Are you struggling with painful injuries after a rideshare accident in Lakewood, CO? Car accident cases involving Uber and Lyft can be extremely complicated. An experienced Lakewood Uber accident lawyer at Matos Personal Injury Lawyers can help you fight to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and more.
Since 2016, accident victims across the Denver metro area have trusted us to help them recover fair compensation for injuries. We’ve helped countless clients like you get the money they need and deserve after an accident.
Your future is too important to leave to chance. Contact our law offices in Lakewood, Colorado at (720) 912-7274 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced attorney today.
Why Should I Trust The Matos Law Firm, LLC to Handle My Lakewood Uber Accident Case?
Uber accident victims often encounter many complications when they file a claim for compensation. Multiple parties may share the blame for the crash. Uber’s commercial insurance company often fights hard to downplay the damages involved.
An experienced Lakewood personal injury lawyer at The Matos Law Firm, LLC can help you overcome any challenges you face.
When you hire our experienced attorneys to handle your case, you’ll have a lawyer to:
- Provide sound legal advice and identify all sources of compensation
- Collect any evidence that can be used to build your case
- Hire experts and specialists the insurance company will take seriously
- Evaluate your damages and calculate the value of your personal injury case
- Stand up to the insurance company if they blame you for getting hurt
- Negotiate with the insurance company for the maximum settlement possible
- Represent you in court if necessary
Our Lakewood personal injury attorneys are dedicated to providing personal attention and guidance at all stages of the legal process. While you recover, we’ll handle the legal issues. Contact our law offices today to learn more about the benefits of quality legal representation.
How Valuable Is My Lakewood Uber Accident Claim?
Ultimately, your case value will depend on the extent of the damage you have suffered. That includes potential future complications associated with your injury.
When we’re calculating your case value, our lawyers will evaluate:
- Your overall prognosis and the severity of your injuries
- The nature and cost of your medical care
- Your need for future medical treatment or ongoing rehabilitation
- How the injury impacts your earnings during recovery
- Whether you will suffer a permanent disability
- Your physical pain and damage to your mental health
- How the injury affects your quality of life
As a practical matter, insurance policy coverage limits often impact the value of personal injury claims. Available insurance coverage is usually higher when an Uber or Lyft driver is involved in a crash.
What Insurance Issues Can Impact My Lakewood Uber Accident Case?
Under Colorado law, Uber drivers are independent contractors. Therefore, Uber itself cannot be held liable for the negligent acts of Uber drivers. The insurance company that issued the Uber driver’s personal insurance policy can also deny claims for damages incurred while the insured individual was driving to make a profit for Uber.
Rideshare companies are now required to purchase commercial insurance coverage. The value of that coverage depends on the driver’s status at the time of the crash.
As the victim, you must establish the driver’s status before you can file a claim under Uber’s insurance policies.
Driver Was Transporting a Passenger or En Route to Pick Up a Passenger
The highest policy limits are available during this time period.
Once the Uber driver accepts a passenger request, the following coverage limits apply:
- $1 million in third-party liability coverage
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage for bodily injury
- Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage up to the cash value of the vehicle ( a $2,500 deductible applies)
This coverage might only apply if a car accident occurs while the Uber driver is on the way to pick up passengers or while passengers are in the vehicle.
Driver Was Awaiting a Ride Request
Uber provides a lower amount of insurance coverage if the driver has not accepted a passenger’s ride request but is available to accept requests.
The policy limits are:
- $50,000 in bodily injury liability (BIL) coverage per person
- $100,000 in BIL coverage per accident
- $25,000 in property damage liability (PDL) coverage per accident
Similar to the $1 million coverage, this is third-party liability coverage. It only applies if the driver’s personal auto insurance does not cover all of your damages.
Driver Was Logged Out of the Uber App
Drivers who are not signed into the Uber app cannot receive coverage under Uber’s insurance policy. Instead, their personal insurance should apply as in any other car accident case.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Uber Accident Victims in Lakewood, Colorado?
Once you have identified the correct insurance policy, you’ll have to identify the specific damages–or losses–that you suffered due to the accident.
Whether you’re filing an insurance claim or filing a personal injury lawsuit, there are two basic types of compensatory damages: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages cover financial losses, such as:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost future earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Nursing care
- Vehicle repair costs and other property damage
Non-economic damages are awarded to compensate for personal, non-financial losses, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium
Insurance companies don’t simply hand over settlement checks without proof. Your lawyer can help you gather evidence to prove the types of damages you have suffered. At The Matos Law Firm, LLC, our team will fight for the maximum compensation possible in your case. Give us a call to schedule your free case review today.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Partially Responsible for Causing an Uber Accident in Colorado?
Uber accident victims don’t lose their right to compensation unless they were at least 50% responsible for their own injuries.
Colorado’s comparative negligence laws allow victims to recover partial compensation if their share of fault is less than 50%. If you share some blame, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Once you are deemed to be “mostly” responsible for the accident, you cannot seek compensation.
Our Uber Accident Attorneys in Lakewood Will Fight to Recover Fair Compensation for All of Your Injuries
A serious injury can change the course of your life. Even relatively “minor” injuries can have a major impact on your day-to-day lifestyle. Recovering fair compensation can be one of the most important things you do.
At The Matos Law Firm, LLC, we often represent accident victims who have suffered:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Whiplash
- Soft tissue damage
- Facial injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Organ damage
- Crushing injuries
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic and long-term injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Many accident victims don’t know what to do after an accident. It’s important to seek medical attention. Even if you think you’re okay, you might have injuries that aren’t obvious or painful right away.
What Causes Most Uber Crashes in Lakewood, Colorado?
Rideshare drivers are not professionally trained. While Uber is generally a safe option, accidents happen because of the same factors that can cause any other motor vehicle accident.
Some of the most common causes of accidents involving Uber include:
- Distracted driving
- Drivers who are not familiar with the roads and traffic patterns
- Speeding and rushing to complete rides
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Tailgating
- Stopping in dangerous locations for passenger pickups and drop-offs
- Aggressive driving
- Dangerous U-turns
- Dangerous passing
- Weaving between lanes
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Ignoring other traffic regulations
- Drunk driving or drug use behind the wheel
Uber drivers aren’t always 100% responsible for auto accidents. Poor weather, limited visibility, and other hazardous road conditions can also contribute to the cause of an accident.
How Do I Prove I Deserve Compensation After an Uber Accident in Colorado?
Negligence is the legal theory behind most Uber accident cases.
Someone is negligent if:
- They owe you a legal duty of care
- They make some type of mistake to breach the duty of care
- The breach of duty causes an accident
- You suffer damages as a result
While police reports and medical records can provide valuable information, our lawyers often conduct our own investigations to locate evidence. With strong evidence to back up your claim, you’ll have a much stronger chance of recovering full compensation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Rideshare Accident in Colorado?
In Colorado car accident cases, the statute of limitations is typically three years. If you fail to file a personal injury lawsuit within three years of the accident, you lose your right to seek compensation.
Contact an Experienced Lakewood Uber Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation Today
If you were injured in an Uber accident due to someone else’s negligence, our lawyers at The Matos Law Firm, LLC can help you fight for fair compensation. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Lakewood Uber accident attorney.