Injured in an Uber or Lyft Rideshare Accident? You need The Strong Arm®
Rideshare companies, such as Uber and Lyft offer convenient ways to get around town, usually at less cost than a taxi service. But if you’re involved in an accident involving a rideshare driver, either as a rideshare passenger or as the occupant of another vehicle, the process of seeking compensation for your injuries can be more complicated than you might think. It’s important to have an experienced Colorado rideshare accident lawyer in your corner to help navigate the legal process.
What You Should Do If You’re a Passenger in an Uber Or Lyft Accident
There are steps you should take to protect yourself if the ride you hired just got rudely interrupted. The first thing to do is to remain calm. Go through the same checklist of immediate actions you would take after any car accident:
- Check for injuries. Symptoms may not surface right away; if the impact was significant or you feel unsteady, you should strongly consider getting checked out by paramedics.
- Call 911. Don’t hesitate to summon emergency services.
- Collect information from those involved and any witnesses. Gather names, contact information, licenses, and insurance contacts. Preserve the data on your phone regarding your driver and trip details. Preserve your ride share receipt.
- Take photos of the damages and the surrounding scene. Also take notes of any significant details pertaining to the accident or the injuries involved
- File an accident report.
Who Pays for Damages in an Uber or Lyft Accident in Colorado?
If the driver of the other car is at fault, that driver may be liable for any injuries. However, if that driver is uninsured or under-insured, the injured rideshare passenger can bring a claim against the rideshare company’s accident policy. Both Lyft and Uber drivers and passengers are covered up to one million dollars under insurance policies that the companies provide.
If your rideshare driver is deemed to be at fault for causing the accident, it is fairly straightforward to bring a claim against the driver and Uber or Lyft’s liability insurer. However, if you are injured by the negligence of a rideshare driver in a situation where you were not a rideshare passenger, the question of which coverage applies — the rideshare company’s policy or the driver’s own personal auto insurance — can be complicated. Uber drivers are independent contractors, and the automobiles they operate are typically their personal vehicles. While Uber requires all of its drivers to carry liability insurance, and the company provides supplemental insurance to cover incidents that happen during the course of their work, that coverage may not apply if the driver was considered “off-duty” at the time the accident occurred. Uber and Lyft differ in the way their drivers and passengers are covered, so it is critical to consult a rideshare accident lawyer before you bring a claim against either company.
Do I Need a Lawyer?
Because of all the variables involved, an Uber accident can become quite complicated, especially when there are multiple drivers and passengers involved, making personal injury claims with multiple insurance companies. In such situations, you need an experienced rideshare accident lawyer early in the process. If you incurred medical bills or other costs, you should be talking to one. An attorney in your corner can make sure the rideshare company preserves all the relevant data regarding your ride, fully document your injuries, and make sure that you receive the treatment and compensation you deserve.
The Colorado Rideshare Accident Lawyers at Franklin D. Azar Accident Lawyers
Colorado Rideshare Accident Lawyer, Franklin D. Azar
For more than thirty years the Colorado personal injury attorneys at Franklin D. Azar Accident Lawyers have helped thousands of injured people obtain complete and timely compensation for their losses. Our proven track record and expertise have allowed us to grow into the largest personal-injury law firm in Colorado, with offices in Aurora, Denver, Thornton, Fort Collins, Greeley, Grand Junction, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo. If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, please call the experts at FDAzar day or night for a free consultation and no-obligation evaluation of your case.
Franklin D. Azar Accident Lawyers – Colorado Office
14426 E Evans Ave
Aurora, CO 80014
P: (303) 757-3300
