Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare Accident Lawyer in Commerce City, CO, Providing Legal Advice to Clients with Claims Against Uber and Lyft

Gone are the days of hailing a cab at the curb. Now most of us hail a ride with our phones. Just as cell phones have all but eradicated the existence of phone booths, Uber and its competitors have largely replaced taxis as the on-demand method for transportation. Lyft and Uber are wealthy and powerful companies that is always trying to attract new drivers and passengers to their services.

Recent studies have been performed to determine whether the increase in ridesharing activity has also led to an increase in motor vehicle accidents. The answer is perhaps unsurprising; yes, rideshare activity on America’s roads has led to approximately 3% more car accident fatalities annually. About one hundred people die each year in a ridesharing accident, with those deaths being roughly split between the occupants of the rideshare vehicle and those of other vehicles.

In addition to the worrying increase in roadway accidents and fatalities is the frustration of pursuing a personal injury claim when a ridesharing company is involved. It’s never a simple car accident when companies worth billions of dollars are involved. But more than that is the complicated wrinkle: they do not classify a driver as an employee but rather as an independent contractor.

Considering all these factors, it is highly recommended that those injured in ridesharing car accidents seek professional legal representation from an Uber or Lyft accident lawyer. Going it alone can land Uber and Lyft accident victims in a quagmire of legalese and insurance policies. Not only might a poorly constructed case result in denied claims, but you could save precious time and money when you should be recovering from your injuries instead.

Samantha Flanagan is a personal injury lawyer with experience representing clients pursuing damages following a rideshare car crash. These cases can be complex, so you want a knowledgeable car accident attorney for your Uber or Lyft accident lawsuit. To discuss the particulars of your unique case, contact Flanagan Law to schedule a free case review.

How Does Liability Coverage Work for a Rideshare Company?

A rideshare vehicle is not the same as any other civilian passenger vehicle on the road, and the rideshare driver will not be treated as such in legal battles. Just the same, however, an Uber or Lyft driver is not treated the same as all other commercial vehicles either. Most of the time, rideshare drivers use their personal vehicles to pick up and deliver passengers. But Lyft and Uber do not consider them employees; they are independent contractors.

That said, rideshare companies provide a certain level of insurance coverage to their drivers while they’re on duty. And the drivers must have secondary coverage meeting the minimum for car insurance coverage in their state.

Still, there are holes in rideshare insurance, and the companies will often abuse those loopholes to limit their liability in an accident. The insurance company will similarly try to lowball accident victims.

It’s important to hire a Lyft and Uber accident attorney for your case to help cut through the insurance policy legalese.

What if the Rideshare Driver Was Off Duty at the Time of the Accident?

Whether or not a rideshare driver is held solely responsible for a crash may depend on many factors, including:

• Whether their app was on.
• Whether they had a passenger in their car or were en route to pick one up.
• Or whether they were driving their vehicle off-duty.

In these instances, the rideshare companies may not take any responsibility for an accident.

What Types of Damages Can Be Recovered in Rideshare Car Accident Cases?

If it can be shown that driver negligence led to an accident, your lawyer may be able to negotiate a fair settlement for your injuries.

Economic damages may include:

• Lost wages.
• Medical expenses.
• Property damage.

Non-economic damages could include:

• Emotional anguish.
• Lost quality of life.
• Pain and suffering.

Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with an Experienced Uber and Lyft Accident Attorney

Car accidents are traumatic enough to recover from without the introduction of powerful companies like Uber, Lyft, and their competitors. You should not have to represent yourself. We highly recommend you resist that urge, as you will likely recover far less in compensation.

Hire an experienced Lyft and Uber accident lawyer like Samantha Flanagan of Commerce City’s Flanagan Law for your legal needs. We offer a free case review. And if we don’t win, you won’t have to pay.

Call our office at 720-928-9178.