Maryland Laws Protecting Rideshare Drivers After a Crash

If you drive for Uber or Lyft in Maryland and you've been in a crash, you're in a tough spot. You're not a traditional employee, so workers' comp doesn't apply. But you're not without protection either. Maryland has specific laws and insurance requirements that cover rideshare drivers during different phases of a trip. Understanding these rules can mean the difference between getting your medical bills and lost wages covered or being stuck with the costs yourself. Here's what you need to know about Maryland laws protecting rideshare drivers after a crash.

What laws protect rideshare drivers in Maryland after an accident?

Maryland regulates rideshare companies called Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) under the Maryland Code, Transportation Article § 10-601 through § 10-614. These laws require Uber, Lyft, and other TNCs to carry specific insurance coverage that protects drivers while they're logged into the app or actively transporting passengers.

The key protection comes from mandatory insurance minimums that TNCs must maintain. When a rideshare driver is involved in a crash, the applicable insurance depends on what the driver was doing at the time:

Period 1 – App on, no ride accepted: The TNC must provide at least $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $30,000 for property damage. This is contingent coverage, meaning it applies when the driver's personal auto insurance does not.
Period 2 – Ride accepted, heading to pick up: The TNC must provide $1 million in liability coverage.
Period 3 – Passenger in the vehicle: A $1 million liability policy is in effect, along with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Maryland law also requires TNCs to carry uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage during Periods 2 and 3. This matters because if you're hit by a driver who has no insurance or not enough insurance, the TNC's UM/UIM policy can fill the gap.

These protections apply regardless of whether you're classified as an independent contractor. The insurance follows the activity, not your employment status.

Does my personal auto insurance cover me while driving for Uber or Lyft?

Probably not fully. Most personal auto insurance policies in Maryland have a livery exclusion. That means if you're using your vehicle to carry paying passengers, your personal policy likely won't cover a crash. This is one of the biggest gaps rideshare drivers face.

If you were in Period 1 app on but no passenger yet your personal insurance might deny the claim because you were engaged in commercial activity. This is exactly why Maryland requires the TNC's contingent liability coverage to kick in during that window. The TNC's policy is supposed to cover what your personal insurer won't.

Some insurance companies now offer rideshare endorsements that extend personal coverage while you're logged into a TNC app. If you drive regularly for Uber or Lyft, it's worth asking your insurer about this add-on. Without it, you could face a coverage gap during Period 1.

For a deeper look at how insurance coverage works across different scenarios, you can review our breakdown of Maryland laws protecting rideshare drivers after a crash.

What if another driver caused the crash?

Maryland follows a contributory negligence rule. This is strict. If you're found even 1% at fault for the accident, you may be barred from recovering damages from the other driver. Only a handful of states still use this rule, and it makes Maryland one of the hardest states for injury claims.

If the other driver was fully at fault, you can file a claim against their liability insurance. But here's the problem: many Maryland drivers carry only the state minimum coverage, which is $30,000 per person for bodily injury. If your medical bills and lost wages exceed that, you'll need additional sources of recovery.

That's where the TNC's insurance and UM/UIM coverage come in. During Periods 2 and 3, the TNC's $1 million policy and UM/UIM coverage can cover damages that exceed the at-fault driver's limits. During Period 1, the TNC's contingent coverage should respond if your personal policy doesn't.

An experienced rideshare accident attorney in Baltimore can help determine which insurance policies apply and how to pursue the maximum recovery available.

How long do I have to file a claim after a rideshare crash in Maryland?

In Maryland, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the crash. For property damage, it's also three years. If someone died in the crash, the wrongful death statute of limitations is three years from the date of death.

Three years sounds like a long time, but don't wait. Evidence disappears quickly. Dashcam footage gets overwritten, witnesses forget details, and medical records become harder to connect to the crash the longer you delay. Insurance companies also view delays as a reason to question whether your injuries were actually caused by the accident.

There's a separate deadline for filing with your own insurance company. Most policies require you to report an accident "promptly" or within a specific number of days. Read your policy carefully, or better yet, report the crash as soon as possible.

For specific guidance on filing deadlines, see our article on how long you have to file a rideshare injury lawsuit in Maryland.

What are the most common mistakes rideshare drivers make after a crash?

Rideshare drivers often make errors early on that hurt their ability to recover compensation later. Here are the most frequent ones:

Not reporting the crash to the TNC immediately. Uber and Lyft both require drivers to report accidents through the app. Failing to do this can create problems with insurance coverage. The TNC needs to open a claim for their policy to respond.
Assuming their personal insurance will handle everything. As mentioned, most personal policies exclude rideshare activity. Waiting for a personal insurer to deny the claim wastes time.
Giving a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company without legal advice. Anything you say can be used to reduce or deny your claim. Maryland's contributory negligence rule makes this especially risky even a casual comment like "I didn't see them right away" could be used to assign partial fault.
Not seeking medical attention right away. Some injuries like whiplash, concussions, or soft tissue damage don't show symptoms for days. If you wait a week to see a doctor, the insurance company will argue your injuries weren't caused by the crash.
Not documenting the scene. Photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, and the other driver's license plate are critical. Without them, it becomes a word-against-word situation.

If you're an Uber driver who was injured in an accident, understanding your rights under Maryland law can help you avoid these costly mistakes.

Can I file a workers' compensation claim as a rideshare driver in Maryland?

No. Rideshare drivers in Maryland are classified as independent contractors, not employees. This means workers' compensation doesn't apply to you. You cannot file a workers' comp claim for injuries sustained while driving for Uber or Lyft.

This is one of the biggest legal gaps for rideshare drivers. Traditional employees who are hurt on the job get medical coverage and wage replacement through workers' comp. Independent contractors have to rely on the insurance coverages described above and potentially a personal injury lawsuit if another party was at fault.

If your injuries are serious and the available insurance isn't enough, a personal injury claim may be your best path to full compensation. You can learn more about the cost of hiring a rideshare driver injury claim lawyer and what to expect from the process.

What should I do right after a rideshare accident in Maryland?

Take these steps as soon as possible after a crash:

Call 911. Get a police report on file. Maryland law requires reporting any accident involving injury or significant property damage.
Seek medical attention. Even if you feel fine, get checked out. Some injuries take time to appear.
Document everything. Take photos and video of all vehicles, the road, traffic signs, visible injuries, and the other driver's information.
Report the crash to Uber or Lyft through the app. This starts the TNC insurance claim process.
Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company until you've spoken with an attorney.
Report the crash to your personal auto insurer. But understand that your personal policy may not apply during rideshare activity.
Keep all medical records, receipts, and documentation related to the crash and your recovery.
Talk to a Maryland rideshare accident attorney before accepting any settlement offer.

Quick checklist: Protecting yourself as a Maryland rideshare driver after a crash

Use this checklist to make sure you're covered after an accident:

☐ Call 911 and get a police report
☐ Get medical attention the same day
☐ Photograph and document the entire scene
☐ Report the accident to Uber or Lyft through the app
☐ Do not admit fault or give recorded statements
☐ Notify your personal insurer (with caution)
☐ Confirm which insurance period applied at the time of the crash (Period 1, 2, or 3)
☐ Save all medical bills, repair estimates, and proof of lost income
☐ Consult a rideshare accident attorney before signing anything from an insurance company
☐ Note the three-year deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit in Maryland

Insurance companies handle rideshare claims differently than standard auto accidents. Knowing which policy applies and which one doesn't is the first step toward protecting your finances and your recovery. For more background on rideshare accident regulations, the Maryland Transportation Network Company statute is the primary source of law. If you've been in a crash, don't guess about your coverage. Talk to someone who understands Maryland rideshare law.