When you get in an accident with an Uber, prioritize getting out of the flow of traffic and receiving medical care. You can also collect evidence before you leave the scene. Finally, get legal advice about what to do next.
Getting into a car accident is always a traumatic experience. When it involves a rideshare vehicle like Uber, the confusion and stress can multiply quickly.
Rideshare accidents often involve complex liability and insurance coverage that differ from standard car accidents. Our Colorado car accident lawyers can provide support during a difficult time.
For a free legal consultation, call (303) 777-1000
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Immediate Steps to Take After an Accident Involving an Uber
In the moments following an Uber-related accident, your top priority should always be your health and safety. Taking the proper steps immediately can protect your well-being and significantly strengthen your potential personal injury claim later:
- Get Medical Attention: Take stock of how you feel and what concerns you have. This will determine if you go to the ER, an urgent care center, or your doctor. A timely medical evaluation is critical for diagnosing and treating your injuries. It also creates a formal record that can be crucial when filing an insurance claim or pursuing legal action.
- Call 911 and Report the Accident: Always report the accident to the police. An official accident report can serve as a key piece of evidence in determining fault and documenting the circumstances of the crash. Be sure to request a copy of the report once it’s available.
- Gather Evidence at the Scene: If you’re physically able, collect as much information as possible at the accident scene by taking photos or video, getting driver and vehicle info, and contact information from any witnesses.
Who Is Liable in an Uber Accident?
Determining who is responsible for an Uber-related accident can be more complicated than a typical crash. Liability often depends on what the Uber driver was doing during the accident and whether another driver or outside party may have also played a role.
Understanding how these factors interact is essential to identifying the appropriate source of compensation.
The Uber Driver’s Status at the Time of the Crash
Uber classifies a driver’s activity into three distinct “periods” that affect which insurance policies are in play:
- Driver Is Offline, or the App Is Off: If the Uber driver was not logged into the app, their auto insurance policy applies. Uber provides no coverage in this scenario.
- App Is On, but No Ride Accepted Yet: Uber provides contingent liability coverage: up to $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 total per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. However, this is only if the driver’s personal insurance doesn’t cover the full amount.
- Ride Accepted or Passenger in Vehicle: If the driver was en route to pick up a rider or transporting a passenger, Uber’s $1 million commercial liability policy is in effect.
Other Parties Who May Cause Uber Accidents
Even if an Uber driver is involved, they may not be solely, or even primarily, at fault. Other at-fault parties could include:
- Another negligent driver (e.g., ran a red light or was speeding).
- Vehicle manufacturers (if a mechanical failure caused or worsened the crash).
- Government entities (for poor road conditions or traffic signal failures).
Colorado law allows injury victims to seek compensation from all parties whose negligence contributed to the accident. Each party’s degree of fault will impact how liability is shared and how much compensation you may be eligible to receive.
How Is Negligence Proven in a Rideshare Case?
If you get into an accident with an Uber in Colorado, you’ll generally need to prove that another party’s negligence caused your injuries. In legal terms, negligence means someone failed to act with reasonable care under the circumstances and that failure directly caused harm.
How a Thorough Investigation Builds a Strong Car Accident Case
Proving negligence in a rideshare accident often requires your lawyer to do a thorough investigation. Key types of evidence may include:
- Police reports documenting the scene, citations, and officer opinions.
- Photographs and videos from the scene, traffic cameras, or bystanders.
- Uber trip data, including timestamps, route logs, and app activity records.
- Witness statements from passengers, other drivers, or pedestrians.
- Cell phone records to determine whether distracted driving occurred.
- Expert analysis, such as accident reconstruction, when needed.
Because Uber drivers use personal vehicles and are considered independent contractors, Uber may try to minimize its role. Our lawyers fight to ensure that all negligent parties are held accountable.
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What Compensation Can You Recover?
You may be entitled to economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover measurable losses like medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Depending on the Uber driver’s status, compensation may come from Uber’s policy, the driver’s insurer, or another liable party. Our attorneys can help maximize recovery by identifying all available sources.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
Uber accident claims can be complex, involving multiple insurance policies, legal deadlines, and disputes over who is liable. Our personal injury lawyers can guide you through every step. We gather evidence, determine fault, and evaluate the full extent of your losses.
We also handle communications with insurance companies, who may attempt to downplay injuries or shift blame to reduce payouts. Your attorney can take the case to court if a fair settlement can’t be reached.
Additionally, we ensure compliance with Colorado’s statute of limitations and comparative negligence laws. With us managing the legal process, you can focus on recovery while knowing your rights and future are protected.
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Matlin Injury Law can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Contact Our Colorado Car Accident Lawyers Today
Between managing your recovery, missing work, and trying to make sense of complex insurance policies, it’s easy to feel lost. However, Colorado law gives you the right to pursue compensation when someone else’s negligence causes harm, and you don’t have to face that process alone. A car accident lawyer from our firm can help.
The legal team at Matlin Injury Law understands rideshare accident victims’ challenges. We’re here to help you make informed decisions, protect your interests, and fight for the outcome you deserve.
If you get into an accident with an Uber, contact our firm today to discuss what happens next. Your initial consultation is free.
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