CALL (800) 863-5312 TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION WITH AURORA RIDESHARE ACCIDENT LAWYERS
It has never been easier to get a ride from point A to point B, and for that we can thank rideshare companies that have become increasingly popular. However, this revolutionized mode of transportation has also come with consequences. Specifically, popular rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft have steadily increased the numbers of traffic accidents and accident fatalities over the years. Our Aurora rideshare accident lawyers have experience litigating these kinds of cases and are ready to fight for you to receive the compensation you deserve.
If you or a loved one have been a victim of a rideshare accident, whether as a passenger of the rideshare or as another driver on the road, call Zinda Law Group today at (800) 863-5312, and schedule your first, free case evaluation soon.
John (Jack) Zinda
Founder / CEO
Over 100 years of combined experience representing injured victims across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationI WAS INJURED WHILE RIDING IN An UBER OR LYFT IN AURORA, CO – NOW WHAT?
All car accidents can make you feel overwhelmed and helpless, but that might be especially true when it occurs while you are a passenger in a stranger’s car. Unfortunately, we cannot prevent our rideshare drivers from driving negligently, but we can prepare ourselves for what to do afterwards. If you have been injured in an accident while in an Uber or Lyft, consider following these pointers to best prepare yourself for a lawsuit.
Always Call the Police
Even if your driver and the other driver don’t want to call the police, you should always make sure you do. It may be uncomfortable, but it is important that you have a record of the accident on the file. If you don’t, it could end up being your word against the drivers, and your Aurora injury lawyer will have a much harder case to win.
Document All the Evidence You Can on the Scene
Make sure that the officer on the scene writes an accurate report that includes your name and status as a passenger in the vehicle, but you should also try to document some evidence yourself as well. Be sure to write down both drivers’ names and insurance information. You can also take pictures of everything you can on the scene, including the damage to the vehicles and any visible injuries you have.
You should also try to take a picture of the required decal on your driver’s windshield signifying what rideshare provider they work with. If there were any witnesses on the scene, try to get their information as well. All of the evidence you get at the scene of the accident will be very helpful to your Aurora accident lawyer later on.
Get Checked Out by A Doctor
Even if your injuries don’t seem serious, it is still always best to see a doctor and get checked out. Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, some of which aren’t always obvious right away; if left untreated, these kinds of injuries can progress and even become fatal. Throughout this process, consider keeping a journal where you write down how you are feeling and the status of your injuries; this could help your Aurora rideshare accident lawyer a great deal because sometimes it can be hard to remember things after a tragic accident.
Report the Accident with Uber or Lyft
Report the accident on the app and screenshot any response you get; this will allow your personal injury lawyer later on to demonstrate to the jury that you acted responsibly after the accident and covered all your bases. However, it is very important that you do not talk to anyone from the rideshare provider’s insurance company unless your attorney is present.
After you report the accident, someone from the company or their insurance may reach out to you. It is imperative that you do not talk to them without your Aurora injury lawyer present. Otherwise they can try to elicit information from you so that they can avoid liability and the need to compensate you.
Call The Aurora Rideshare Accident Lawyers at Zinda Law Group
Unfortunately, there are a lot of complex issues with your case, such as whose insurance will apply, the rideshare provider’s or the individual drivers. These cases can be difficult to navigate, but not with an experienced Aurora rideshare accident lawyer by your side. At Zinda Law Group, our personal injury attorneys are well versed in this field of law and can help you investigate your claim, negotiate with the opposing counsel, and, if necessary, prove your case in court.
Neil Solomon
Partner
Real results matter. We do not get paid unless we win your case.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationI WAS HIT BY AN UBER OR LYFT DRIVER IN AURORA – NOW WHAT?
Let’s face it, through the very nature of their work ,Uber or Lyft drivers are pretty distracted. They’re either driving a passenger while also paying attention to the navigation system and accepting or denying new rides, or they’re trying to find a pickup location that they have never been to before. That’s without even mentioning the fact that they in some cases have been driving for hours and their eyes are slowly glassing over.
You can’t avoid being on the road with these drivers; they’re everywhere! But you can prepare yourself for what to do if you ever find yourself the victim of a car accident with a rideshare driver. If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident in Aurora because of a negligent Uber or Lyft driver, consider following these tips to best set yourself up for getting compensated.
Call the Police to the Scene, Even if the Damage Isn’t Bad
Upon first reflection it might seem tempting to not get the police involved and just trade insurance information, but it is extremely important that you resist that urge. Call the police to the scene so that they can fill out a detailed report about what happened.
Make Sure the Police Report is Accurate and Document Your Own Evidence
Whose car insurance will apply to your claim will depend on what the Uber or Lyft driver was doing at the time. If the driver was either in the process of taking a passenger somewhere or was waiting for a fare, then they are considered to have been on the clock, and the rideshare provider’s insurance should apply. If they were just going about their personal day, then their insurance will apply.
If they were on the clock, make sure the police report says so; that way Uber or Lyft can’t try to argue later on that they aren’t liable. You should also document your own evidence at the scene; take pictures of vehicle damage, your injuries, and the Uber or Lyft decal on the other driver’s car. If they did have a passenger, get that passenger’s name and contact information.
When they were in the act of driving someone, the insurance covers much more than it does when they are not, so it is really important that you have a way to contact the passenger to attest that they were in fact in the vehicle on a ride. You should also get that information for any other witnesses on the scene; the more evidence you gather from the scene, the easier it is for your Aurora rideshare accident lawyer to prove your case in court later on.
Seek Medical Attention and Comply with Doctor’s Advice
You should always get checked out by a doctor, even if you don’t feel like your injuries are serious. Without treatment, they can progress over time, and the defendant’s insurance company can try to argue that the accident wasn’t the cause of your injuries. If a medical provider gives you advice, follow through with what they say, for one way the defendant can try to lessen the amount of compensation they owe you is by arguing that you didn’t prevent the injury from getting worse when you reasonably should have.
CASE RESULTS
Call Zinda Law Group Aurora Rideshare Accident Lawyers
Rideshare providers like Uber and Lyft are extremely wealthy companies with insurance companies who will fight you tooth and nail to avoid paying you the compensation you deserve. Don’t take the risk of fighting this case on your own; instead, call an experienced Aurora accident lawyer to take care of it for you. At Zinda Law Group our experienced Aurora rideshare accident lawyers know how to handle all of the complexities of these kinds of cases and can walk you through every step of the process.
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
Standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ready to answer in your time of need.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationInsurance Coverage for Rideshare Companies
The insurance policies for the big rideshare companies function in a way where they activate at different levels depending on the status of the driver. These companies protect themselves from many claims by classifying their drivers as independent contractors. Doing so not only puts up a liability barrier but also limits the benefits they must provide their drivers.
These companies require their drivers to carry their own personal insurance. However, the full value of your claim is likely to exceed these coverage limits if you’re involved in a serious accident.
Depending on the driver’s status at the time of the crash, you will either have to file an additional claim with the rideshare company’s provider or file a personal injury lawsuit to get the money you need and deserve. There are three different situations you could find yourself in when injured in an accident where the rideshare driver was at fault.
Driver Not Signed into App
When you are injured in a crash caused by a rideshare driver who is not logged into the rideshare app, they will be solely liable for your damages.
The rideshare company’s insurance policy will not be activated, and if your damages exceed the coverage limits of the driver’s personal insurance, your only option will be to file a lawsuit against the driver to recover the rest of the money to which you are entitled.
Driver Signed into the App but No Ride Accepted
If the driver of the rideshare vehicle has signed into the app but has not accepted a ride, the first level of insurance coverage from the rideshare company will come into effect. However, your first source of compensation will still be to file a claim with the driver’s personal insurer.
If your damages exceed these coverage limits, you can then file a claim with the rideshare company’s insurer. However, it is important to understand that the company’s policy is very limited in these situations, and if you are dealing with a serious injury, you will likely need to file a lawsuit to recover the difference.
Driver Signed into the App and Accepted a Ride
If the driver is signed in and has accepted a ride, the full coverage of the rideshare company’s insurance coverage will be activated. This is true whether or not the driver has picked up a passenger yet. In these situations, the policies of the big rideshare companies cover damages up to $1,000,000.
Once again, your first source of coverage will be filing a claim with the driver’s personal insurance provider. If your damages exceed their coverage caps, you will likely be able to recover the rest of the money you need from the insurer of the rideshare company.
However, if you are dealing with extreme damages or the insurer attempts to deny your claim, filing a lawsuit may still be necessary to recover the full amount to which you are entitled.
Cole Gumm
Attorney
We are here to ensure you won’t have to face this difficult time alone.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationAURORA RIDESHARE ACCIDENT FAQS
If you have been in a rideshare accident, you probably have a lot of good questions, like “Do I really need an injury lawyer near me?” or “How much does Uber’s insurance cover?” Below, we have answered a few of those common questions, but if you don’t see the answer you are looking for, remember that our experienced Aurora accident lawyers are just a phone call away with a free consultation.
What are Common Injuries from Rideshare Accidents?
Motor vehicle accidents can cause a wide range of injuries varying in severity. Some common injuries from car accidents, whether the person was a passenger or a driver, are:
- Broken bones or fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries or concussions
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Injuries to the back or neck
- Whiplash
- Burns, lacerations, or “road rash”
- Internal injuries
- Knee injuries
- Foot and ankle injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Emotional distress
Even if the injury you suffered from is not on this list, that does not mean you aren’t deserving of compensation. To see if you have a viable claim for your injuries, call us for a free consultation with one of our Aurora injury lawyers.
Who is Liable for Rideshare Accidents?
Who is responsible is always a fact-specific question that will depend on your individual circumstances. Sometimes it might just be the other driver, sometimes it could be Uber or Lyft, and sometimes it can be someone totally unexpected, like the manufacturer of the other driver’s car. This is one of the many reasons why it is so important to hire an experienced Aurora accident lawyer.
An experienced personal injury attorney knows how to investigate cases and figure out what exactly caused the accident and who should bear the responsibility. Without a lawyer by your side, you could end up suing the wrong person entirely and not availing yourself of any compensation at all.
If I Was Driving and an Uber/Lyft Driver Hit Me, How Much Will Their Insurance Cover?
In order for Uber/Lyft’s insurance to apply instead of the driver’s, the driver must have been either logged into the app waiting for a ride or in the midst of a ride. If they are doing either of those things, then what stage they are in will determine how much coverage is provided.
Stage 1
If the Uber/Lyft driver was logged onto the app but had not accepted a request for a ride yet, then the rideshare provider’s liability coverage will cover $25,000 in property damage and $50,000 per person injured, but no more than $100,000 total injury liability per accident. That means that even if you had two friends in the car with you, if you were all injured, you can collectively receive no more than $100,000.
Stage 2
If the Uber/Lyft driver was either in the process of making a trip or was on his or her way to pick up a passenger, then the policy payout is much higher. In that case, the provider’s liability coverage will sit at about $1 million dollars.
As you can see, what the driver was doing at the time makes a huge difference. It is in Uber/Lyft’s best interest to always argue that the driver was either not working at all, or was in stage 1 and therefore liable for less money. This is one of the many reasons why it is so important to have an Aurora injury lawyer by your side; an injury lawyer can investigate what the driver was in fact doing and can prove it in court, if necessary.
How Long do I Have to Sue?
In Colorado, cases like these generally have a two-year statute of limitations. That means that on the date of the accident, the clock will start ticking, and if you haven’t sued after two years, then you lose your chance to file a claim unless extenuating circumstances apply.
Don’t take this is a sign to wait six months or a year before calling an attorney. The earlier you call an attorney the better, because that gives them more time to investigate your case and figure out the best claims to bring.
Why Do I Need an Aurora Rideshare Accident Lawyer?
At the end of the day, rideshare companies have insurance lawyers who will do everything they can to protect their profit margins, including trying to discredit your claims and avoid compensating you entirely. Having an experienced Aurora accident attorney by your side who knows how to negotiate with insurance companies and, if necessary, how to prove your case in court, is the best way to get your hands on the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
CALL ZINDA LAW GROUP TODAY FOR YOUR 100% FREE CONSULTATION
Our Aurora injury lawyers at Zinda Law Group have worked with many victims of car accidents and know the struggles that come with them, including the financial struggles. That is why at Zinda Law Group, in addition to offering 100% free consultations, we also have a “No Win, No Fee Guarantee.” That means that if we aren’t successful in your case, you don’t have to pay us a dime.
Our priority is helping you get back on your feet, not hurting you while you are down. If you’re ready to take the first step and fight for the compensation you deserve after your rideshare vehicle accident, call us today at (800) 863-5312.
Meetings with attorneys are available by appointment only.
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
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
We have successfully represented clients in a wide variety of cases across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation
