• Medical expenses. All past, present, and future medical bills, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgeries, physical therapy, rehabilitation, medication, and assistive devices.
• Lost wages. Compensation for income lost due to your inability to work after the accident, as well as for any reduction in your future earning capacity if your injuries are long-term.
• Pain and suffering. Damages for the physical pain, emotional distress, psychological trauma, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life caused by the accident and your injuries.
• Permanent disability.  When crash injuries leave you with permanent injuries, there may be a long future ahead that you will need additional help and support. 
• Wrongful death. For families who have lost a loved one, compensation can include funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.

Why Are Rideshare Claims More Complicated?

Rideshare accident claims are notoriously complex compared to typical car accident cases due to the following factors.

• Layered insurance policies: The interplay between the driver's personal insurance and Uber/Lyft's multi-million-dollar commercial policies is intricate. Determining which policy applies, and to what extent, depends entirely on the driver's app status at the moment of impact. This often leads to disputes between insurers, delaying your access to compensation.
• Independent contractor vs. employee: Rideshare drivers are often classified as independent contractors. This means that directly suing Uber or Lyft for the driver's negligence is often challenging unless their own corporate negligence (such as vetting drivers) can be proven. Instead, claims often focus on the rideshare company's extensive insurance coverage that kicks in when a driver is engaged in rideshare activities.
• Data and digital evidence: Proving the driver's "status" at the time of the accident frequently requires obtaining digital logs and GPS data directly from Uber or Lyft. This information is proprietary and can be difficult to access without legal intervention, as rideshare companies are reluctant to freely share data, which could lead to large payouts.
• Multiple potential liable parties: Besides the rideshare driver and their company, other drivers involved in the collision, vehicle manufacturers (if a defect contributed), or even maintenance providers could also bear responsibility, further complicating the investigation and negotiation process.

Why Choose Berman & Simmons for Your Claim?

Navigating an Uber or Lyft accident claim requires a law firm with extensive resources and experience. Our rideshare attorneys have a deep understanding of unique insurance policies, liability nuances, and aggressive negotiation tactics. Berman & Simmons offers unparalleled advantages.

• Maine’s premier personal injury firm: For over 100 years, we have been recognized as the top-rated personal injury law firm in Maine, with a legacy of securing some of the largest jury verdicts and settlements for seriously injured people.
• Proficiency in complex auto accidents: Our attorneys understand all aspects of complex motor vehicle collisions, including those involving rideshare companies. 
• Vast resources and investigative power: We have the financial and investigative resources to launch a comprehensive investigation immediately, gather critical evidence, subpoena necessary data from rideshare companies, and work with leading accident reconstructionists, medical specialists, and other experts to build a compelling case.
• Fearless against large corporations: We are known for our tenacious advocacy against powerful insurance companies and corporations. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, demonstrating our readiness to fight aggressively for the maximum compensation you deserve. We've secured over $1.5 billion for our clients.
• Compassionate client approach: We understand the devastating impact an accident can have. Our attorneys and staff provide empathetic, personalized support, guiding you through the process with care. As we say, "A secret to our success is getting to know our clients on a deeply personal level and always putting their needs first."

You deserve powerful, experienced legal representation to hold negligent parties accountable and secure the compensation necessary for your recovery.

Contact Berman & Simmons at (207) 417-4199 for a free case assessment with a Maine Uber/Lyft rideshare accident attorney today. Even if time has passed, it's never too late to understand your rights.