Uber and Lyft Accidents

Denver Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys

Supporting Rideshare Accident Victims in Colorado

Accidents involving Uber or Lyft drivers or vehicles are more complex and complicated than the average car accident. However, you cannot be held liable for a crash as a passenger. This means you have the right to compensation for your injuries and other damages. It may take extra effort to secure the settlement you deserve, but our attorneys can handle the process step by step and advocate for your rights the whole way through.

If you have been in an accident while in a rideshare vehicle—regardless of whether your driver caused it—our attorneys can help you. After determining fault in an accident, we can direct your claim to the appropriate party and fight to ensure your needs are not unfairly denied. Big companies like Uber or Lyft sometimes mount serious defenses to accident claims to convince injury victims to give up. We will not be cowed. Our lawyers are determined to see justice done, and with a combined 175+ years of experience and over 100 jury trials under our belts, we can go toe to toe with the most prominent companies.

Call Denver Trial Lawyers today at (303) 647-9990 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our Uber & Lyft accident attorney in Denver!

Essential Steps to Take After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Denver

Uber driver holding phone with Uber app open​The minutes following a car crash can be painful and confusing. Whether you are suffering from physical pain or emotional distress, getting into a car accident is an overall traumatic experience. Taking the correct steps following the incident may help protect you, your claim, and your right to compensation.

If you got into an Uber or Lyft accident in Denver, you must take the following steps:

  1. Seek Medical Attention: Your health and safety are the most important and should always be a top priority. If you got into an accident that led to physical harm, please call 911 as soon as possible or ask a bystander to call for you instead if you are unable to. If your injuries are not severe, you may remain at the accident scene; however, getting medical help is critical following the accident to ensure nothing is missed. Some injuries may not be apparent after the accident.
  2. Obtain Evidence: Obtain solid evidence when you can help with your case. In court, evidence is used to demonstrate the negligent driver's liability. Make sure that you take down the following information:
  • The drivers' full names
  • The driver's license plate numbers
  • The contact information of drivers involved in the accident (including the Lyft or Uber driver)
  • If pedestrians were involved in the accident, make sure to get their contact information as well
  1. Capture Photos: Take photos of vehicle damages, the accident scene, your injuries, or any other details that may be used as evidence (such as the traffic light).
  2. File a Report: After the accident, make sure to file a report directly with Lyft or Uber. In Colorado, the police will only file a report if evident injuries or property damages exceed $1,000. Filing an accident report is essential for ensuring a solid record of the accident.
  3. Contact a rideshare Accident Attorney: Contacting a Lyft and Uber accident lawyer is essential for ensuring you get all the help you need following the accident. An experienced attorney will be able to help ensure that you receive the compensation that you are entitled to.

Common Injuries Sustained in Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare accidents can lead to various injuries, some of which may not be immediately apparent. Here are common types of injuries:

  • Whiplash: A sudden head jerk can cause neck pain and stiffness, which, if untreated, can lead to long-term issues.
  • Concussions and TBIs: Impact can cause the brain to move inside the skull, resulting in concussions or severe traumatic brain injuries, with symptoms ranging from headaches to memory loss.
  • Fractures: Broken bones can occur in various body parts, requiring significant medical treatment and rehabilitation.
  • Soft Tissue Injuries: Sprains and strains in muscles and ligaments can result in chronic pain and may require extensive recovery time.
  • Back and Spinal Injuries: Spinal injuries can lead to debilitating conditions that affect mobility and sensation, often necessitating long-term care.

Compensation for Rideshare Accident Victims

​Many people rely on rideshare through either Lyft or Uber to get them to where they should be. You may be someone who relies on rideshares daily or uses them occasionally. You may be entitled to compensation if you were a passenger in a Lyft or Uber during an accident, a pedestrian struck by the Lyft or Uber vehicle, or even a driver. In situations where the accident was severe and left you with physical harm, compensation can help to provide financial support for your medical bills and more. Contacting an Uber and Lyft accident attorney will help you get the help you need when you need it most. The sooner you consult a professional, the sooner you will be able to learn more information about and receive the compensation that you rightfully deserve.

The state of Colorado states that passengers or drivers hurt by a negligent driver during a rideshare vehicle accident are entitled to total compensation for their losses.

A personal injury claim will help to ensure that you receive compensation for the following:

  • Lost wages
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Medical bills
  • Emotional anguish
  • Long-term disability
  • Disfigurement
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Loss of limb

Understanding the Statute of Limitations for Rideshare Accident Claims in Colorado

In Colorado, a personal injury claim for rideshare accidents must be filed within three years of the incident's date.

Importance of the Statute:

  • Deadline: If you miss this deadline, you may lose your chance to claim compensation for your injuries and damages.
  • Starting Point: The three-year period starts on the day of the accident, emphasizing the need for timely action.
  • Possible Exceptions: Certain situations, such as the victim being a minor or other mitigating factors, may alter this timeframe.

To safeguard your right to compensation, it’s essential to consult a rideshare accident attorney promptly after the accident. We can help guide you through the claims process and ensure your case is submitted within the required timeframe.

Understanding Rideshare Insurance Coverage and Its Impact on Your Claim

Both Uber and Lyft offer liability coverage for active drivers. However, the insurance coverage changes depending on the level of driver activity. Proving your driver’s situation at the exact time of the accident can, therefore, affect the amount you can recover.

  • When a driver has the Uber or Lyft app open and is searching for a ride but has not accepted one, they have $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident in personal injury coverage and $25,000 in property damage coverage.
  • When a driver has accepted a ride and is either on the way to pick up the passenger or transporting a passenger, they have $1,000,000 of coverage per accident. This includes uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) motorist coverage.

However, it’s important to note both Uber and Lyft’s policies only kick on once any other insurance that might apply has been exhausted. If the rideshare driver has personal insurance or the accident was caused by a careless third-party (non-rideshare) driver, you must first file a claim with the applicable insurance policy.

This policy may protect Uber and Lyft from paying more than necessary, but it can complicate things for injured passengers. Our attorneys can step in to navigate the complex insurance requirements, allowing you to spend your time and energy healing.

The Importance of Gathering Evidence in Uber and Lyft Accidents

You’ve probably been told to get the other driver’s name, contact information, and insurance details if you are ever in an accident. Getting proof of the at-fault driver’s status with these apps is essential in Uber and Lyft accidents.

Simply having an Uber or Lyft decal on a car is not enough to prove the at-fault driver was working for a rideshare company at the time of an accident. Most drivers keep this “trade dress” on their cars, even when not logged in to the app or searching for rides. Instead, you want a photo or screenshot of that driver’s app screen showing the time, date, and active driver status. If you are injured as a rider, you should also take a screenshot of your app screen to verify you were in the car at the time of the accident.

Both Uber and Lyft keep driver data logs and can authenticate screenshots. However, if you do not have the correct information, you will have a more challenging time proving one of these companies is liable for your accident.

Contact Our Denver Uber & Lyft Accident Attorney Today

Many of us take Uber and Lyft for granted because of their convenience, but they are no safer than driving your car. Accidents involving these vehicles can and do happen every day. We are here to ensure their victims have a fair opportunity to secure compensation for their losses.

Our experienced lawyers know the best way to handle rideshare accident cases and can form a strategy tailored to your claim and needs. We are not afraid to take on big companies like Uber and Lyft, and if we need to go to court to protect your right to compensation, we are ready to do so. With over a billion dollars recovered for our past clients, we believe our record at Denver Trial Lawyers speaks for itself. Let us know if you need a firm representative to fight for you after a rideshare accident.

Contact Denver Trial Lawyers today to meet with our Uber & Lyft accident lawyer in Denver!

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