Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer in Crofton

Maryland Rideshare Claims Handled by Trial-Ready Civil Litigators

Rideshare accident claims don’t follow the same path as a standard car accident case. When a crash involves an Uber or Lyft driver, three separate insurance periods may apply, and which one controls determines who pays and how much. At Skipper Law, LLC, we handle this layered insurance analysis as civil litigators, not just settlement negotiators. We know which coverage period may apply, who controls it, and what it can take to move a claim past a denial.

We’re based in Crofton and represent injured passengers, drivers, and other motorists throughout all Maryland counties. Whether your claim resolves through negotiation or reaches the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, we’re prepared for both.

If you were injured in a rideshare crash, don’t speak with any insurance adjuster before talking with us. Call (410) 919-2121 to schedule a free consultation with Skipper Law, LLC.

Maryland’s Three-Period Rideshare Insurance Structure

Maryland’s Public Utilities Article Section 10-405 requires transportation network companies operating in the state to maintain specific insurance coverage, but the amount available shifts based on what the driver was doing at the moment of the crash. These three periods are the foundation of any Uber or Lyft accident claim.

• App off: The driver’s personal auto policy applies, subject to Maryland’s standard minimums of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury.
• App on, waiting for a request: If the driver’s personal policy excludes rideshare activity, Maryland law requires minimum primary liability coverage of at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident, plus $25,000 for property damage.
• Ride accepted or passenger in the vehicle: Transportation network companies typically provide up to $1 million in liability coverage once a trip is underway.

A personal auto insurer may deny coverage entirely while the driver was providing rideshare services, shifting the claim to the rideshare company’s policy. Pinpointing the correct period requires reviewing the driver’s app activity log, dispatch records, and policy language at the time of the crash.

Who Bears Liability in a Rideshare Crash

Liability follows the facts. If the rideshare driver caused the collision, the claim moves against whichever insurance period was active. If another motorist was at fault, the claim proceeds against that driver’s policy. When the at-fault driver carries no insurance or insufficient coverage, an injured rideshare passenger may be able to pursue the rideshare company’s contingent policy.

Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. That classification limits when the companies themselves can be held directly responsible for a driver’s negligence, though it doesn’t eliminate coverage obligations under Maryland law. We analyze every liable party before pursuing any claim so potential sources of recovery aren’t overlooked.

Maryland’s Fault Rules & Filing Deadline

Maryland follows a contributory negligence rule: a claimant found even slightly at fault for a crash may be completely barred from any recovery. This is one of the strictest fault standards in the country, and it’s why a casual conversation with an insurance adjuster can damage an otherwise valid claim. One off-hand comment suggesting you contributed to the accident can be enough. We advise against speaking on the record with any insurer, including your own, before consulting with us.

The last clear chance doctrine is a narrow exception. It may allow recovery despite a claimant’s own negligence if the other party had a final opportunity to avoid the crash and failed to act. We assess this doctrine in any case where the insurer raises a contributory negligence defense.

Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings Code Section 5-101 sets a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, measured from the date of the accident. Missing that deadline can forfeit your right to recover.