The ride-sharing industry greatly benefits Denver residents and those living throughout Colorado. Not only is it convenient and often easier than hailing a cab or taxi, but it also offers individuals the opportunity to become entrepreneurs and small business owners by driving for these larger organizations.
However, despite all the benefits of the ridesharing industry, there can be drawbacks – especially when an individual experiences a wreck causing a personal injury due to a ridesharing driver’s negligent action or inaction.
If this describes something you or a loved one is experiencing, just know that the Denver car crash attorneys of Dulin McQuinn Young are on your side. Our track record of success is highlighted by decades of experience and millions of dollars won.
So if you or a loved one have been injured in a ridesharing accident in Denver, reach out to our team today to book your free, no-obligation case review and consultation. Our Denver Uber & Lyft accident lawyers are ready to get work on your ridesharing accident case.
A Denver Rideshare Accident Lawyer Can Help You
On the surface, rideshare accidents may appear like any other car accident. However, rideshare accidents often produce complex legal liability claims between multiple parties and their insurance companies.
The best way to protect yourself from rideshare insurance company tactics to reduce your claim’s value, deny your claim, or shift blame for the accident is to retain experienced legal counsel. At Dulin McQuinn Young, our Uber & Lyft accident lawyers will fight for your legal rights and defend your compensation claim from insurance adjusters who might otherwise take advantage of your situation.
Dulin McQuinn Young will meet with you at no cost and advise you of your legal options. If you have a claim against the rideshare company, a Denver injury lawyer from our firm will handle all insurance company and rideshare calls and correspondence, allowing you to focus on your physical recovery.
We will also:
- Manage any other driver’s insurance company correspondence along with your own company (when involved);
- Investigate the accident;
- Gather eyewitness testimony and documentary evidence;
- Hire necessary experts;
- Total your medical expenses and damages, and estimate your future accident-related needs;
- Negotiate a fair settlement with any insurance companies;
- File an accident lawsuit in the appropriate court;
- Litigate your case if the insurance company fails to offer a reasonable settlement.
Dulin McQuinn Young will make sure you understand Colorado’s rideshare laws and how they apply to your circumstances. We want you to feel comfortable and well-informed throughout the personal injury claims process.
While few rideshare claims go to court, rest assured your case will be trial-ready. Dulin McQuinn Young was built by trial lawyers with a history of successful jury verdicts.
Do not leave your rideshare accident claim to chance. Call Dulin McQuinn Young now. Our Uber & Lyft attorneys can skillfully guide you through your rideshare accident claim.
Understanding The Ridesharing Landscape In Denver
In 2014, Colorado Springs was one of the first cities in the nation outside of Silicon Valley to get ridesharing service apps like Uber and Lyft. That immediately triggered a regulatory reaction at the Colorado Legislature, causing lawmakers to make a new classification of vehicles outside of taxis or limos under SB 125.
Colorado was the first state in the nation in 2015 to enact regulatory legislation for Uber and Lyft called the Transportation Network Company Act. But even with all this regulatory oversight, it may not have ultimately led to better road outcomes for drivers.
As a University of Chicago study reports, vehicle fatalities and fatal accidents have increased by about 3% between 2014 and 2016, coinciding with the widespread adoption of ridesharing services.
Although some experts suggest that these services may lower accident rates by providing a safe alternative to drunk and high driving, reducing drunk driving incidents does not necessarily compensate for the overall increase in crashes.
Liability Coverage In Denver Ridesharing Accidents
As in most states, Uber and Lyft drivers are independent contractors. Because they’re driving their vehicle for this service, they must have their car personal insurance to cover incidents and accidents that could occur while on the road.
But whenever the individual is actively driving on the clock for either Lyft or Uber or is just between rides but with the app on, they have additional liability coverage from their parent organization.
Both Lyft and Uber have nearly identical ridesharing driver coverage, which includes the following coverage levels:
- Coverage for when the app is on, but the driver isn’t actively driving:
- $25,000/accident for property
- $100,000/accident for bodily injury
- $50,000/person for bodily injury
- Coverage for when the app is on, and the driver is actively on a ride:
- $1,000,000 for third-party auto liability per accident
Additionally, Colorado’s legislature, to close loopholes in liability coverage offered by Lyft and Uber, passed a bill that went into effect May 2022.
HB 22-1089 requires Lyft, Uber, and other ridesharing companies to carry additional liability coverage for uninsured motorists (which would cover a hit-and-run) of at least $200,000 per rider and $400,000 per occurrence. This seeks to cover individuals who are riding in ridesharing cars but do not have car insurance themselves.
Circumstances in Which an Uber or Lyft Accident Claim May Arise
Any number of circumstances can result in an Uber or Lyft accident claim. Some are rideshare specific, while others are common amongst all passenger vehicle accident claims.
Uber & Lyft vehicles are common throughout Denver. Rideshare drivers often drive long hours, making frequent stops throughout their shifts. This serves to increase the chances of rideshare accidents and claims.
The following are also contributing factors to Uber & Lyft accident claims:
- Speeding or reckless driving. A driver may speed to pick up or drop off a rideshare passenger to complete rides and increase their profits;
- Failure to follow traffic rules and regulations. Drivers may miss stop signs or turns due to distractions inside or outside of their vehicle during or between passenger pickups;
- Failure to maintain or service the rideshare vehicle. Heavily used rideshare vehicles may require more frequent maintenance than privately used cars, including tire changes, brake replacement, and vital safety checks;
- Intoxication by drugs or alcohol. Driving while intoxicated is illegal due to how dangerous it is;
- Driving while drowsy. Drivers who take extra shifts or shifts without breaks may become tired and inattentive to their surroundings while driving;
- Driving while distracted. Uber & Lyft drivers may be unfamiliar with a place or an address and watch their App for directions instead of watching the road and their surroundings. This may occur while looking for a passenger or dropping a passenger off;
- Texting or talking on the phone while driving. Drivers in their cars during the day may conduct personal business on the phone while transporting passengers. This distraction makes them susceptible to accidents.
There are several other reasons Uber & Lyft accidents can happen. Regardless of the circumstances that lead to a rideshare accident, rideshare injuries are costly to victims physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially.
Injuries That Could Come From A Denver Uber Or Lyft Accident
To be able to bring legal action against a negligent ridesharing driver, an individual will need to show that they suffered bodily injury as a result of their ridesharing case.
Examples of the types of bodily injuries someone could sustain as a result of a ridesharing accident include
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI)
- Catastrophic Injuries
- Burns
- Broken Bones
- Fractured Ribs or Pelvis
- Concussion or Whiplash
- Crushed Limbs
Additionally, an individual may experience a host of emotional symptoms as the result of a Denver Uber & Lyft accident, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), emotional distress, and anxiety and depression after their ridesharing accident.
Potential Damages From Uber Or Lyft Accident Cases In Denver
Similar to other Denver car accident claims, victims may be able to recover damages from their Denver Uber or Lyft accident case. Typically, there are two types of damages recoverable in a rideshare claim. These are economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are monetary losses with a fixed dollar amount. These damages include the following and more:
- Doctor and hospital bills;
- Prescription drugs;
- Surgery;
- Rehabilitation;
- Occupational therapy;
- Mental health treatment;
- Property damage;
- Lost wages; and
- Lost earning capacity.
Non-economic damages are subjective losses. Non-economic damages include personal damages such as:
- Personal pain and suffering;
- Mental and emotional trauma; and
- Loss of consortium.
If the ridesharing driver’s behavior was exceptionally egregious, a victim might be able to recover punitive damages that seek to punish the driver by discouraging the behavior that caused the incident.
However, it is essential to note that the recoverable damages in each case depend on the specific circumstances of the accident, the severity of the injuries, and the extent of the Uber or Lyft driver’s liability. Contact our Denver Uber and Lyft accident lawyers for your free case review.
What if I am Partially at Fault for the Accident?
Colorado follows the modified comparative fault rule. Under this rule, victims who are partially at fault for a rideshare accident are assigned a percentage of liability for their accident. Any damages awarded are then reduced by the set percentage of fault.
For example:
- A rideshare victim is found 20% liable for their accident-related injuries;
- That victim is awarded $100,000 in damages;
- The victim’s damage award is reduced by 20% or $20,000; and
- The victim is awarded a total damage award of $80,000.
A rideshare victim found more than 49% at fault for their accident-related injuries may not seek personal injury compensation in Colorado.
Ridesharing Accident Statute Of Limitations In Colorado
Uber and Lyft cases fall within the motor vehicle statute of limitations, which gives the victim or their families three years to bring a case against another driver who caused their injuries.
If someone dies in a ridesharing car accident in Denver due to negligence, their family may be entitled to file a Denver wrongful death claim within two years of the individual passing away.
In a Denver hit-and-run case involving a ridesharing driver resulting in vehicular homicide, the statute of limitations to file a wrongful death claim in Denver is four years.
Resources for Rideshare Accidents in Colorado
If you suffer rideshare accident injuries in Colorado, call 911 immediately for law enforcement and medical attention. Colorado requires drivers to report accidents to the police or file an accident report with the state.
Drivers must also report accidents to their own insurance company. Once you are safe, report the accident to Uber or Lyft. You can do this through the company app.
If possible, you should also do the following at the accident scene:
- Gather contact information for any drivers at the scene;
- Exchange insurance information with other drivers at the scene;
- Gather eyewitness contact information and brief statements;
- Take photos of the accident scene and surroundings;
- Take photos of vehicle damage and any injuries;
- Write down the responding officer’s contact information, and find out when and where to pick up a copy of the police report.
Always seek follow-up medical care with your primary care doctor and attend any recommended treatments. Not all car accident injuries are readily apparent and require a complete medical evaluation, including internal injuries and brain injuries.
Should your Uber or Lyft accident occur in or around the Denver area, you may seek emergency assistance by calling the following:
There are several medical facilities in the area for emergency or urgent care, including but not limited to:
- Denver Health Emergency Department;
- Kindred Hospital Denver ER;
- Saint Joseph Hospital ER; and
- Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children ER.
Finally, contact an experienced rideshare accident attorney before making any statements to an insurance adjuster about your accident. Any statements you make can be used against you when attempting to settle your claim.
Trust Denver’s Go-To Legal Team at Dulin McQuinn Young
At Dulin McQuinn Young, our Denver Uber & Lyft accident attorneys believe no one should live in fear on Denver roads. So if you’re lost among the complexities of your Uber or Lyft vehicle accident case, just know you’re not alone. With a legal partner like our Denver Uber & Lyft accident lawyers by your side, we’re ready to do what it takes to win your case.
Reach out to our team today to receive your free, no-obligation Uber or Lyft case review. A real team member will contact you in 24 hours to schedule your consultation.