Denver Rideshare Accident Attorney

Rideshare collisions bring a different set of challenges than a typical car accident. You may be facing injuries, mounting expenses, and two or more insurance companies trying to shift responsibility while Uber or Lyft reviews trip data behind the scenes.

A Denver rideshare accident lawyer will step in to sort out who is accountable, protect your claim from delays, and help you pursue the financial recovery you’re entitled to.

Denver Rideshare Accident Attorney

If you get injured in a rideshare accident in Denver, Colorado, you may need assistance and legal representation from a car accident attorney to recover financially. Rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft are known for avoiding liability for accidents involving their drivers. A specialized Denver personal injury lawyer at Manning Herington Law Firm can help you file a claim and negotiate for the financial compensation that you need for your injuries and property damage.

Contact our Denver Uber and Lyft accident lawyer for more information about a case. Request a free consultation today at (720) 619-3214.

Why Choose Us?

• We have obtained record-setting results for our clients through hard work and personalized legal strategies. Our law firm has a 99 percent case success rate.
• We are confident in our ability to go up against powerful adversaries, including Uber, Lyft, their legal teams, and insurance corporations.
• At Manning Herington Law Firm, we handle rideshare accident cases in Denver on a contingency fee basis, which means you will pay us $0 unless you secure financial compensation for your losses.

How a Lawyer in Denver Can Help You

Hiring a rideshare accident law firm to represent you can balance the scales between you and an insurance provider during settlement negotiations. 

Automobile insurance companies have one goal: to protect their profits. They often use tactics such as devaluing claims and underestimating the severity of a victim’s injuries to save money on payouts. A rideshare injury lawyer will take over settlement negotiations for you to fight for the results that you deserve.

A Denver rideshare accident lawyer from Manning Herington Law Firm will start by investigating your accident. We can return to the scene of the crash, obtain a copy of the police report, speak to witnesses and take many other steps to determine the cause of your crash. Our lawyers will collect evidence and can hire experts to strengthen your case. We will make sure you get the medical care that you need to aid in your recovery. Then, we will seek maximum financial compensation for your losses, even if this means taking your case to court.

What to Do After a Rideshare Accident in Denver

If you get involved in an accident as an Uber or Lyft passenger or a rideshare vehicle crashes into you while driving in Denver, there are steps that you need to take right away to protect your legal rights. 

Here’s what to do after a rideshare accident:

1. Pull over at the scene of the crash. Fleeing the scene without stopping is the crime of hit-and-run. Pull over, check everyone for injuries and exchange information with the other driver.
2. Get medical care. If you believe you were injured in the crash, go to a hospital in Denver immediately for a checkup. Keep copies of your medical records.
3. Report the crash. Call 911 to report the car accident. If you were an Uber or Lyft passenger, contact the rideshare company to report the crash, as well.
4. Gather information. Get the information of the rideshare driver and write down a description of the vehicle. Take photographs of the scene of the accident before you leave.
5. File an insurance claim. Call your own car insurance provider to notify them of the accident. Then, file a claim against the at-fault party with help from a rideshare accidenty attorney.

Before accepting a settlement from an insurance corporation or rideshare company, consult with a Denver car accident lawyer from Manning Herington Law Firm. We can ensure that you are treated fairly throughout the claims process.

Common Uber and Lyft Accident Injuries 

Automobile accidents in Colorado send thousands of victims to hospitals and emergency departments each year. According to the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, 691 victims lost their lives in car accidents in Colorado in 2021. This was a seven-year high for traffic accident fatalities in the state. An additional 3,387 people were seriously injured in automobile accidents.

Common injuries caused by rideshare accidents include: 

• Back injuries
• Bone fractures
• Head injuries
• Internal injuries
• Lacerations
• Muscle and soft-tissue injuries
• Rib fractures
• Spinal cord injuries
• Sprains and strains
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Whiplash
• Wrongful death

Not all injuries are immediately noticeable. Many have delayed or hidden symptoms. This is why it is crucial to get medical care immediately after a rideshare accident. Prompt injury diagnosis and treatment can protect you physically as well as financially, as an insurance company will check to see how long you waited before going to a hospital.

Top Causes of Rideshare Accidents in Denver

Colorado is a fault-based car insurance state. Under this rule, injured car accident victims must prove that someone else is at fault to recover financial compensation from that person’s auto insurance company. In a no-fault state, on the other hand, a victim would seek benefits from his or her own insurance provider, regardless of who is at fault for the accident.

 Common causes of rideshare accidents in Denver include:

• Distracted driving: Uber and Lyft require their drivers to use their cell phones while driving, including to accept new rides as they arise.
• Drowsy driving: rideshare drivers may overexert themselves to make more money, even if this means driving while tired or fatigued.
• Driving under the influence: our team of drunk driving accident lawyers in Denver have handled cases in which reckless rideshare drivers pick up riders while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol, increasing the risk of an accident.
• Breaking traffic laws: rideshare drivers can violate traffic laws and roadway rules, such as by speeding, running red lights, failing to yield and tailgating.
• Vehicle breakdowns: poor rideshare vehicle maintenance can lead to dangerous equipment failures, such as bad brakes or a tire blowout.

When you file an insurance claim for an Uber or Lyft accident, the insurance company will assign a claims adjuster to investigate the crash and determine causation. You can protect yourself by hiring a rideshare accident law firm to conduct an investigation on your behalf. Understanding who or what caused your crash is the first step toward obtaining financial compensation.

Who Is Responsible for Paying for a Rideshare Accident? 

In Colorado, the person found at fault for the car accident is responsible for paying for the injured party’s medical expenses, property damage and other losses. If the Uber or Lyft driver is to blame for the accident, his or her status at the time of the crash will need to be determined. If the driver was logged into the app, the rideshare company will most likely offer insurance to cover the injured person’s damages.

If the rideshare driver was not logged into the app, however, his or her personal automobile insurance policy will pay for the crash. Every driver in Colorado is required to carry at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability insurance, as well as $15,000 in property damage insurance. If the other driver’s personal insurance policy is not enough to pay for your losses as a victim, your own car insurance company may offer supplemental benefits.

In some cases, a third party could be allocated responsibility for an Uber or Lyft car accident. For example, if an auto part defect contributed to the crash, the manufacturer or distributor of the faulty part could be held responsible with a product liability claim.

If you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft vehicle and another driver crashed into you, that driver’s car insurance may be required to pay. Discuss liability for your rideshare crash in Denver with an rideshare injury lawyer at Manning Herington Law Firm to understand your recovery options.

What Are the Three Phases of Rideshare Insurance?

Both top rideshare companies, Uber and Lyft, determine how much their insurance will pay for a crash based on a three-phase system. The phase or period of your ride will need to be determined to understand how much insurance coverage may be available from the rideshare company.

Here are the three ride phases, explained:

• Phase 1: the rideshare driver is operating his or her vehicle for personal reasons and is not logged onto the Uber or Lyft app. In this phase, the rideshare company does not offer any insurance coverage. The driver’s personal auto insurance policy will pay for the crash, instead.
• Phase 2: the rideshare app is on and the driver is logged on and waiting for a ride request. Insurance benefits up to $100,000 per accident for bodily injuries (or $50,000 per person) and $25,000 for property damage are available from the rideshare company.
• Phase 3: a ride has been accepted and the driver is on the way to pick up the passenger or a rider is inside of the Uber or Lyft vehicle. Up to $1 million is available in third-party insurance benefits to pay for victims’ injuries and losses. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is also available, as are contingent and comprehensive coverage with a $2,500 deductible.

Special rules and exceptions are in place in certain countries and states. Learn more about Uber’s insurance coverage for injured passengers here and view Lyft’s insurance policy here. To discuss your specific case and recovery options in detail, contact an attorney at Manning Herington Law Firm.

Types of Financial Compensation Available for a Rideshare Accident

A successful personal injury claim for a rideshare accident in Denver could lead to financial reimbursement for several of your economic and non-economic losses. The amount of financial compensation or damages available will depend on the circumstances, including the severity of your injuries. 

Each case is unique; there is no such thing as an average settlement value. The most accurate way to gauge how much your rideshare accident claim could be worth is by consulting with a rideshare accident law firm. 

The types of financial compensation that may be available through a personal injury lawsuit include: 

• Medical bills
• Future estimated health care costs
• Lost wages and capacity to earn
• Disability costs
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Property damage repairs or replacement
• Loss of consortium
• Punitive damages
• Wrongful death damages, if applicable

At Manning Herington Law Firm, we realize that no amount of money may be enough to make up for the physical and emotional toll that a rideshare car accident has taken on you.

However, we hope to help you move forward from an Uber or Lyft accident with less stress and greater peace of mind by collecting the financial compensation that you deserve. We are a team of aggressive litigators and trial attorneys who are prepared to go to court to advocate for your recovery, if necessary.

How to Deal With Insurance Claims Adjusters

During conversations with the claims adjuster assigned to your case by an insurance company, do not admit fault for the rideshare accident. When asked to give a recorded statement about the crash or your injuries, politely decline and explain that you will be submitting a written statement later. Do not rush to accept the first settlement that is offered by the claims adjuster. Instead, negotiate the value of the settlement with assistance from an attorney to ensure a fair case outcome.

Do not rush to accept the first settlement that is offered by the claims adjuster. Instead, negotiate the value of the settlement with assistance from an attorney to facilitate a fair case outcome.