Rideshare Car Accidents

Rideshare Car Accidents Lawyer

The popularity of ridesharing has exploded in recent years and offers many environmental, financial and safety benefits, including the ability to help keep intoxicated motorists off the road.

Denver Uber & Lyft Accident Attorneys

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have become essential in our everyday lives. Many Denver residents may rely on them for daily commutes to and from work or to get home from a bar late at night. Passengers depend on Uber and Lyft drivers for safe and convenient transportation, but even with a rideshare service, accidents can still happen.

If you have been involved in a Denver rideshare accident and need assistance claiming compensation for your injuries, Fiedler Trial Lawyers is the firm you can trust. Our team has decades of experience representing clients in Denver personal injury and car accident cases. Our attorneys are prepared to offer you exceptional legal support every step of the way after your Denver Uber or Lyft accident. From assisting you in identifying the liable party to ensuring that you receive the maximum compensation for your injuries, Fiedler Trial Lawyers is here for you.

Ridesharing in Denver, Colorado

Uber and Lyft are undoubtedly the two most popular rideshare services for residents in Denver, Colorado. Both services offer affordable rides for passengers commuting around the city, heading to the airport, or traveling outside of town. They are also popular choices for tourists visiting from out of town. Both Uber and Lyft have become convenient and favored alternatives to taxis, offering the ability to request a ride from your current location at almost any given time.

Both companies have a wide presence in the city of Denver. Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft offer everyday drivers the opportunity to use their vehicles to make some extra cash by providing passengers with rides around the city. Not only do these services provide residents in Denver with reliable and affordable transportation, but they also offer flexible employment.

Uber is the more popular choice between the two and has a higher presence in Denver than Lyft. A recent study from NetCredit shows that Denver Uber rates are among the highest in the country, with surges coming on holidays like Halloween and New Year’s.

How Do Most Uber and Lyft Accidents Happen?

As with any car accident, tragedy could strike in the blink of an eye. Like an ordinary auto accident, it could be caused by driver error, poor weather, maintenance issues, and more. Here are some of the most common causes we see for Uber and Lyft accidents in Denver:

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of auto accidents in Denver and in the United States as a whole. It is also a factor in many rideshare accidents and is one of the primary causes of Uber and Lyft accidents. For Uber and Lyft drivers, distracted driving is a prevalent issue, as the nature of the job itself requires drivers to be on their phones for navigation and stay alert for potential customers.

Uber and Lyft drivers who are focused on dropping off and picking up passengers may be influenced by distractions such as:

Following GPS directions
Accepting new rides mid-trip
Using their mobile devices to communicate with passengers
Engaging in conversation with passengers in the car

Our firm has extensive experience helping victims of distracted driving accidents claim compensation for their injuries. Victims should not have to pay for their Uber or Lyft driver’s negligence in an accident.

Reckless Driving

Uber and Lyft drivers are not directly incentivized for completing their trips faster, though drivers may speed in order to accept more jobs and increase their earnings. Similarly, drivers may act recklessly behind the wheel by weaving in and out of traffic or blowing through stoplights and stop signs. Auto accidents that are caused as a result of speeding or reckless driving often lead to serious injuries and property damage. Some common examples of reckless driving in Denver include:

Speeding
Disobeying or ignoring traffic signs
Tailgating
Sudden lane changes
Road rage
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

These are just a few of the ways in which your Uber or Lyft driver may be acting negligently or recklessly while driving. Passengers expect safe and reliable transportation from their Uber and Lyft drivers, though when they drive recklessly and cause an accident, they are putting your life and the lives of others at risk.

Fatigued Driving

Many Uber and Lyft employees work late into the night, driving several hours at a time. Some drivers choose to work for a rideshare service as a side job as a way to earn extra income on the side of their full-time employment. When drivers work long hours and travel long distances, they can easily become fatigued behind the wheel. Driving fatigued greatly impacts your driving ability, often leading to:

Slowed reaction times
Risk of falling asleep behind the wheel
Impaired decision-making ability

Fatigued driving is common among those who work for Uber and Lyft part-time in addition to a full-time job. Driving long distances when it is dark outside, especially after a full day of work, can cause drivers to become drowsy and doze off. Falling asleep behind the wheel can result in serious accidents, including head-on collisions.

Inexperienced Drivers

In the state of Colorado, you must be a minimum of 21 years of age to drive for Lyft and Uber, and you must have a valid driver’s license. While this gives drivers a good amount of time to get some driving experience under their belt, a few years of practice isn’t all that much in the grand scheme of things. Rideshare drivers are not required to undergo any sort of training to become official drivers for Uber or Lyft.

Without the need for proper training, companies like Uber and Lyft run the risk of employing inexperienced drivers who may not handle certain driving situations very well. For example, a driver without much experience driving in high-traffic, congested areas or traveling on the highway at high speeds may not be equipped to carry a car full of passengers. A lack of experience or formal training can often contribute to rideshare accidents.

Adverse Weather Conditions

Many rideshare passengers in Denver rely on Uber and Lyft for transportation during poor weather. The weather in Denver and the state of Colorado may present some challenges for rideshare drivers who are tasked with driving in tough conditions. Some risks that drivers are commonly faced with in Denver include:

Snow and ice during the winter months that leads to slippery roads
Rainstorms and hailstorms that reduce visibility and traction on the road

A lack of experience driving in Colorado’s unpredictable weather conditions can also be a contributing factor in rideshare accidents.

Other factors like rowdy passengers in the vehicles or maintenance failures can also contribute to a rideshare accident. Maintenance issues may lead to a tire blowout accident. Accidents could also be caused by other drivers on the road for all of the same reasons.

Regardless of the cause of the accident, you may be eligible for compensation if you have been injured in a Denver Uber or Lyft accident. If you have suffered an injury in a rideshare accident because of another driver’s negligence, we urge you to consult with the experts at Fiedler Trial Lawyers today.

Potential Injuries After an Uber or Lyft Accident

The severity of your injuries may vary depending on the type of accident that you were involved in, the size and speed of other vehicles involved, and many other factors. Like any car accident, the injuries sustained from a rideshare accident could leave you in the hospital for an extended period of time, leaving you with costly medical bills and a lengthy recovery period. Some of the accidents that we most commonly witness in rideshare accident cases include:

Whiplash: This is generally caused by a rear-end collision, when another car runs into the back of your vehicle. The sudden and aggressive impact of a rear-end collision can cause your neck to rapidly jerk back and forth, putting serious strain on your muscles and ligaments. Common symptoms of whiplash include neck stiffness and headaches.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Brain injuries and concussions are common after a serious rideshare accident. You may experience a traumatic brain injury in an accident if your Uber or Lyft driver was driving recklessly or was the victim in a high-speed accident.
Spinal cord injuries: You may suffer a spinal cord injury if you experience severe trauma to your back or neck. Accidents can lead to a herniated disc, nerve compression, or even paralysis. Our team of spinal cord injury attorneys can represent you if you have suffered a serious injury in an Uber or Lyft accident.
Broken bones: After an accident, passengers may suffer broken or fractured bones. The impact of the collision may be powerful enough for victims to suffer broken or fractured arms, wrists, ribs, legs, or ankles.
Internal injuries: Passengers may suffer from internal injuries as a result of blunt force trauma or being penetrated by an object in a serious accident. Some internal injuries may not be apparent at first, which is why seeking medical attention is so important. Victims in serious rideshare accidents may suffer from internal bleeding and organ damage. These injuries could be life-threatening if left untreated.

Car accidents can be traumatic events. Even a minor accident can leave you injured and fearful of getting back in a car anytime soon. Our firm understands the emotional and psychological impact that these accidents and the resulting injuries can have on a victim. We are able to offer expert legal support to those who are suffering from issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or anxiety after being involved in an Uber or Lyft accident.

A rideshare accident could leave you with either minor or serious injuries that result in expensive medical bills and leave you psychologically scarred. If you have been injured in a Denver Uber or Lyft accident, the attorneys at Fiedler Trial Lawyers are available to offer you a free, detailed review of your case and help you explore your best legal options moving forward.

How to Determine Liability in a Denver Rideshare Accident

At Fiedler Trial Lawyers, our Denver team of attorneys will be able to assist in identifying the responsible party in your rideshare accident. There are a number of different people or entities who could share liability in an Uber or Lyft accident, and holding the liable party accountable is an important step in helping you claim your compensation. More often than not, liability will be placed on one of the drivers involved, but there are multiple parties that could be held accountable in a Denver rideshare accident.

Determining liability after an Uber or Lyft accident may be complicated due to the amount of parties involved that may share responsibility. Here is a closer look at who all could be held liable for a rideshare accident:

Uber or Lyft Drivers

If you were involved in an accident because your Uber or Lyft driver was acting negligently or driving recklessly, they will likely be held liable for your injuries. Rideshare drivers who were speeding, driving distracted, or blatantly disobeying traffic laws are typically at fault in these accidents.

Uber and Lyft offer coverage for their drivers; however, both claim that it is subordinate to a driver’s insurance policy. Lyft, for example, maintains third-party liability insurance of $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident but indicates it is only available if a driver does not have insurance with similar limits.

Other Drivers

Generally, if your Uber or Lyft driver is not responsible for the accident, it is typically the fault of another driver on the road. If this is the case, and you have been injured in an accident caused by another driver, that driver and their insurance company will most likely be liable for the damages.

It is possible that the rideshare driver and another driver share fault for the accident, though either way, the passenger will not be liable in this instance.

Rideshare Companies

Uber and Lyft drivers are technically not considered employees; rather, they are independent contractors. This means that in most cases, the drivers themselves are held personally liable for an accident, and the rideshare companies are not directly responsible.

However, there are certain instances when a rideshare company could share liability or be held liable for an accident. For example:

Negligent hiring: If Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare company decided to hire a contractor without conducting a thorough background check and that driver has a history of reckless driving, the rideshare company could be responsible.
App failures: Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft may also be held liable if an issue within their app directly caused the driver to get in an accident.
Insurance responsibilities: A rideshare company may be held liable through their insurance policy if the driver was actively using their app at the time of the accident.

Pedestrians or Cyclists

Just like another driver, a pedestrian or a cyclist could also be held liable if they contributed to the accident. A cyclist who darted out into traffic and caused the Uber or Lyft driver to crash while attempting to avoid them may share some responsibility. Similarly, a pedestrian who was jaywalking and caused an accident may be held accountable as well.

In some instances, a rideshare accident may be caused by poor road conditions. This could include dangerous construction zones, missing traffic signals, and poorly maintained or designed roads. Manufacturers may be held liable for injuries if an airbag failed to deploy during an accident or if the brakes failed and directly caused an accident, for example.

Determining Liability

Our personal injury and rideshare accident attorneys are adept at helping clients gather evidence that strengthens their case and determines liability in their accident. There are several different ways that our legal team can help determine liability in your Uber or Lyft accident, including obtaining evidence such as:

Police reports
Witness statements
Surveillance footage
Dashcam footage
Driver testimonies

Our team is well prepared to help Denver residents determine liability in their rideshare accident case and claim compensation for their injuries. If you have been hurt in an Uber or Lyft accident in Denver, we want to hear from you. Call us today or connect with us online to schedule your free consultation.

What Damages Are Available After an Uber or Lyft Accident?

After being involved in an Uber or Lyft accident in Denver, our team can help you recover economic damages, meaning compensation that addresses your financial losses, and noneconomic damages, which refers to the compensation that you can claim for your emotional distress and other nonfinancial losses. In some situations, you may even be awarded punitive damages.

There are a number of different financial losses that victims may face after being injured in an Uber or Lyft accident. Passengers who were involved in a rideshare accident may be eligible for compensation for things like:

Medical bills
- Emergency room visits
- Hospital stays
- Physical therapy
- Surgeries
- Future medical expenses
Lost wages
- Compensation for missed work
- Future lost earnings
Property damage
- Any personal property that was damaged during the accident

Noneconomic damages account for the nonfinancial losses after an accident. This typically includes:

Pain and suffering
- Victims of an auto accident may have long-term feelings of anxiety or depression as a result of their injuries. They may also develop post-traumatic stress disorder and be fearful of driving in the future.
Loss of enjoyment for life
- After a serious car accident, your injuries may leave you unable to perform some of the same tasks or hobbies that you had in the past. Some victims may have an inability to socialize or enjoy life the way they once had.

Punitive damages refer to compensation that victims may receive if the at-fault party was egregiously negligent, reckless, or intentional in their actions. Punitive damages are meant to punish the defendant for their behavior. For example, a person who was driving drunk and speeding excessively may have to pay punitive damages for putting others in harm’s way.

Our firm has helped victims of car accidents recover millions of dollars, and we can help you claim compensation too. At Fiedler Trial Lawyers, we are committed to helping victims of Uber and Lyft accidents recover by securing compensation for their injuries and emotional suffering.

If you have been injured in a Denver rideshare accident, do not hesitate to contact Fiedler Trial Lawyers and get a free, detailed review of your case. We are happy to offer a free consultation to those who are in need of a personal injury attorney after their accident.

How Can an Attorney Help With Your Uber and Lyft Accident Case?

Consulting with an attorney can make all the difference in your Uber or Lyft accident case. A skilled auto accident attorney will be able to help you gather evidence, identify a liable party, and secure the maximum compensation.

Our team is prepared to help victims of rideshare accidents recover economic and noneconomic damages for their injuries. We have recovered millions in Denver auto accident cases over the last 25 years, and we can handle your case with confidence and care.

We fight endlessly for our clients. If you are unable to travel to us, we will come to you. We never stop fighting for our clients until they receive the compensation that they deserve. Your time matters. Allow us to handle the work while you focus on recovery. We can also negotiate with pesky insurance companies who may try to lowball you and offer you a lower settlement than you deserve.

At Fiedler Trial Lawyers, we can assist with your Uber and Lyft accident case and many other key areas of life as well, including:

We have 25+ years of experience proudly representing victims of auto accidents and other personal injury accidents in Denver. We have a long history of winning results. Call us today to schedule a free consultation and see how we can make a difference in your Denver Uber or Lyft accident case.

Contact Fiedler Trial Lawyers Today for Your Denver Rideshare Accident Claim

If you have been injured in a Denver rideshare accident, do not hesitate to call the team of personal injury attorneys at Fiedler Trial Lawyers. Our legal team will stand by you every step of the way in your Uber or Lyft accident case and ensure that you receive the maximum compensation available for your injuries.

You should not have to pay for somebody else’s negligence. Our team understands the impact that an auto accident and the ensuing injuries can have on your life, and we want to help you on your path to recovery. If you have been involved in a Denver Uber or Lyft accident, call us today or connect with us online to speak with one of our attorneys today.

Practice Areas

Trucking Accidents

Bad Faith Insurance Claims

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Motor Vehicle Accidents FAQ

Medical Malpractice

Catastrophic Injuries

Wrongful Death

Frequently Asked Questions

Are rideshare drivers in Denver required to have special insurance coverage?

Yes, rideshare drivers in Denver are required to have special insurance coverage to operate legally. Colorado mandates that Uber and Lyft drivers maintain personal auto insurance as well as coverage provided by the rideshare companies when the app is active. However, gaps in coverage can sometimes complicate the claims process after an accident. An experienced rideshare accident attorney can help navigate these insurance complexities and advocate for your best interests.

What should I do if a rideshare driver refuses to report an accident in Denver?

If a rideshare driver refuses to report an accident in Denver, you can take steps to protect yourself. First, document the accident scene thoroughly by taking photos, collecting contact information, and obtaining witness statements. Then, report the incident to the rideshare company directly using their app or website. Additionally, contacting a knowledgeable Uber or Lyft accident attorney in Denver can help ensure that your rights are protected and that the accident is properly addressed.

How can Fiedler Law Firm assist if you're injured in a rideshare accident?

At Fiedler Law Firm, we specialize in representing clients injured in rideshare accidents involving Uber or Lyft. Our team understands the nuances of Colorado law and the insurance requirements for rideshare companies, ensuring that your case is handled with the expertise it deserves. If you’ve been injured, we’re here to help you secure compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Don’t wait to contact us for a free consultation and personalized legal assistance.

Additional Information in Denver, Colorado

Our Client’s Say It Best

The best way to know and trust our Attorney Law Firm is to read
directly from our own clients.

Kevin

10 months ago

This is the representation that you are looking for! Ken Fiedler hits every box; from punctuality to communication to professionalism. I couldn’t be more satisfied to have chosen Ken to solve this unfortunate problem of mine. He will do the same for you!

Franscheliz

a year ago

I want to take this opportunity to thank this team for everything they did for my family. James and Ken worked on my case with the dedication and tact that you need the most. They fought for my family like I was part of theirs and made me feel seen and heard. This is the type of law firm you want and…

Brandi

a year ago

Ken and his staff are top notch! Ken helped my son and I with our auto accident case. He always took the time to answer our questions or explain things in more detail if needed. Ken is honest, straightforward, and a pleasure to work with. I will always recommend Ken and his team and…

TIME To Take Action

We make it simple. No time for a phone call now? Complete this form and we will schedule a call at your convenience. Your information is confidential.

info@fiedlerlaw.com

Offices

4725 S. Monaco Street, Suite 120
Denver, CO 80237
Phone: 720-996-6000

Free detailed case review.

KEN FIEDLER | 303.CALL.KEN