Fort Collins Uber Accident Lawyer
Uber and Lyft rides are increasing around the Fort Collins area, and due to this phenomenon, rideshare accidents are becoming more and more common. Navigating the claims process following an Uber or Lyft collision can be complex, but the attorneys at Jordan Law can help.
Our lawyers will help you navigate the rideshare claims process so you can obtain the compensation you need to recover.
Your Legal Options After a Fort Collins Rideshare Accident
Are you suffering from the aftermath of an Uber or Lyft accident in Fort Collins? Jordan Law can help. Our Fort Collins car accident lawyers understand the rideshare claims process and can help you build a strong, evidence-backed case for compensation.
Rideshare is increasingly popular in Fort Collins. Whether it’s to and from the breweries or throughout Old Town, Uber and Lyft are everywhere. Just like with traditional cars, rideshare drivers can get into accidents. While handling a rideshare accident may seem similar to handling a regular car accident, it’s actually quite different. Due to the nuances at play, we always recommend you get a lawyer to handle these situations, especially if you have been injured.
Jordan Law Injury and Accident Attorneys can provide you with the guidance and experience necessary to take on the large insurance companies that work closely with rideshare companies.
Can I Sue For Injuries Sustained In A Ft. Collins Rideshare Accident?
Even though rideshare companies can provide drivers with ample insurance coverage, getting paid for your injuries is not as straightforward as making an insurance claim against the at-fault driver. That is because the insurance company is going to try and pay you as little as possible. This means you may need to bring a lawsuit. Make sure that you hire an attorney so you get the full compensation you are entitled to. Because injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, you never pay until you collect compensation. That means there is no risk in hiring an attorney.
Bringing a lawsuit against a rideshare driver for injuries sustained in a crash, means you are bringing a negligence suit. Just like in a traditional car accident suit, you have to prove four elements to show the other party was negligent and owes you compensation.
The elements of a negligence claim are duty, breach, causation and damages. Essentially this means you have to show that someone had a duty to act in a specific manner, that person failed to do so, and as a result of that behavior, they caused harm to someone else.
What Makes a Rideshare Accident Different Than A Traditional Car Accident?
As a victim of a rideshare accident in Fort Collins, the claims process you follow will largely depend on whether the rideshare driver was actively on duty at the time of the accident. In Colorado, Uber and Lyft drivers are required by law to carry insurance that meets or exceeds the state’s minimum standards. However, most personal auto insurance policies do not cover drivers when they use their vehicles for commercial purposes, such as ridesharing. To address this gap, rideshare companies provide special coverage for drivers when they are actively transporting passengers.
Here’s how the liability coverage works in these situations:
- Off-Duty Drivers: When a driver is not logged into the Uber or Lyft app, the rideshare company does not provide liability coverage. Any accident involving an off-duty rideshare driver will be treated like a typical car accident claim.
- Drivers Logged In but Not Transporting Passengers: If a driver is logged into the app but not currently carrying a passenger, both Uber and Lyft offer up to $50,000 per person/$100,000 total liability coverage, along with $25,000 in property damage coverage.
- Drivers Actively Transporting Passengers: When a driver is actively transporting a passenger, rideshare companies provide up to $1 million in liability and property damage coverage in the event of an accident.
What Can I Collect For My Injuries In A Rideshare Case?
Now that we’ve established there is insurance to collect damages from, let’s talk about the types of available damages in a rideshare case.
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- Medical Bills: Car accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to severe conditions like broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Medical expenses may include hospital stays, doctor’s visits, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment.
- Lost Wages: If your injuries have caused you to miss work, you may be entitled to compensation for the income you’ve lost. This includes the wages you would have earned if the accident hadn’t occurred, as well as any future income you may lose due to long-term injuries.
- Pain and Suffering: The impact of a car accident extends beyond physical injuries. Pain and suffering damages are intended to compensate you for the physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish you’ve endured as a result of the crash.
- Property Damage: Car accidents often result in damage to your vehicle and other personal property. You may be eligible for compensation to cover the repair or replacement of your damaged property.
- Loss of Consortium: If the accident has negatively impacted your relationship with your spouse or partner, you may be able to seek damages for loss of companionship, intimacy, and emotional support.
How Do I Bring A Case Against A Rideshare Driver For My Injuries?
Bringing a lawsuit against the driver usually means suing the insurance company. In the case of a rideshare driver, this will mean determining which insurance policy was in play during the time the accident occurred. Typically a demand is made that the insurance company pay the amount deemed appropriate for the damages outlined above. If the insurance company refuses and terms cannot be negotiated, a lawsuit is filed.
Doing this alone against a giant insurance company is not recommended. Insurance companies have defense lawyers that handle these cases every day and going up against them alone is never a fair fight. Hire a personal injury attorney to help you bring a claim against a rideshare company and focus your energy on healing and recovering.
Why Choose Jordan Law
Jordan Law is a Colorado-based law firm specializing in personal injury law for over 15 years. We’ve helped Fort Collins injury victims with car accidents of all kinds, including rideshare accidents. Our firm is known for our professionalism and large settlements and verdicts. Insurance companies know our reputation and this leads to larger settlements for our clients. Attorneys Jason Jordan and Mike Rosenberg are former presidents of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association. All of the attorneys at Jordan Law are award-winning and highly experienced advocates.
Call us today for a free consultation. It never costs anything to speak to our team and you only pay if we win your case.
In addition to helping Fort Collins rideshare victims, we also serve rideshare accident clients in Denver, Colorado Springs, and elsewhere across Colorado.
Frequently Asked Rideshare Accident Questions
What is Uber and Lyft’s Insurance Model?
Uber and Lyft famously provide up to $1 million in liability coverage for drivers and passengers injured in collisions with Uber and Lyft drivers, but this policy only applies in certain circumstances.
How Can You Establish Liability Coverage with Uber or Lyft?
First, you will need to establish that their driver was responsible for the accident. Second, you will need to prove that the driver was working for the rideshare company at the time of the accident. Third, you will need to file a claim with the driver’s personal insurance company first.
Many personal policies have a business exemption that declines coverage if the driver was operating their vehicle for a commercial purpose at the time of the accident. If the driver’s insurance denies your claim or you exhaust its policy limits and need more funds for your injuries, you can file a claim with Uber and Lyft’s policies.
What Are Uber and Lyft's Coverages?
Uber and Lyft provide the following coverages and amounts based on the stage of the ride the driver was in during the accident.
- If the driver did not have the Uber or Lyft app open, you cannot receive coverage under the Uber or Lyft policy.
- If the driver was on the Uber or Lyft app but did not have a ride request, coverage includes up to $50,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $100,000 in total injury liability per accident, and $25,000 in property damage liability.
- If the driver is on the way to pick up a passenger or the passenger is in the car, liability coverage includes up to $1 million.
Can You File a Lawsuit Against Uber or Lyft?
Uber and Lyft consider their drivers independent contractors instead of employees. This essentially releases the companies from liability for any accidents that their drivers cause. In most cases, you won’t be eligible to file a lawsuit against Uber or Lyft directly if the insurance option does not work out.
However, you may be able to file a claim against the at-fault Uber or Lyft driver and his or her private insurance company. Speak to an attorney at Jordan Law to discuss your options.
Who Can Help You With Your Rideshare Claim?
Are you suffering from the aftermath of an Uber or Lyft accident in Fort Collins? Jordan Law can help. Our Fort Collins car accident lawyers understand the rideshare claims process and can help you build a strong, evidence-backed case for compensation.
Contact Jordan Law to schedule your free consultation with one of our attorneys. We can meet at our office in Greenwood Village or an alternate location upon request.