liable parties in their personal injury claims. These are the details that an experienced legal professional can ensure are included in your case filing and claim.

With the developing and changing regulations that rideshare companies are subject to, having a seasoned and knowledgeable attorney is essential to optimizing your chances of maximum compensation from your case.

When there are gray areas in the laws, you need someone who has the latest and most up-to-date information to bring your case to the most favorable resolution. If you’ve been injured, don’t delay. Reach out to a personal injury lawyer Towson, MD trusts and schedule a case review today. Contact Seigel & Rouhana, LLC today.