Denver, CO, Rideshare Accidents Lawyers Protecting the Rights of Injured Passengers

Ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft have exploded onto the map in the last several years. Many people utilize these app-based transportation companies while traveling, for quick rides to visit friends, or to get home from a night out. While ridesharing is convenient and easy, it comes with some health risks. If a rideshare driver is not careful, you may find yourself injured in a car accident. Even if you don’t use rideshare services as a passenger, you could end up having to file a claim against them if you are struck by a rideshare vehicle as a pedestrian or a driver.

You may wonder what to do next as you face medical bills and lost wages as you recover from the accident. A Denver rideshare accident attorney can help you navigate the complex process of filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault parties involved, so you can hold them accountable for your injuries and damages.

If you’ve been hurt in an Uber or Lyft accident, contact an experienced rideshare accident attorney at Genco Injury Attorneys for a free consultation today: 303-500-1376. We will negotiate with the rideshare companies, their insurance, and any other involved parties to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

What Should You Do After a Rideshare Accident?

After a crash, paying passengers involved in Uber and Lyft accidents should take almost the same steps as if it was an accident in their personal vehicle, with a few additions. While a passenger does not have to be concerned about being held liable for the rideshare accident unless they interfered with the driver, they do need to protect their own interests and make certain they have the basic information and proof required to pursue a personal injury claim if it becomes necessary. These steps also apply if you are a pedestrian or driver who has been hit by a rideshare vehicle. The actions a rideshare accident victim should take include:

Get medical treatment: If you or anyone else in the crash is seriously injured, you should call 911. Even if you feel okay, you should still get a medical evaluation immediately. Some injuries are not apparent at the time of the crash, and it is crucial to get them treated and documented.
Ensure the police have been called: If no one else has contacted the local police, you should call so they can come and clear the area and make a report. The report has important information about the accident and is critical if you file a claim or lawsuit. Be sure you ask the responding officer how to get a copy of the accident report once it is available. This can save valuable time for you and your attorney later.
Screenshot the rideshare app: Take screenshots on your phone as proof that you were a rideshare passenger at the time of the accident. You should also get a screenshot of the driver’s app showing their status when the accident occurred. This evidence may be useful if the rideshare company’s insurance claims the driver was not on the clock when the accident occurred.
Collect the insurance coverage information of the rideshare driver and other drivers involved: Gather vehicle info, names, phone numbers, insurance information, and any additional pertinent information from the drivers in the accident. There are many scenarios where you may need this information, depending on who is deemed liable for the crash. Also, get any eyewitnesses’ names, addresses, and phone numbers.
Document what occurred: Use your phone to photograph the accident scene from many angles. Also, photograph any injuries you sustained. This information can be useful later. Record your recollection of the accident as soon as possible to retain as many details as you can.
File a report with the rideshare company: In Colorado, police will only file a report if there were obvious injuries involved or if there was more than $1000 of property damage. You should report the accident directly to the rideshare company, so there is a record of the incident.
Contact an attorney: An Uber or Lyft accident attorney can help you determine the next steps for your unique case. They will help you handle the complex and confusing claims process for rideshare accidents to hold those responsible accountable. They will also ensure you get the quality care you need to recover from your injuries.

What Type of Insurance Do Rideshare Drivers Have?

When Uber and Lyft drivers are on the job, they are covered by the company’s liability insurance. However, the level of this liability coverage depends on precisely what the driver is doing when the accident happens. If the driver is on the rideshare app but has not yet accepted a ride, they have personal injury coverage through their company of $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident and $25,000 in property damage coverage. If the driver has accepted a ride and is heading to pick them up or has them in the vehicle, then they have $1,000,000 of coverage per accident, which includes uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) motorist coverage. If the rideshare driver is not on the clock at all when the accident occurs, then they are the same as any other driver on the road with their own personal insurance, and the rideshare company’s insurance coverage will not apply.

This situation becomes even more complicated since the rideshare company’s insurance policy does not pay out until all other forms of insurance have paid their maximum. For example, if a third-party driver was at fault for the accident or the driver of the rideshare has other rideshare coverage, victims would have to file claims against that insurance first before seeking compensation from the rideshare company’s insurance. A Denver rideshare accident lawyer understands the complexities of this system and will make sure your claims are filed properly with the correct parties so you can receive your full payout in a timely manner.

What Compensation Can You Receive in a Rideshare Accident Case?

A rideshare accident attorney is skilled at investigating the details of your accident and determining where the liability lies. Once they have decided who is at fault and what insurance coverage is applicable, they will calculate what losses you have experienced due to your car accident. As with most vehicular accidents, there are two main types of damages awarded to victims: economic and non-economic.

Economic damages compensate you for any tangible financial losses that happened due to your injury. It is relatively straightforward to calculate economic damages because you will generally have receipts, bills, and other records for your expenses. This category may include:

Lost wages
Physical therapy
Medical expenses
Property replacement or repair

Non-economic damages are non-monetary losses suffered from the rideshare accident. These are harder to calculate because although they substantially impact the victim’s life, they are not easy to translate into a dollar amount. In general, the severity of the injuries and the length of time they impact the victim’s life determines the amount of these damages. Some examples of non-economic damages can include:

Future medical bills
Loss of enjoyment of life
Emotional distress
Pain and suffering
Loss of future earning potential
Mental anguish

If your loved one was killed in a rideshare accident, you may be eligible to bring a wrongful death lawsuit and seek compensation for the loss of their support, funeral expenses, and other related damages.

What Does a Rideshare Accident Lawyer Do?

After a rideshare accident, you may feel frustrated by the unwillingness of the insurance companies to pay fair compensation for your injuries. Their concern is not for your well-being. Instead, they are most interested in maintaining their bottom line and limiting the amount they have to pay. A Denver rideshare accident attorney from Genco Injury Attorneys understands the multifaceted laws surrounding Uber and Lyft accident claims. They know how to investigate a rideshare crash and collect the evidence needed to prove your insurance claim. Your lawyer will consider all your damages when calculating a fair settlement to maximize the amount you recover from the insurance company for your injuries. While most claims can be successfully negotiated without taking the case to trial, our lawyers are willing to take on large companies like Uber and Lyft in court on behalf of our clients when necessary. Contact Genco Injury Attorneys today at 303-500-1376 to learn how we can assist you.