Uber Accident Attorney in Denver

The popularity of Uber has exploded in Colorado over the past several years. The ride-sharing service has been applauded for helping ease congestion on the roads and for giving individuals a safe option after they have had a few drinks. Unfortunately, Uber rides don’t always end safely. These vehicles and their drivers are no more immune to accidents on the roads than other drivers. When Uber accidents occur, the aftermath is often more confusing than other types of crashes.

Are Uber passengers covered by insurance? What insurance company do they go through to claim compensation for their injuries? What steps should they take to claim coverage? These are all important questions. An experienced Denver Uber accident lawyer from The Wilhite Law Firm can answer them all for you. Contact us today to learn more in a free consultation.

Uber Insurance for Passengers

Under Colorado law, Uber drivers must carry at least one million dollars in accident insurance during a prearranged ride. A prearranged ride constitutes the time the driver accepts a ride request to the time the passenger leaves the vehicle. This means that the coverage applies even if the driver has accepted a request but has not yet picked up the passenger.

This $1 million insurance policy is provided by Uber and is intended to cover the costs of a single accident. This insurance can provide coverage not only for passengers but also for other drivers if they are hit by an Uber driver. The amount of insurance you may have available to you may depend on whether other parties suffered injuries in the accident.

In instances in which an Uber driver has gone online to indicate they are available to drive passengers around, Uber must still provide them with certain insurance coverage. This coverage must provide at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident during this time period. If an Uber driver does not have passengers and has not accepted a request, other drivers can still claim this insurance if they are hit by a negligent Uber driver that was online at the time of the accident.

When Uber drivers are not online and not accepting requests, they are considered off the clock. In these instances, they must carry their own liability insurance as mandated by Colorado law.

What To Do After an Uber Accident

The moments after any car accident are confusing. You are likely suffering from injuries, you may not know how the accident happened, and you probably don’t know what to do next. Taking the right steps at this point is very important. It’s the only way to protect your claim and your right to compensation in the future.

After an accident involving an Uber in Denver, you should:

• Exchange Information – You should write down the names, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, insurance information and any contact information of all drivers involved, including the Uber driver. If there were witnesses to the accident, make sure you write down their names and contact information, too.
• Take Photos – Today, everyone has a smartphone. It’s an important tool after an Uber accident. Take photos of your injuries, the surrounding scene, and any pertinent details such as a red light which a driver ran. Also, take photos of any damage to the vehicles involved, as these can often help explain how the accident happened.
• Get Medical Attention – Your health should always be your top priority after an accident. If you have serious injuries, call 911 or have a bystander call for you. If you are not critically injured, you can remain at the scene but make sure as soon as you leave that you get medical treatment. This is important even if you don’t think you suffered major injuries. Some injuries aren’t always apparent immediately.
• File an Accident Report – While you must call the police after any car accident in Colorado, the police won’t always file a report. They will only do so if there are injuries or more than $1,000 in property damage. You should also file a report directly with Uber. Filing a report will create a record of the accident.

Determining Liability in Uber Accidents

When a car accident occurs, it’s always difficult to determine liability, or who was at fault for the crash. The person liable for a crash is the one that acted negligently, recklessly, or carelessly. This is not always easy to determine, however.

When drivers act negligently, they can be held liable for a crash. Negligent driving behavior includes drunk driving, driving while distracted, or ignoring road signs and signals. Even failing to properly maintain a vehicle is considered negligence. When a motorist does not drive in a manner that will keep everyone safe, those injured in an accident can hold them liable.

It’s not only drivers that are liable in a crash. If a vehicle has defective parts, the manufacturer may be liable in the event of an accident. Additionally, if the road was in disrepair and caused an accident, a government entity could even be held liable for a crash.

This is what makes determining liability after an Uber crash so difficult. There are often many multiple parties, and negligence isn’t always easy to identify. For example, if an Uber driver failed to fix his or her brakes, and brake failure caused an accident, that negligent act may not always be readily apparent.

Additionally, there could be other negligent parties. Determining who they are, and what percentage of fault they carry, can be extremely challenging. A Denver Uber accident lawyer from The Wilhite Law Firm can help those hurt in Uber crashes to determine who was at fault and hold them responsible.

Damages Recoverable in an Uber Accident

Under Colorado law, any passenger or other driver hurt by a negligent driver is entitled to full compensation for their losses. Through a Denver personal injury claim, injured individuals can receive compensation for:

Claiming this insurance isn’t always easy. Although Uber’s insurance policy provides a large amount of coverage, you will still have to deal with the insurance company. Like any other insurance company, Uber’s insurer will be more concerned with its profits than providing coverage to those injured. The insurer will use many tactics to deny your claim or offer a settlement that fails to fully cover all of your losses. For this reason, anyone hurt in an accident involving an Uber should speak to an accident lawyer without delay.

Contact Our Denver Uber Accident Attorneys Today

If you have been injured in an accident that involved an Uber driver, it’s important to know you are not alone. At The Wilhite Law Firm, we are here to help. We’ll determine who was liable for the accident, speak to any insurance company on your behalf and help you to pursue maximum compensation for your injuries and losses. Contact us today for your free consultation.