Why Hire Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers
Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers has built a reputation for fighting aggressively for our clients that insurance companies and courts throughout Colorado recognize. We understand the courts, the medical providers, and the roads in and around Garfield County. Whether your case involves the I-70 corridor, Highway 82, or surface streets in town, we know how to build a claim that reflects the specific facts of where and how it happened.
Our approach is hands-on. Attorneys and support staff work directly with clients throughout the process. We gather evidence, deal with insurance adjusters, and manage every step on your behalf. Most rideshare accident cases resolve before trial, but when an insurance company will not offer a fair settlement, we are prepared to go to court. Insurance companies know we litigate, and that shapes how they respond at the negotiating table.
We work on a contingency basis. You pay no fees unless we recover compensation for you.
How Our Colorado Rideshare Accident Attorneys Help Injury Victims
Rideshare accident cases involve more moving parts than a standard car accident. Our attorneys handle each step so you do not have to manage it while recovering.
- Review the facts of the accident. We evaluate the driver’s status at the time of the crash, the active app settings, and which insurance policies apply.
- Identify all liable parties. We look at the Uber or Lyft driver, any at-fault driver involved, and any other parties who may share responsibility.
- Gather and preserve evidence. We collect police reports, app data, witness statements, and medical records before anything is lost.
- Handle all insurance communications. We review all applicable insurance coverage and policies and deal with adjusters directly so you are not pressured into a low offer or a recorded statement that could hurt your claim.
- Document your damages. We account for medical expenses, lost wages, future treatment costs, and the full impact of severe injuries such as traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries.
- Negotiate or litigate. If a fair settlement is offered, we help you evaluate it. If it is not, we take the case to trial.
Determining liability across multiple parties takes investigation and legal knowledge that most accident victims do not have the time or resources to apply on their own.
Types of Claims Involving Uber and Lyft
Rideshare accident cases come in several forms depending on your role at the time of the accident and who caused the crash. A Colorado rideshare accident lawyer from our firm can help with:
Passenger Injury Claims
If you were riding as a rideshare passenger when a crash occurred, you have the right to seek compensation regardless of who caused it. Uber and Lyft carry up to $1 million in liability coverage while a ride is active and a passenger is in the vehicle. If another driver caused the crash, their insurance is the first source of recovery, with the rideshare company’s policy available as additional coverage.
Third-Party Driver Claims
If you were driving your own vehicle and a rideshare driver hit you, your claim depends on the driver’s status at the time. When actively transporting a passenger, full liability coverage applies. When logged in but without an accepted request, limited liability coverage applies at lower amounts. When the driver was off the app, only their personal insurance is available, which may be insufficient for serious injuries.
Pedestrian and Bicyclist Claims
Pedestrians and bicyclists struck by a rideshare vehicle can seek compensation through the same insurance structure. These cases often involve severe injuries due to the lack of physical protection. We investigate the driver’s status, the applicable insurance policy, and any other coverage that may apply.
Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents
Rideshare drivers face pressures and distractions that contribute directly to crashes. Common causes include:
- Distracted driving: Monitoring the app or reading directions while driving
- Driver fatigue: Long shifts and back-to-back rides without adequate rest
- Reckless driving: Speeding or unsafe lane changes to reach a passenger faster
- Unfamiliarity with local roads: Relying on GPS in mountain terrain around Glenwood Springs
- Unsafe pickups or dropoffs: Stopping in traffic lanes or near blind curves
- Poor vehicle maintenance: Using personal vehicles that do not meet safety standards
Any of these factors can establish liability in an accident involving a rideshare service.
Why Rideshare Accidents Are Different in Glenwood Springs
Rideshare accidents in Glenwood Springs often occur under circumstances that are very different from those found in larger metropolitan areas. Many Uber and Lyft drivers spend their time transporting visitors between resorts, hotels, restaurants, trailheads, and nearby destinations such as Aspen. As a result, drivers frequently navigate unfamiliar roads while relying heavily on GPS applications.
The geography of the region also creates unique risks. Interstate 70 through Glenwood Canyon features sharp curves, steep grades, narrow shoulders, and changing weather conditions that can challenge even experienced drivers. Highway 82 carries significant traffic between Glenwood Springs and the Roaring Fork Valley, particularly during ski season and summer tourism months. Drivers who are unfamiliar with mountain roads may misjudge stopping distances, speed, or road conditions.
Unlike traditional taxi services, rideshare drivers typically use personal vehicles and may have varying levels of experience driving in mountain environments. A driver who normally operates in Denver or another Front Range community may suddenly find themselves transporting passengers through Glenwood Canyon or over snow-covered mountain roads.
These factors do not automatically mean the rideshare driver is to blame. However, they can contribute to accidents and often become important when investigating how a crash occurred and who may be responsible.
Evidence That Can Make or Break a Rideshare Accident Case
Evidence is especially important in rideshare accident claims because insurance coverage often depends on what the driver was doing at the exact moment of the collision. Unlike a standard car accident, determining liability may require more than a police report and witness statements.
Key evidence in a rideshare accident case may include:
- Uber or Lyft trip records
- Driver app activity logs
- GPS and route information
- Ride receipts and timestamps
- Communications made through the rideshare app
- Vehicle damage photographs
- Surveillance or traffic camera footage
- Witness statements and police reports
- Medical records documenting injuries
This information can help establish whether the driver was logged into the app, actively transporting a passenger, waiting for a ride request, or operating outside the rideshare platform altogether. Because some electronic records may become more difficult to obtain as time passes, preserving evidence early is often critical to building a strong claim.
Seeking Fair Compensation for Rideshare Accident Victims
Rideshare accident cases often involve higher damages than standard car accidents because severe injuries like spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries require extended care. We pursue compensation for medical expenses already incurred, future medical bills, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and property damage.
Colorado follows a comparative negligence rule, which means your compensation can be reduced if you were partly at fault. If you are found to be 50 percent or more at fault, you may not recover anything. This is why establishing liability clearly and early matters. Insurance adjusters work to minimize what they pay, and we work to make sure you receive fair compensation based on the actual facts of your case.
Rideshare car accident claims often involve the rideshare company’s insurance, the driver’s personal insurance, and your own underinsured motorist coverage. Managing multiple insurance policies without legal assistance puts you at a disadvantage.
What to Do After a Rideshare Accident in Glenwood Springs
The actions you take in the hours and days after a crash affect your claim. Follow these steps:
- Call 911. Report the crash and request medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor.
- Document the accident scene. Photograph the vehicles, road conditions, and visible injuries.
- Screenshot the rideshare app. Capture proof that you were a passenger or document what the driver’s app showed.
- Get driver information. Record the driver’s name, license plate, and insurance information.
- Seek medical attention immediately. Some injuries do not present symptoms right away.
- Do not give recorded statements to insurance companies. Contact an attorney first.
- Report the accident through the rideshare app. This creates an official record with Uber or Lyft.
Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Glenwood Springs: FAQs
Does it matter if I was a tourist visiting Glenwood Springs when I was hurt?
Your right to seek compensation does not depend on where you live. If you were injured in Garfield County, you can file a claim in Colorado. Our attorneys handle rideshare accident cases for out-of-state clients regularly and can manage the process without requiring you to return repeatedly.
Are rideshare drivers in Colorado required to carry special insurance for their own vehicles?
No. Colorado law requires transportation network companies to maintain coverage that meets specific minimums based on driver status, but the drivers themselves do not need special insurance. Personal auto insurance typically does not cover accidents that occur during active trips. Coverage comes primarily from the rideshare company’s policy, and standards are set by the Public Utilities Commission statewide.
What if the rideshare driver’s insurance denies my claim?
A denied claim is not the end of your case. Our attorneys evaluate all available coverage, including the rideshare company’s policy, underinsured motorist coverage, and any other liable parties, to pursue every available source of recovery.
How long do I have to file a rideshare accident claim in Colorado?
Colorado’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally three years from the date of the accident. Certain facts can shorten this timeline, so contacting an attorney early gives you the most time to gather evidence and build your claim.
Free Case Evaluation From Our Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys in Glenwood Springs
If you were hurt in a rideshare accident in Glenwood Springs, Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers is ready to review your case at no cost. We offer a free consultation with no obligation. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Our uber accident lawyers and lyft accident lawyers handle rideshare claims throughout Colorado. Contact us today to get started.
Past results do not indicate what you could get on your case. This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship.