Aurora Uber and Lyft Accident Attorney

Ridesharing has become a popular way to get around in Aurora and surrounding areas of Colorado. But while rideshare offers convenience and flexibility, it is also potentially dangerous. Uber and Lyft drivers can feel pressured to work long hours to make their fares and receive little, if any, special training. Uber and Lyft accidents happen, and when they do, recovering compensation can be much more complex.

At the law firm of Lee, Meyers & O’Connell, LLP, Uber Accident Lawyers understand the challenges rideshare accident victims face when seeking compensation for their losses. Our mission is to help people injured in Uber and Lyft accidents understand their rights and help them pursue the full and fair compensation they deserve.

If you were hurt in a rideshare accident, reach out to our Aurora Uber and Lyft accident attorneys today. We look forward to meeting you during a confidential consultation and discussing the ways we can help you pursue the money you’re entitled to.

What Happens If Your Uber or Lyft Driver Gets in an Accident?

Uber and Lyft accidents are not like other types of motor vehicle collisions. Practically speaking, rideshare drivers cycle back and forth between the company’s policy and their own policy throughout the day, depending on their status on the app. That can make it hard to know who to turn to for compensation after an accident.

Generally speaking, as a passenger, if your Uber or Lyft driver gets into an accident, you’re likely covered by either the rideshare company’s insurance policy or that of the other driver involved in the accident. The situation is trickier if you were an occupant of another vehicle involved in a collision with an Uber or Lyft driver who was at fault for the crash.

An experienced rideshare accident attorney can investigate the circumstances of the accident and determine who is liable for compensating you.

Who Is Liable for an Aurora Rideshare Accident?

Here are some of the most common liability scenarios for rideshare accidents in Aurora:

• When the driver is on duty with a passenger– If you are riding in an Uber or Lyft, and the driver causes an accident, you should be covered by the rideshare company’s liability insurance. The policies generally have a $1 million policy limit per accident and include uninsured/underinsured motorist provisions (UM/UIM). If someone other than the rideshare driver is at fault for the accident, that party would be liable for compensating you through their insurance coverage.
• When the driver is on duty and on the way to pick up a passenger – Generally, the same rules apply as when a driver is actively transporting passengers. Uber or Lyft coverage applies if the rideshare driver is at fault, while the other motorist’s insurance coverage applies if they are at fault.
• When the driver is on duty and waiting on a fare –Uber and Lyft provide liability coverage for drivers logged into the app but have not yet accepted a fare. Under Colorado state law, a driver and rideshare network must collectively have $50,000 for bodily injury/death of any one person per accident, $100,000 for bodily injury/death of all persons per accident, and $30,000 for property damage per accident.
• When the driver is not on duty and not logged into the app –If a driver is not logged onto the Uber or Lyft app, they are not considered to be on duty. If an accident happens when a rideshare driver is not on duty, their own insurance coverage applies. If another driver is to blame for the crash, the Uber or Lyft driver can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer.
• When another driver hits your Uber or Lyft –If another driver causes an accident while you’re riding in an Uber or Lyft, that driver’s insurer is liable for compensating you for your losses. If that driver’s insurance coverage is insufficient to compensate you for your losses, the rideshare company’s UM/UIM coverage can kick in, providing you with coverage of up to $1 million.

Depending on the circumstances of a given crash, the rideshare company, the rideshare driver, the other driver, or even some other entity might be liable for your injuries and losses. Since such claims can be complicated, it is best to reach out to an experienced Aurora rideshare accident attorney to evaluate your best course of action.

What Is the Process of Obtaining Compensation for Injuries I Sustained in an Uber Accident in Aurora?

Obtaining compensation after an Uber or Lyft accident can be confusing, given the number of potentially liable parties and insurance coverages. In most cases, you will need to file an insurance claim with the provider that covers the person at fault for the accident, which depends on the circumstances of the crash.

If the Uber or Lyft driver is at fault and was transporting a fare at the time, the rideshare company’s policy should cover you. Uber and Lyft also have accident reporting forms that you can fill out that will help you maneuver through the claims process.

Because other policies may be applicable given certain scenarios, you should be sure to get the personal auto insurance information of all the drivers involved. You should also get in touch with an experienced Uber accident lawyer in Aurora, as they can determine more specifically who may be liable for compensating you.

Rideshare Driver Liability Coverage

Both Uber and Lyft provide liability insurance coverage options for their drivers. However, these coverages have limitations and may only come into play in certain instances. The driver’s status at the time of the crash is one of the most critical factors in determining how and when coverage kicks in. There is how the company’s policies breakdown:

Uber Coverage

Driver Is Offline – A driver is offline when they are not logged in to the Uber application. If a crash happens when a driver is offline, the driver’s individual auto insurance coverage applies.

Driver Is Available and Waiting for a Ride Request – This status means a driver is logged into the Uber app and is ready to accept a ride request. If a crash happens at this stage, Uber offers liability insurance up to:

• $50,000 in bodily injury per person per accident
• $100,000 in total bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 in property damage per accident

However, this coverage is available only if the driver’s own auto insurance does not meet those limits.

Driver Is En Route to Pick Up Riders or Is Transporting Riders – At this stage, an Uber driver is either picking up passengers who have requested a ride or is actively transporting passengers. Uber offers:

• $1 million in third-party liability insurance
• $1 million in UM/UIM bodily injury coverage
• Contingent collision and comprehensive collision coverage

Lyft Coverage

App Is Off – When the Lyft app is off, a Lyft driver’s personal insurance coverage applies in the event of an accident.

App Is On, and Driver Is Waiting for Ride Request – At this time, a Lyft driver is signaling that they are ready to accept a rideshare request. If an accident occurs, Lyft offers:

• $50,000 in bodily injury per person
• $100,000 in bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 in property damage per accident

App Is On, and Driver Is Picking Up Passengers or Transporting Passengers – The Lyft driver has accepted a ride request and is in the process of picking up their passengers or is currently transporting passengers. Lyft offers:

• $1 million in third-party liability
• $1 million in UM/UIM bodily injury coverage
• Contingent collision and comprehensive collision coverage

What Can I Recover Through an Uber Accident Lawsuit?

If a negligent driver is responsible for causing your injuries, you are entitled to pursue compensation for your financial losses. In the case of Uber and Lyft accidents, you may file an insurance claim with the company. In rare circumstances, you could be able to sue them directly.

If you have been hurt in a rideshare accident, you could be able to seek compensation for the following:

Suing a rideshare company can be extremely challenging because these companies do a good job of shielding themselves from liability. If you are interested in recovering the full compensation you’re owed, get in touch with a skilled Aurora rideshare accident attorney to discuss your legal options.

How Long Do You Have to File a Rideshare Accident Claim in Colorado?

If you are filing a lawsuit against a rideshare company, you must do so within three years of the date of the crash. While most other personal injury cases in Colorado are subject to a two-year time limit, the statute of limitations for auto accidents is three years.

However, while this does give you additional time to bring a case, time is of the essence, especially if you’ve suffered considerable financial losses. To improve your chances of getting fair and full compensation, you should get in touch with an experienced attorney as soon as possible.

How Our Aurora Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers Can Help You

At Lee, Meyers & O’Connell, LLP, we can help you by:

Talk to Our Lyft and Uber Accident Lawyers Now

Ready to discuss how our Aurora Uber and Lyft attorneys can help you? Then contact us today to set up a confidential consultation. Uber Accident Lawyer will review your situation and lay out your legal options for pursuing compensation.