CALL (800) 863-5312 TO SPEAK WITH COLORADO UBER AND LYFT INJURY LAWYERS FOR FREE
If you’ve needed a ride somewhere recently and didn’t have a friend or family member to drive you, chances are you ordered a ride using Uber or Lyft. At first available only in larger cities like Denver, these rideshare services are now available in suburban areas and smaller towns throughout the state. The convenience is fantastic, but with the increased use of Uber and Lyft comes the increased risk of accidents involving rideshare drivers. If you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident, you may be considering filing a claim against those who are responsible. If so, you should consider consulting a Colorado Uber and Lyft injury lawyers who can guide you through the complexities of personal injury claims.
If you or a loved one have suffered from an injury after an Uber or Lyft accident, call Zinda Law Group today at (800) 863-5312. We offer 100% free case evaluations with our Colorado Uber and Lyft injury lawyers.
WHAT IS RIDESHARING?
Ridesharing is an arrangement in which a passenger travels in a private vehicle driven by its owner either for free or for a fee. Passengers and drivers are most often paired together through ridesharing companies, such as Uber and Lyft. A ridesharing company (whose vehicles are called app-taxis or e-taxis) will pair the drivers and passengers via websites and mobile apps.
Rideshare companies have expanded the services offered by their drivers in recent years. Uber, for example, now has a service called UberEats. Uber customers now have the option to order food from local and fast-food restaurants and have it delivered to their home by Uber drivers.
Read More: Colorado Springs Rideshare Accident Lawyers
CASE RESULTS
TYPES OF RIDESHARE ACCIDENTS
There are a few scenarios in which a person can be involved in a rideshare accident. It is important to note that though this article focuses on resources and steps passengers and pedestrian victims of rideshare accidents should take.
1. Rideshare Vehicle vs. Other Vehicle
The more common type of rideshare accident is one involving a rideshare driver and the driver of another vehicle. There are two types of potential victims in this case: the occupants of the other vehicle or vehicles, and the non-driving occupants of the rideshare vehicle. Any of these people in any impacted vehicle each individually have the potential to bring personal injury claims against the rideshare driver and the rideshare company.
2. Rideshare Vehicle vs. Pedestrian or Cyclist
The other type of accident that may occur is a rideshare driver and cyclist colliding, or a rideshare driver striking a pedestrian. In this scenario, the pedestrian or cyclist and the rideshare customer may have potential personal injury claims against the rideshare driver and the company for whom they work.
What to Do After AN uber or lyft ACCIDENT in Colorado
The actions you take after a rideshare vehicle accident are nearly identical to those you take after any other type of accident, with one additional step. Taking the following steps will help to protect your short-term health and safety, as well as the future success of your claim. The information you gather after the accident will be very important to your Uber accident lawyer later, when pursuing your claim.
1. Take Care of Medical Needs if Necessary
The first thing you should do after an accident occurs is check yourself and others for injuries. Seek medical attention right away if you or any of your passengers have suffered a serious injury. Then, after you receive treatment, ask your doctor for a copy of your medical records. These reports will be useful to your attorney later.
2. Report the Accident to Colorado Police
After checking for serious injuries, call the local police immediately. If there are serious injuries, the 911 dispatcher will send an ambulance to the scene along with police. When the police arrive, they will investigate the scene of the accident and write a report.
Uber has made it easier for customers to alert the police if they have been in an accident. In fact, the Uber App offers an option to call 911 during your ride. If you use the app to call 911, your geo-location will be tracked and given to you in real time, making it easier to share your exact location with the police when asked. Lyft has a similar feature.
It is important to have the accident documented should you wish to file a claim later, upon discovering latent injuries, or if the minor injuries you sustained become worse. Be sure to request a copy of the report so you will have it to give to your attorney.
3. Collect Information Parties and Witnesses
After calling the police, and if you do not require immediate medical attention, make every effort to collect the contact and insurance information of the other parties involved in the accident. You will need to get their full names, phone numbers, and addresses. If applicable, get this information also from any passengers of the rideshare vehicle who are customers.
Though your Uber or Lyft driver may receive insurance through the company they drive for, be sure to get their personal auto insurance information as well. Your Uber accident lawyer will need this information for your claim.
If there were witnesses to the accident, collect their contact information as well. If possible, try to get a statement from any witnesses at the accident scene. Witnesses may also provide statements to the police which would be added to the police report.
4. Document the Scene
After collecting contact information, try to take pictures of the area in which the accident took place. Include pictures of the road conditions and other potentially impactful conditions, such as intersections, if applicable to the location of your accident.
You should also take pictures of your injuries. Give these photos to your Lyft accident lawyer as soon as possible, as this will be helpful evidence for filing your claim.
5. Contact Uber or Lyft
Once you have taken care of injuries and documented as much information as you can at the scene, contact your rideshare service as soon as possible after the accident. Uber makes this task easier for you. They have a feature for riders in their App that connects them with Uber representatives by simply clicking a button in the app.
Uber also tracks rides and has technology to detect whether a trip has gone off course or has potentially been involved in an accident. As a result, they may already be aware of the situation by the time you contact them.
For Lyft, you can report the accident to the company on their website. Your Uber or Lyft car accident lawyer will need copies of the records of any of these reports, too.
6. Find an Experienced Lyft Accident Lawyer or Uber Accident Lawyer
After calling the police, Uber or Lyft, documenting the scene, and attending to your injuries, try to speak with an injury attorney as soon as possible. A Colorado personal injury attorney will be able to help you hold the at-fault driver responsible for your injuries.
Contact Colorado Uber and Lyft injury lawyers As Soon As Possible
After your accident, you will want to consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer who has handled many similar cases, as they will be able to provide sound advice for your case and walk you through your next steps. Finding the right personal injury lawyer in Colorado may seem difficult, but there are plenty of resources available to make the process easier.
For example, you can ask friends or family for recommendations. You may also conduct a simple internet search using terms such as “Colorado Uber accident lawyer,” “Colorado Lyft accident lawyer,” or “Lyft car accident lawyer.”
Another option when looking for reliable legal representation is to look for an attorney through the American Bar Association’s online directory. Finally, you can search for a Colorado Lyft accident lawyer through the Colorado Bar Association’s website, which allows you to search for lawyers nearby.
No matter how you look for professional legal representation, choose a personal injury attorney who has the experience and skill needed to handle your case. You want one that has a track record of success in pursing personal injury claims. Zinda Law Group’s have experience with personal injury claims involving Uber or Lyft accidents. We also have an outstanding record of success in handling matters like these for our clients.
If your accident was caused by either an Uber or Lyft driver who was under the influence, or another vehicle whose driver was under the influence, there may be more than just civil liabilities involved with your case. DWAI and DUI accidents typically involve criminal penalties in addition to civil liabilities. A Colorado Uber accident lawyer will be able to navigate these overlapping areas and better assist you in receiving the compensation you deserve.
Colorado Statute of Limitations
If you wish to pursue a personal injury claim against an Uber or Lyft driver, contact a Lyft car accident lawyer right away, for there are time constraints. These are statutes of limitations, and they are involved in all civil cases in Colorado. These statutes determine how long you will have to file your claim.
In Colorado, the statute of limitations for a personal injury case involving an automobile-related accident is three years. This means that you have just three years from the date of your accident to file a claim.
If you attempt to file your claim beyond that three-year limit, your claim is barred. This means that it is not allowed and will be dismissed.
If you lose a loved one in an Uber or Lyft accident, you have less time. There is a two-year statute of limitations for a wrongful death claim that begins to run on the day of your loved one’s death. You will have two years from that point to file a claim, and if you fail to do so, it is barred.
An experienced will be able to help you determine when you will need to file. He or she can also determine whether you are subject to any of the exceptions that exist to “toll” or delay the statute of limitations.
From whom can you recover after your rideshare crashes?
Victims of any kind accident seeking compensation must prove that they suffered a loss, either in the form of injuries or property damage or both. They also must prove that the loss was caused by an at-fault party.
Recovery for damages typically comes from the insurance companies of the parties involved. As an accident victim, you may be entitled to seek compensation from the driver’s individual insurance company, but there are situations where you can recover from policies issued to the driver through their employer.
Both Uber and Lyft offer insurance coverage to their drivers. Uber offers it to its UberEats drivers as well.
Whether this insurance may cover any damages you sustain in the accident depends on whether the driver was “on the job.” Your rideshare injury lawyer will investigate to determine whether the driver was “off the job,” waiting for a passenger to request a ride, or driving to pick up or drop off a passenger.
Insurance Coverage for Uber Drivers
Offline or the Uber App is Turned Off. If an accident occurs while the Uber driver is offline or the Uber app is turned off on their device, Uber’s insurance offers no coverage. In other words, Uber does not insure its drivers when they are not working.
Available or Waiting for a Ride Request. If the driver is involved in an accident while “on the job” but not transporting a customer or food delivery, or is on the way to pick up a customer or delivery, Uber provides the following coverage:
- $50,000 in bodily injury per person
- $100,000 in bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 in property damage per accident
Transporting a Rider/Delivery or En Route to Pick Up a Rider/Delivery. The highest coverage is offered in scenarios where the driver is en route to a customer or food order, or the driver is transporting a customer or delivery. In these situations, Uber summarizes its coverage as follows:
- $1,000,000 for bodily injury and property damage caused to a third party (for example, passengers, pedestrians, and occupants of other vehicles)
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury (in the event the at-fault driver’s insurance is nonexistent or insufficient)
- Contingent comprehensive and collision, which covers damage to the driver’s vehicle
Insurance Coverage for Lyft Drivers
Offline or the Driver App is Off. As with Uber drivers, if you are “off the job” or not yet on the driver app, the individual driver’s personal auto insurance policy coverages apply.
Driver Available or Waiting for a Ride Request. If the driver is waiting for a ride request, or is “on the job,” then the following third-party liability insurance is provided by Lyft if the driver’s personal auto insurance does not apply:
- $50,000 in bodily injury per person
- $100,000 in bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 in property damage per accident
En Route to Pick Up Passengers and During Trips. If an accident occurs while a driver is en route to pick up a passenger or is driving a passenger to their destination, Lyft maintains the following insurance policy on the driver’s behalf:
- $1,000,000 third-party auto liability
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury and/or first-party coverage
- Contingent comprehensive and collision of up to actual cash value of car with a $2,500 deductible
WHAT YOU CAN RECOVER after a rideshare car accident
You may be able to recover the costs associated with your injury and recovery through a personal injury claim. The severity of the injury and your recovery time directly affect the amount of recovery for a personal injury action.
Perhaps your injury has left you unable to work or perform daily tasks. You might require ongoing medical care and extensive rehabilitative therapy.
These are all very expensive damages, but you may be able to recover the costs in the form of compensatory damages. An experienced personal injury lawyer can assist you in recovering the maximum compensation you are entitled to.
Recoverable damages include both economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages are the actual, monetary costs of your injury. Noneconomic damages cover the mental and emotional toll the injury has taken on your life and are recovered in the form of compensation for pain and suffering.
The following are common economic and noneconomic damages you may be entitled to recover:
1. Medical Bills
You may be able to recover the cost of medical bills you have paid out of pocket since the accident. This includes doctor’s visits, physical therapy and rehabilitation, and medication. You may also be able to recover the costs of any future appointments, medication, or treatments necessary for your recovery.
2. Lost Wages
If you are out of work due to your injury, you may recover what you would have earned from the time of the accident until you can return to work, as a part of your economic damages.
3. Diminished Earning Capacity
In addition to lost wages, you may be able to recover loss of earning capacity. If your injuries from the accident prevent you from going back to your job or working at another job for similar compensation, you may be able to recover the difference between what you were earning before the accident and what you are earning now.
4. Wrongful Death
If you lost a loved one in an Uber or Lyft accident, you may be able to recover any costs for their medical care or funeral expenses through a wrongful death claim against the responsible party. Just remember, in Colorado you have only two years to file a wrongful death claim.
5. Mental Anguish
Your non-economic damages include pain and suffering that result from the accident. Any kind of car accident takes emotional and mental tolls on a person and their family. You may be able to recover for this mental anguish itself, and the cost of mental health treatment that may stem from the accident.
How A Zinda Lyft accident lawyer in colorado Can Help You
Suffering an injury from any sort of car accident can be a source of immense emotional and financial strain on you and your family. When a Colorado Uber or Lyft driver is at-fault, the situation becomes more complex, due to the issues with insurance coverage that are at play.
It is important to get as much help and support as you can immediately following you or your loved one’s accident. Our Colorado Uber and Lyft injury lawyers at Zinda Law Group can assist you with recovering the costs associated with the ensuing injuries and recovery.
Our experienced personal injury lawyers will guide you through the often-complex legal system to help file your claim and ensure you receive maximum compensation. We will take care of the legal work so you can focus on yourself and your family during this time of recovery.
If we do not win your case, you will not pay any fees. This is our No Win, No Fee Guarantee.
If you or a loved one has suffered from an injury after an Uber or Lyft accident anywhere in Colorado, call Zinda Law Group today at (800) 863-5312. Ask to schedule your initial meeting with us, a free consultation with one of our Colorado Uber and Lyft injury lawyers.
Meetings with attorneys are available by appointment only.
Additional Links:
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- Arvada Personal Injury Lawyers
- Aurora Rideshare Accident Lawyers
- Boulder Rideshare Accident Lawyers
- Broomfield
- Colorado Springs Rideshare Accident Lawyers
- Denver Rideshare Accident Lawyers
- Durango
- Englewood
- Fort Collins Personal Injury Lawyers
- Grand Junction
- Greely Personal Injury Lawyers
- Highlands Ranch Personal Injury Lawyers
- Lakewood Personal Injury Lawyers
- Longmont Personal Injury Lawyers
- Loveland
- Northglenn
- Parker Personal Injury Lawyers
- Pueblo
- Thornton Personal Injury Lawyers
- Westminster Personal Injury Lawyers
- Wheat Ridge
Our Awards
AWARDED TO JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA BY THE NATIONAL TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION (2016-2020)
AWARDED TO JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA (2009, 2011-2012, 2014-2021), & NEIL SOLOMON (2020-2021)
AWARDED TO JACK ZINDA (2016-2020)
LIFETIME MEMBERS JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA
