While ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft can be more affordable and more available than traditional taxi services, an Uber or Lyft driver may not be as careful as taxi drivers. Uber and Lyft drivers have become increasingly popular in Fort Collins and Colorado.
Whether you are using a rideshare vehicle as a customer and are hurt, or a driver for a rideshare company causes a crash, a Fort Collins Uber or Lyft accident lawyer can help. A well-versed car accident attorney can bring a claim for compensation against the negligent party on your behalf.
When a Driver Causes Injuries
Drivers using Uber and Lyft are independent contractors and not employees of Uber or Lyft. Thus, when a rideshare driver is responsible for an injury crash or otherwise causes harm to another through careless behavior, that driver and their own private auto insurance company will generally bear primary responsibility for paying the costs of your injuries.
Both Uber and Lyft also carry third party liability insurance. If the driver’s own private auto insurance coverage and financial resources are not enough to address the economic impact of your injuries, Uber or Lyft’s third-party liability insurance may provide additional coverage. This helps ensure that passengers and others hurt by a rideshare driver can be compensated fairly in the event of a crash. A Fort Collins Uber, Lyft, and rideshare attorney can thoroughly examine the facts surrounding a crash to determine what options an injured party has for recovering compensation.
What Amount Auto Liability Insurance Coverage Do Drivers Need to Carry?
Motor vehicle drivers in Colorado are required to have auto liability insurance coverage of at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage, so your Uber or Lyft driver should have at least this amount of coverage. They could have purchased higher coverage.
Uber and Lyft typically provide its drivers with auto liability coverage of $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage when the driver is available but not yet on a trip or en route to a trip.
Uber and Lyft typically provide its drivers with auto liability coverage of $1 million when the driver is on a trip or en route to a trip.
Proving Fault Against an Uber or Lyft Driver in Fort Collins
Before an injured person can receive compensation from Uber, Lyft, or one of their drivers, they must establish that the Lyft driver or Uber driver was primarily at fault in causing their injuries. In other words, the plaintiff must be able to prove the negligent party had a duty of care to the injured individual and breached that duty. Finally, they also must be able to establish that this breach of duty was the direct cause of the person’s injuries. Only when the plaintiff and their Fort Collins rideshare accident lawyer can prove these elements do they have a viable claim.
Examples of negligent actions a driver could be held liable for include:
- Used a cell phone at the time of the crash
- Drove the vehicle recklessly or carelessly by ignoring speed limits and traffic control lights
- Drove under the influence of alcohol or some other impairing drug
- Drove a vehicle that was not in good working order or did not have essential safety equipment
What Kind of Evidence Needs to be Gathered for Fort Collins Rideshare Wreck Claims?
Police reports from the accident and eyewitness statements can be especially helpful in reconstructing what led to a crash and proving liability. However, locating these documents, people, and other evidence can be a challenge. The longer a person waits to collect the evidence, the more difficult it will be. Therefore, anyone considering a claim in Fort Collins should reach out to an attorney as soon as possible after an Uber, Lyft, or rideshare accident.
Get Help from a Fort Collins Uber/Lyft Accident Attorney
A Fort Collins Uber/Lyft accident lawyer can help you exercise your legal rights after a crash or accident involving a rideshare driver. Specifically, an attorney can help you identify you may be liable for your injuries and what your legal options are. With the help of a skilled attorney, you could recover the compensation you are entitled to. To discuss your rights, call today for a consultation.