Have You Been Injured in a Rideshare Accident? If So, Call Joran Law
No car accident is simple, but rideshare accidents – or accidents involving vehicles and drivers contracted by companies like Uber and Lyft – can be nightmarishly complex. In this situation you may be wondering whether or not you should get a Denver personal injury lawyer.
For one thing, these cases are relatively new.
(Car crashes have been happening since cars were invented, but rideshare accidents specifically have only been an issue for the last 15 years.)
The laws governing rideshare accidents are also new. This makes navigating the legalities of these accidents particularly confusing.
Rideshare accidents can also involve a considerable number of people.
Instead of a more pared-down two-party car crash case, with rideshare accidents, you’ll need to negotiate with the following:
- The rideshare driver
- Any other drivers involved in the accident
- Any other rideshare passengers also hurt by the accident
- The rideshare company itself
That might not seem so bad – until you remember that each party will also have insurers and legal representation. There will be a lot of people contacting you, and a lot of tense conversations.
“You’re dealing with an insurance company or car insurance company whose entire goal is to avoid paying claims out. It’s an uphill battle facing a huge company that is going to try to undervalue that person’s claim from the beginning.” –JASON JORDAN
Since Colorado Uber accidents can be complex, we’ll make our point simple:
After a Denver car accident, the victim’s bills can be steep. Medical care alone can be hundreds of thousands of dollars – and we’ve seen auto crash cases where the court award was more than $130 million.
No matter how you were involved in the accident (whether in another car, a rideshare passenger, or a pedestrian nearby), you shouldn’t have to pay for what happened. Instead, your Denver rideshare accident attorneys can help you determine the damages you’re due and fight for fair compensation so that you can focus less on medical bills and more on healing with your loved ones.
How Can Jordan Law Help After Your Rideshare Accident?
After your rideshare accident, all you’ll want to do is rest and focus on healing (or being there for your family members).
Jordan Law’s Lyft Accident Lawyers will help you do that and ensure your claim moves forward appropriately.
To do that, they’ll handle the different steps of filing insurance claims, investigating your accident, and working towards the compensation you deserve.
While you’re resting, our rideshare accident lawyers will:
- Manage all communication with your claims adjuster
- Gather information about your accident
- Get any applicable estimates (e.g., property damage)
- Help you determine the extent of your medical bills
- Send demand letters to the relevant insurance injuries
- File claims with your insurance, as well as the driver’s and rideshare company’s insurance
- Review any applicable settlement offers and negotiate as needed
- Help you accept or deny your settlement and prepare for court as needed
Insurers often pressure car accident victims into accepting a settlement, because settling is quicker, easier, and less expensive for everyone – except you.
To get fair compensation, you may need to go to court.
Many Denver Lyft accident lawyers won’t take rideshare accident claims to trial. You need to find someone who will do whatever it takes to ensure you achieve your best outcome.
“It’s the respect that you start to get from judges over the years. If it becomes clear to the judge that they know you from prior experience, suddenly you’re being treated as an equal with the judge. You command respect in the courtroom.” –JASON JORDAN
What if My Driver was Off the Clock? And Other Rideshare Accident Concerns
The liability for your accident (and the responsibility for accident-related bills) will hinge on one critical question:
Was your driver operating on company time when the accident occurred – or were they off the clock?
Let’s take a moment to look at the potential answers to that question (and their possible consequences):
- If your rideshare driver was not on the clock, you might only be able to file a claim with the driver’s insurance. That’s not a bad thing; just something to know. You can still achieve fair compensation, and your Denver rideshare accident attorney will know how to help you do just that.
- If the driver was on the clock, but there was no passenger in their car (e.g., if they were en route to a gig and caused an accident), you, as a victim of that accident, may be able to file a claim against the driver and the rideshare company. Uber and Lyft have accident liability coverage for this exact situation. This coverage usually includes $50,000.00 per injured person (to a maximum of $100,000.00 per accident). Still, you must check with your lawyer to see what terms apply.
- If you were a passenger in a rideshare vehicle during the crash, you can file a claim against the company (in addition to filing claims with your insurance and the driver’s insurer). Rideshare companies usually carry $1M in coverage for third parties – which, in this case, would be you. But, again, you’ll need to discuss your options with your lawyer to ensure you have access to the total compensation available in your situation.
As you can see, rideshare crashes get complicated.
That’s why the rideshare accident attorneys at Jordan Law are ready to assist.
What Should I Do if I am Involved in a Rideshare Accident?
Car accidents can be disorienting and scary. Rideshare accidents are no exception.
Here’s what to do after an Uber accident. If possible, try to follow these steps:
- Call 911 immediately. This will call the police and medical professionals to the scene. (If you’re already at home or are otherwise acting after the fact, get to a hospital and see a doctor immediately. Do this even if you don’t think you’re injured. Some severe injuries take a while to appear.) Doing this is more than just a safety precaution. Timed and dated police and medical records will be necessary for your case, so starting them right after your accident is vital.
- Get contact information. If you can, get the names and phone numbers of the drivers involved in your crash and those of other passengers. The same goes for any nearby witnesses; they may be able to provide important testimonies later on. (Don’t worry about this step if you’re injured; the police will gather this information if you can’t.)
- Document the scene. If possible, write down (or take pictures of) the following details:
- What time of day the accident occurred
- How fast the involved cars were going
- What direction you were going in
- What direction the other cars were going in
- How long it took for police to arrive on-scene
- If the rideshare driver had another passenger
- If the rideshare driver was on their way to pick up a passenger
- If the rideshare driver was on or off the clock
- For rideshare accidents, in particular, the last three points are critical. Your Denver Lyft or Uber car accident lawyer will want to know as much as possible about the accident, so any details are helpful.
Then, call 303.465.8733 to discuss your case with experienced lawyers. After you do that, your lawyers will take your claim from there – leaving you to rest after your traumatic accident.
In addition to helping Denver rideshare victims, we also serve rideshare accident clients in Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and elsewhere across Colorado.
Frequently Asked Rideshare Accident Questions
I Was Hit by an Uber Driver. What Should I Do?
If you were hit by an Uber (or Lyft) driver in Colorado, you need to call 911 at once. This will call medical techs and the police to the scene.
After you’ve gotten medical support, started a medical record, and made sure the police are writing their report, you have a few more calls to make:
First, call your Uber or Lyft accident attorney. (Here’s the number of a good one: 303.465.8733.) Then, report the accident to your insurance and the relevant rideshare company.
Your attorney may have some tips to follow when making these calls, so calling a Denver law firm first is a good idea.
What Kind of Insurance Coverage Do Rideshare Companies Have in Colorado?
In Colorado, rideshare companies carry commercial insurance. These insurance plans must provide enough coverage for both contracted rideshare drivers and rideshare passengers.
However, just because Uber and Lyft may have these policies in place doesn’t mean they’ll want to use them.
Don’t (ever) rely on the benevolence of a big company when trying to get compensation for your rideshare accident bills!
Instead, call Jordan Law at once (at 303.465.8733) to set up your free rideshare accident consultation.
Should I Talk to an Insurance Company After a Rideshare Accident in Colorado?
You must talk to your insurance company to report the accident promptly to ensure access to your own benefits (if you need them).
You should know, though, that dealing with insurance companies is challenging. Insurance companies are focused on protecting their profits, not helping you pay your medical bills.
That goes for your insurer and Uber or Lift’s insurance representatives.
Speaking with your rideshare accident lawyer before you talk to any insurance company is a good idea – but you should act quickly.
As soon as possible after your accident, call 303.465.8733, and ask about how you should handle subsequent insurance conversations.
Does Lyft Pay for Accidents?
Lyft may pay for accidents.
Lyft’s website has a page detailing its policies for covered rideshare accidents. (Uber’s policy is right here.) Both discuss coverage of up to $1,000,000.00 for third-party auto liability.
This does not mean that achieving this level of payout will be automatic. Or remotely easy.
To ensure that Uber or Lyft will pay for your damages, retain the services of a trusted Denver rideshare accident attorney as soon as possible after your accident.
How Can a Colorado Personal Injury Lawyer Help Me After a Rideshare Accident?
Your Colorado personal injury lawyer will manage the complicated legal processes involved with getting you fair compensation. (If you’re wondering whether you need a lawyer to sue Uber: Not technically, but because Uber will definitely have accident lawyers, it’s a very good idea to retain your own lawyer for Uber or Lyft accidents.
They’ll negotiate with other parties, handle conversations with your insurer, help you learn as much as possible about your accident, and navigate the possibilities of settling or going to court (as is appropriate for your specific circumstances).
If you’re ready to set up your free consultation to discuss your rideshare accident, the team at Jordan Law is ready to assist as your trusted attorney for accidents in Uber or Lyft vehicles. Call 303.465.8733, and we’ll start working on your claim today.
What Are Some Local Resources For Injury Victims?
Here are some helpful local resources for rideshare accident victims in Colorado:
- Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) – (303) 757-9011
- Colorado Legal Services – (303) 837-1313
- Denver Health Medical Center – (303) 436-6000
What's My Uber or Lyft Case Worth?
The value of your case depends on your injuries and other losses, like medical bills and missed work.
Will my case go to trial?
Most cases settle outside of court, but if needed, we will take your case to trial to get you fair compensation.
What if the at-fault party doesn’t have insurance?
Uber and Lyft have insurance that might cover your injuries, even if the other driver doesn’t have insurance.
How To Find A Rideshare Accident Lawyer?
In short, the best way to find a personal injury lawyer is to start with a list of attorneys in your area. You can create a list by going to Google, Avvo.com or calling your local bar organization. From there, research the attorneys. Use their website, look at their Google reviews, etc. Narrow down your list to the top three attorneys. Schedule free consultations with each and interview them. For more details read How To Find A Personal Injury Lawyer
Rideshare Accident Resources
After extensively searching for an attorney to take my case, and having no success, I was referred to Jordan Law. He was quick to respond and follow up with me. I was struggling to keep it together throughout this difficult experience, but the confidence and trust they built with me gave me to motivation to keep persevering