Hurt in an Uber or Lyft crash in Baltimore, as a passenger, another driver, a pedestrian, or the rideshare driver? You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, but rideshare claims turn on which insurance policy applies at the moment of the crash, and the companies' insurers know how to use that confusion against you.
Furman Honick Law handles rideshare cases trial-ready from day one, with no fees unless the firm wins. Call 410-844-6000 for a free consultation.
A rideshare collision is a motor vehicle collision, an area at the core of our practice, but with an added layer: multiple insurers, a large company on the other side, and coverage rules that change depending on what the driver's app was doing.
We cut through that to identify every responsible party and every source of coverage available to you.
A trial-ready firm for Uber and Lyft crash claims
Furman Honick Law is a Maryland serious-injury firm, and motor vehicle collisions are a foundation of our work. We prepare every case as though it will be tried, because that is what moves insurers — including the commercial carriers behind Uber and Lyft.
- $80M+ recovered for injured clients
- Dozens of jury verdicts and 230+ 5-star Baltimore reviews
- Attorneys Dustin Furman and Allen E. Honick, recognized among the National Top 40 Under 40 Trial Lawyers, as Super Lawyers Rising Stars, and in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
- Members of the American Association for Justice and the Maryland Association for Justice
- Offices in Owings Mills and Baltimore, serving Maryland statewide and Washington, D.C.
How rideshare insurance works in Maryland — and why it matters
Maryland regulates Uber, Lyft, and other transportation network companies through the Public Service Commission, and the coverage that applies to your crash depends on what the driver was doing when it happened:
App off
If the driver was not logged in, only their personal auto insurance applies. This is treated like any other Maryland car accident.
App on, waiting for a ride request (Period 1)
When a driver is logged in but has not yet accepted a trip, the rideshare company provides only limited contingent liability coverage - commonly around $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for injuries, with $25,000 for property damage. The driver's personal policy often excludes this "for-hire" period, which can leave a real gap.
Ride accepted or passenger on board (Periods 2 and 3)
Once a driver has accepted a trip or has a passenger in the car, Uber and Lyft's larger commercial policy applies - up to $1 million in liability coverage. If you were injured during this window, significant coverage may be available, but the insurer will still scrutinize the claim.
Determining which period applied, and pinning it down with trip data and app records, is often the single most important step in a rideshare case. It is exactly the kind of detail insurers hope an unrepresented victim will get wrong.
Who we represent in rideshare cases
- Rideshare passengers injured in a crash while riding in an Uber or Lyft
- Other drivers and their passengers hit by a rideshare vehicle
- Pedestrians and cyclists struck by a rideshare driver
- Rideshare drivers hurt by another negligent motorist while working
Common causes of rideshare crashes in Baltimore
Rideshare drivers face pressures most motorists do not, and those pressures show up in how crashes happen. Contributing factors we see often include:
- Distraction from the app. Drivers watch for ride requests, follow turn-by-turn navigation, and message passengers — frequently while moving through traffic.
- Fatigue. Long shifts and late-night driving, especially around the bar and entertainment districts, leave many drivers tired behind the wheel.
- Unfamiliar routes. Drivers often travel to areas they do not know well, leading to sudden stops, missed turns, and last-second lane changes.
- Pressure to complete more trips. Because pay is tied to rides, some drivers speed, roll through stops, or stay on the road when they should not.
- Baltimore's heavy-traffic corridors. Congestion around the Inner Harbor and downtown, and higher speeds on I-83, I-95, and the I-695 Beltway, all raise the risk of a serious collision.
None of this excuses a crash. Where a rideshare driver's negligence caused your injuries, we work to hold every responsible party accountable.
Compensation you can pursue after a rideshare crash
Every case is different, but injured people in Maryland can generally seek compensation for both economic and non-economic losses, including:
- Medical expenses, from emergency care through surgery, rehabilitation, and future treatment.
- Lost income and lost earning capacity, if the injury keeps you from working or forces a change of career.
- Pain, suffering, and loss of quality of life.
- Property damage to your vehicle and belongings.
Maryland does not cap economic damages such as medical bills and lost wages, which are often the largest part of a serious claim. It does cap non-economic damages like pain and suffering, and that cap rises each year. We document both categories fully, so the value of your claim reflects the whole picture and not just the receipts.
Why injured riders and drivers choose Furman Honick Law
Maryland's fault rule is unforgiving: we prepare for it. Maryland is one of the few states that still follows pure contributory negligence. If the defense convinces a jury you were even 1% at fault, it can bar your recovery entirely. In multi-vehicle rideshare crashes, insurers routinely try to spread blame, and countering that is central to how we build a case.
We chase down every policy. Between the rideshare company's tiered coverage, the driver's personal policy, other drivers' insurance, and your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, several policies may come into play. Maryland also maintains the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund for certain uninsured-driver situations. We identify and pursue all of them.
We treat these as the serious cases they are. A rideshare crash can cause the same catastrophic harm as any high-speed collision. We build the case to reflect the true cost of your injuries, not the insurer's opening number.
How insurers handle rideshare claims
The insurers behind Uber and Lyft claims are experienced, well-funded, and focused on paying as little as possible. In rideshare cases specifically, we routinely see them:
- Dispute which period applied, since the gap between limited Period 1 coverage and the $1 million commercial policy can be enormous.
- Point to the independent-contractor relationship to distance the company from the driver's conduct.
- Argue the rideshare driver was not at fault, shifting blame to another motorist or to you.
- Request a recorded statement early, hoping you will say something that can be used to reduce or deny the claim.
- Make a fast, low offer before the full extent of your injuries is known.
We anticipate these moves, secure the trip and app data that settles the coverage question, and prepare the case for trial so the insurer has a real reason to pay what the claim is worth. Before you give any statement or sign anything, it is worth a free call to understand where you stand.
What to expect when you call
- Free consultation. Tell us what happened. We will explain your options in plain language, at no cost, and we are available 24/7.
- Preserve the evidence. Rideshare trip logs, app status, dashcam and traffic-camera footage, and vehicle data can be time-sensitive. We move to secure them before they are lost.
- Build the claim. We document your injuries and losses and identify every applicable insurance policy.
- Resolution. We negotiate from a position of strength and are prepared to take the case to a jury if the offer does not reflect your losses.
You pay nothing up front and nothing by the hour. The firm's fee is a percentage of the recovery, and there is no fee unless the firm wins.
Results and reputation
Furman Honick Law has recovered $80M+ for injured clients, earned dozens of jury verdicts, and holds 230+ 5-star reviews from Baltimore-area clients. Reported case results are available on our results page.
Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case. Every case is different and depends on its own facts.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays if I'm injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Baltimore?
It depends on what the driver's app was doing at the time. If a trip had been accepted or a passenger was in the car, Uber or Lyft's commercial policy - up to $1 million in liability coverage - generally applies. If the driver was logged in but had not accepted a ride, only limited coverage may be available. If the app was off, the driver's personal insurance applies. Establishing the right period is a key part of the case.
Do I sue the driver or the rideshare company?
Often the claim is against an insurance policy rather than a person, and more than one policy may apply: the rideshare company's coverage, the driver's policy, and any other at-fault motorist's insurance. Uber and Lyft classify their drivers as independent contractors, which affects how claims are structured. We identify the right parties and coverage so nothing is left on the table.
What if the rideshare driver was between rides when the crash happened?
That "app on, no ride accepted" window (Period 1) is where coverage is thinnest — typically limited contingent liability from the company, and often an exclusion under the driver's personal policy. These gap situations are among the most contested, and they are worth reviewing with a lawyer before you accept any insurer's position.
How long do I have to file a rideshare accident claim in Maryland?
Generally three years from the date of the crash. Waiting is risky for another reason: rideshare app data, trip records, and video evidence can be lost quickly, so early action helps protect your claim.
I drive for Uber or Lyft and was hurt by another driver — do I have a case?
Possibly. If another motorist's negligence injured you while you were working, you may have a claim against that driver, and depending on the period, additional coverage, including uninsured/underinsured motorist protection, may apply. We can walk through your options at no cost.
What should I do after an Uber or Lyft accident in Baltimore?
If you are able, get medical attention right away, report the crash and obtain a police report, and photograph the scene, the vehicles, and your injuries. Screenshot your ride details in the app: the driver, the trip, and the time, since that information ties the crash to a specific coverage period. Then speak with a lawyer before giving any recorded statement to an insurer.
Should I accept the insurance company's first offer?
Be cautious. Early offers often arrive before the full cost of your injuries is known, and once you accept and sign a release, you usually cannot reopen the claim for more. It costs nothing to have an offer reviewed first. We can tell you whether it reflects your actual losses or whether the case is worth pursuing further.
How much does it cost to hire Furman Honick Law?
Nothing up front. Consultations are free, we do not bill by the hour, and our fee is a percentage of the recovery. There is no fee unless the firm wins your case.
Talk to a Baltimore rideshare lawyer today
Rideshare evidence is time-sensitive, and Maryland's filing deadline is firm. The sooner we start, the more we can do to protect your claim. Call Furman Honick Law at 410-844-6000 for a free, confidential consultation — available 24/7. No fees unless the firm wins.