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As Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare services have become increasingly popular in cities across the United States, the number of car accidents involving a rideshare vehicle has likewise risen. Uber and similar services have helped ease traffic congestion in major cities and have competed with existing taxi services to drive down the costs of such services; however, rideshare drivers are still capable of causing accidents, like any other drivers on the road. Unfortunately, these accidents may be more complex as it can be unclear which insurance company may be responsible for your injuries and the necessary steps to seek compensation. That’s why it’s important to speak with Denver Uber accident lawyers. If you or your loved one have been injured in an Uber accident, call Zinda Law Group today at (800) 863-5312 to schedule your free consultation with a Denver ride share accident lawyer. If we are not able to win your case, you will not owe us anything.
John (Jack) Zinda
Founder / CEO
Over 100 years of combined experience representing injured victims across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationWhat to do after a Rideshare accident in Denver
The aftermath of a car accident can be understandably confusing; this confusion may only be increased if the other driver is a rideshare driver. If you have been involved in an accident in Denver involving a rideshare driver, you should take the following steps to maximize your ability to seek any compensation you may be entitled to:
1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention
As with any time that you are involved in an accident, you should be sure to seek medical attention as soon as possible to identify and treat any injuries you may have suffered in the accident. Even if you do not believe you have suffered any visible or serious injuries, you should still seek medical attention as soon as you leave the scene of the accident. In many cases, some injuries are not always immediately apparent, including many serious injuries such as internal bleeding that may be initially masked by the adrenaline and shock you may experience immediately following an accident.
2. Gather and Maintain Documentation
Another key step to remember when determining what to do after an Uber accident in Denver is to make sure to gather as much documentation and evidence as possible. Be sure to exchange information with any other people involved in the accident—including the Uber driver—such as their names, contact information, license plate numbers, insurance information, and driver’s license numbers. Be sure to also collect the name and contact information for any potential witnesses to the accident.
If possible, take pictures and videos of the scene of the accident, including of any injuries you suffered in the accident, any vehicles or objects involved in the accident, and any other relevant details such as the red light, stop sign, or other traffic signs. Finally, carefully store and maintain any medical records related to your injuries or treatment after the accident, as these may be crucial in helping your rideshare accident lawyer prove the extent of your injuries.
3. File A Denver Accident Report
Colorado law requires drivers to notify the police after every car accident; however, police will not always file an accident report unless there are reported injuries or sufficient property damage. Obtain a copy of any accident report filed by the police, and also file an accident report directly with Uber or other rideshare service the driver was driving for at the time of the accident. These reports will help to create a record of the accident and may be useful to your lawyer in helping you pursue compensation.
4. Contact a Denver Rideshare Accident Lawyer
One of the most important steps to take after any accident is often to call an experienced lawyer near you who can help you better understand your legal options after the accident. Your attorney can help you understand who may be liable for your injuries or damages as well as how much compensation you may be entitled to; they will also know best the process that will be necessary to pursue that compensation.
When determining who to call when in an Uber accident, look for a law firm with attorneys experienced and knowledgeable in accidents similar to yours, as this experience will help your attorney maximize your compensation. Skilled negotiation with insurance companies and understanding of the intricacies of car accident cases involving rideshare drivers set our attorneys apart from other law firms in the Denver area.
The attorneys at Zinda Law Group have years of experience helping car accident victims and can help you better understand your options after an accident involving an Uber driver. Allow our skilled team to handle your case while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
Neil Solomon
Partner
Real results matter. We do not get paid unless we win your case.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationColorado laws for Uber drivers
While Colorado law governing car accidents in the state will generally apply in most cases, there are additional considerations in cases involving rideshare company drivers. In these cases, insurance coverage for any person injured in the accident will depend on who was at fault for causing the accident as well as the status of the Uber driver when the accident occurred. Understanding the driver’s status at the time of the accident and the applicable insurance coverage requirements may help you determine what to do after a Colorado Uber or Lyft accident.
Driver Status
The status of the rideshare driver at the time of the accident will be the deciding factor in determining which level of insurance coverage applies to the accident and your injuries and which insurance company may be responsible for paying any claims. While Colorado follows many other states in considering rideshare drivers to be independent contractors, insurance coverage is typically based on their status at the time of the accident:
- If the driver was actively transporting a passenger or had already accepted a ride and was on the way to pick up the passenger, then the driver will be considered engaged in a “prearranged ride.”
- If the driver was signed into the rideshare company’s app and available for picking up passengers but had not yet accepted a trip, then the driver’s personal insurance coverage is generally responsible for any accident, but the rideshare company may still be required to provide coverage if the driver’s insurance company denies a victim’s claim, or the coverage is insufficient to cover the full claim.
- Finally, if the Uber driver was not signed into the company’s app at the time of the accident, then the driver will likely be considered to be on their “personal time,” leaving their individual insurance policy responsible for any damages incurred in an accident caused by the driver.
Insurance Coverage
Colorado law requires Uber and other companies to have at least one million dollars in liability coverage for car accidents that occur during a prearranged ride. Pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes Section 40-10.1-604, rideshare companies must maintain liability insurance coverage for its drivers in the amount of at least one million dollars per accident for all times the driver is engaged in a prearranged ride.
This insurance coverage not only covers any person who was injured in an Uber accident caused by the negligent Uber driver, but it also provides coverage in certain situations when the Uber driver was not responsible for causing the accident. In some cases where the accident was caused by another driver’s negligence, Uber passengers who were being transported by the rideshare company’s driver at the time of the accident may be covered under the rideshare company’s insurance policy. This may be the case, for example, if the other driver was uninsured and did not possess any insurance coverage or if the other driver was underinsured and did not have sufficient insurance coverage to cover the full extent of your injuries and damages.
If the driver is logged into the rideshare company’s app but is not currently engaged in a prearranged ride, the statute instead requires the driver, on the rideshare company’s behalf, to maintain liability coverage of at least $50,000 to any one person involved in an accident and $100,000 for all people injured in a single accident, in addition to at least $30,000 of property damage coverage.
Even if the Uber driver did not have any passengers at the time of the accident and had not yet accepted any request to pick up a passenger, other drivers or passengers in other vehicles can potentially claim compensation under this insurance coverage if the Uber driver is responsible for causing an accident while the driver was online and indicating their availability to pick up passengers. Finally, if the Uber driver was not online or accepting requests at the time of the accident and was not actively engaged in a prearranged ride, then the driver will generally be considered “off the clock” under Colorado law.
As a result, the driver will instead be treated as any other driver under Colorado law, with the same liability insurance requirements as any other driver in Colorado. In short, if you were injured in an Uber accident, determining which insurance company may be responsible for paying a claim can be complicated, especially where there are multiple valid insurance policies in place at the time of the accident that may provide coverage.
If so, C.R.S. Section 40-10.1-604 provides that the responsibility for the claim will be divided on a pro rata basis, or proportional basis, among all of the applicable policies. An Uber accident lawyer can help you understand which elements apply to your situation, which route to take, and how to file your claim when you pursue any compensation. CASE RESULTS
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 ConsultationHow to File a Rideshare Accident Claim in Denver, CO
1. Report the Accident
If your Uber gets in an accident, it is important to report the accident as soon as possible. As you would in any car accident, be sure to call the police. The police will make an accident report that will be vital for your settlement or lawsuit.
2. Collect Evidence
Take photographs of the scene of the accident. Also, if you are able, take pictures of your injuries. If there were any witnesses, ask them for their names and contact information. It is also useful to get the contact details, insurance information, and license plate number of the person that caused the accident.
3. Report the Crash to Uber
You should also notify your accident to Uber. You can do so through your smartphone application or through Uber’s website. If you have trouble contacting Uber or if you get some hackneyed reply, you should contact an attorney.
4. Get Medical Attention
Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Your health is your number one priority. Furthermore, receiving medical attention means your injuries will be officially recorded. Insurance companies are notorious for trying to give claimants as little compensation as possible. If you do not have your injuries recorded, the insurance company may try to say that your injuries were not as serious as you claimed. Without evidence of the extent of your injuries, you may lose out on compensation.
5. Get a Denver Uber or Lyft Accident Attorney On Your Side
Hiring an experienced lawyer can help to increase the amount of compensation you may seek. This is because a lawyer will conduct an investigation that may be more thorough and uncover aspects of your claim that the insurance company may miss.
A lawyer will be responsible for all the bureaucratic paperwork involved in an insurance claim and make sure that you do not lose out on any potential compensation because of technical errors. Your lawyer will also negotiate with insurance companies and properly value your claim in order for you to seek the maximum value for your claim.
Cole Gumm
Attorney
We are here to ensure you won’t have to face this difficult time alone.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationUber’s Insurance Policy
Uber has two different policies, depending on whether the Uber driver is in driving mode or matched with a passenger. Driving mode simply means that the Uber driver is just driving without a passenger, but is looking for a passenger.
If the driver gets in an accident while in driving mode, Uber is liable for up to $50,000 per person for bodily injury, up to $100,000 total for bodily injury, and up to $25,000 total for property damage caused in the accident. If the driver gets in an accident while matched with passenger, Uber is liable for up to $1 million for crashes caused by an uninsured or underinsured motorist, up to $1 million of total liability coverage, and the actual cash value or repair cost of the vehicle, whichever is less, with a $1,000 deductible.
Minimum Coverage Colorado Requires for Drivers
You may also seek compensation even if the Uber driver was not in driving mode or matched with a passenger. You simply file a claim through the driver’s personal insurance company. Under Colorado law, drivers must carry insurance that covers up to $25,000 for bodily injury per person, at least $50,000 in total for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident.
Common Causes of Uber Accidents in Denver
As Denver Uber accidents are really just car accidents, the causes of Uber accidents are the same as all other car accidents:
Texting
Recall that Uber does not hire employees to drive. It hires independent contractors. Independent contractors are not screened as carefully as employees, and therefore, Uber drivers may be less than professional. Thus, an Uber driver may text while driving, a prime cause of car accidents.
Carelessness
Sometimes, drivers have something other on their mind than driving. When this happens, the likelihood of an accident rises dramatically.
Speeding
Failing to adhere to the speed limit may mean an accident, and in these cases, you may be entitled to seek compensation.
Distracted Driving
Though taxi drivers tend to be more professional and focus on driving, Uber drivers are not held to the same standard as taxi drivers and are more likely to engage in distracted driving. Distracted driving actually is estimated to cause 50% of all serious car accidents.
Bad Weather in Denver
Denver is notorious for it’s sometimes snowy conditions which can lead to treacherous road conditions, increasing the likelihood of an Uber or Lyft accident in Denver
Common Injuries from Uber Accidents in Denver
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Bone fractures
- Internal injuries
- Amputation
- Permanent disfigurement
- Head injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Catastrophic injuries
- Death
How is Rideshare Accident compensation calculated?
Compensation is provided for economic losses and non-economic losses.
Economic losses include the following:
- past and future medical bills
- past and future lost wages
- damaged property
- past and future loss of earning capacity
Non-economic losses include the following:
- past and future emotional anguish
- pain
- loss of enjoyment of activities
Punitive Damages – You also may be able to seek punitive damages, which is an additional source of compensation. If the Uber driver or the driver that collided with your Uber intended to cause injury to you, you may be able to seek punitive damages. The actual legal threshold you must prove in order to pursue punitive damages is that the accident involved an act of malice, or willful conduct (a reckless disregard for the safety of others).
Be aware that Colorado courts use what is called comparative fault when it determines how much compensation a victim is entitled to. Comparative fault looks at all the parties involved in the accident and looks at how much fault each party had in contributing towards the accident. In a slip and fall accident, for instance, you could be considered at fault if you were being reckless when you fell.
If in the grocery store, the floor was wet, but you were rollerblading along the floor when you fell, you will probably not likely seek full compensation if you win your case. For instance, imagine that you win your case, but you were found to be twenty-five percent at fault and the jury awards you $100,000 in damages. In such a case, you would only seek $75,000 in compensation rather than $100,000.
How long do I have to make a claim?
There are legal time limits associated with seeking compensation. These time limits are known as the statute of limitations. In Denver, the statute of limitations for a car accident is three years. This means that a person generally has three years from the date of the accident to file a claim. If you try to make a claim after these two years, you may not be allowed to move forward.
This is why speaking with a lawyer can be very beneficial to your case and help you ensure that you don’t miss any important deadlines.
Contact a Denver Uber accident attorney near you today
Car accidents can cause serious, life-threatening, or even fatal injuries. In just an instant, you can suffer serious temporary or permanent injuries as a result of someone else’s negligence. While you may not be certain what to do after an Uber accident in Denver, you do not have to face this uncertainty alone.
If you have been injured in an Uber accident, contact Zinda Law Group as soon as possible to speak with our experienced lawyers. We want to help you understand your legal options after your accident.
Our attorneys can explain who may be liable for your injuries and how much compensation you may be entitled to, as well as determine the legal time frame—known as the statute of limitations—within which you must file a personal injury lawsuit to seek compensation. Call (800) 863-5312 today for a free consultation with a Denver Uber accident attorney from Zinda Law Group. You will not pay anything unless we win your case. That’s our No Win, No Fee Guarantee. 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) ZINDAOur Awards
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
We have successfully represented clients in a wide variety of cases across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation
