The popularity of Uber has exploded in Colorado over the past several years due to its convenience and reduction of drunk driving incidents. But, unfortunately, trips with ride-sharing services do not always end safely. When accidents happen with these drivers or vehicles, the aftermath can be confusing because there are no set guidelines as to how an accident should progress in terms of insurance coverage due to uncertainty about who is responsible - you or them!
Our Denver Uber accident lawyers are committed to providing compassionate representation for our clients who have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, whether it be from another driver on the road or from a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft. We will fight aggressively for your rights so that you can focus on recovering from your injuries without worrying about medical bills, lost wages, or mounting debt while we take care of everything else! Call our auto accident law firm today at 720-770-5454 to schedule a free consultation to learn how we can help you build a strong claim.
Uber Accident Statistics
As ride-share options like Uber become more popular the number of accidents is rising. In 2018:
- There were 97 fatalities and 0.57 deaths for every 100 million miles traveled.
- The majority of these accidents happened in urban areas.
- 30% of Uber fatalities involve pedestrians.
- 2% of Uber accidents involve bicyclists.
It is important to know your rights if you have been injured or lost a loved one in an accident related to this service.
What Should I Do After an Uber Accident?
After a Denver car accident, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries and damages. However, there are also steps you need to take after an Uber collision:
Report the Accident
Reporting your traffic collision is a crucial step in getting compensated for injuries sustained in a car wreck. Don’t let any of these details slip through the cracks! Call 911 immediately after an accident occurs and ask for law enforcement at the scene. The police will document the scene and record important details about the crash.
These details – including weather and traffic conditions, witness names, and even diagrams – are easy to forget down the line. When you decide to file an injury claim or accident lawsuit, your experienced auto accident attorney can rely on the accident report as they conduct their own investigation.
As an injured party, you might be entitled to compensation from Uber’s $1 Million insurance policy. But, if there is no formal record of your accident, the insurer may fight you for that money. To make sure this doesn’t happen, report your accident to Uber as soon as possible by clicking here.
Collect Evidence For a Legal Claim
Take time to document the scene. Documenting your Uber accident can help you remember what happened and prove your fault. It’s also important for insurance purposes. You may not be able to recall all of the details later on if you don’t document them now.
The more information that is documented, the better chance you have of getting compensated for damages or injuries sustained during the accident. Take photos from different angles and distances so there are no missing pieces of evidence when it comes time to file a claim with your insurance company or go through court proceedings against another party involved in the crash. Exchange insurance information with all parties involved.
You should also take pictures of your injuries as well as talk to witnesses or other passengers who were involved in the accident. Ask them for their contact information so that they can be contacted later on if needed by your Colorado personal injury lawyer or insurance carriers. Write down all events and relevant additional evidence that occurred leading up to and following the auto collision as soon as possible after it happened so there are no discrepancies when trying to recall details later on.
Get Medical Attention
You might have sustained internal injuries that are not immediately apparent and can worsen over time. Some injuries, such as whiplash, may not be symptomatic right away. A trip to the doctor can make sure all of your injuries are identified and treated right away so they don't get worse or put you at risk for severe complications. Seeing a doctor is also about establishing a causal link between your Uber accident and injuries; the sooner you go to see one, the stronger that link will be.
Review the Accident With an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
If the Uber driver is at fault, liability will ultimately depend on how (and if) they were using the Uber app at the time of the crash. Simply put, negotiating a settlement can be quite difficult. It’s important to get advice from a lawyer as soon as possible so you don't miss any deadlines for your claim.
Let our team help you get through this tough time so that you can focus on what matters most - getting better and moving forward with your life. We'll take care of everything from start to finish so that you never have to worry about anything.
What Type of Compensation Can I Get in an Uber Accident Case?
If you are injured by a negligent driver, Colorado law entitles you to maximum compensation for your losses. Through a personal injury claim, injured individuals can receive financial compensation for medical expenses, long-term disability, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
The Uber driver's insurance policy provides a large amount of coverage, but you will still have to deal with the insurance company. Like any other insurance company, Uber's insurer will be more concerned with its profits than providing coverage to those injured. Insurance adjusters for a rideshare company will use many tactics to deny your insurance claim or offer a settlement that fails to fully cover all of your losses. For this reason, anyone hurt in an accident involving an Uber should speak to a rideshare accident lawyer without delay.
How Does Uber's Insurance Policy Work?
Uber and Lyft both carry $1 million in commercial insurance policies to cover drivers and passengers when an accident occurs. But, whether they will pay after an accident depends on several factors, such as:
- If the driver’s rideshare app was on at the time of the accident
- Who is at fault for the crash
- Whether the driver’s personal auto insurance is sufficient enough or not to cover damages from the accident
Uber will provide insurance coverage if an accident happens when a driver is:
- Available and waiting for a rideshare passenger to schedule a ride
- On the way to pick up a passenger
- During a trip with a passenger
The driver's auto insurance policy will cover an accident if their rideshare app is off or they are not logged into it.
What Are the Leading Causes of Denver Rideshare Accidents?
Negligence can be difficult to prove in these cases, but it's important to know your rights and understand how Colorado law defines negligence. In Colorado, negligence occurs when a person fails to use the duty of care that would normally be used by a reasonable person in the same or similar circumstances. Everyone on the road is expected to use safe driving behaviors, but this is not always the case. Negligence is the main contributing factor to car accidents and can include:
- Speeding: Driving over the speed limit can be tempting for some drivers who are trying to maximize profits from each ride they take during busy hours when demand peaks. However, this decision often comes at great cost because it increases the chance that one's car would get into an accident.
- Distracted Driving. It is estimated that drivers who use their phones have an accident every 10 seconds in the United States. This poses a serious risk for Uber drivers, most of whom must interact with passengers and provide directions while driving to ensure safety.
- Ignoring Traffic Laws. Uber drivers, just like other motorists, are known to sometimes ignore traffic laws and run red lights, stop signs, and traffic signals, or fail to stay in the right-of-way at intersections.
- Failure to Maintain the Vehicle. People who drive for Uber have a responsibility to maintain their vehicles. If the car cannot be registered or inspected, there is an increased risk of getting into accidents.
- Fatigued Driving. When they try to make as much money in one day as possible, it's common for them to drive while exhausted and in potentially unsafe conditions. Driving tired has the same impact on safety that driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs does.
Our attorneys will work hard to ensure your case is handled with care and diligence. You won't be just another number on our list - instead, we'll take time to understand your needs and provide personalized service from start to finish.
How Much Time do I Have to File an Uber Claim in Colorado?
The Colorado Revised Statute 13-80 101(1) states that individuals only have a two-year time limit to file lawsuits for their injuries after sustaining them through accidents on public roads. If you don't file your accident claim within two years, the court will deny it without looking into any exceptions or extenuating circumstances.
You may not know right away that you have been injured by a motor vehicle accident. Some injuries, like spinal cord damage and traumatic brain injury, are hard to detect immediately post-accident because they can happen slowly over time or go unnoticed altogether. If this is the case for you then your statute of limitations might be extended up until three years from when these symptoms manifest themselves. However, you will need to provide proof that you were not aware of your injuries.
The sooner you file your claim for compensation the more likely it is that evidence will be available to help prove fault and get compensation. The longer a case goes un-filed, the witnesses may forget details before they can testify in court on what happened during the accident.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Denver Uber Accident Lawyers
Car accident injuries can be severe and overwhelming. As a result, medical costs can pile up quickly for medications, procedures, medical equipment, hospital bills, and more! Get help from our personal injury firm. we will fight to get you the compensation you need to recover fully from your injury as well as any other losses associated with your car accident.
We know it's challenging going against such a large company like Uber but our experienced attorneys have what it takes to get fair compensation for injured victims throughout Denver County. Contact our law firm today by calling 720-770-5454 to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury attorney and review your legal options.