Ridesharing is an increasingly popular transportation option. But passengers can suffer injuries in an Uber or Lyft just like in any other vehicle. If you have suffered injuries in a ridesharing vehicle accident, you may be wondering if you can pursue financial compensation.
Ridesharing accidents can be complicated, but a Colorado Springs ridesharing accident lawyer can help you seek a settlement for your injuries and damages. For more information, contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC, at (844) 730-0233 today to schedule a free consultation.
Ridesharing Insurance Coverage
Ridesharing companies like Lyft and Uber are a relatively new service. Unlike a traditional taxi, which passengers can hail from the street, those who want a ridesharing vehicle must order a car through the service’s cellphone application. Uber and Lyft regard themselves as an “interactive computer service” and classify drivers not as employees but as independent contractors, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This creates a legal gray area, making it challenging to sue Uber or Lyft directly.
Fortunately, both companies have addressed this problem by providing drivers with third-party liability insurance coverage for injured passengers and motorists. When and how insurance covers passengers and other drivers depend on where an Uber or Lyft driver is in the ridesharing process when an accident occurs. Both Lyft and Uber break down their coverage into three periods:
- When a driver’s app is off.
- When a driver has the app on and/or is waiting for a ride request.
- When a driver is on the way to pick up passengers or transporting passengers.
When a driver’s app is off, accident coverage is through their own personal automobile insurance policy. In Colorado, all motorists must have a minimum of $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage for injury to one person, $50,000 for injury to two people, and $15,000 in property damage liability, according to the Colorado General Assembly.
When the driver is waiting for a ride request, both Uber and Lyft provide third-party liability coverage in the amount of $50,000 for bodily injury to one person, $100,000 for bodily injury to two people, and $25,000 for property damages. When a driver is en route or carrying passengers, both companies maintain a $1 million third-party liability policy. Third-party liability pays for bodily injury and property damages suffered by anyone other than the driver in a covered accident.
When a driver is picking up or transporting passengers, both companies also provide bodily injury coverage against uninsured/underinsured motorists. This policy kicks in to pay for injuries caused to ridesharing drivers and/or their passengers by drivers with insufficient insurance.
If you suffered injuries in a ridesharing accident, a Colorado Springs ridesharing accident lawyer could help you file a claim with your Uber or Lyft driver’s insurance policy. If your driver’s third-party liability coverage does not compensate for your damages, an attorney can help you explore other options. There may be more than one liable party in your case. If another driver’s reckless behavior caused your ridesharing driver to crash, you may have an insurance claim or a lawsuit against them, as well.
If you are interested in taking legal action in your ridesharing accident, call Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today to discuss your legal options during a free consultation. We can explain the laws as they apply to your situation, answer your questions, and counsel you as you decide what to do next.
For a free legal consultation with a ridesharing accidents lawyer serving Colorado Springs, call (844) 730-0233
Car Accident Injuries Can Add Up
According to the Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI), the average cost of visiting an emergency room in the United States was nearly $1,400 in 2017. This is just the price of seeing a health care provider; it does include treatments you may receive, such as X-rays, medications, or IV fluids. If you have a serious injury, such as a broken limb, traumatic brain injury (TBI), or internal organ damage, you may need surgery, hospitalization, and more.
An attorney can work to ensure any settlement you receive is enough to satisfy your medical costs. A lawyer familiar with car accident cases can help you determine a settlement amount that not only covers the care you have already received but also takes into account any future needs, such as physical therapy or long-term nursing care.
An attorney can help you fight for back pay to recover the wages you lost because of your injuries. If you cannot return to your previous employment because of your injuries, your lawyer can argue for awards to help with your household expenses while you get back on your feet. If a ridesharing driver hits your vehicle, you could win compensation for the costs of repairing your vehicle or purchasing a new vehicle.
If your insurance claims are denied, or your payout is not satisfactory, your lawyer may be able to help you file a lawsuit. If you sue, you may also be able to recover awards for your pain and suffering. This includes compensation for things like permanent disfigurement, permanent physical or cognitive disabilities, scarring, paralysis, stress, anxiety, and more.
If your loved one died from injuries they suffered in a ridesharing accident, you may be able to sue for their wrongful death. In Colorado, you have three years to recover damages for injuries caused in a motor vehicle accident, according to CO Rev Stat § 13-80-101.
Colorado Springs Ridesharing Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Ben Crump Law, PLLC, Can Handle Ridesharing Accident Cases
Ridesharing accident cases may be less straightforward than those involving traditional motorists. But this does not mean you are without legal remedy. Uber and Lyft protect passengers and other motorists with up to $1 million in third-party liability coverage. A Colorado Springs ridesharing lawyer can represent you in insurance negotiations to try to achieve the best, fairest settlement for you. If that cannot be done, a lawyer can help you explore other options for seeking compensation in court.
Ben Crump Law, PLLC, has handled various kinds of car accident cases, and we have achieved success for clients around the nation. We are not afraid to face large companies like Uber and Lyft. Our job is not over until we see your case through to the end. If we do not win a settlement for you, we do not collect legal fees.
If you would like to learn more about working with our firm, contact our team at (844) 730-0233 for a free consultation.
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