Golden Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are popular in the Golden area and throughout Colorado. Thousands of people use these services every day as alternatives to public transportation and taxi services, and most are able to reach their destinations without any problems. However, it is vital for every rideshare passenger to understand that they are just as likely to have an accident in a rideshare driver’s vehicle as they are in any other vehicle. They should know what to do when a rideshare driver causes an accident and how the company’s insurance can apply to their losses. It is also important for drivers in their own vehicles to know how to approach the recovery process after an accident with a rideshare driver.
Representing Rideshare Accident Victims in Golden
If you or a family member recently suffered injuries while riding in an Uber or Lyft, or if you were hurt by a rideshare driver’s negligence or misconduct while using your own vehicle, it is crucial to know what to do to resolve the situation. Rideshare accidents may happen for many of the same reasons that all other vehicle crashes happen, but they tend to generate more challenging legal issues for those involved.
The team at the Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal can assist you with your recovery efforts after a rideshare accident. Our team has extensive experience handling all types of personal injury cases in Golden, and we know the difficulties you may face in the insurance claim process after a rideshare accident. Additionally, insurance alone may not be enough to fully compensate your damages. Whatever your case entails, you can trust our team to guide you through your claim proceedings as efficiently as possible and seek the optimal outcome on your behalf.
Dealing With Auto Insurance Claims After a Rideshare Accident in Golden
One of the most challenging aspects of resolving a rideshare accident case in Golden is the insurance claim process. State law requires every driver to have personal auto insurance coverage that provides bodily injury liability coverage and property damage liability coverage. Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft require their drivers to have appropriate personal auto insurance, but these companies are also required to maintain additional insurance coverage.
When a rideshare driver causes an accident, their personal auto insurance will come into play to repay any damages to others. Whether the rideshare company’s insurance factors into the case and how depends on the timing of the accident and whether the driver was logged into their driver app at the time. If the rideshare driver is off the clock and they are driving for personal reasons when they cause an accident, their own auto insurance will go toward compensating any damages they cause.
Once the rideshare driver has logged into their driver app and they are marked as available for a passenger’s ride request, the first level of insurance coverage from the rideshare company applies. Both Uber and Lyft have almost identical policies that provide up to $50,000 in bodily injury compensation to a single victim, up to $100,000 in total accident liability coverage, and up to $25,000 in property damage liability coverage. After the rideshare driver collects their passenger, the second level of the rideshare company’s insurance applies until the passenger is delivered to their destination, which provides up to $1 million in third-party liability coverage.
If the rideshare driver caused the accident, their personal insurance must be exhausted before the victim can file a claim against the rideshare company’s policy. However, if another driver caused the accident, the rideshare company’s insurance can pay for a passenger’s damages and may also compensate their driver. Ultimately, it is vital to prove fault for any car accident in Golden if you want to maximize the recovery you obtain.
Building Your Personal Injury Claim in Golden
While the rideshare company’s insurance may seem to offer enough to compensate for damages from an accident, the reality is that most insurance companies fight as hard as they can to avoid paying out on claims. Additionally, this insurance coverage may not be available depending on how, when, and why your accident occurred. If you cannot completely recover your losses through auto insurance after an accident, you will need to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver.
Under Colorado’s personal injury statutes, the plaintiff in any personal injury claim must prove how their injury occurred, identifying the defendant or defendants responsible for harming them and then proving the full scope of the damages they caused. The plaintiff must also show proof that their claimed damages directly resulted from the defendant’s actions and not some other cause. State law allows the plaintiff to seek compensation for:
- Medical expenses. The defendant who caused the plaintiff’s physical injuries is liable for all the medical treatment costs the victim incurs. This includes immediate and future medical expenses when the victim has suffered severe injuries that demand ongoing rehabilitative care.
- Lost income. A serious car accident can leave a victim unable to work for an extended time. If this applies to your case, the defendant who injured you is liable for the income you are unable to earn during your recovery process.
- Property damage. The defendant’s insurance may cover some of the victim’s vehicle repair costs, but any outstanding property damages can be included in the personal injury suit.
- Pain and suffering. The state places a limit on non-economic damages in personal injury claims, but an experienced Golden rideshare accident attorney can help their client secure as much compensation as possible for their damages.
You could be entitled to claim far more compensation than you may realize, and an experienced Golden rideshare accident attorney can help unlock the full potential of your claim. When you choose the Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal to represent you, our goal is to maximize the compensation you obtain for your damages in the most expedient manner possible.
Uber & Lyft Car Accidents FAQs
Q: Can I File a Civil Suit Against a Rideshare Company for an Accident?
A: If you are injured in an accident caused by a rideshare driver, you will first need to file a claim against the driver’s personal auto insurance policy. Once you exhaust their coverage, you can proceed with a claim against the rideshare company’s insurance. If your damages exceed the scope of coverage available from insurance, you can file a civil suit against the party who caused the accident. If the rideshare driver was responsible and the rideshare company was negligent in their hiring of the driver, the company could face vicarious liability for your damages.
Q: How Much Compensation Will I Win From a Rideshare Accidents Claim?
A: Your Golden rideshare accident attorney can provide an estimate of your case’s total potential value. If you succeed with your recovery efforts, you may secure compensation for any and all economic damages you suffered from the defendant’s actions, and you may also claim compensation for pain and suffering up to the limit enforced by state law. The total case award depends on the severity of your damages and multiple other factors, so having an experienced attorney represent you is the ideal method of maximizing your final recovery.
Q: How Long Will It Take to Settle a Rideshare Car Accident Claim in Golden?
A: Your recovery efforts after a rideshare accident could involve multiple insurance claims as well as a personal injury suit. If you have the right attorney representing you, it’s possible to resolve your case in a matter of weeks. However, if disputes arise regarding an auto insurance claim, these will take longer to resolve. If you need to take your case to court for any reason, litigation can sometimes take months to reach a conclusion. Hiring experienced legal counsel is the optimal way to streamline your recovery efforts as much as possible.
Q: Am I Required to Hire a Golden Rideshare Accident Attorney?
A: There is no legal requirement to hire an attorney to represent you in a rideshare accident case. However, if you tried to handle your recovery efforts alone, you would face several significant challenges. You could make procedural errors that delay your case’s progress or overlook available channels of compensation, settling for less than you legally deserve. Hiring a Golden rideshare accident attorney makes handling your case much easier and you are more likely to maximize your recovery.
Q: What Are Attorneys’ Fees for a Golden Rideshare Accident Attorney?
A: It’s understandable to worry about legal expenses, but the Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal takes personal injury claims on contingency. This means our client will not pay upfront or ongoing attorneys’ fees for our representation. Instead, we only take a percentage of the final case award as our fee once we win our client’s case. If we cannot obtain compensation on their behalf, the client is not obligated to pay anything, so there is no financial risk to having our firm represent your rideshare accident case.
The Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal has years of experience handling a wide range of personal injury claims on behalf of clients in the Golden area, including those arising from rideshare accidents. When you choose our firm to represent you, you are investing in compassionate and responsive legal counsel you can trust to guide you to a positive conclusion to your case. If you are ready to learn how our firm can assist you with your recovery efforts, contact us today to schedule your consultation with a Golden rideshare accident attorney.