Uber And Lyft Accidents In Denver, Colorado

Uber And Lyft Laws In Denver

The laws regulating Uber and Lyft rideshare services and drivers are contained in the Transportation Network Company Act (TNCA). The TNCA is covered in CRS 40-10.1-601 through 40-10.1-609. Some of the requirements include:

• A minimum of $1 million in liability insurance for active drivers 
• Drivers having their own personal liability insurance
• Annual safety inspections of drivers’ vehicles
• Drivers must be at least 21 years or older
• Drivers cannot drive for more than 12 consecutive hours daily

Who Does Liability Insurance Cover In Uber And Lyft Accidents?

Since Colorado is an at-fault state, all drivers must have liability insurance to cover any injuries and damages they cause in car accidents. Vehicle liability insurance in Uber and Lyft accidents covers the following individuals:

• Uber and Lyft passengers
• Uber and Lyft drivers
• Drivers and passengers of other vehicles

How To File A Lawsuit After An Uber Auto Accident​ In Denver

There are specific steps to file a lawsuit for your injuries after an Uber or Lyft accident in Denver. The step you follow depends on whether you are a passenger or a driver.

As A Passenger

Filing your Lyft or Uber passenger accident claim and lawsuit will depend on who is at fault. If it is the rideshare driver, you would file against the Uber/Lyft insurance or possibly their insurance. If another driver is at fault, you will file against their insurance.

Colorado uses modified comparative negligence, so if the rideshare driver and the other vehicle’s driver are found to be at fault, you may need to file against both of them. 

As A Driver

Uber and Lyft drivers can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver when another driver injures them. You can also file a claim against your rideshare company if the responsible party’s insurance does not cover all your injuries and losses. 

If you are at fault for the accident, you will file your claim under your rideshare policy as long as you are active. Otherwise, you would file against your insurance policy. 

How Do I Prove Negligence In Uber And Lyft Accidents?

In order to file a lawsuit injury claim, you must prove at least one party was negligent in the Uber or Lyft accident. Again, it will depend on who was responsible for the accident and what type of evidence you will need to establish negligence. 

If the rideshare driver were speeding or texting and caused the accident, you would need to prove their actions were negligent. However, if another driver ran a red light and hit the rideshare vehicle, you would need to prove they were negligent because they disobeyed the traffic signal. 

The other two vital components to establishing negligence are:

• Incurring actual damages and losses
• Establishing the accident resulted in your injuries and associated losses

What Should I Do If I Am In An Uber Or Lyft Accident In Denver?

If you are in a Lyft or Uber auto accident in Denver, you would take similar steps as you would in any other car accident: 

• Call 911: Under Colorado law, anytime there is an accident with injuries, property damages, or death, they must be reported immediately. 
• Seek medical treatment: Even if your injuries seem minor, you should still be examined, as some injuries are not always apparent immediately following a rideshare crash.
• Gather evidence: Take pictures and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damages, and your injuries. Obtain the contact details of any witnesses. 
• Obtain insurance information: Obtain the name, contact details, and insurance information from your rideshare driver and any other drivers involved in the accident. 
• Report the accident to Uber or Lyft: Report the accident through the rideshare app. 
• Speak to a rideshare injury attorney: Contact our rideshare injury attorneys as soon as possible for a free case evaluation. 

What Should I Do If I Was Hit By An Uber Or Lyft Driver In Denver, Colorado?

If an Uber or Lyft driver hit you in Denver, you would report the accident like any other car accident. However, who you file your injury claim against will depend on whether they were on active duty and had a passenger in the vehicle or not. 

How Our Denver Rideshare Accident Lawyers Can Help You

Bachus & Schanker are the best accident attorneys in Denver to assist you in filing your rideshare injury claim. Our goal is to provide caring and compassionate support while obtaining the compensation you deserve, allowing you to focus on healing and recovery. 

Sources:

CRS 13-21-111. (2024).

CRS 42-4-1606. (2024).

Part 6 – Transportation Network Companies. (2024).